The Porcupine of Truth
Books | Young Adult Fiction / Family / Multigenerational
4.1
Bill Konigsberg
Stonewall Book Award winner. “Konigsberg weaves together a masterful tale of uncovering the past, finding wisdom, and accepting others as well as oneself.” —School Library Journal (starred review)Winner of the PEN Center USA Literary Award for Children’s/Young AdultA YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults SelectionCarson Smith is resigned to spending his summer in Billings, Montana, helping his mom take care of his father, a dying alcoholic he doesn’t really know. Then he meets Aisha Stinson, a beautiful girl who has run away from her difficult family, and discovers a secret regarding his grandfather, who disappeared without warning or explanation decades before. Together, Carson and Aisha embark on an epic road trip to try and save Carson’s dad, restore his fragmented family, and discover the “Porcupine of Truth” in all of their lives.“Words like ‘brilliant’ are so overused when praising novels—so I won’t use that word. I’ll just think it.” —Benjamin Alire Sáenz, author of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe“Undeniably human and unforgettably wise, this book is a gift for us all.” —Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper Jungle“Konigsberg . . . crafts fascinating, multidimensional teen and adult characters. A friendship between a straight boy and a lesbian is relatively rare in YA fiction and is, accordingly, exceedingly welcome.” —Booklist (starred review)“The story tackles questions about religion, family, and intimacy with depth and grace . . . Equal parts funny and profound.” —Kirkus Reviews
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Author
Bill Konigsberg
Pages
341
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Published Date
2015-05-26
ISBN
0545648947 9780545648943
Community ReviewsSee all
"A rare YA novel that focuses on family and friendship rather than romance "
Tera B.
"I spent 3 weeks and 2 days on this book, technically. Although the actual days a spent reading accounted to 5 or 6? <br/><br/>Which, considering I sped read through 222 pages in around 2 days; is not a long time. <br/><br/>I dragged my feet through 150 pages of this story. I sat through 150 of watching Carson wander around his house and not get anything done but establish a strained relationship with his family. I admit I wasn’t having much fun. <br/><br/>I started reading more of it because I really wanted to fine out why Carson’s grandfather left his family. I watched him desperately pine after a Lesbian. But I was willing to hear it out. And I did.<br/><br/>I was sucked into this book after all of that because of one simple note. They went on their silly road trip and it changed their lives. Changed mine too. I look at my religious father after being turned away from it after years of mental torment. I’m left wondering if I could make something my father loves so dearly work ‘for me.’<br/><br/>Maybe it won’t. But the fact that I even considered it is more than enough. This book will probably make you question your stance- Wether for or against- religion.<br/><br/>There is no better book than one who makes you think, while still allowing you to keep those previous thoughts.<br/><br/>No five star material, because it does not come without flaws, but an impactful read anyway.<br/><br/><3"
Kaleb
