Review: All the Truth That's In Me

All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry
Release Date ~ September 26, 2013
Viking Juvenile ~ Penguin
ISBN13: 9780670786152
Hardcover purchased personally

Goodreads Synopsis:
Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

You know those books that you just cannot get out of your head? They work their way into your heart and mind and it's impossible to let them go. That's exactly what Julie Berry's newest book, All the Truth That's In Me did to me.

This book is incredibly difficult for me to describe. "Unexpected" is the best word for it. And I hesitate to try and say too much, at risk of ruining the astonishing experience I had reading it for the first time. It may be too early to say this, but this has been my favourite read of 2013 so far!

1. This reminds me of "The Village" in book form:
   
   I'm not really too sure exactly why it does; it's hard to pinpoint. The story's really aren't similar, but I think it's the setting that has a similar feel. The setting in All the Truth That's In Me feels timeless, and by that I mean it literally felt like it was outside of the confines of time. I couldn't pinpoint an exact location or era, which only adds to the mystery in my opinion. Also, there's the whole small, tight-knit community with a whole bunch of secrets.
   
2. Judith's bravery and resilience:
   
   I don't think Judith ever sees herself as someone who is extraordinary. But she is. What she views as defiance, I see as bravery and resilience in the face of circumstances which could have broken her down. Judith's reaction to her disappearance and the treatment she receives from those around her are atypical, and I can only admire her for her mental and emotional strength she shows as she endures this. Her concern for others in the wake of such events is truly remarkable.
   
3. A sweet, honest love story:
   
   The relationship between Judith and Lucas is anything but straightforward, yet there's something about it where they're able to retain that childlike simplicity. You can see how they've grown together, and how much of an impact the decisions they make have on each other. It isn't quite your traditional love story, it's full of broken bits and shattered pieces but there's something about it that is still so pure, raw, and real. I can't tell you the last time I was completely invested in the relationship between two fictional characters like this!

There are some aspects to this book that are rather dark. Judith is far from a perfect character, and makes some choices that I found rather questionable. But then again, who hasn't? She's a realistic character, not an ideal one. She makes mistakes, and I think it's most interesting to see how she follows up to those mistakes.

I'm a bit iffy on the second person narrative, but I honestly feel like it worked well in the end. You learn early on in the book the identity of the "you" Judith keeps referring to, and I think the second person narration was important to really bring that character into the spotlight.