Truth & Lies

Whether exploring the consequences of concealing the truth or excavating the mysterious nature of truth itself, the titles in this collection discuss the intersections among honesty, factualness, legitimacy, deception, falsehood, and lies.

In A Dark Dark Wood

by Ruth Ware

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction

In a Dark, Dark Wood, by Ruth Ware, is a psychological mystery thriller published in 2015. The story centers around protagonist Leonora Shaw (known as “Nora” in the present day and formerly as “Lee” and “Leo”). The narrative alternates between scenes from the present, with Nora in the hospital after a car accident, and Nora’s spotty recollections of the weekend party that took place in the immediate past. Nora has a head wound and senses... Read In A Dark Dark Wood Summary

In A Grove

by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa

Publication year 1922

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Shame & Pride, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Classic Fiction, Japanese Literature, Modernism, Asian Literature

Though Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927) died at age 35, he is often regarded as the father of the Japanese short story. During the middle of the 20th century, when Japanese cinema became interested in its national history and cultural heritage, Akutagawa’s work was adapted by filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa. Because American Westerns had a close relationship with samurai films, Akutagawa’s stories have even been transposed onto the Wild West, resulting in such films as The... Read In A Grove Summary

Incantation

by Alice Hoffman

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Jewish Literature, Romance, World History, Religion & Spirituality

... Read Incantation Summary

Incarceron

by Catherine Fisher

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Self Discovery, Social Class, Politics & Government, Justice, Power & Greed, Science & Technology, Truth & Lies

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Incarceration

Incarceron (2007) is a young adult dystopian science fiction novel by Catherine Fisher. One protagonist, Finn, is incarcerated in a high-tech, sentient prison, and the other, Claudia, is the Warden’s daughter. While Finn tries to escape Incarceron, Claudia rebels against the Realm’s restrictive laws, which outlaw modern technologies and knowledge. She also endeavors to free herself from an arranged marriage to a boy she hates. The novel explores the true meaning of freedom, the dangers... Read Incarceron Summary

In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd

by Ana Menéndez

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Family

Tags US History, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd is Ana Menéndez’s 2001 collection of eleven linked short stories, largely set in Miami, which revolve around the experiences of Cuban immigrants and their American-born children. The New York Times named the collection a Notable Book of the Year, and the title story was awarded the Pushcart Prize for short fiction. The collection includes a diverse mix of realistic fiction, magical realism, and allegory; it explores themes of... Read In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd Summary

In Pieces

by Sally Field

Publication year 2018

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Joy, Love, Mental Health, Memory, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Midlife, Death, Marriage, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Art, Beauty, Fame, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Truth & Lies

Tags Trauma & Abuse, Gender & Feminism

... Read In Pieces Summary

In the Shadow of War

by Ben Okri

Publication year 1983

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies, War

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, History: African

“In the Shadow of War,” a fictional short story by Nigerian author Ben Okri, was first published in the London magazine West Africa in 1983. Five years later, Okri included a revised version in his collection Stars of the New Curfew, which has been out of print since 2004. This anthology marked a point in Okri’s career during which he began to incorporate more magical and fantastical elements into his otherwise realist writing. Okri was... Read In the Shadow of War Summary

Into the Water

by Paula Hawkins

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Nel Abbott’s death precipitates her sister, Jules, coming back to Beckford. Everyone in the town has strong feelings about Nel’s death, with some, like her daughter Lena, deeply upset and others glad to see her gone. Jules meets Lena, who insists she knows what has happened to Nel. Lena is also upset over the recent death of her best friend, Katie, who died, like Nel, in a local pool of water called the Drowning Pool... Read Into the Water Summary

Inventing Elliot

by Graham Gardner

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Good & Evil, Fear, Truth & Lies

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Bullying, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Dramatic Literature

Inventing Elliot, by British author Graham Gardner, is set in England in a fictional high school, Holminster High. First published in 2003, Inventing Elliot is Gardner’s debut novel. He was inspired by The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, a realistic book about a boy going against the system in a private Catholic school, and George Orwell’s book 1984, a dystopian social science fiction novel that explores the horror of violence and totalitarianism. Garner was also... Read Inventing Elliot Summary

Invisible Girl

by Lisa Jewell

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Grief, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Masculinity, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Family, Justice, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Self Discovery

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Invisible Girl Summary

Iqbal

by Francesco D'Adamo

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Childhood & Youth, Truth & Lies, Justice

Tags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Social Justice, Poverty, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History, Arts & Culture

... Read Iqbal Summary

J'Accuse

by Émile Zola

Publication year 1898

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Hate & Anger, Nation, Equality, Justice, Truth & Lies

Tags Politics & Government, European History, Journalism, French Literature, Sociology, World History, Classic Fiction

... Read J'Accuse Summary

Jackaby

by William Ritter

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Community, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, World History, Religion & Spirituality, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Historical Fiction, Grief & Death

Jackaby is a 2014 young adult fantasy novel by William Ritter. It is the first in a series by the same name and follows paranormal investigator R. F. Jackaby, and his new assistant Abigail Rook, as they investigate a series of supernatural murders. The novel draws on a range of world mythologies and classic detective fiction like Sherlock Holmes, Inspector Dupin, and the works of Raymond Chandler.Plot SummaryIn 1892, a young Englishwoman named Abigail Rook... Read Jackaby Summary