That Truthful Place

That Truthful Place

Patty Lesser
 

Paperback: 148 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform;
1 edition (October 17, 2014)
Language: English
The following ISBNs are associated with this title:
ISBN-10: 1502884798
ISBN-13: 978-1502884794

 

From the Publisher
On the night of his thirteenth birthday, Alex Mitchell fell into a coma. Three days later he awoke, having suffered no ill effects, yet something was very different about him. Other people’s thoughts now wafted through his mind like radio waves. With no clue as to why he was granted such a unique gift, Alex’s mind speaks into the darkness, calling out for any others like him. Kat Setterlee, another just-turned-thirteen telepath, answers. As the “Coma Kids” increase in number, they begin to see that their differences are unique pieces being placed together to solve a much larger puzzle. As an arrogant doctor seeks to unmask their hidden abilities, the kids work to enhance their skills to protect themselves … and maybe even create a new society. Still, despite their talents, the Coma Kids wonder: We were chosen, but why? That Truthful Place seeks to tell a story of teamwork, friendship, growing up, new relationships, extraordinary abilities, and ultimately unity in the face of danger.

 

Smell The Book Review

8.5 out of 10

POSSIBLE SPOILERS May Follow:
In this, the second short novel by Patty Lesser, the author of "Locker Rooms", we are see what happens, or what may happen, when a group of intelligent 13 year-olds are given special abilities from an unknown source. At the start the novel reminded me a bit of Salmon Rushdie's work: "Midnights Children" which starts with a similar premise about children being given the ability to hear peoples thoughts. But Patty takes her story into a little more realistic and relevant detail. Rushdie's work takes place in India at the time of India's independence while "That Truthful Place" is more contemporary and therefore, relatable for me.

The children are given the ability to hear peoples thoughts after waking up from 3 day comas on their 13th birthdays. Their powers begin to develop and grow and they discover each other and begin to work together to support each other as well as fend off the clumsy questioning of a doctor involved in some of their cases who believes something nefarious is "afoot".  Each child seems to possess a different innate skill or ability (in Math, or Design, agriculture etc.) and their de facto leader, Kat, leads them in an altruistic mission to use their powers to build a better society as they try to evade the suspicious doctor. The decision of the children to use their abilities for good, vs self-centered ends was a message I enjoyed seeing. Apart from dealing with some bullies of one of the children the majority of the efforts of the children are focused on advancement.  

It was an enjoyable read. The characters were generally believable and likeable though most spoke and acted far above their stated early teen-years, even for gifted children. The doctor's awkward "surprise" questioning of each of the children in turn is a little redundant, and though most stories with a supernatural twist require some suspending of disbelief, the part of the book I had a hard time reading around was that the parents would all let the children travel to Florida (where they meet in person) without anyone (parent or authority) checking up on them, or touching base with the other parents to make sure there was supervision etc. Some of the dialogue between characters is a little clunky as well (i.e. people speaking in "book" speak and not the way normal people sound when they talk to each other).  I must admit that I also like some closure in my stories and, unless this is the beginning of a series of stories, we don't learn the anything about the mysterious benefactor of these abilities other than at the end when we are presented with their name.

But I still found the premise fresh, interesting and the story was worth a read. I was genuinely concerned about the characters and anxious to read into the night to try and learn what happens to the children, what powers they develop and will they learn how they got their abilities.

Perhaps a sequel is in the future?

8.5 out of 10.

Chris

The Actor

The Actor

Douglas Gardham

The following ISBNs are associated with this title:
ISBN - 10: 1475977743
ISBN - 13: 9781475977745

From the Publisher

It is 1991 when Ethan Jones finally wins the role of his dreams in an upcoming, big screen movie. With the envelope holding the script clutched in his hand, he arrives at his California apartment where he can hardly wait to tell his live-in girlfriend the exciting news. But when he finds the door unexpectedly ajar, he has no idea that in just a few seconds, the life he has fought so hard to obtain will be shattered. Eight years earlier, Ethan is attending university in Ottawa, Canada. One evening after seriously contemplating suicide, he finds his way into a club where he meets Mila Monahan, a beautiful acting student who saves him from himself. After he watches Mila rehearse a university play, Ethan catches the acting bug and decides to pursue his own creative passions, causing a collision with his more secure ideals. But when Mila suddenly disappears, Ethan vows he will never stop chasing the dream she inspired in him believing in a world entirely different from the one he is living in. The Actor is a gripping tale of rejection, hardship, tragedy, and overwhelming joy as one man embarks on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery learning to portray anything he can imagine.

 

Smell The Book Review

8 out of 10

Overall, the book was an enjoyable light read. I found it well written, captivating and  I was driven to find out "whodunit". The story does start out a little slower but really seems to find its legs for the last three quarters. The book is part mystery and part "I'm gonna make it in Hollywood" as it follows Ethan's efforts to make it as a big-time actor.

The time-shift back and forth with the chapters is clever as it reflects the confusion going on in Ethan's mind. There are hints earlier on in the book that things may not be exactly as they seem (Ethan has dreams of men in white coats standing at the foot of his bed) which had me looking for further clues to what may or may not be happening.

The story raises some interesting questions. How much does actual talent count for in Hollywood? (Can Schwarzenegger and Stallone actually act or is it all about personality and catch phrases?). How much should a person's past count for or against their efforts? (would we still adore George Clooney or Tom Hanks if we discovered they did porn before they were famous?). And some of the biggest questions are about how people deal with grief, loss and healing.
And now... the ending. (Isn't it always about the ending??) I debated just how to comment on the ending without some major spoilers and realized there is no way to do that. So I am not going to spoil anything here.

Read the book. It is worth the time and worth the thought and discussion that the book can inspire. Doug Gardham has hinted at a possible sequel and I would be interested to see where he takes Ethan.
This book was read by the Ottawa Book Club a few months back and Doug was kind enough to visit us to discuss this book.  Where some of his stories come from and the inspiration behind some of the names/places/occurrences in the story are very interesting. I urge you to seek him out at one of his many public appearances and talk to him!

8 out of 10.

Chris