The Truthful Story

By: Helen Stine

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's Summary

When 10-year-old Genevieve Donovan's Nannie dies mysteriously in the Lowcountry river she's loved and lived near all her life, Genny and her family are heartbroken. In 1960s South Carolina, new industry is encroaching on old country, and Genny fears her grandmother may have gotten in the way of so-called progress. Even Daduh, Nannie's dearest friend and longtime housekeeper, doesn't know what to make of Nannie's death. Was it an accident, or did the drunkard son of a local businessman play a role? What's more, ever since Nannie passed, Genny has been hearing and seeing things she's not sure she can share with anyone except her mother, whose own grief is making it harder and harder to get through to her. Seeking answers, longing for guidance, and unsure if Mama will ever be the same again, Genny gingerly forges a path out of childhood and into adolescence. As Genny struggles to understand justice, healing, and a world in which Nannie is gone but still present, The Truthful Story traces a family's difficult journey through the pain of loss and the survival of love.

©2016 Helen Stine (P)2016 Helen Stine

Wow!

I listen to >50 audio books each year. I chose this book only because I was curious to read (hear) a depiction of 1960's life in the Charleston Lowcountry. I wasn't expecting much, but what I found was an amazing novel that reminded me of "To Kill a Mockingbird "...great surprise! Best book of the year!!!

Loved it!

Beautiful Story & great narration. I love everything that Jenna Lamia narrates. A Heart warming tale that I didn't want to end.

Narration better than the story

One of the most difficult things for an author of a coming-of-age story to do is to write the story in adult voice-as one looking back-so that it doesn't sound like a middle grade or young adult book. Most of the first part of A Truthful Story sounded like the latter. If not for Jenna Lammia, I wouldn't have finished the book. If I had read the book instead of choosing the audio version, I know I wouldn't have finished. There were too many back stories within the story, and I found myself getting confused. Lots of telling and describing and I just wanted the story to happen and it dragged. Too many characters that didn't seem to move the story forward and and anticlimactic ending caused me to give the story two stars. I was hoping for more of a mystery revolving around Nanny's death, but it was solved too soon. I felt that was the climax, but the book went on and on.

That said, there were some nice stories within the story, and overall, the book was well written, but nothing really happened. Just some nice stories.

Jenna Lammia makes every book come alive, and with her narration, I kept going, enjoying some of the memories of growing up in the 60s, and hearing stories about the low country.

Overall, I was entertained, but a little disappointed.

if you liked "The Help"...

The narrator, Jenna Lamia, makes this book come to life. This is a coming of age story set in South Carolina in the 1960s. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane along with the storyline.

Great Story

Wow what a great story. And Jenna Lamia is the best narrator I have heard. She just makes the story. If you have ever lost someone you love stop and pay attention they will surely send you a sign.

Wait, what?

Good story, and best narrator ever, but I did not like the ending. I know it is hard to wrap things up while
providing a satisfying conclusion, but this felt rushed and as though there should be a second book. I do
not see the comparison to "To Kill a Mockingbird", however I can understand how the narration by Jenna Lamia
could evoke such thoughts. She brought this book to life!!!

Another home run for narrator Jenna Lamia

Jenna Lamia does an excellent job of portraying this rich story of the South. Good story of family, connection, loss, and the strong bond we share with people.

Great Read

Great character development and lots of surprises! Well written with tremendous voice. Loved the book!

The Truthful Story

Would i buy it again....no. It was meh. Not horrible and not great...just meh. I usually enjoy stories narrated by Jenna Lamia...she did a pretty good job for what she had to work with, but the story was just not that exciting or in depth. Reminds me more of a story for teenage girls.

best ever!

As a lifelong Southerner, I found the accents and character separation to be spot-on. Too often non-Southerners try narrating and it is extremely annoying because they never get it right. The plot and pace were good, and the story had a great time-feel for that era and coastal Carolina.