Journal Entry 1 by goatgrrl from New Westminster, British Columbia Canada on Monday, April 12, 2004

This was a random Salvation Army purchase, and I'm glad it crossed my path. A 2000 novel set in Toronto and -- later in the novel -- Greece, The Truth Teller is about a small group of students and faculty at the fictional Manor School for Classical Studies in the real life Toronto enclave of Wychwood Park. (From the internet, I learned that Govier's "Manor School" is loosely based on the now defunct Thornton Hall in Toronto.)

The Manor School is led by a 70-something headmistress, Francesca Morrow, and her husband of fifty years, Principal Dugald Laird, who share a lifetime commitment to classical education rooted in art, poetry and Greek myth. The school has only ten students, of whom Cassie -- the "Truth Teller" -- is at first the outcast new girl, then a member of the school's rebel girl gang, the "Dead Ladies" (named after a poem by medieval French poet Francois Villon). On the back of the book, the suggestion is made that Cassie's truth-telling ultimately becomes a catalyst for change at the school. In fact, the story is not quite so dramatic, though it makes some profound and poignant statements about lives lived in delusion versus those lived with open eyes. Similarly, the "girl gang" story line in the book never quite ripened -- insufficient plot development on that front. Still, this was an enjoyable read.

An interview with Katherine Govier was featured in January magazine shortly after publication of The Truth Teller -- you can read the interview here. 

Journal Entry 2 by goatgrrl from New Westminster, British Columbia Canada on Tuesday, May 18, 2004

INTERNATIONAL BOOKRING

Rules of this bookring:
1. This is an international bookring -- if you join, you must be willing to ship anywhere.
2. Please journal the book when you receive it, and again when you mail it out -- that way, everyone will know the book's approximate location.
3. If you don't think you'll be able to read this book within a reasonable time of receipt, please let me know before it's sent to you by the previous reader, and I'll be happy to move your name down the list.
4. Whether you have read the book or not, please do not keep it longer than eight weeks.

Participants:
1. Ramya - Plainsboro, New Jersey, USA - rec'd May 29, 04; mailed July 1, 04.
2. Czersk - Roscoe, Minnesota, USA - rec'd July 11, 04; forwarded August 14, 04.
3. Zarylia - Warsaw, Poland - rec'd August 14, 04; mailed October 16, 04.
4. ecmwfinswe - Storvreta, Uppland, Sweden - rec'd November 11, 04; mailed December 29, 04.
5. maupi - Utrecht, Netherlands - rec'd January 31, 05.
6. Rrrcaron - Lancaster, New Hampshire, USA - rec'd June 2, 05. 

Journal Entry 3 by goatgrrl from New Westminster, British Columbia Canada on Thursday, May 20, 2004

Journal Entry 4 by Ramya from Plainsboro, New Jersey USA on Saturday, May 29, 2004

I received the book in today's mail, along with a souvenir Canada pencil -- thanks goatgrrl! I've also peeled off the Canada sticker from the envelope and have taped it inside the front cover (with removeable tape). I'll look for some kind of Jerseyana to include when I send it on. Right now I'm reading The Full Cupboard of Life, 5th in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, so I'll start The Truth Teller in a few days. Normally, a book like Full Cupboard would take me an evening or two, but I haven't had much time to read lately. I expect it might take 10-14 days to get through The Truth Teller unless it's so compelling that I pull an all-nighter! (Except these days, I can only afford all-nighters on weekends -- it's too hard to get through a workday on short sleep even if the book was fantastic...)
And thanks for including the links -- the Thornton Hall pages are fascinating.

 

Journal Entry 5 by Ramya from Plainsboro, New Jersey USA on Sunday, June 27, 2004

I found this book to be – variously -- intriguing, annoying, amusing, interesting, tedious – but not at all what I expected, which was a glimpse into a slice of life in Toronto. In its strictest sense, it is that, but I saw nothing definitive that could not be found in another city, at another quirky private school, in another privileged neighborhood. For people who know Toronto, perhaps the use of the Taddle Creek as a recurring motif carries more power of place than it did for me. I found it to be an interesting thread, sometimes as metaphor, sometimes as the thing itself, but it could have been any creek anywhere.

Regarding “intriguing, annoying, amusing, interesting, tedious”, I won’t mention specific instances of each, but a few comments. I didn’t get a strong sense of the development of individual characters, nor why they made some of the choices they did – actions seemed disjointed and unconnected – is that how Govier tried to capture the adolescent mind? Dugald and Francesca seemed, at times, to be caricatures, but they did seem to inspire real devotion and respect in some of the alumni and current students (although I didn’t really discover the latter until nearly the end, when Carrie talks about Francesa).

One of Dugald’s comments stood out for me, perhaps because I’ve worked with some very angry people, and I’ve seen “road rage” here on the highways and byways of New Jersey (If any readers from outside the USA (or perhaps outside the frenzied mid-Atlantic region) aren't familiar with the term "road rage", write me, and I'll add a description.): “He understood rage and those who possessed it. He understood that its origins were profound and often inexplicable. Also, that rage was a habit, a haunt returned to by those who had no imagination. That the man—or woman, more often than one thought—who had rage inside had to grow another power that was greater or rage would take him over.” (p.58 of the paper-bound edition)

I’m interested in reading what others post as this book makes its way through the ring!


Mailed on 2 July to Czersk, in Minnesota.
 

Journal Entry 6 by Czersk from Roscoe, Minnesota USA on Sunday, July 11, 2004

First of all I have to say THANK YOU to Ramya for the great bookmarks. Thank you so much! They're adorable. I'll make sure Zarylia gets hers. The postcards are a great touch, and it looks as if I might have to find a Minnesota something for in here. I'll have to think about it ;) . . .

I have a ton of things I'm supposed to be reading now, but I promise I will have it read and passed on to Zarylia within the 8 week time period. I'll have to, because Zarylia will have left by then. But thank you all for this book. I hope I enjoy it. 

Journal Entry 7 by Czersk from Roscoe, Minnesota USA on Wednesday, August 11, 2004

It's been exactly a month since I got this, and I finally started to read it this morning. I'm very sorry for the delay. I've been crazy-busy, and have had a ton of things to read, including two books that are required reading before I get back to school, which is just weeks away. But I will read this book, and finish it soon, never fear!
--------------------------
Aug. 13, 2004

OK, optimism has washed away. I know I won't be able to finish this book and all the others in my limited time frame. My solution is to pass it on to Zarylia so she can read it. Do you think, perhaps, I could be put at the end of the list? I will pm goatgrrl. 

Journal Entry 8 by Zarylia from Saint Paul, Minnesota USA on Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Paynesville/MN/USA - Czersk passed the book on to me on Saturday and it looks very intriguing! Many thanks to Ramya for the adorable bookmark, the postcards are great too! Anyway, I will try to read this *fingers crossed* in a timely fashion. :-D Thanks everyone! 

Journal Entry 9 by Zarylia from Saint Paul, Minnesota USA on Saturday, October 16, 2004

Warsaw/Poland - First of all, I'm sorry! I know it's two days past my eaight week deadline and I sincerely apologize. The book will be on it's way to ecmwfinswe in Sweden today.

Anyway, about the book, I think it was a good concept but badly executed. Ok, maybe 'badly' isn't the right word, but I just didn't think it was as good as it could have been. It seemed a bit tedious at times too, I was counting the pages towards the end. The characters had some serious potential though, I was really interested in Amelia, Cassie, and Vida, and it was kind of a disappointment when they weren't really developed. The descriptions and the overall grandeur of the classics was wonderful though. I guess overall I was just mildly interested in the book, glad I read it, but not one I would be highly recommending. Thanks everyone for giving me the chance to read it though, and being so patient with me! :-D And it's off to Sweden! 

Journal Entry 10 by ecmwfinswe on Saturday, December 11, 2004

Sorry I didn't journal the book before - but here it is in Sweden. I got it November 11. 

Journal Entry 11 by ecmwfinswe on Wednesday, December 29, 2004

I'm getting short of time and I can't really get into this book - sorry to say. I'll let it travel to the next perosn on the list. 

Journal Entry 12 by maupi on Monday, January 31, 2005

Got it.
Thank you all. 

Journal Entry 13 by maupi on Thursday, April 21, 2005

Status update
I didn't realize that I've had this book since late January! I'm reading it now. I really like it, it has a very special tone of voice. As I am on sick leave, I'll probably finish it soon and will then send it on asap. 

Journal Entry 14 by maupi on Tuesday, May 10, 2005

I really liked the beginning of this book, but then it got too much girl gang elements for me. It could not hold my interest all through.
Jessibud has asked to be skipped, I am now waiting for the next address to send the book on.
11 May 2005:
Czersk also declines. I'll now ask the next reader.
 

Journal Entry 15 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Thursday, June 02, 2005

I received this book in the mail yesterday. I will get to it as soon as I can.
Ruth 

Journal Entry 16 by Rrrcaron from Lancaster, New Hampshire USA on Sunday, March 12, 2006

I loved this book. What seemed so perfect in many ways, the school and the relationship between the owners, Dugald and Francesca, was falling apart. Cassie, the girl with the gift of seeing "the truth",was the only person who seemed to see all this.
Both the beginnining of the girls "gang" and Dugald's guilt of leaving his wife and children to be with Francesca, were cataalysts for the downfall.
The pilgramage trip to Greece, where Cassie went up in flames and Dugald has a heart attack, ends all as they knew it. The characters were so real, and the authors descriptive writing style had me hooked from beginning to end. I'm so glad I had the chance to read this book!