Review of The Truth Together

[Guda Lydia]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Truth Together" by Kelly Rodgers.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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In the early 1900s in America, one either had to be White or Colored. Everything was based on the two distinctions, making life difficult for Alonzo Herndon. He was born a slave and fathered by his White owner. Being biracial meant he did not identify with either of the groups and always had to fight for recognition. His daughter Effie Herndon also endured the same fate. However, she was headstrong and pursued her mission with determination. Nursing was her passion, and she made her way to Georgia State Sanitarium to serve and look after the Colored women in the facility. The sanitarium had an eerie reputation, and Effie quickly discovered its ugly secrets.

Fern Walker was born and raised within the facility’s walls. Her mother, who suffered a series of injustices, died of tuberculosis, leaving a young Fern behind with no one to care for her. At fifteen, she fell pregnant and was attacked just before she was full term. She barely survived the attack and lost her unborn son. Consequently, she became a loner and preferred to lurk in the shadows. Being White afforded her no privilege or place in society. Effie was intriguing to her, and she wanted to know everything about her. Effie was also curious about Fern and her unusual personality and story. As the two women figure each other out, they stumble upon gruesome secrets and operations within the institution, familial betrayals, and the possibility of the dead being alive. How far will they go to uncover every truth?

The author’s writing style is entertaining and immensely descriptive. The vivid description of each scene and setting allows one to visualize and experience life in the era. For instance, I could picture the simple technologies, volatile political climate, and the intimate nature of families and neighborhoods. The character introduction is equally excellent, creating a picture of who they are, their role in the plot, and their relation to each other. Additionally, every character surprisingly leads to Fern, including Effie, creating more suspense and drama.

I enjoyed the tantalizing revelations the most and the connections that came with each character’s story, the individuality of each story, and how they all converged into one fascinating plot. Additionally, I loved the alternating timelines between the past and current; for example, between Fern’s present life and Nora’s (her mother) story. Initially, I thought the characters were too many, but as the story progressed, the reason for every one of them became apparent. Therefore, I have no complaints about the book.

I did not spot any grammatical or spelling errors, evidence of the book’s exceptional editing. There is only one instance of profanity, and the language employed is intelligible and free of jargon. The Truth Together by Kelly Rodgers is a pleasing fictional novel that takes the reader through an incredible tale of resilience, physical and mental suffering, human cruelty and brutality, family drama, and some detective work. It also highlights a primitive era when racial diversity was frowned upon, and people had to fight for recognition. I recommend the book to anyone interested in historical fiction that highlights the political, social, and institutional injustices that characterize our society. The rating is 4 out of 4 stars.

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The Truth Together
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[Hope Kgomotso N]

It's an amazing book . Effie's character inspires me to be brave and courageous in my own journey. The way she embraced her own path is amazing . You should definitely try this book out. And I'm going to continue reading it as well.

[Catherine Radford]

The book sounds interesting. It feels like it has a lot or real life flavour to it - the characters sound very real and believable.

[tabithagisacho]

Interesting review that make me go back and read the whole book. I will like to know how every character leads to Fern and what is unique about her. I like to read fiction stories and you said it is a nice fictional novel so I have to read it.

[Brian Ruguru]

I feel for Fern, especially the attack and losing her unborn child. Effie begins uncovering dirty secrets of the facility. How deep does the dark tunnel dig? Great, great review!

[Nancy004]

"The Truth Together" by Kelly Rodgers is an engrossing historical fiction novel with vivid descriptions, intriguing characters, and tantalizing revelations. It skillfully weaves together stories of resilience, suffering, and societal injustices, providing a captivating read.

[Favour Hillz]

This book is an engaging one judging from the review. The characters are well presented and the storyline is a fascinating one. Will like to read this book some day. Thanks for the detailed review and congratulations to the author on BOTD.

[Bertha Jackson]

Effie and Fern sound like strong women who have to fight for recognition, making this an amazing story. Thank you for your review.

[Fatma Ezzahra Jebari]

This sounds interesting and I think I am going to read it !!

[Letlhogonolo Monagane]

This is quite some relatively story as I'm from a country where it's still recovering from racism. I love Effie's determination, it is an example to all of us that we mustn't let colour define our destiny. I love this story and it's motivation. We all need to be like Effie

[Sanju Lali]

An interesting historical fiction book "The Truth Together" by Kelly Rodgers, which follows Alonzo Herndon, who was born as a slave and was fathered by his White owner during the 1900s. I am interested to read this book.

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

Nice review. Back in those days, the world was very divided. It was black or white. Mixed races were very frowned upon and outcasts. Thank you for the review.

[Kebun Bunga]

The review of "The Truth Together" by Kelly Rodgers captures the essence of the novel's captivating storytelling and skillful character development. The author's descriptive style vividly brings the early 1900s era to life, immersing readers in a world where racial distinctions made life challenging for individuals like Alonzo Herndon and his determined daughter, Effie. The interconnected lives of the characters, especially Fern, add depth and suspense to the plot, making the revelations even more tantalizing.

[Manang Muyang]

My mother was a nurse, so nurse stories always fascinate me. I liked Effie immediately. Fern, not so much. But this book seems like it is worth spending time on.

[Meghan Soderholm]

I love books about strong, resilient women that hang in there and never give up no matter what is thrown at them. It's refreshing to see that each character has a significant role in the story. Very captivating and inspiring, bringing hope to those who struggle in life. Thank you for writing an honest and captivating review!