All the Truth That's in Me

Julie Berry

Save:

Find on Amazon

judith's trauma

oppressive puritan society

powerlessness and redemption

journey to reclaim voice

emotional depth of silence

spare yet powerful writing style

conflicted relationships

colonial america atmosphere

themes of love and longing

literary elegance

multi dimensional characters

tension and introspection in pacing

young adult fiction with adult

diary like entries

All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry is a captivating story set in a small Puritan village, following the protagonist Judith, who returns after a mysterious disappearance with her tongue cut out, rendering her unable to speak. The book delves into themes of love, longing, and redemption as Judith navigates her traumatic past and present struggles, all while being silenced by the judgmental and oppressive society around her. Berry's writing style is described as spare yet powerful, allowing readers to unravel the complex backstory and emotional depth of the characters.

Characters:

The characters are multi-dimensional, particularly Judith, whose struggles and resilience drive the emotional narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by literary elegance, diary-like entries, and a prose that captures the emotional depth of silence.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores themes of powerlessness, trauma, and a quest for voice through Judith's harrowing experiences after her return from being kidnapped.

Setting:

The setting evokes an oppressive atmosphere reminiscent of Colonial America, influencing the story's dynamics.

Pacing:

The pacing combines tension with introspection, allowing for gradual revelation of the story's complexities.

Notes:

The protagonist, Judith, returns home after two years unable to speak due to a traumatic experience.

The book is often interpreted as a metaphor for the powerlessness of women, especially in restrictive societies.

Judith's character is an outcast and her supposed mutism gives her a unique freedom from societal conventions.

The setting of the story is ambiguous, resembling a mix of historical and dystopian influences.

The novel addresses themes of love, family dysfunction, and societal expectations without explicit content.

It utilizes a unique narrative style, alternating between first and second person perspectives.

Judith develops her own form of silent rebellion against the oppressive forces in her life.

The writing is described as lyrical and poetic, creating a rich emotional atmosphere.

The book raises significant questions about agency and the consequences of repression in society.

Despite being categorized as young adult fiction, the story appeals to readers of all ages due to its depth and complexity.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include trauma, violence, and themes of sexual assault.

Has Romance?

There is a medium presence of romance, characterized by Judith's deep, unrequited love for Lucas.

From The Publisher:

From the Printz honor winning author of The Passion of Dolssa, a mesmerizing story about fear, love, and the power of a young woman's voice.

"All the Truth That's In Me is that rare magical thing-a beautiful love story told in spare, riveting prose."-The New York Journal of Books

"The love story and the mystery . . . are mesmerizing. Berry's language undulates and flows. . . . Worthy of multiple reads."-The Boston Globe

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.

Ratings (1)

Loved It (1)

Reader Stats (2):

Read It (1)
Want To Read (1)

What can you read after
All the Truth That's in Me?

See the list (25 books)

About the Author:

Julie Berry is the author of the 2017 Printz Honor and Los Angeles Times Book Prize shortlisted novel The Passion of Dolssa, the Carnegie and Edgar shortlisted All the Truth That's in Me, and many other acclaimed middle grade novels…

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.