Reminiscent of THE CRUCIBLE and THE SCARLET LETTER, this startlingly brilliant book draws you into the claustrophic world that Judith occupies, where those in a small community are quick to judge - and usually wrongly. Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. two years later, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by her friends and family.Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to her childhood friend, Lucas. He is the boy who has owned her heart for as long as she can remember - even if he doesn't know it.But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose - to continue living in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever.told in a voice that is achingly raw and intimate, this remarkably original novel will haunt and stay with you. It will fill you with Judith's passion and longing, and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last one.Ages: 12+'Every now and then, a novel comes along with such an original voice that readers slow down to savor the poetic prose. this is such a story. A tale of uncommon elegance, power and originality.'KIRKUS StARRED REVIEW
My first Berry book was The Passion of Dolssa. I was so shocked by how much I enjoyed it, that I had to check out more of her work. I don't know what it is about Berry's writing, but she once again sucked me into a story, that is not my type of story.
All the Truth That's in Me is set in a colonial town. The impression I get is that it is a Puritan settlement. For some reason, I love learning about how people live in other places or how they lived in other times. I love the contrast to how we live now, and Berry does a great job bringing us back to that time period.
This story centers around Judith. At age 14, she is kidnapped. She is then returned to the town 2 years later, mutilated without the ability to communicate. I loved the way the story unfolded. Pieces of the story are revealed, and you really don't know the whole story until the end. I sort of liked how Berry kept me on my toes, and kept me guessing.
Once again, the author gave me this incredible female character, who I just fell in love with. I knew I really latched onto Judith, when I shed tears of sadness, fear, and frustration of her. She had suffered so much, and continued to suffer after her return. The injustice of how she was treated like a criminal when she was kidnapped and mutilated. The pain she suffered having to hide her affection for her beloved. The way she had to struggle to communicate with those around her. The way Judith was able to mine the courage to keep going, and to battle to get her voice back, and thus, get her life back. That was really powerful for me.
I cannot fail to mention the voice talent for this audiobook. She was fantastic. The emotion was perfect.
I have to thank Berry for another wonderful and unique contribution to the YA world.
