A True Story Based on Lies

by Jennifer Clement

Book Overview

This novel addresses the universal issues of class discrimination, male oppression and female servitude, and opens a window on Mexico's Catholic and pagan customs as well as its folklore, magic and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1841952761
• ISBN13: 9781841952765
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Canongate Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

beauty and tragedy

This book was introduced to me by my good friend Zoe who I lost to cancer some years ago. During our time together she was forever exposing me to the arts in one form or another. I had no idea at the time that I would be so moved by this little book. Jennifer's style of writing captured me immediately and planted me firmly in alliance with Leonora. I bought three copies of the book, one for myself to keep, one to loan to friends to read or pass on and another as a gift. I cannot recommend it enough, it is among one of my most treasured reads.

A Good Story based on a Gimmick

As this story slowly unfolds, coming together like a jigsaw puzzle, the reader begins to see a picture emerge which is both broader and more powerful than first expected.Don't be put off by the first few chapters, which set up the gimmick of alternating narrators. Within a very few chapters you are hooked and then the book draws you along inexorably to the momentous conclusion.

A magnificent story

The amount of depth in such a slim volume is amazing. Clement's language and rhythm put me in mind of a folk tale that draws one in easily but lets go hard. I picked this up because I thought it would be a fast read, and it was, but it's stuck with me and I find myself thinking of it at odd quiet moments. Read it, savor it, but be careful if you read on the subway -- I kept missing my stops.

Magical Mexico

This book kept haunting me for weeks after I read it. It is a very moving story and the language is pure poetry.