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A review by mg_in_md_
The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson
4.0
This debut novel is set in the not-so-distant past. The story begins in Chicago, shortly after the economic collapse in the U.S. and the election of Barack Obama in 2008. Ruth Tuttle, a successful engineer, is married to kind, successful Xavier, who is eager to start a family. She is unsure about pursuing that dream, as she has never gotten over the baby that she gave birth to and gave up for adoption when she was a teenager. She promised her family not to look back on this decision. However, after revealing this part of her past to Xavier, Ruth realizes that she must return home to Indiana to make peace with it. This revelation causes friction in her relationship with Xavier and her decision to return home to revisit the past will cause even more.
Most of the action takes place in Ruth's hometown and is told from two perspectives -- hers and that of a young boy who goes by the nickname Midnight. While the story is told from Ruth's and Midnight's vantage points, the voices of the secondary characters are just as clear and help transport the reader back to this particular moment in American history'.
The Midwestern factory town where Ruth grew up is going through hard times following the economic collapse and is plagued by racism, unemployment, and despair. As such, this complex novel deftly explores related social themes as Ruth seeks answers to what happened to the baby she gave birth to so many years ago. Her family attempts to discourage her, reminding her of the sacrifices they made to ensure that she could pursue an Ivy league education and enjoy her comfortable middle class life in Chicago. I found the location, story, and characters compelling. This novel is one to savor and ruminate over long after the final page is turned. I look forward to reading future novels by this author based on my introduction to her work in this outstanding debut.
Many thanks to William Morrow and the Book Club Girl Early Read program for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy courtesy of NetGalley!
Most of the action takes place in Ruth's hometown and is told from two perspectives -- hers and that of a young boy who goes by the nickname Midnight. While the story is told from Ruth's and Midnight's vantage points, the voices of the secondary characters are just as clear and help transport the reader back to this particular moment in American history'.
The Midwestern factory town where Ruth grew up is going through hard times following the economic collapse and is plagued by racism, unemployment, and despair. As such, this complex novel deftly explores related social themes as Ruth seeks answers to what happened to the baby she gave birth to so many years ago. Her family attempts to discourage her, reminding her of the sacrifices they made to ensure that she could pursue an Ivy league education and enjoy her comfortable middle class life in Chicago. I found the location, story, and characters compelling. This novel is one to savor and ruminate over long after the final page is turned. I look forward to reading future novels by this author based on my introduction to her work in this outstanding debut.
Many thanks to William Morrow and the Book Club Girl Early Read program for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy courtesy of NetGalley!