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A review by danae_leu
Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth
4.0
The two best things about GIVE ME SOME TRUTH are the setting and the music. I very much liked Gansworth's first book that grew from this 1970's Indian reservation, IF I EVER GET OUT OF HERE. This one truly puts the reader there, showing both the grimness and the beauty of the community. Also most of the kids in TRUTH are exactly my age, their senior year was my senior year. And even growing up in a very different community half a county away, I recognized this time. Not just through the excellent playlist, but in the attitudes of racism and sexism.
This book did some things better - and truer - than most books speaking of "important" issues. Both Carson and Maggi felt like their respective ages. Not some overly self-aware versions of teens, spouting clever observations, that tend to populate the recent glut of "important" YA fiction. Something I've been sensitive to in this age of #metoo and Own Voices is how period kids are suddenly spouting twenty-first century battle cries.
Carson's self-absorption was both annoying and lovable.
Most of the way through I expected to give this five stars. It is very worth reading. Even if logic jumps a bit at times and it gets a bit unruly and drug-out by trying to cram too much in.
This book did some things better - and truer - than most books speaking of "important" issues. Both Carson and Maggi felt like their respective ages. Not some overly self-aware versions of teens, spouting clever observations, that tend to populate the recent glut of "important" YA fiction. Something I've been sensitive to in this age of #metoo and Own Voices is how period kids are suddenly spouting twenty-first century battle cries.
Spoiler
As painful as it was to watch, Maggi's infatuation with her predator felt very genuine. I very much remember how flattering it felt to have the eyes of older men checking my under-age body out. And I was both more naive and luckier than Maggi. Her reaction, until perhaps the end, felt so fifteen-year-old girl.Carson's self-absorption was both annoying and lovable.
Most of the way through I expected to give this five stars. It is very worth reading. Even if logic jumps a bit at times and it gets a bit unruly and drug-out by trying to cram too much in.