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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
I received an ARC of this book at Yallwest.
3.5 stars.
Give Me Some Truth is a very unique book with characters that have different motivations than most young adult protagonists. They deal with different problems because of their culture and their society, which made this book very interesting. I enjoyed seeing the differences to my life and other novels I have read. At times, this story did tend to drag, and it seemed as though nothing important was happening. However this led to a gradual buildup and set up the faster paced sections to be even more enjoyable.
3.5 stars.
Give Me Some Truth is a very unique book with characters that have different motivations than most young adult protagonists. They deal with different problems because of their culture and their society, which made this book very interesting. I enjoyed seeing the differences to my life and other novels I have read. At times, this story did tend to drag, and it seemed as though nothing important was happening. However this led to a gradual buildup and set up the faster paced sections to be even more enjoyable.
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After reading this, I’m ashamed I haven’t read any of Gansworth’s other novels. Give Me Some Truth is masterfully written, with layers upon layers between characters and plot. It’s tough to say what the main story is: our main character’s need for growth that he can’t seem to see, the relation between the indigenous people and their white neighbours, the rise and fall of a teenage band, inter- and intra-family drama, or the romantic involvement of two teenagers and their older counterparts. Really, it’s all this and more.
Teachers, this is one you should have on your shelves, with one caveat (this is the minor spoiler)—there are two relationships between teenage girls and men in their 20s and 30s, respectively. One of these is with a former teacher.
This is a book I will likely have on my “best of 2018” lists when it comes to the end of the year.
Teachers, this is one you should have on your shelves, with one caveat (this is the minor spoiler)—there are two relationships between teenage girls and men in their 20s and 30s, respectively. One of these is with a former teacher.
This is a book I will likely have on my “best of 2018” lists when it comes to the end of the year.
Carson finagles his friends into playing music and enters them in Battle of the Bands. Artist Magpie just moved back to the Rez from the city. They both learn a lot about John Lennon and The Beatles, relationships, and finding your voice.
He had me at The Beatles, but I loved the characters and the journey they took in this novel.
He had me at The Beatles, but I loved the characters and the journey they took in this novel.
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such a realistic portrayal from an authentic voice. The characters and plot are intense and engaging. Note that there is significant content.
Ooof. This'n took a while, and had a few strikes going against it for me:
- I'm burnt out on dual voices
- I'm skeptical of YA written in the time the author was a teen
- I'm skeptical of YA that idolizes The Beatles
- I hate that both MC Maggie and her sister are in relationships with much older men - especially in a story written by a man.
But enough kept me reading to the end - the writing style is easy on the eyes and the descriptions are vivid. And from the outside, at least, it appears to be solid Native rep.
- I'm burnt out on dual voices
- I'm skeptical of YA written in the time the author was a teen
- I'm skeptical of YA that idolizes The Beatles
- I hate that both MC Maggie and her sister are in relationships with much older men - especially in a story written by a man.
But enough kept me reading to the end - the writing style is easy on the eyes and the descriptions are vivid. And from the outside, at least, it appears to be solid Native rep.
Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. Thank you Mr. Gansworth for creating these characters and speaking their truths in this book.
I really enjoyed the perspective of this book, but that was about it. The book felt too long. Carson was extremely unlikable, which is fine, but I'm not sure how much he learned or changed by the end. For example, on page 361, quite near the end, he was pissed that Maggi was with Jim not because Jim is a manipulative racist asshole who is TWICE Maggi's age, but because Maggie should have been ready to sleep with him instead. He thinks, "It was supposed to be me! I'd done everything right!" Entitled, much? He thought because he was nice to her, helped her fit back in on the Rez, that she owed him a relationship? No. Just no.
Maggi's relationship with Jim made me super uncomfortable.Unfortunately, it look the entire book for Maggi to realize what a terrible idea it was to be with him, not because he's a manipulative racist twice his age, but because she can't be seen with him. Yeah, his age is part of it, but I don't think she truly understood how wrong their relationship was. She said maybe they could try again in the future. Even at the end, despite showing Jim to be awful when he was with his older friends, shit talking Indians and Maggie specifically, he was portrayed almost sympathetically. He was said, crying, that Maggi was leaving him, as if he was just some lovesick guy getting his heartbroken. Yes, a girl should be allowed to make her own decisions, but someone -- like her sister -- needed to give her better advice. Plus, Marie's relationship with her former teacher? Not a big deal, I guess.
This was definitely a coming-of-age story, especially when it came to Maggi. I understand what the author was trying to do with her character. She wanted to be taken seriously as a woman, and she thought a relationship with an older guy and losing her virginity would do that. It just feels like most of the characters were doing the right thing for the wrong reasons or the wrong thing for what they thought were right reasons.
Overall, it was a frustrating book. I might check out the author's other book and see if I enjoy it more.
Maggi's relationship with Jim made me super uncomfortable.
This was definitely a coming-of-age story, especially when it came to Maggi. I understand what the author was trying to do with her character. She wanted to be taken seriously as a woman, and she thought a relationship with an older guy and losing her virginity would do that. It just feels like most of the characters were doing the right thing for the wrong reasons or the wrong thing for what they thought were right reasons.
Overall, it was a frustrating book. I might check out the author's other book and see if I enjoy it more.