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thephdivabooks's review against another edition
5.0
Complicated, thought-provoking, and original—True Story by Kate Reed Petty is one of those books that takes a bit to unpack after finishing it. This book is nothing like what I expected, in a good way. A truly unique look at the complexities of truth, sexual assault, rumors, trauma, and the lasting impact of a story told so many times, it’s hard to know whether it actually happened.
This is one of the strangest books I’ve read, but in a good way! When the book was described as “part psychological thriller, part fever dream” I didn’t put much stock in it. It sounded like a pretty straight-forward suspense/drama about the aftermath of a sexual assault allegation and the damage it caused to the young woman who survived it.
Nothing about this book is straight-forward, and that will become clear almost as soon as you begin reading it. Fever dream is sort of the perfect way to describe it. The story takes a lot of turns that I puzzled about obsessively. Often, I paged back to double check the things I read and make sure I hadn’t missed anything! At the same time, the writing itself was quite unique. The story unfolds in the midst of an unexplained mix of screenplays and “found” narrative, first person-accounts, second-person narratives, and jumps in time. The chapters or sections themselves are completely different lengths. Everything from the font, typography, and even the use of quotation marks varied wildly throughout the book.
The story focuses primarily on two characters and spans two decades. Alice is the private school girl who got drunk at a party one night in high school, was found on her front porch by her parents, and was later the subject of rumors about a sexual assault that she doesn’t remember.
Meanwhile Nick is a lacrosse player who struggles to fit in with his friends, who are more experienced than him, more brazen than him, and party harder than him. So when two of his friends tell the story about driving Alice home and hooking up with her, he believes them.
As the rumor spreads, Nick ends up in a tough spot. His friends claim it was just a story, exaggerated for entertainment and not true. Meanwhile his crush Haley insists it is true and that the girl is traumatized. Forced to choose his friends or Haley, Nick backs his friends and the rumor eventually fades from memory as Nick and his friends finish their Senior year and head to college.
Meanwhile Alice has a complicated life that unfolds in bursts. We learn about her high school experience, about a support group of sorts she joined, about college, about a relationship she’s in as an adult, and eventually, about her career as a ghost writer for other people’s work. She is unable, even well into adulthood, to ever tell her own story.
Nick descends into extreme alcoholism through his adulthood, but he has hope and is trying to get his life back on track. And then, though they never actually met, Nick’s story and Alice’s start to creep back together, and the truth of what happened will come out.
I don’t really want to say much more about this book, other than that I advise you to stick with it. I was at times so immersed in the story, I couldn’t tear myself away from the pages. Other times I questioned where the story was headed and if I missed something.
All I’ll say is that the ending is brilliant and truly thought-provoking. I finished this book days ago and I can’t stop thinking about the nature of a rumor, a story, the truth, and healing. This is a fascinating and brilliant story that shows the talent this writer brings to what will likely be a promising career. I certainly can’t wait to see what she will do next!
I don’t think this book will be for everyone, but it will speak to many readers. The assault itself isn’t graphic, but it looms over the story in the absence of details that come with a lapse in memory. The book itself is disorienting, mirroring the way these situations feel in life. Which version of a story is true? Will we ever even know? And what happens when we doubt our own truth in the wake of others’ narratives?
Original and complex. A must-read for the reader who thinks they’ve seen it all.
This is one of the strangest books I’ve read, but in a good way! When the book was described as “part psychological thriller, part fever dream” I didn’t put much stock in it. It sounded like a pretty straight-forward suspense/drama about the aftermath of a sexual assault allegation and the damage it caused to the young woman who survived it.
Nothing about this book is straight-forward, and that will become clear almost as soon as you begin reading it. Fever dream is sort of the perfect way to describe it. The story takes a lot of turns that I puzzled about obsessively. Often, I paged back to double check the things I read and make sure I hadn’t missed anything! At the same time, the writing itself was quite unique. The story unfolds in the midst of an unexplained mix of screenplays and “found” narrative, first person-accounts, second-person narratives, and jumps in time. The chapters or sections themselves are completely different lengths. Everything from the font, typography, and even the use of quotation marks varied wildly throughout the book.
The story focuses primarily on two characters and spans two decades. Alice is the private school girl who got drunk at a party one night in high school, was found on her front porch by her parents, and was later the subject of rumors about a sexual assault that she doesn’t remember.
Meanwhile Nick is a lacrosse player who struggles to fit in with his friends, who are more experienced than him, more brazen than him, and party harder than him. So when two of his friends tell the story about driving Alice home and hooking up with her, he believes them.
As the rumor spreads, Nick ends up in a tough spot. His friends claim it was just a story, exaggerated for entertainment and not true. Meanwhile his crush Haley insists it is true and that the girl is traumatized. Forced to choose his friends or Haley, Nick backs his friends and the rumor eventually fades from memory as Nick and his friends finish their Senior year and head to college.
Meanwhile Alice has a complicated life that unfolds in bursts. We learn about her high school experience, about a support group of sorts she joined, about college, about a relationship she’s in as an adult, and eventually, about her career as a ghost writer for other people’s work. She is unable, even well into adulthood, to ever tell her own story.
Nick descends into extreme alcoholism through his adulthood, but he has hope and is trying to get his life back on track. And then, though they never actually met, Nick’s story and Alice’s start to creep back together, and the truth of what happened will come out.
I don’t really want to say much more about this book, other than that I advise you to stick with it. I was at times so immersed in the story, I couldn’t tear myself away from the pages. Other times I questioned where the story was headed and if I missed something.
All I’ll say is that the ending is brilliant and truly thought-provoking. I finished this book days ago and I can’t stop thinking about the nature of a rumor, a story, the truth, and healing. This is a fascinating and brilliant story that shows the talent this writer brings to what will likely be a promising career. I certainly can’t wait to see what she will do next!
I don’t think this book will be for everyone, but it will speak to many readers. The assault itself isn’t graphic, but it looms over the story in the absence of details that come with a lapse in memory. The book itself is disorienting, mirroring the way these situations feel in life. Which version of a story is true? Will we ever even know? And what happens when we doubt our own truth in the wake of others’ narratives?
Original and complex. A must-read for the reader who thinks they’ve seen it all.
libraryforspooky's review against another edition
4.0
"True Story" by Kate Reed Petty is a captivating and audacious debut novel that intricately weaves together the threads of a high school rumor and its reverberations over the course of fifteen years. Set against the backdrop of a wealthy Maryland high school in 1999, the narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, employing a kaleidoscope of storytelling techniques that challenge traditional narrative conventions.
At the heart of the story are two central characters: Alice Lovett, a gifted but reclusive ghostwriter, and Nick Brothers, a lacrosse player grappling with the fallout of a rumor that spreads like wildfire through their small town. Alice's narrative is marked by a haunting sense of unease as she struggles to recall the events of a fateful night, while Nick finds himself caught between loyalty to his friends and the gnawing uncertainty of the truth.
What sets "True Story" apart is its unconventional narrative structure, which incorporates elements of screenplays, found narratives, first-person accounts, and even jumps in time. Petty's masterful use of these disparate storytelling techniques creates a sense of disorientation that mirrors the characters' own experiences, inviting readers to question the reliability of memory and the nature of truth itself.
As the novel unfolds, Petty deftly explores themes of trauma, power dynamics, and the ways in which stories shape our understanding of the world. Through Alice and Nick's intertwined narratives, she reveals the lasting impact of the rumor on their lives, as well as the complexities of navigating the aftermath of sexual assault in a society rife with misinformation and disbelief.
One of the most striking aspects of "True Story" is its inventive and unpredictable nature. The story takes unexpected turns, keeping readers guessing and prompting them to reassess their assumptions with each new revelation. From the varying fonts and typography to the use of quotation marks, every aspect of the novel's design contributes to its enigmatic atmosphere, drawing readers deeper into its spellbinding narrative.
As the novel hurtles towards its electrifying conclusion, Petty leaves readers with a profound and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of storytelling and the search for truth in a world fraught with uncertainty. "True Story" is a testament to Petty's singular talent and marks the arrival of a bold new voice in contemporary fiction. With its richly layered narrative and unforgettable characters, this is a book that will linger in the minds of readers long after they've turned the final page.
At the heart of the story are two central characters: Alice Lovett, a gifted but reclusive ghostwriter, and Nick Brothers, a lacrosse player grappling with the fallout of a rumor that spreads like wildfire through their small town. Alice's narrative is marked by a haunting sense of unease as she struggles to recall the events of a fateful night, while Nick finds himself caught between loyalty to his friends and the gnawing uncertainty of the truth.
What sets "True Story" apart is its unconventional narrative structure, which incorporates elements of screenplays, found narratives, first-person accounts, and even jumps in time. Petty's masterful use of these disparate storytelling techniques creates a sense of disorientation that mirrors the characters' own experiences, inviting readers to question the reliability of memory and the nature of truth itself.
As the novel unfolds, Petty deftly explores themes of trauma, power dynamics, and the ways in which stories shape our understanding of the world. Through Alice and Nick's intertwined narratives, she reveals the lasting impact of the rumor on their lives, as well as the complexities of navigating the aftermath of sexual assault in a society rife with misinformation and disbelief.
One of the most striking aspects of "True Story" is its inventive and unpredictable nature. The story takes unexpected turns, keeping readers guessing and prompting them to reassess their assumptions with each new revelation. From the varying fonts and typography to the use of quotation marks, every aspect of the novel's design contributes to its enigmatic atmosphere, drawing readers deeper into its spellbinding narrative.
As the novel hurtles towards its electrifying conclusion, Petty leaves readers with a profound and thought-provoking meditation on the nature of storytelling and the search for truth in a world fraught with uncertainty. "True Story" is a testament to Petty's singular talent and marks the arrival of a bold new voice in contemporary fiction. With its richly layered narrative and unforgettable characters, this is a book that will linger in the minds of readers long after they've turned the final page.
abrooklynbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
4.25 but I don’t want to round down because this book is wildly inventive and gripping yet very underrated and I think more people should pick it up!!
levonanthony's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Demands an immediate re-read as soon as you're finished. Absolutely masterful.
magyklyxdelish's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the message of taking control of your story. I really thought it was interesting that this story was told in so many different ways however this kept me from getting super attached. After finishing this story I really think the chapter with nick in the woods was 100% unnecessary and was boring honestly. I wish this story had more Alice and less nick.
ndbeyer's review against another edition
3.0
While I did not regret reading this book- it was confusing to me...did this happen or did it not? are we hallucinating or not? Are we writing or telling a story or not. And...while there was an ending for the ladies of the book- what happened to all the guys and why did some of their interactions occur? As you can see this book left me unsettled and with a lot of questions.
absolute_bookery's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really not what I was expecting but it was really bloody clever!
hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
I was intrigued by the premise of this novel. There are two versions of the story of what happened between a drunk-to-the-point-of-passed out female high school student, Alice, and two male members of the lacrosse team, Richard and Max, who gave her a ride home from a party. Both versions come from the young men: in one there is sexual assault and in the other they simply drop her off home. Nick, a friend of Richard and Max, and Haley, a friend of Alice, choose the story they believe to be true.
Years later, Alice is in an abusive relationship, Haley makes documentaries about women who’ve suffered sexual assault, Richard is a successful entrepreneur, Max is dead, and Nick is an alcoholic.
The novel is a weird, but deliberate, patchwork of points of view and styles. There are scripts of horror movies that Alice and Haley wrote in middle school, an interview, a collection of emails, a horror-tinted weekend which is scary but doesn’t quite work in the context , even a section written in the second person (never my favorite) as well as regular first and third person accounts. Nick and Alice are the main protagonists, but both Richard and Haley are ever-present.
But I never felt I quite got the rhythm of the novel: it seemed to be going one way then would abruptly change to something quite different which made it hard to settle into. The different facets shown add up to some sort of coherent picture in the end but maybe not the one I was expecting.
Thanks to Viking and Netgalley for the digital review copy
Years later, Alice is in an abusive relationship, Haley makes documentaries about women who’ve suffered sexual assault, Richard is a successful entrepreneur, Max is dead, and Nick is an alcoholic.
The novel is a weird, but deliberate, patchwork of points of view and styles. There are scripts of horror movies that Alice and Haley wrote in middle school, an interview, a collection of emails, a horror-tinted weekend which is scary but doesn’t quite work in the context , even a section written in the second person (never my favorite) as well as regular first and third person accounts. Nick and Alice are the main protagonists, but both Richard and Haley are ever-present.
But I never felt I quite got the rhythm of the novel: it seemed to be going one way then would abruptly change to something quite different which made it hard to settle into. The different facets shown add up to some sort of coherent picture in the end but maybe not the one I was expecting.
Thanks to Viking and Netgalley for the digital review copy