The Trouble with the Truth

by Edna Robinson

Set in the 1930s, this poignant, funny, and utterly original novel tells the story of one lost girl’s struggle for truth, identity, and understanding amidst her family’s nomadic, unconventional lifestyle.What’s the right way to behave, to think, to feel—if you’re always the new girl? How do you navigate life when you’re continually on the move? Do you lie? How do you even know if you’re lying? What’s the truth anyway? It’s 1928 and nine-year-old Lucresse Briard is trying to make sense of life and the jumbled, often challenging family it’s handed a single art-dealer father who thinks nothing of moving from place to place; her brother, Ben, who succeeds in any situation and seems destined for stardom; and their houseman, Fred, who acts like an old woman. As Lucresse advances through childhood to adolescence, she goes from telling wild lies for attention to desperately seeking the truth of who she is as a sophistication-craving teenager in the 1930s. Told from Lucresse’s perspective as a grown woman, The Trouble with the Truth transcends its time in the late 1920s and ’30s and weaves the story we all live of struggling to learn who we are and the truth behind this human journey.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor, Literary Fiction, Historical, Novels, Adult Fiction

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2015

About the author

Edna Robinson (1921–1990) wrote The Trouble with the Truth (Simon & Schuster/Infinite Words, Feb. 2015) and is represented on Goodreads by her editor/daughter Betsy Robinson. Edna lived all over the U.S. and attended twenty-seven schools before the eighth grade. Early on, she wrote for radio soaps and small-town newspapers’ “Society News.” After graduating from Northwestern University in 1943, she headed for New York City, and in the pre-Mad Men days of advertising, she became not only one of the first female copywriters, but one of the only Jewish copywriters. When directed to the typing pool, she simply refused to accept that being a secretary was her only option and she declared her intention to write. Fortunately her first boss found such hubris charming and he became her mentor. While working at ad agencies, she developed a number of well-known advertising lines (“Navigators of the world since it was flat”; “A kid’ll eat the middle of an Oreo first . . .”; and “Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Cookies”) and developed new products. She also wrote feature articles for horse magazines and Sports Illustrated, children’s books for Hallmark, and short stories for adults. She had a lifelong love of music that began at the age of twelve, when she wandered into a piano teacher’s house, saw a piano, and declared that she just knew she could play it. This turned out to be true, and after studying piano for fifteen months, Edna began concertizing and was lauded as a child prodigy. About a year later, she stopped playing when she moved away from her beloved teacher. She was the mother of four children.

Reviews

[Betsy Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update
If you liked protagonist Lucresse Briard, she makes a new appearance, as an adult, in just-released novel The Spectators .

Discount paperbacks in the USA available at Ingram

Original post

This is not a review, but there is no place to post contemplations on Goodreads, so I’m placing it here.

(Update 4/13/20) I just took a YouTube course on how to make a book trailer, so I made one for this book: https://youtu.be/t_B0h23Ip-I

(Update 5/22/16) This just published in the Northwestern University alumni news. It only took 59 years!


Author Edna Robinson (1921–1990) was and is my mother. I am her daughter and editor of The Trouble with the Truth, and I thought I would share why I love this book.

I love it because it gives me a bigger picture of my life than my tiny private and constricted point of view at this moment in 2015. It places my chronic worries about “how to do it [life] right” front and center in the human condition, which feels much better than thinking this is my private neurosis. Protagonist Lucresse Briard desperately wants to be noticed. Why? Because, like most Homo sapiens, she believes that unless somebody is actively seeing her and admiring her, she doesn’t really exist.

I love this book because it shows how ordinary and even amusing this struggle to feel visible is. And I love this book because, despite the fact that it took fifty years to get it published, it simply wouldn’t and won’t disappear . . . kind of like Edna Robinson.


Around the Web

FiftyIsTheNewFifty.com

Two New Absent-Mother Novels Written by Mother and Daughter Authors

The Truth about the Making of The Trouble with the Truth

Edna Robinson web page

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago I read a book - still special to me - called
“The Seamstress”, - a memoir of survival— (Holocaust story), about Sara Tuvel Bernstein —
It ‘was’ Sara’s story - her notes - her years of writing - but her daughter actually compiled it into a book. Sara was already much too old to have done it herself. ( I’m friends with Sara’s son, Jacob)....
But one of the things that moved me ( besides the memoir itself with excruciating stories), was the ‘telling’ of how the book came about.
Jacob told me many stories and obstacles about getting his mother story told to the world. His sister, a writer in her own right, manifested Sara Bernstein’s memoir. Sara ‘was’ alive at the time - in her nineties.
So....I share this because as soon as I ‘realized’ - woke up to - the ( very moving to me), inspiration behind this book — and that it took fifty years to become published ( much like my friends mother story)....
I wanted to read it.

Betsy Robinson is a writer and editor.
I think it would be fair to say that Betsy is the gaffer behind this book — a marvelous book it is.
Her mother, Edna Robinson died 1990.
“The Trouble With The Truth”....[love the title and book cover], ‘is’ Eden’s novel ( the only one she wrote in 1957), but it only became a ‘published novel ‘because’ of Betsy. (with editor and chief brilliance).
My god...so much to admire. But it wasn’t only Betsy’s diligence and hard work she must have put in to re-write - edit this novel....
.....what I loved most....was experiencing a daughter’s love for her mother.

And then I read this book .....”THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH”
.....AND BY GOLLY.... ITS WONDERFUL!

It begins in 1928...
Lucresse (9) and her brother, Ben, (11), grew up with an eccentric single father, Walter Briard. (an antique art ‘dealer’ of sorts). Walter could probably have sold hay to a farmer. Or religion to the Pope.
Ha....his skills came in handy in one very funny scene - but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The Briard’s did more than their share of moving around - new homes - new locations - new neighbors- new schools for the kids. Can you imagine being the new kid — like twenty times? Would you want to tell the truth about your life - family - ‘every’ time you moved to a new school? I think I might have been a little confused....not knowing who I was.
Because of Walter’s work - Fred, (hilarious Fred), driver, nanny, and all-around concierge, came with the Briard’s on every move.

Aunt Catherine Tippet ....was another hilarious character; bossy lady...( but she still wanted to look good - should there be a chance she might be seen on television)....
She came for a visit once during a very undesirable time.
Walter was shacking up with a famous actress named Felicity. (for awhile)
Lucresse thought Felicity might’ve made a great mother.
Ben loved Felicity, too, ha.....but ‘not’ in a mothering way.
Oh, those poor young boys who fall for older women. Ben fell hard.

Hiding Felicity would have been preferred, when Aunt Catherine visited.
Walter and the kids agreed to say she was an accountant—(secretarial assistant)....
God forbid, the truth be told.
Of course Aunt Catherine was suspicious.

“A car was parked on our driveway and Felicity and my father were walking on the path toward it, slowly, dallying as they went. He had on slippers, pajamas, and his old silk bathrobe, and she was carrying her suitcase. She was wearing a bright yellow dress and carrying the heavy iron and bronze Athenian cowbell she had so admired. With each step, it tolled a low reverberating bong, which seemed to amuse them both”.
“I knew there was something about that woman, Aunt Catherine whispered. Taking the bell with her. She’s a common thief, that’s what she is”.

Aunt Catherine said...
“I knew that was no kind of housekeeper-woman. She was nothing but a fancy robber”.
I loved the laughs. It was easy to visualize a movie of this story.
Later - for real - two robbers enter the story
They didn’t exactly succeed with their mission-( Frank and Sled-Boy)... ....actually lost five dollars....
But....it sure was a hilarious scene.
Ben tried to negotiate with the swindlers.
He tried to tell them to take their books— many were valuable—worth selling.
Lots to giggle along with.

Walter says to the goofy bandits ( but not ‘so’ goofy - they had a gun):
“Perhaps if we all sat down”.....
Lucresse noticed her fathers calm congenial tone. I was thinking - “Yeah, his semi-con-artist skills were being put to great use”.
Father said to the robbers:
“We could analyze the problem properly. And he gestured for the visitors to make themselves comfortable”.
Aunt Catherine ( Mrs. Tippet), was going nuts-
“Walter! Really! Aunt Catherine gasped”
Frank shot her a commiserating look,
“Yeah, lady. You’d think this was a tea party or some thing”.

Oh, my, I giggled plenty in this story. I loved the colorful humorous prose...
At the same time my heart melted for all the sprinkles of love throughout.

The tender moments — especially towards the end left, a lump in my throat.

I really enjoyed the grace and deliverance of this book —
funny, entertaining, with so much heart!

Betsy and her mother, Edna .....[the experience of them both] ....makes me want to cry.....reflect, think, feel, and.....love deeper!!

[Judy Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A special thank you to Betsy, the author's daughter and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The charming part of TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH, is more so about the inspiration behind the book and its author. If you are unaware, Author Edna Robinson (1921–1990) is the mother of Betsy, editor of the book, as she shares a little of her mother’s stories—her mother’s 1957 novel; retyped and edited to an unknown world of digital readers. One Edna called “a fantasy.”

Betsy, the daughter notes the book demonstrates how ordinary and even amusing this struggle of to feel visible really is. A special book for her personally since it took fifty years to be published, and it would not go away, similar to her mom, Edna.

In this whimsical and quirky book, a series of short chapters, reading like a collection of short stories, is set in 1930's, about one lost little girl’s struggle with her identity, as she is part of an unconventional and nontraditional family of misfits.

Lucresse, now a grown woman, is telling the story of her youth starting when she was nine years old, in 1928. As most, they are not dirt poor as many during this era. Her mother is deceased and her single father is an art dealer who moves all around the place, dragging Lucresse and brother, Ben (seems to always transition easily), and of course the houseman, Fred (he takes care of everything, like an old woman, a housekeeper, manager, and nanny). Her only relative was Aunt Catherine Tippet.

The dad, Walter is crazy and eccentric. When Jen, their mom died, their aunt would have liked to have declared the father unfit, but did not want to ruin her sister’s name. From birth in 1921 to the first nine years, the parents lived in twenty different places. They did not marry until he was fifty-two and her forty-six, which is odd for this time period.

As the stories move along, Lucresse found if she made up things it was easier than the truth and she could be who she wanted to be. It seemed they were always explaining their odd life and people in this era were of course very judgmental, so the name The Trouble with the Truth. A comical and quirky book, “People can only tell the truth as they see it. And everyone sees it differently.”

Judith D. Collins Must Read Books

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Lucresse Briard smacked me upside the head with the love stick.

I went into this hoping for the best but not expecting a whole hell of a lot. Then I started reading a forward, not realizing it wasn't the beginning of the book, and it was a little dry and I put it down, dreading the rest of the read. I finally picked it back up and started at the actual beginning of the book and was delightfully surprised.

Lucresse and her brother Ben live with their father who is... what... an antiques dealer? Art dealer? Something like that, anyway. As a result, they move around quite often. Aunt Annoying comes to visit every once in a while, but other than that they mostly hang out with each other and their live in driver, Fred, who is hilarious.

They get into a lot of antics. They meet a famous movie star and she moves in for a while. They grow up (sort of), and there is a lot of funny injected. Mostly there is a lot of heart - not my favorite thing in a book but it really made this amusing jaunt something that had a lot of force.

Thank you, Betsy! I never would have picked this up without you.




-----------------------------------------------------------------------


I read this again. I'm having a rough, scary time and I need books to make me escape into another world so I can shut off my mind to anything else involving real life at the moment. I don't care if they're stupid or cheesy or ridiculous or uplifting. This one sucked me in again, even though I already read it, and yes, it was uplifting. I liked it better the second time around and I'm thrilled I came across it tonight. Must be karma.

PS. The introduction was NOT dry or negative, I don't like the way I phrased that last time. It was just an introduction when I thought it was the story. Quit drinking, Erika.

[Janet Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walter Briard is an eccentric single father raising 9 yr old Lucresse and 11 yr old Ben while selling antiques and paintings in ever-changing locales and circumstances which require creative, changeable explanations to neighbors in order for them to be accepted by society. Lucresse struggles to be accepted at a series of new schools and finds herself playing fast and loose with the truth in an effort to fit in better.

Walter is a widower whose household also includes Fred, who serves as a chauffeur, butler, and very subtly-suggested relationship partner. A series of colorful characters including a glamorous actress and a concerned aunt also comprise the unconventional family.

The Trouble with the Truth is a movingly whimsical and endearing look at a more innocent time told in the charming voice of Lucresse from the outside looking in.

[Bower Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Captivating and gorgeously written, The Trouble with the Truth recounts a motherless girl’s journey through the Great Depression as new homes and significant relationships shift in and out of her world with little or no warning, and she struggles to find her place while never staying in any one place for very long.

Nine-year-old Lucresse Briard is blessed with uncommonly comfortable means at a time when most have little, thanks to her widowed father’s roving business as an “art-objects-investor-dealer-junkshop-keeper” (a depression-proof endeavor that litters the floors and walls of whatever home they’ve most recently landed in with priceless works of art). Yet, in comparison to those she sees around her, Lucresse is uncommonly uncomfortable. Never attending any one school for more than a few months, she doesn’t have time to ease into her social sets, so she copes with her ever-changing landscapes by reinventing herself—enrapturing the strangers who will briefly serve as her peers with wilder and wilder versions of her life—while her loving but oft-disconnected father attempts to help her adjust to each new school by throwing her a birthday party, regardless of the month.

As Lucresse grows into a teenager, she discards most of her lies and finds herself increasingly intrigued by the truth. With an older brother who acts out his life via scenes from Shakespeare, a father who introduced his children to Chaucer and Tolstoy in lieu of Dr. Seuss and swapped trips to kiddie-lands for the opera, a devoted “house man” who fits nowhere in the world but with their chaotic family and seems happiest when dressing and acting the part of chauffeur, and a maternal aunt whose accounts of Lucresse’s departed mother vary as wildly as she needs to support her latest case of the vapors, the “trouble with the truth” is something Lucresse is largely given free rein to sort out on her own. This quirky family is bound by true warmth, however, as is the book. Emotional truth is weighed no less heavily than factual evidence. Cleverness and creativity are as valued as veracity.

I read The Trouble with the Truth in three sittings, and was disappointed each time I set it aside. It’s a smart, funny, touching book. I enjoyed it from start to finish.

[Donna Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and a half stars, rounded up. My thanks go to Betsy Robinson, the late author’s daughter, who invited me to preview an ARC and review it. It’s been a fun read.

Lucresse and her brother Ben have an unusual life. On the one hand, they aren’t starving, as many people around the world were during the Great Depression. But on the other hand, their circumstances require a constantly changing back-story in order for them to be accepted by polite society, which was much harsher and more judgmental than it is today.

For one thing, their mother is dead, and their father, a much older man than their classmates’ fathers, has not remarried. Not unless you count Fred, their chauffeur, butler, and otherwise highly respectable servant whose devotion to their family is not fully understood until a crisis strikes. Fred does not sleep with Father, of course. He has separate quarters, but no separate life. They’re pretty much his whole story.

Lucresse has the trouble with the truth that gives our novel its title. Her whole life is predicated upon a series of courteous lies; every time they pack everything and move to a new town, which occurs as often as four times annually, she and Ben are thrown birthday parties. There’s a good reason to do that, but it’s not true that it’s their birthday, and they both know it. And when Father cultivates the acquaintance of a well-known actress and she moves into their guest room, a visiting aunt is told she is the book keeper. It’s another lie, for the sake of appearances.

This highly accessible, charming novel is set out in brief chapters, and in most cases the chapter represents a new story within the overall story, so it is almost like reading a series of consecutive short stories featuring the same characters. With quirky good humor and also a certain amount of ambiguity regarding our head of household, I found myself smiling and nodding at the fib-to-cover-another-fib.

Though the family’s life is bizarre, the children are loved and well cared for; this is no Glass Castle. Rather, it is a portrait of a fictional family that never quite meets the conventional standard society seems to expect.

Recommended for those who like a little whimsy now and then.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several other reviewers mention the backstory of this novel, which is truly interesting and well worth your looking up. Who doesn't enjoy a bit of 'peaking behind the curtain'? In this case, the peaking does help humanize the author (and editor, daughter, Betsy Robinson) beyond the dust jacket marketing that we readers normally get. Having peaked for myself, I feel as though I've "met" someone I can easily admire-- a strong, creative, loving person who diligently worked to balance her artistic aspirations with the pressing responsibilities of earning a living for herself and her children. Undaunted by challenges, unwilling to be beaten down, incapable of escaping her own sense of humor. I like her.

Backstory aside, I want to impress upon you that this novel stands up perfect and strong all on it's own. Robinson's writing is at once pleasingly colorful and deceptively economical. Between the covers of this short book, she gives us vignettes that pop vividly from the pages. Some are humorous. Some are so tender as to touch raw nerves.

In the Humorous Column, the home invasion scene unfolds as a brilliantly unexpected act reminiscent of the best Monty Python skit. Missing, only, is the Python's frequent nod to utter silliness. I giggled while reading it. I read it at least twice more and giggled some more. I've smirked for days since.

In the Tender Column, the "conversations" between narrator Lucresse and her father near the end of the book resonate with me in a very personal and emotional way. The truths shared in those passages linger in my thoughts. As I never include spoilers, allow me to add with no further explanation that those passages perfectly capture the moments following the death of a parent for many of us.

To lump this work into the "Girl Coming of Age" category seems, to me, to blunt the finely honed edges of the author's writing into a stereotypical--and therefore sterile-- heap. Yes, this IS a "coming of age" story, but it is also much more than that. The only downside I can manufacture is that there is currently no additional books available by this author. At least to my knowledge.

Don't shortchange yourself by missing the opportunity to read this one for yourself.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you Betsy for sending me one of your last available ARCs of this book! I enjoyed every minute I spent with this very delightful story.
The excellent writing added to the fun. I laughed out loud and read passages to my family on numerous occasions - sometimes because that particular portion of the story was amusing and often because the way it was written was amusing. I absolutely loved the characters - all of them!

"The Trouble with the Truth" reveals to us the life of Lucresse Briard, from age 9 to 19 as she wades through her life without a mother and with a father whose way of living is such that they are never without means, but are often moving. This gives Lucresse the ability to re-invent herself numerous times as she tries to discover her true nature - "The mysterious place between her eyes" that she occasionally gets flashes of insight from, and that some people, she feels, can see glimpses of. "The place that (Lucresse) worked so hard to hide - even from (herself)" P130

The title reflects the theme throughout the book and it is so cleverly woven into the story. Lucress's brother's penchant for acting, her own tendency to tell tall tales, and their father's openly candid words of wisdom all contribute and make this a very unified and cohesive theme in a story that is packed with humor and just the right amount of emotion and philosophy. "People can only tell the truth as they see it. And everyone sees it differently" (P 202)

Some favorite (and quite amusing) parts of the story for me were Lucresse's attempt at age 14 to be "a woman of the world" and the attempted robbery on the family - a scene where the dialogue was fantastically witty and quite philosophical. It is jam-packed with little gems of dialogue from Lucresse's father that leave you with at least a few moments of considering life and how we live it.

Edna Robinson was a very gifted writer and her story was such a refreshing example of timeless literature - written decades ago the story never seemed outdated and remains relevant today. It was good clean fun and would be great reading for all age groups. I highly recommend it.

[Eileenonline09 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some authors write stories that are so beautiful, ​I​ ​secretly hope them to be true. Others invent ​exotic ​worlds ​I​ wish​ I​ might live in. But Edna Robinson has ​done something much more intimate for me as a reader- she has ​created a family of characters​ I wish I could be a part of.

Although the events of the story are creative and entertaining, I was much more interested in how nine-year old Lucresse would perceive them, how her older brother Ben would dramatize them, or how her father would parent (or choose not to parent) through them. I was especially endeared to Fred, the Welsh house-man. The Briads are the kind of people with whom you want stay and share an after dinner drink, instead of ​worrying about what will happen in the next chapter (of their lives, or the book).​ ​The cast of additional supporting characters is colorful and always welcome, but it was the dynamics of the quirky, non-conventional family that held my attention.

​The book seemed very modern to me; I kept forgetting it was written many years ago and actually set in the 1920'​s​ and 30's despite the ​various ​time and cultural references. I suppose that our struggles with the truth are timeless, in addition to being troublesome.

[Cricket Muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

The usual spate of superlatives (charming, refreshingly unique, memorable) seem so bland and quite inadequate for this amazingly quirky little gem. While the story stands quite well on its own, thank you, the additional backstory of this being a book written by a dead author, someone who might have found success if Harper Lee hadn't beguiled the world with her own tale of a widower raising two precocious children.
As I read, and read, and nearly read TTWTT in one sitting, I kept on thinking I might be reading a William Powell and Carole Lombard movie script due to that screwball, zany comedy mixed with reality feel to it. This one is an absolute keeper. It's a rare little treasure and a welcome find. There shouldn't be any trouble in realizing that this little read deserves to get some big notice.

[Maura Weiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lyrical, quirky book was such a pleasure to read. Robinson sets the scene so well and draws her eccentric characters so artfully that I felt like I was sitting in the midst of a 1930's screwball comedy, enjoying the banter as I reclined on a horsehair armchair and sipped my highball. Lucresse Briard may be blessed with wealth in a time of scarcity, but losing her mother at birth and being continually uprooted creates insecurities we can all relate to. The fact that this book is being published for the first time 58 years after it was written and 25 years after the author's death is a testament to its power as a timeless classic.

[Allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the story being narrated by the main character is about her childhood in the late 20's and early 30's, she shares that her family wasn't affected by the Great Depression. Her father was a successful antiques/arts dealer, and her childhood was spent moving constantly. You'll find out in the first couple of pages that her mother died in childbirth. She has an older brother, and, maybe I missed it or I've forgotten, but got the impression they weren't full siblings. There were some things that seemed odd, such as, her mother was 46 when she met her father. So actually, that's rather late to get able to bear children. Yeah it's not unheard of, but in the 1920s? Anyway, the book read more like a series of short stories about Lucresse's childhood, some more interesting than others, some more believable than others. The characters were not that well developed-- more like sketches. Probably the most well developed character was the "house man", who was a constant companion and moved everywhere with the children and father. He was the chauffeur, the maid, the nanny, the cook, the butler. This was very light reading, meaning, not a lot of depth, but parts were interesting enough that I finished reading it.

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Original review can be found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...

I received an advanced readers copy from Atria Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

The Trouble with the Truth is most definitely a coming of age story. I find that there is a fine line with this type of story. Sometimes they can be beautiful but sometimes they run the risk of being quite dull. Unfortunately this one leans towards the dull and boring side. Although the writing was fine, the story and the characters just didn't pull me in the way I had hoped. In fact, I wasn't a fan of Lucresse at all. She was whiny and immature throughout the entire story. She seemed no older at the end of the story than she was at the beginning and quite a few years past throughout the pages. I just didn't care what her outcome would be. Normally there is character growth in a coming of age story but I just couldn't see any.

Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me and I will likely not remember it in a weeks time.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot to like about this slim book. The characters are interesting and well-drawn; they have a timeless quality to them, which makes them feel very real to me. Although the story takes place in the 1930s and was initially started in the 1960s, The Trouble with the Truth doesn't feel dated. Lucresse Briard, who narrates her coming-of-age story from an older perspective, is my favorite type of character: a smart, spunky girl who doesn't quite fit in but keeps trying. Her family situation is unusual, but full of love and respect in various guises. A rewarding read for those who like character-driven narratives.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the book.
This is a well written story that takes place during the 30's, but is just as fresh and relevant today. It is well written and well defined story of a very unusual family that moves often and how the youngest, Lucresse matures and at last grows up.
I really liked the story and am sorry to hear the author has passed away.
At times the story was a little bogged down in detail, but it was an easy read and worth every minute. I recommend for any age as it has great universality

[Nancy Kekst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet, easy little read that is all at once fun and thought provoking. Told in a series of vignettes or short stories, the plot is far fetched but not. Edna Robinson and her daughter Betsy write with an easy, descriptive style. I started the book, put it down for awhile, and then resumed it and couldn't put it down. The end was unexpected and not, trite but truthful. The book makes you think about just exactly what the truth is. A nice respite.

[Tantra Bensko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely beautiful book, delightful all the way through. I felt I came to know this fictional family very well, and enjoy them all. The attitude and tone is positive and wholesome yet includes all the wildness that is life without shrinking from it.

I'm so glad it has come to the public eye, in such a polished form. I wish there were more books like this, which is one of my favorite and most memorable reads.

[Melissa A Rosati · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming novel with the chutzpah to challenge the reader with THE big question: How does personal courage define personal truth? Edna Robinson tells a brave, coming-of-age story about a girl searching for her sense of place. Without a mother to guide her, Lucresse invents and reinvents herself through the era of the Great Depression via Robinson's subtle wit and wild imagination.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and unexpected story. It revolves around the main character Lucresse who moves around the country with her unique family. The characters are so well developed and there are funny parts, sad parts, and a lot in between. (I received this book from Goodreads First Reads. Thanks, Betsy!)

[Dawn Baumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a wonderful story! I couldn't read this one fast enough -- it's so well written, with memorable characters, keen conversation, and some great insights. Also very funny! I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author's daughter, Betsy, for the posthumous publication of this gem of a book and for getting it into so many readers hands!
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the composition and readability of the prose. It was such an enjoyable book, I wish there a dozen more.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book and was sad to see it end! It is very well written with complex characters that become so familiar to the reader that they feel like family. A great read!

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!!!!

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book!!

[Lauren Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me laugh out loud a few times! Love it when a book can do that. Very believable characters I wanted to know.

[Deena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really adored this book, and the history behind the writer and the story!

[harlee. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Trouble with The Truth was neither good not bad. I struggled in the beginning to read this which is why it has taken me almost 3 months to read.

This book is about Walter Briard and his two children Lucresse and Ben. It is about there miscommings and growths in life and how they have grown up.

It's about coming to realise the truths and tribulations that have occurred throughout their lives, which have been difficult and met with hardships.

This book had great meaning behind telling the truth and coming to terms with the truth, but I feel like it was written all over the place. One minute Lucresse would be here and then she'd be there. However, I did enjoy the last 1/3 of the book very much.

Overall, The Trouble with The Truth is not for everyone, but if you're looking for a book about growing up and finding yourself, here it is!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The short story format worked well for this coming-of-age strange family fiction. I generally liked Lucresse and Mr. Briard, but less so Ben and his weird antics and manipulation of others.

I would be interested to know where Edna stopped and her daughter Betty began as far as the writing. Overall a quick 200 pages that I'm not upset by having inserted into my reading list.

[Elizabeth Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story

I haven't laughed out loud while reading a book in a very long time, but this book pulled that out of me. Read it when you have plenty of time to do so, you will be glad he did.