The Truth According To Us By: Barrows, Annie
It is 1938 in a rural West Virginia town and a young woman arrives to write the town’s history. Layla doesn’t really know what to expect from the town, and the town doesn’t know what to make of her. This is the heart of the South, the soul of small towns, where everyone looks out for you and knows your history. Sweet story tailor made for fans of Billie Letts, Fannie Flagg, Pat Conroy and Harper Lee. Kimberly McGee for Library Reads.
Macedonia County images
WPA -- Federal Writers’ Project
Manuscripts, folklore
Records of the Works Project Administration
West Virginia
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Interview with Annie Barrows and some discussion questions (Thanks, Laverne!)
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/9072/the-truth-according-to-us-by-annie-barrows/9780385342957/readers-guide/#
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Author's website: http://anniebarrows.com/
Read-alikes from NoveList
1. Clara Callan Wright, Richard Bruce,
Reason: Though The Truth According to Us takes place in Appalachia and Clara Callan in remote Ontario, both novels compel readers into the concerns and secrets of Depression era small towns. These tales combine letters and diaries with straight narration. Katherine Johnson
2. Fair and tender ladies Smith, Lee,
Reason: These novels set in early 20th century, small town Appalachia feature lush descriptions and engaging characters. Through letters (Fair and Tender Ladies) and alternating epistolary and straight narrative style (Truth According to Us), they portray poverty, family secrets, and world shaking events. Katherine Johnson
3. The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry Joyce, Rachel
Reason: While According to Us is set in 1938, and Harold Frye in the present, both feature similarly likable "fish out of water" protagonists who are historically bad at relating to others; each finds their worldview altered in unexpected new locales. Kim Burton
4. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society Shaffer, Mary Ann
Reason: These similarly warm spirited, light hearted historical reads center on female writers who discover more than just their next story in tiny, quirky communities.Guernsey Literary Society is set in post World War II England; According to Us is set in 1930's West Virginia. Kim Burton
5. Cold Sassy tree Burns, Olive Ann
Reason: In these historical novels, a newcomer appears in a small southern town and changes everyone's lives. Though Cold Sassy Tree occurs in 1906 and The Truth According to Us in the 1930s, both feature children's viewpoints and similar narrative tones. Katherine Johnson
6. The storied life of A. J. Fikry Zevin, Gabrielle
Reason: A love of stories helps protagonists form unlikely but rewarding new relationships in these tender stories of personal redemption. The vibrant characterization, gently humorous tone, and whimsical, heartwarming narratives shine in compelling novels that illustrate the power of reading. Kim Burton
7. Welcome to the world, Baby Girl! Flagg, Fannie
Reason: Though the historical periods differ in these novels, both offer engaging views of small town life contrasted with city life, concern about family secrets, compelling character development, and shifting points of view. Katherine Johnson
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