Read Online In the Neighborhood of True Audible Audio Edition Susan Kaplan Carlton Rachel Botchan Recorded Books Books
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A powerful story of love, identity, and the price of fitting in or speaking out.Â
"The story may be set in the past, but it couldn't be a more timely reminder that true courage comes not from fitting in, but from purposefully standing out...and that to find out who you really are, you have to first figure out what you're not." (Jodi Picoult, New York Times best-selling author of A Spark of Light and Small Great Things)
After her father's death, Ruth Robb and her family transplant themselves in the summer of 1958 from New York City to Atlanta - the land of debutantes, sweet tea, and the Ku Klux Klan. In her new hometown, Ruth quickly figures out she can be Jewish or she can be popular, but she can't be both. Eager to fit in with the blonde girls in the "pastel posse", Ruth decides to hide her religion. Before she knows it, she is falling for the handsome and charming Davis and sipping Cokes with him and his friends at the all-white, all-Christian Club.Â
Does it matter that Ruth's mother makes her attend services at the local synagogue every week? Not as long as nobody outside her family knows the truth.Â
At temple, Ruth meets Max, who is serious and intense about the fight for social justice, and now, she is caught between two worlds, two religions, and two boys. But when a violent hate crime brings the different parts of Ruth's life into sharp conflict, she will have to choose between all she's come to love about her new life and standing up for what she believes.
Read Online In the Neighborhood of True Audible Audio Edition Susan Kaplan Carlton Rachel Botchan Recorded Books Books
"When Brittani Hilles of Algonquin Young Readers first told me about the forthcoming IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE, I knew immediately that I wanted to read it as soon as I could. I’m so glad she was kind enough to let me read an early copy, because I cannot say enough wonderful things about this book! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and has been since I was a teenager. I typically read historical fiction set long ago, particularly during the Elizabethan and Victorian periods. However, I’ve been reading some more recent historical fiction lately, and I especially like reading about the era in which so many Americans fought for civil rights. IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE, set in Atlanta in 1959, is a wonderful example of what can be so special about books set during this time, especially when they are based on true events, as this one is. It might seem like an obvious thing to say, but there is so much we can -- and should -- learn from history, and Ruth’s experiences in TRUE teach us so much.
The characters in TRUE, from Ruth to Davis to Alice and Nattie to Max to Fontaine and Mr. Hank to the “pastel posse,†are full and complex and jump off the pages. Some will find their way into your hearts, while others will frustrate you and others you will feel palpable contempt for. Being a Southern girl myself, I keenly felt the atmosphere in which Ruth suddenly finds herself, even though I was her age 3 decades after the events of this story. (The more things change, the more they stay the same....) The sense of time and place is evocative and exquisite, from the way the characters speak (in both Southern-isms and 1950s-isms) to the descriptions of magnolias and sweet tea and taking nips of SoCo. At the same time, there is a keen sense of timelessness to the heart of the story, which is fundamentally about discrimination and hate and othering -- aspects of our lives which sadly have not faded all that much with the passage of the past 60 years.
After a hate crime rips through Atlanta, Ruth must decide if “passing†is worth it, if she is willing to maintain the lie (or, at least, lack of truth) that has sustained her new friendships, or if she will out herself as Jewish and possibly lose the sense of community and belonging she has found. Without giving too much away, I have to say that my favorite scene, in a book rife with incredible moments, is Ruth’s final conversation with Davis. The realization she comes to is one that I hope we can all take to heart, even when it is not “our people†who are being targeted and hurt. It’s hard to explain without spoilers, so let me just say that I hope everyone will read this book. Author Rachel Lynn Solomon perfectly captured my own feelings when she said of IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE, “...I will hold it in my heart for a long time.†That is precisely what I plan to do as well.
RATING; 5 STARS!
**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book from the publisher. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review."
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In the Neighborhood of True Audible Audio Edition Susan Kaplan Carlton Rachel Botchan Recorded Books Books Reviews :
In the Neighborhood of True Audible Audio Edition Susan Kaplan Carlton Rachel Botchan Recorded Books Books Reviews
- With the death of her father, Ruth Robb and her family must move to Atlanta, Georgia. Her mother is originally from there but was able to get away to New York City, ended up converting to Judaism, and marrying the man that would be Ruth’s father.
But being Jewish in 1950s Georgia is not as easy as New York Cuty, so when Ruth starts to make friends and catches the eye of Davis, one of the most popular guys in town, she leaves that part out. She wants to fit in and with the help of her grandmother, she does just that.
But Ruth’s mother has other ideas. She went through the whole debutante thing when she was growing up and doesn’t want Ruth to get too hung up on it. So she tells Ruth that she can hang out with her friends and do her debutante duties as long as she goes to synagogue with Nattie (her younger sister) and her every week. Ruth reluctantly agrees but hopes that no one spots her there.
Little does she know that she will meet people there, including a boy named Max, who will change her life and her views in ways that her debutante friends and Davis never could.
Ruth travels between her debutante friends and her time at synagogue pretty effortlessly. But when the synagogue is bombed, Ruth’s life is turned upside down and as she starts to examine her relationships and things she has witnessed, she comes to put the pieces together about who could have done such a hateful thing.
But will she cut herself off from her new life by telling the truth or will she continue to let people believe what they want to believe and stay silent?
I have to say that I was a little worried about this book going in. I was worried I was going to get frustrated with Ruth hiding who she is. Luckily, that wasn’t the case. She does hide that she is Jewish for most of the book but that doesn’t mean she lets others push her around or that she doesn’t challenge people when she thinks they are doing something wrong.
She is a loyal sister and daughter and despite her worry that she’ll be found out, she never feels ashamed for going to synagogue or for being who she is. Her friends believe what they want to believe about her and she lets them because its easier. But when the time comes for the not so easy decisions and the hard truth, she doesn’t stand by when she can ensure justice takes place.
Ruth is a perfect main character in that she is flawed but does everything she can to do right. And her development was a joy to experience. I also fell completely in love with her sister, Nattie. She cute as hell, helps Nattie learn the rules of debutante etiquette, and will not get out of a swimming pool if she doesn’t have to. And their mother is a badass in her own right. She writes for her father’s newspaper and will go after any story no matter how small. She wants Ruth and Nattie to be who they are and not what the world tells them they should be.
I also loved Ruth’s friends too, especially Gracie and Thurston-Anne. They seemed to genuinely like her and once the conflict really begins, still seem to be interested in some kind of friendship. They are truly just teenage girls looking for people to connect with. They didn’t seem to have an agenda.
Now, if we’re talking about Claudia…well, that’s a whole different story. She’s got all kinds of agendas and they include whatever will make her the Magnolia Queen. Claudia is quite the mean girl but in a ‘you love to hate her’ kind of way. She is mean as hell but at least she doesn’t try to hide it behind a sweet facade.
Then there is Davis and Max. I get the appeal of Davis. I get why Ruth is attracted to him but as soon as Max was introduced, I was mentally shoving Ruth over to him. He’s not the best looking and he’s not the popular football player, but he’s smart, Ruth feels completely comfortable in his presence (very important!), and he cares about the issues affecting the community. And while Ruth doesn’t immediately see his appeal, she slowly realizes that he might be more than she originally thought.
And let me get one thing straight because I know what you’re thinking! There is no love triangle! Ruth is with one boy for most of the book and that only changes near the end. Don’t worry love triangle haters, you will love this book!
There is also Fontaine aka Ruth’s grandmother. I would characterize her as a true southern belle. She teaches Ruth about the ins and outs of the debutante (or pre-debutante) world. The hair, the dresses, the shoes, the makeup, and most importantly, how to behave. But she definitely wishes the “Jewish thing†would go away. She is a woman who is trying to do what she thinks is best for the ones she loves but some of the things she says…yikes. At the beginning of the book, she pretty much implies that it’s great that Ruth doesn’t look “too Jewish.â€
I get it. She wants Ruth to fit in but damn! Living in a conservative Christian town, I have thought the same thing about myself. But me, a Jewish girl, thinking that is completely different than a Christian lady saying that to her Jewish granddaughter. Like I said…yikes.
The bombing of the synagogue occurs near the end of the book and is absolutely heartbreaking. While this book definitely has its light moments, it also has moments that will make you feel like your heart is being torn out of your chest. I went into reading this knowing I was going to cry. You don’t go into a book about 1950s Georgia and think it’s not going to have some tragedy in it. But the people affected by the tragedy come together and try to make something good come of it.
In terms of trigger warnings, I would say watch out for racism (the n word is used at least once), antisemitism, and hate crimes.
In the Neighborhood of True is a book that I think about at least a couple of times a week since I reading it. I am SO GLAD that more books are coming out with Jewish representation AND not just books that take place during the Holocaust. Yes, we all have a responsibility to remember what happened but that is not the end all and be all of the Jewish story. Stories like this and so many other books out right now or coming out soon. (omg so much Jewish rep) are just as valid.
We need stories of romance and fun and friendships and fashion right along with the ones of struggle and death and hardship. This book gives us both. If there was any doubt, I am giving In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton 5 out of 5 stars. I cannot wait to reread it. I really hope you get a copy and enjoy it too.
Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review. - When Brittani Hilles of Algonquin Young Readers first told me about the forthcoming IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE, I knew immediately that I wanted to read it as soon as I could. I’m so glad she was kind enough to let me read an early copy, because I cannot say enough wonderful things about this book! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and has been since I was a teenager. I typically read historical fiction set long ago, particularly during the Elizabethan and Victorian periods. However, I’ve been reading some more recent historical fiction lately, and I especially like reading about the era in which so many Americans fought for civil rights. IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE, set in Atlanta in 1959, is a wonderful example of what can be so special about books set during this time, especially when they are based on true events, as this one is. It might seem like an obvious thing to say, but there is so much we can -- and should -- learn from history, and Ruth’s experiences in TRUE teach us so much.
The characters in TRUE, from Ruth to Davis to Alice and Nattie to Max to Fontaine and Mr. Hank to the “pastel posse,†are full and complex and jump off the pages. Some will find their way into your hearts, while others will frustrate you and others you will feel palpable contempt for. Being a Southern girl myself, I keenly felt the atmosphere in which Ruth suddenly finds herself, even though I was her age 3 decades after the events of this story. (The more things change, the more they stay the same....) The sense of time and place is evocative and exquisite, from the way the characters speak (in both Southern-isms and 1950s-isms) to the descriptions of magnolias and sweet tea and taking nips of SoCo. At the same time, there is a keen sense of timelessness to the heart of the story, which is fundamentally about discrimination and hate and othering -- aspects of our lives which sadly have not faded all that much with the passage of the past 60 years.
After a hate crime rips through Atlanta, Ruth must decide if “passing†is worth it, if she is willing to maintain the lie (or, at least, lack of truth) that has sustained her new friendships, or if she will out herself as Jewish and possibly lose the sense of community and belonging she has found. Without giving too much away, I have to say that my favorite scene, in a book rife with incredible moments, is Ruth’s final conversation with Davis. The realization she comes to is one that I hope we can all take to heart, even when it is not “our people†who are being targeted and hurt. It’s hard to explain without spoilers, so let me just say that I hope everyone will read this book. Author Rachel Lynn Solomon perfectly captured my own feelings when she said of IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE, “...I will hold it in my heart for a long time.†That is precisely what I plan to do as well.
RATING; 5 STARS!
**Disclosure I received an early e-copy of this book from the publisher. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review.
