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Truth or Fiction (2009)

by Jennifer Johnston

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364676,356 (2.65)None
A brilliant story of the secrets we keep. Desmond Fitzmaurice is a mysterious literary giant of the thirties whom no one has seen for years. Caroline is a London journalist, and hasn't the faintest interest in going to Dublin to interview him. That his life story will feature 'lots of sex and some violence', as the old man claims, seems farcical. She'll stay for a couple of nights, extract what she can and try to make his life sound interesting. But in Desmond's quiet house, his quiet life, Caroline discovers much, much more than she bargained for...… (more)
  1. 00
    Head of the Family by EilĂ­s Dillon (bluepiano)
    bluepiano: Circumstances very similar, with another outsider investigating a famous writer's life and learning of his family's lives. To me more well-rounded, more satisfying, more enjoyable than Johnston's perfectly okay book.
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Showing 4 of 4
An odd story with two main characters and others - possibly none are telling the truth? ( )
  siri51 | Jan 14, 2019 |
First time I've read any of her work. It was for me a something and a nothing story it seemed to promise enough to keep me reading but then failed and yet I kept thinking that there could have been so much more. The writing style I got used to and again in an odd way kinda liked it so for that reason alone I might read one of her other books but I somehow doubt it. ( )
  nikon | Dec 7, 2015 |
Written in Johnston's usual elegant, fluid and sparse style, without an extraneous word, but unfortunately ultimately disappointing. This novel lacked depth and passion. The characters were one-dimensional and neither likeable nor worthy of hatred - there was nothing interesting or resonant about any of them. The story starts with Caroline, journalist in London who is asked by her editor to write a feature on Desmond Fitzmaurice, an aging Irish writer. She journeys to Dublin to interview Fitzmaurice, also meeting with his current and ex-wife as well as other family members. Fitzmaurice promises her that his story has 'lots of sex and some violence' - it is amazing how it could be presented in such a dull and depressing fashion by one of my favourite authors. ( )
  whirligigwitch | Jul 20, 2010 |
Showing 4 of 4
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To the third and fourth generations with love and high hopes
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I work at home mostly at my computer, a newish Apple Mac, big screen, it didn't cost me an arm and a leg, but it looks very good.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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A brilliant story of the secrets we keep. Desmond Fitzmaurice is a mysterious literary giant of the thirties whom no one has seen for years. Caroline is a London journalist, and hasn't the faintest interest in going to Dublin to interview him. That his life story will feature 'lots of sex and some violence', as the old man claims, seems farcical. She'll stay for a couple of nights, extract what she can and try to make his life sound interesting. But in Desmond's quiet house, his quiet life, Caroline discovers much, much more than she bargained for...

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