Truth in Advertising

A Novel

By: John Kenney

Narrated by: Robert Petkoff

Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A wickedly funny, honest, and poignant debut novel in the spirit of Then We Came to the End and This Is Where I Leave You about the absurdity of corporate life, the complications of love, and the meaning of family.

Finbar Dolan is lost and lonely. Except he doesn’t know it. Despite escaping his blue-collar Boston upbringing to carve out a mildly successful career at a Madison Avenue ad agency, he’s a bit of a mess and closing in on 40. He’s recently called off a wedding. Now, a few days before Christmas, he’s forced to cancel a long-postponed vacation in order to write, produce, and edit a Superbowl commercial for his diaper account in record time.

Fortunately, it gets worse. He learns that his long-estranged and once-abusive father has fallen ill. And that neither of his brothers or his sister intend to visit. It’s a wake-up call for Fin to reevaluate the choices he’s made, admit that he’s falling for his co-worker Phoebe, question the importance of diapers in his life, and finally tell the truth about his life and his past.

First-time novelist John Kenney, a regular New Yorker contributor, mines his own advertising background to weave spot-on, compelling insider detail into a hilarious, insightful, at times sardonic, and ultimately moving debut.

©2013 John Kenney (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

One beautiful thing.

Resonant and moving, a John Kenney has delivered a debut that will be hard to top. Truth in Advertising is an astonishing piece of writing presented pitch perfect with flawless narration.

Awesome Read

Would you listen to Truth in Advertising again? Why?

Yes, I really enjoyed it.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the way the Finn tells his story.

Which character – as performed by Robert Petkoff – was your favorite?

Fin

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Once tears welled up and several times I laughed.

Any additional comments?

I had just finished listening to the whole BLack Dagger Brotherhood Series and needed my next book for my long drive to work. I bought this based on the fact that I didn't have a lot of time to look for a book and Truth in Advertising was rated highly on the listeners page. The tone was such a swing from the Black Dagger Books that I was afraid I wasn't going to enjoy it. But wow it caught my interest in a very short time and I couldn't wait to be back in the car and listening again. This was truly a delightful and enjoyable find. I'm glad I browsed the listeners page

Should have been a little shorter

Would you listen to Truth in Advertising again? Why?

No, I rarely want to listen to a book a second time.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The story "hit the nail on the head" several times, which I found entertaining and thought provoking. However, I got tired of Finn not being truly happy.

Any additional comments?

Robert Petkoff is amazing reading this book. The best narrator I have heard so far!!!

Five Stars

One of the best I have listened to! Laugh out loud funny, and touching at the same time., the story is excellent and draws you in immediately. The narrator was excellent with both male and female characters. I highly recommend this listen!

Tropper like, but not there yet.

Would you try another book from John Kenney and/or Robert Petkoff?

Yes

Would you recommend Truth in Advertising to your friends? Why or why not?

Maybe

Have you listened to any of Robert Petkoff’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but he is good at keeping the narration even, and also accurate when it comes to voices and accents in the dialog, which he does without exaggeration or bombast.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Not likely, but it might work as an outline for a weekly tv show.

Any additional comments?

The author is what one of his characters who falls back on cliches and trite descriptions would call "spot on"' when it comes to describing the advertising business and such. His characters are good but the plot is lacking in subtlety or mystery, and the psychological element is dished out in fairly heavy handed fashion. Almost as if he should have lifted the principal plot and built a new one around the settings, characters, and occasionally well crafted vignettes..

Plan to Enjoy a Dysfunctional Family

Where does Truth in Advertising rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was a great book. I just stumbled onto it, and I would read it again.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how the story developed. I liked his compulsion to do the right thing with his father's ashes.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Robert Petkoff?

Only if the character were supposed to be an older person. He has an older person's voice. It did not match the character.

Who was the most memorable character of Truth in Advertising and why?

His relationship with the Japanese son of his company's owner (whose name escapes me right at the moment). I should do these reviews immediately after the read. :)

Funny, endearing, good story

The insight into the world of NY advertising was fun and interesting and made for a great story. The lead character was funny and irreverent and very likable.
I didn't agree with the other reviews that talked about an annoying cadence or bad narration. The narrator was really great. He disappeared into the story, letting the story shine through, just like a great narrator should.
The reason it only got 4 stars is because the last 1/4 of the book got sappy and the humor stopped. The "wrap-up" of the story wasn't true to everything we'd learned about the main character. It was too emotional, lacked the humor that was so endearing through the rest of the story, and ended just too simply and neatly for such a complex story.

Overall, good book that I have already recommended to friends.

Robert Petkoff nailed this!

Would you listen to Truth in Advertising again? Why?

Absolutely. I REALLY enjoyed this audio - there is so much to like about this listen. As far as I'm concerned, this is a hidden gem among the audible library files. This book has it all...it's funny, and sad, thoughtful, laugh out loud, cynical and smart. The protagonist is a lonely, lovable man-child. Finn is a successful and self deprecating advertising copywriter who has come to an impasse in his life and his typical "let me spin this &*^%" no longer works because his past has caught up with him and he has to face some tough truths.

What did you like best about this story?

Finn's sense of humor. His character reminded me of a Nick Hornby character. He is a vulnerable, likeable, as well as flawed.

Which character – as performed by Robert Petkoff – was your favorite?

Robert Petkoff was great. This was my first listen by him and he was so good. He brought life to every character and nailed it!

Any additional comments?

Worth a credit and time. Enjoy!

Honesty is the Best POlicy

What did you like best about Truth in Advertising? What did you like least?

I enjoyed Truth in Advertising. At first I was a bit disinterested in the workings of the advertising agency and the selling of diapers. But as the story moves on you are brought into the main character's inner life and his discovery of redemption and love. Then things get interesting and you find yourself saying "Yeah, I've felt like that too."

Would you be willing to try another book from John Kenney? Why or why not?

YES.

Which scene was your favorite?

The main character's experience with his father's ashes.

Was Truth in Advertising worth the listening time?

YES

Good stuff

My first John Kenney-- I was not disappointed; as an advertising professional (one of the "mediocre" players), I identified with Fin: I've been in those shoes before-- the hyperbole of a brand manager talking about his/her product or service, as if HIT software could be the salvation of mankind... Either Kenney is a very good researcher or he spent some time in the pit. But the main story line isn't about that-- it's about family-- which is ultimately why we do what we do...