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In the Neighborhood of True
A powerful story of love, identity, and the price of fitting in or speaking out.
After her father’s death, Ruth Robb and her family transplant themselves in the summer of 1958 from New York City to Atlanta—the land of debutantes, sweet tea, and the Ku Klux Klan. In her new hometown, Ruth quickly figures out she can be Jewish or she can be popular, but she can’t be both. Eager to fit in with the blond girls in the “pastel posse,” Ruth decides to hide her religion. Before she knows it, she is falling for the handsome and charming Davis and sipping Cokes with him and his friends at the all-white, all-Christian Club.
Does it matter that Ruth’s mother makes her attend services at the local synagogue every week? Not as long as nobody outside her family knows the truth. At temple Ruth meets Max, who is serious and intense about the fight for social justice, and now she is caught between two worlds, two religions, and two boys. But when a violent hate crime brings the different parts of Ruth’s life into sharp conflict, she will have to choose between all she’s come to love about her new life and standing up for what she believes.
After her father’s death, Ruth Robb and her family transplant themselves in the summer of 1958 from New York City to Atlanta—the land of debutantes, sweet tea, and the Ku Klux Klan. In her new hometown, Ruth quickly figures out she can be Jewish or she can be popular, but she can’t be both. Eager to fit in with the blond girls in the “pastel posse,” Ruth decides to hide her religion. Before she knows it, she is falling for the handsome and charming Davis and sipping Cokes with him and his friends at the all-white, all-Christian Club.
Does it matter that Ruth’s mother makes her attend services at the local synagogue every week? Not as long as nobody outside her family knows the truth. At temple Ruth meets Max, who is serious and intense about the fight for social justice, and now she is caught between two worlds, two religions, and two boys. But when a violent hate crime brings the different parts of Ruth’s life into sharp conflict, she will have to choose between all she’s come to love about her new life and standing up for what she believes.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 356 reviews
April 12, 2019
Wow, this book. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Ruth Robb and her family move from New York City to Atlanta in 1958. Her father has recently passed away, which triggered the move. Ruth’s family is Jewish, and one of the first things she learns in Atlanta is that she must choose between being Jewish and being popular.
Ruth desperately wants to fit in like any teen would, and she chooses to hide her religion from her new group of friends. She has a crush on Davis and winds up with him at the club that is all-white and all-Christian.
Ruth’s mother still makes her attend temple every week, but no one outside her family knows. She forms a relationship with Max at temple, and he is vocal about social justice for Jews.
A hate crime occurs, and Ruth will have to make some tough choices between what she wants and what is right.
Technically this is a young adult historical, but I didn’t notice the “young adult” part while reading. Maybe the language was straight forward, but I took it as seamless, smooth writing. I was immediately struck by this different take on being a Jew in the south during the 1950s. I’m not sure I’ve read a book with this focus before. Based loosely on an historical event that occurred in Atlanta during this time, it made me consider how little has changed some 60 years later when I think of Pittsburgh.
Overall, In the Neighborhood of True is a thoughtful and important look at deciding between who you think you are and who you want to be.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Ruth Robb and her family move from New York City to Atlanta in 1958. Her father has recently passed away, which triggered the move. Ruth’s family is Jewish, and one of the first things she learns in Atlanta is that she must choose between being Jewish and being popular.
Ruth desperately wants to fit in like any teen would, and she chooses to hide her religion from her new group of friends. She has a crush on Davis and winds up with him at the club that is all-white and all-Christian.
Ruth’s mother still makes her attend temple every week, but no one outside her family knows. She forms a relationship with Max at temple, and he is vocal about social justice for Jews.
A hate crime occurs, and Ruth will have to make some tough choices between what she wants and what is right.
Technically this is a young adult historical, but I didn’t notice the “young adult” part while reading. Maybe the language was straight forward, but I took it as seamless, smooth writing. I was immediately struck by this different take on being a Jew in the south during the 1950s. I’m not sure I’ve read a book with this focus before. Based loosely on an historical event that occurred in Atlanta during this time, it made me consider how little has changed some 60 years later when I think of Pittsburgh.
Overall, In the Neighborhood of True is a thoughtful and important look at deciding between who you think you are and who you want to be.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
April 9, 2019
”When hatred shows its face you need to make a little ruckus. And you dear Ruthie, you made a very important little ruckus.”
Susan Kaplan Carlton has written a compelling story that is loosely based on the 1958 Atlanta temple bombing. My mom was a northerner who moved to the south in the 1950s. I remember her telling me stories of colored water fountains and standing up for Land of Dixie, of debutante balls and sweet tea. It always seems so different from my own upbringing in the melting pot of Southern California. So I can only imagine how different it was for Ruth from New York city. Throw in the fact that she was also Jewish, and I think the girl must have gone through some major culture shock. I will never truly understand hate, it is just something I’ve never had in my heart. What is unfortunate is even though this book was set 60 years ago it is still relevant today. I like to believe that most people are extremely accepting of all people, but there are those few that just can’t seem to let go of the hate and the anger. I probably could go on anon, but I will spare you all!
Ruth is a junior in high school who finds herself in the deep south after the death of her father. The world of pastels and blondes is a far cry from NYC, and Ruth realizes real quick that she cannot be both Jewish and popular. Soon Ruth finds herself ensconced in the debutante world, trying on dresses, attending parties, and striving to be the Magnolia queen. And there is a boy, named Davis Jefferson no less. But is Ruth being true to herself pretending she is something she’s not? And what happens when the unthinkable happens and Ruth is caught between two worlds?
I found Ruth tremendously relatable and likable. I got her, I would have done exactly what she did at her age in her situation. She was all about friendship, and fashion, and fitting in. The romance between Ruth and Davis was so sweet and adorable, yes it was a little Insta but they are teenagers, seems to happen that way quite a bit. I also really liked Ruth’s mother and Ruth’s relationship with her mother. Her mother was strong and a bit righteous, but she let Ruth do her thing. Fontaine Ruth’s grandma was such an authentic character, I truly think she represented how her generation in the south saw things. She herself didn’t feel as though she hated anyone, however she didn’t think anything needed to change either, in fact she felt as though she supported Jewish people because she shopped at a department store owned by Jewish people. I also appreciated that she did not have some major epiphany and completely change how she felt. My only tiny complaint is I wish that the bombing took place a little earlier in the book, so we could really see how the conflict resolved itself.
A riveting and important story that I strongly encourage everyone to pick up!
*** A huge thank you to Algonquin for my copy of this book ***
Susan Kaplan Carlton has written a compelling story that is loosely based on the 1958 Atlanta temple bombing. My mom was a northerner who moved to the south in the 1950s. I remember her telling me stories of colored water fountains and standing up for Land of Dixie, of debutante balls and sweet tea. It always seems so different from my own upbringing in the melting pot of Southern California. So I can only imagine how different it was for Ruth from New York city. Throw in the fact that she was also Jewish, and I think the girl must have gone through some major culture shock. I will never truly understand hate, it is just something I’ve never had in my heart. What is unfortunate is even though this book was set 60 years ago it is still relevant today. I like to believe that most people are extremely accepting of all people, but there are those few that just can’t seem to let go of the hate and the anger. I probably could go on anon, but I will spare you all!
Ruth is a junior in high school who finds herself in the deep south after the death of her father. The world of pastels and blondes is a far cry from NYC, and Ruth realizes real quick that she cannot be both Jewish and popular. Soon Ruth finds herself ensconced in the debutante world, trying on dresses, attending parties, and striving to be the Magnolia queen. And there is a boy, named Davis Jefferson no less. But is Ruth being true to herself pretending she is something she’s not? And what happens when the unthinkable happens and Ruth is caught between two worlds?
I found Ruth tremendously relatable and likable. I got her, I would have done exactly what she did at her age in her situation. She was all about friendship, and fashion, and fitting in. The romance between Ruth and Davis was so sweet and adorable, yes it was a little Insta but they are teenagers, seems to happen that way quite a bit. I also really liked Ruth’s mother and Ruth’s relationship with her mother. Her mother was strong and a bit righteous, but she let Ruth do her thing. Fontaine Ruth’s grandma was such an authentic character, I truly think she represented how her generation in the south saw things. She herself didn’t feel as though she hated anyone, however she didn’t think anything needed to change either, in fact she felt as though she supported Jewish people because she shopped at a department store owned by Jewish people. I also appreciated that she did not have some major epiphany and completely change how she felt. My only tiny complaint is I wish that the bombing took place a little earlier in the book, so we could really see how the conflict resolved itself.
A riveting and important story that I strongly encourage everyone to pick up!
*** A huge thank you to Algonquin for my copy of this book ***
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 26, 2019DNF
Is this an important topic? Absolutely! Does this book deserve to be read by loads of people? Yes, yes, yes. Did it work for me? Not in the slightest.
This feels like one of those "it's not you, it's me!" moments ('you' being the book, and 'me' being, well... me), but the writing style doesn't work for me at all. I also immediately had some huge personal issues with the depictions of characters in this book, and the whole thing just... sigh. It's not for me, fam. I definitely hope others will love it because it's an important topic and we need more own-voice Jewish rep in YA for sure, but I won't be picking this one back up.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Is this an important topic? Absolutely! Does this book deserve to be read by loads of people? Yes, yes, yes. Did it work for me? Not in the slightest.
This feels like one of those "it's not you, it's me!" moments ('you' being the book, and 'me' being, well... me), but the writing style doesn't work for me at all. I also immediately had some huge personal issues with the depictions of characters in this book, and the whole thing just... sigh. It's not for me, fam. I definitely hope others will love it because it's an important topic and we need more own-voice Jewish rep in YA for sure, but I won't be picking this one back up.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 2, 2019
WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS BOOK?
Seriously, this was so good and such an important read. It's scary and sad to think that a book set in 1958 can still tie so heavily into today's society by discussing topics such as antisemitism and racism, but here we are. Now, I can't speak from experience, but I do appreciate books that help put these tough topics into a better perspective for me and that's exactly what this did. I thought the author did an excellent job of talking about Ruth hiding her religion from her new friends but also recognizing the fact that there are much bigger issues at hand given the time period.
The writing in this book was incredible and made me feel like I was actually taken back into the 50's. I was also instantly hooked on this story since it starts off with Ruth seconds away from getting on the stand during a trial to testify for a hate crime. The author then leaves readers hanging on the edge of our seats and takes us back to a few months earlier and let's the story unravel. I desperately tore through this book to find out whether Ruth would find her voice or continue to pretend to be someone she's not.
I really fell in love with Ruth and I absolutely adored her growth throughout this story. She starts out seeing right through her town's etiquette classes and catty new classmates, but she's also desperate to fit in. She admits that she's shallow and hides who she really is in order to not feel like an outcast, especially when the popular boy at school starts to fall in love with her. But hiding who she is means she has to make sure her new "friends" never find out that Ruth is Jewish. They can never know that she attends temple on the weekends. But along comes another boy who makes her question her new life (no, this isn't a love triangle type of story), he's just someone Ruth is able to be her true self with. On top of having a lovable MC, you'll find other characters who are so easy to fall in love with, for example, my love for Ruth's mother is infinite. She wanted to make sure Ruth saw the ugly in the world and never sugar coated anything for her children to help inspire them to be a better person. I honestly wish we all had parents like that.
I'm not going to talk much about the specifics of the hate crime because I'd rather not spoil anything, but I think it was handled very well. It was heart-wrenching to read, but also very moving. As for why I didn't give this a five star writing, I have two teeny, tiny complaints. The first, is that the romance was a little too insta-lovey for me, but nothing I wasn't able to see past because this is about so much more than a love story. And the second, was that the ending seemed a little rushed. I would have preferred maybe a little bit more of the actual trial or what Ruth does after the trial, but again nothing to deter me from not loving this book.
Favorite Quotes
All in all, I'm so glad I found this book. I'm always on the hunt for thought-provoking stories that make you stop and think about the bigger picture and that's exactly what this book did. I can't recommend In the Neighborhood of True enough!
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Seriously, this was so good and such an important read. It's scary and sad to think that a book set in 1958 can still tie so heavily into today's society by discussing topics such as antisemitism and racism, but here we are. Now, I can't speak from experience, but I do appreciate books that help put these tough topics into a better perspective for me and that's exactly what this did. I thought the author did an excellent job of talking about Ruth hiding her religion from her new friends but also recognizing the fact that there are much bigger issues at hand given the time period.
The writing in this book was incredible and made me feel like I was actually taken back into the 50's. I was also instantly hooked on this story since it starts off with Ruth seconds away from getting on the stand during a trial to testify for a hate crime. The author then leaves readers hanging on the edge of our seats and takes us back to a few months earlier and let's the story unravel. I desperately tore through this book to find out whether Ruth would find her voice or continue to pretend to be someone she's not.
I really fell in love with Ruth and I absolutely adored her growth throughout this story. She starts out seeing right through her town's etiquette classes and catty new classmates, but she's also desperate to fit in. She admits that she's shallow and hides who she really is in order to not feel like an outcast, especially when the popular boy at school starts to fall in love with her. But hiding who she is means she has to make sure her new "friends" never find out that Ruth is Jewish. They can never know that she attends temple on the weekends. But along comes another boy who makes her question her new life (no, this isn't a love triangle type of story), he's just someone Ruth is able to be her true self with. On top of having a lovable MC, you'll find other characters who are so easy to fall in love with, for example, my love for Ruth's mother is infinite. She wanted to make sure Ruth saw the ugly in the world and never sugar coated anything for her children to help inspire them to be a better person. I honestly wish we all had parents like that.
I'm not going to talk much about the specifics of the hate crime because I'd rather not spoil anything, but I think it was handled very well. It was heart-wrenching to read, but also very moving. As for why I didn't give this a five star writing, I have two teeny, tiny complaints. The first, is that the romance was a little too insta-lovey for me, but nothing I wasn't able to see past because this is about so much more than a love story. And the second, was that the ending seemed a little rushed. I would have preferred maybe a little bit more of the actual trial or what Ruth does after the trial, but again nothing to deter me from not loving this book.
Favorite Quotes
"He reminded us that we were all a small part of a larger story of hate, that all along, the clock had been ticking. And now the alarm rang for us."
"You heard the rabbi - if you don't stand up, you're only brave in theory."
"This underground group thought they'd blow this city apart, but the opposite is true."
All in all, I'm so glad I found this book. I'm always on the hunt for thought-provoking stories that make you stop and think about the bigger picture and that's exactly what this book did. I can't recommend In the Neighborhood of True enough!
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June 13, 2021
Ruth Robb is “hiding in plain sight” in the world of debutantes, sweet tea and cotillions. She desperately wants to fit in with the new crowd, so she conveniently omits to reveal her Jewish faith and origins. Ruthie’s mother was once a leader in the society she abandoned years ago when she moved up north, married Ruthie’s father and converted to her husband’s faith.
Ruthie shelters behind her mother’s and grandmother’s earlier conquests of polite southern society, guiltily concealing the truth of her heritage. We can see that she is internally aware that she is embracing the bigotry along with the glamour. Eventually, the conflicted “double-thinking” that she has to adopt becomes a heavy burden. It literally takes an explosion to open Ruth’s eyes to the truth.
The dialogue in this novel is snappy, light, often superficial and droll. Polite southern society is all surface, with no real substance. The author evokes this “sham” world very well. This superficiality of the members of Ruthie’s new socially elite circle may also have contributed to my difficulty in viewing Ruth and her fellow debutantes as fully developed, real life characters.
For the majority of the novel, Ruth is passionately in love with Davis, and he with her; but on that fateful night of the ball, Ruth gained and lost everything she had sacrificed the truth for. Spoiler alert:
This was very well written, and the author does make you feel like you have traveled back in time. Alas, all of the conflicts and issues in this novel are still, unfortunately, very relevant today. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I rate this novel a 3.75 out of 5.
Ruthie shelters behind her mother’s and grandmother’s earlier conquests of polite southern society, guiltily concealing the truth of her heritage. We can see that she is internally aware that she is embracing the bigotry along with the glamour. Eventually, the conflicted “double-thinking” that she has to adopt becomes a heavy burden. It literally takes an explosion to open Ruth’s eyes to the truth.
The dialogue in this novel is snappy, light, often superficial and droll. Polite southern society is all surface, with no real substance. The author evokes this “sham” world very well. This superficiality of the members of Ruthie’s new socially elite circle may also have contributed to my difficulty in viewing Ruth and her fellow debutantes as fully developed, real life characters.
For the majority of the novel, Ruth is passionately in love with Davis, and he with her; but on that fateful night of the ball, Ruth gained and lost everything she had sacrificed the truth for. Spoiler alert:
This was very well written, and the author does make you feel like you have traveled back in time. Alas, all of the conflicts and issues in this novel are still, unfortunately, very relevant today. My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I rate this novel a 3.75 out of 5.
April 7, 2019
Ruth Robb is a teenager hiding a big secret from her friends. She recently moved to Atlanta from New York City where she was raised in a Jewish home. After her father's death, her mom decided to move them back near her family. Neither of them has told anyone about their religious beliefs because of the conservative nature of 1950s Georgia.
Ruth current social life pushes her toward debutante training, teas, and various social clubs. At the same time, she enjoys visits to her temple with her mother on the weekends. Her two separate lives are interesting but it is just a matter of time before they collide. When a violent hate crime occurs, Ruth must make choices that threaten to expose her secret life.
In The Neighborhood Of True was inspired by a true event. The book’s focus is on young adults and addresses antisemitism and racism viewed through the eyes of a teenager. Susan Caplan Carlton tells a good story with relevant themes still faced by our society.
Ruth current social life pushes her toward debutante training, teas, and various social clubs. At the same time, she enjoys visits to her temple with her mother on the weekends. Her two separate lives are interesting but it is just a matter of time before they collide. When a violent hate crime occurs, Ruth must make choices that threaten to expose her secret life.
In The Neighborhood Of True was inspired by a true event. The book’s focus is on young adults and addresses antisemitism and racism viewed through the eyes of a teenager. Susan Caplan Carlton tells a good story with relevant themes still faced by our society.
July 10, 2020
4.5 stars
A Jewish girl finds her own voice in a Christian Southern community in the late 1950s. A meaningful look at what it means to accept your own identity, and an even more meaningful reflection on racism, bigotry, and the lessons from the past that are still relevant today.
Writing: ★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★★★
Messages: ★★★★★
In the Neighborhood of True is a novel that I think sits at the table with some of the many YA novels on racial discrimination in the 1950s South. The messaging is slightly different—our protagonist is a Jewish teenager, and the core themes are a 50/50 split on religious identity vs racial identity—but the overall story echoes others that tell a similar tale: when we Other another community, we breed hate and ignorance.
Obviously, this message is very important to our modern times. The author had no way of knowing this when this novel was written, but its coincidental timeliness was something I was hyper aware of during my read. But this novel stands on its own legs when it comes to quality and core resonance.
Ruth Robb has recently moved into her grandparents home in Atlanta in 1958. Her mother, a former Southern girl, had eloped with Ruth's Jewish father when she was young, so all Ruth remembers is her father's liberalism, her mother's outspokenness, and their welcoming Jewish community in New York.
Then Ruth's father dies, and her mother takes their family to live with her parents in their antebellum home in Atlanta. It's the land of sweet tea, "bless her heart," and the War of Northern Aggression. It's also the home of Ruth's grandmother, who believes Ruth could be her proper debutante granddaughter as long as the don't mention "the Jewish" stuff.
Ruth quickly falls in love with the glamour, the beautiful girls, and the lifestyle of the Southern way of life. So what if she has to hide her temple lessons and synagogue visits? She thinks it's worth it.
But as Ruth ends up discovering, the cost of hiding your true self is deeper than she initially thought...
My thoughts:
As I said at the beginning, I loved this story's poignancy and messaging. This narrative, framed through the eyes of a teenager, was beautiful and relevant and heartbreaking at times. It was my first story regarding a Jewish person in the 1950s, and definitely my first story of that experience in the South. The themes of true self vs. the collective, religion vs religion, and truth vs the easy path were themes relevant to that time period and now. A powerful novel for teens and adults alike.
I also loved Ruth herself. Her desire to fit in, her desire to be loved and admired by popular boys... all of us girls can relate to aspects of that. I felt for her when she ignored her inner voice because when you're young, sometimes you don't follow that voice—and then you learn the hard way that the voice is there for a reason.
Great lessons, great plot, engaging characters, and a poignant theme of heart and truth.
Thank you to Algonquin for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
A Jewish girl finds her own voice in a Christian Southern community in the late 1950s. A meaningful look at what it means to accept your own identity, and an even more meaningful reflection on racism, bigotry, and the lessons from the past that are still relevant today.
Writing: ★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★★★
Messages: ★★★★★
In the Neighborhood of True is a novel that I think sits at the table with some of the many YA novels on racial discrimination in the 1950s South. The messaging is slightly different—our protagonist is a Jewish teenager, and the core themes are a 50/50 split on religious identity vs racial identity—but the overall story echoes others that tell a similar tale: when we Other another community, we breed hate and ignorance.
Obviously, this message is very important to our modern times. The author had no way of knowing this when this novel was written, but its coincidental timeliness was something I was hyper aware of during my read. But this novel stands on its own legs when it comes to quality and core resonance.
Ruth Robb has recently moved into her grandparents home in Atlanta in 1958. Her mother, a former Southern girl, had eloped with Ruth's Jewish father when she was young, so all Ruth remembers is her father's liberalism, her mother's outspokenness, and their welcoming Jewish community in New York.
Then Ruth's father dies, and her mother takes their family to live with her parents in their antebellum home in Atlanta. It's the land of sweet tea, "bless her heart," and the War of Northern Aggression. It's also the home of Ruth's grandmother, who believes Ruth could be her proper debutante granddaughter as long as the don't mention "the Jewish" stuff.
Ruth quickly falls in love with the glamour, the beautiful girls, and the lifestyle of the Southern way of life. So what if she has to hide her temple lessons and synagogue visits? She thinks it's worth it.
But as Ruth ends up discovering, the cost of hiding your true self is deeper than she initially thought...
My thoughts:
As I said at the beginning, I loved this story's poignancy and messaging. This narrative, framed through the eyes of a teenager, was beautiful and relevant and heartbreaking at times. It was my first story regarding a Jewish person in the 1950s, and definitely my first story of that experience in the South. The themes of true self vs. the collective, religion vs religion, and truth vs the easy path were themes relevant to that time period and now. A powerful novel for teens and adults alike.
I also loved Ruth herself. Her desire to fit in, her desire to be loved and admired by popular boys... all of us girls can relate to aspects of that. I felt for her when she ignored her inner voice because when you're young, sometimes you don't follow that voice—and then you learn the hard way that the voice is there for a reason.
Great lessons, great plot, engaging characters, and a poignant theme of heart and truth.
Thank you to Algonquin for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2019
4 stars
Content Warnings:
In the Neighborhood of True surprised me in a lot of ways.
There’s not a lot of historical fiction with Jewish protagonists that’s not about the Holocaust, but Susan Kaplan Carlton writes a novel set in 1958 about a Jewish girl who moves from New York City to Atlanta and hides her religion in order to fit in.
It’s a very quiet and understated novel, one I think a lot of people will end up passing by, purely on account of the lack of popularity for historical fiction during times without huge, well-known events.
But In the Neighborhood of True is important for a lot of reasons.
It looks at how different things were only 60 years ago.
It’s 2019, yet less than a century ago, children were saying prayers in schools and called the Civil War “The War of Northern Aggression” and hung the Confederate flag everywhere (umm…still do, ack).
I think this is such an untouched time in history in YA lit, and I really appreciated Carlton’s addition to the YA historical fiction genre. I don’t think a lot of people realized how different things were back then (young people especially!) and seeing how antisemitism existed just a short time ago and still today was really powerful.
It might not have been a super flashy time in history, but things still happened, and In the Neighborhood of True is based on true events (that I won’t spoil, but Carlton talks about in her author’s note).
It sends an important message about staying true to yourself.
I think we can never get too much of “staying true to yourself” sort of stories in YA, and Ruth learns so much about this and how she wants to present herself in a hate-filled world. I’m sure we all know how the story ends for Ruth in terms of accepting herself, but it’s the journey that’s important and Ruth’s own journey was still important.
It might not be full of huge events, but instead quiet resistance and gentle learning through the influence of her friends and family. I think it’s ultimately a lot more of a realistic “stay true to yourself” story than some of the others out there, and feels like a lot of teens could use and appreciate In the Neighborhood of True.
Plus, it talks a lot about a lot of very teen-like issues—dating for the first time, fitting in and wanting to be part of a friend group, and so much more that comes with moving to a new town (although, on a next level because this is The South).
It talks about a lot of still-relevant social topics today.
Activism is really tricky because there’s so many ways to approach it, and a lot of people don’t agree with it.
In the Neighborhood of True presents a view of both activism of the time period against antisemitism, but also activism against racism. And although their approach may not always be right and may be flawed, as Ruth learns and questions, it shows the complexity of activism in a time where so much wasn’t going right.
Overall, I would recommend.
I enjoyed this, and although I definitely think not everyone will love this, the right people will fall head-over-heels in love with Ruth and her story.
In the Neighborhood of True is quiet and understated, but strong as steel at its core.
If you like quieter YA in unusual time periods talking about activism, I would definitely recommend checking out Carlton’s novel.
Thank you so much to Algonquin for sending me an advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!
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Content Warnings:
In the Neighborhood of True surprised me in a lot of ways.
There’s not a lot of historical fiction with Jewish protagonists that’s not about the Holocaust, but Susan Kaplan Carlton writes a novel set in 1958 about a Jewish girl who moves from New York City to Atlanta and hides her religion in order to fit in.
It’s a very quiet and understated novel, one I think a lot of people will end up passing by, purely on account of the lack of popularity for historical fiction during times without huge, well-known events.
But In the Neighborhood of True is important for a lot of reasons.
It looks at how different things were only 60 years ago.
It’s 2019, yet less than a century ago, children were saying prayers in schools and called the Civil War “The War of Northern Aggression” and hung the Confederate flag everywhere (umm…still do, ack).
I think this is such an untouched time in history in YA lit, and I really appreciated Carlton’s addition to the YA historical fiction genre. I don’t think a lot of people realized how different things were back then (young people especially!) and seeing how antisemitism existed just a short time ago and still today was really powerful.
It might not have been a super flashy time in history, but things still happened, and In the Neighborhood of True is based on true events (that I won’t spoil, but Carlton talks about in her author’s note).
It sends an important message about staying true to yourself.
I think we can never get too much of “staying true to yourself” sort of stories in YA, and Ruth learns so much about this and how she wants to present herself in a hate-filled world. I’m sure we all know how the story ends for Ruth in terms of accepting herself, but it’s the journey that’s important and Ruth’s own journey was still important.
It might not be full of huge events, but instead quiet resistance and gentle learning through the influence of her friends and family. I think it’s ultimately a lot more of a realistic “stay true to yourself” story than some of the others out there, and feels like a lot of teens could use and appreciate In the Neighborhood of True.
Plus, it talks a lot about a lot of very teen-like issues—dating for the first time, fitting in and wanting to be part of a friend group, and so much more that comes with moving to a new town (although, on a next level because this is The South).
It talks about a lot of still-relevant social topics today.
Activism is really tricky because there’s so many ways to approach it, and a lot of people don’t agree with it.
In the Neighborhood of True presents a view of both activism of the time period against antisemitism, but also activism against racism. And although their approach may not always be right and may be flawed, as Ruth learns and questions, it shows the complexity of activism in a time where so much wasn’t going right.
Overall, I would recommend.
I enjoyed this, and although I definitely think not everyone will love this, the right people will fall head-over-heels in love with Ruth and her story.
In the Neighborhood of True is quiet and understated, but strong as steel at its core.
If you like quieter YA in unusual time periods talking about activism, I would definitely recommend checking out Carlton’s novel.
Thank you so much to Algonquin for sending me an advance reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review!
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July 11, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
In the neighbourhood of True is a beautifully written story of a young girl in the 1950's who has moved to live in her grandmothers guest house with her mother and sister after the death of her father who was Jewish.
Ruth and her sister are also Jewish and their mother converted to being Jewish after marrying their father.
This book is a fantastic tale of living a double life trying to fit in with the 'in' crowd and hiding who you really are to be accepted and experience things you wouldn't get to experience if you were honest about who and what you are.
Told during a time period of racism, divided communities/races, the KKK and making a change to how we live and treat others, this book is a powerfull statement to how the world still needs to change to be more accepting, diverse and understanding as well as people standing up for their beliefs and for what is right.
In the neighbourhood of True is a beautifully written story of a young girl in the 1950's who has moved to live in her grandmothers guest house with her mother and sister after the death of her father who was Jewish.
Ruth and her sister are also Jewish and their mother converted to being Jewish after marrying their father.
This book is a fantastic tale of living a double life trying to fit in with the 'in' crowd and hiding who you really are to be accepted and experience things you wouldn't get to experience if you were honest about who and what you are.
Told during a time period of racism, divided communities/races, the KKK and making a change to how we live and treat others, this book is a powerfull statement to how the world still needs to change to be more accepting, diverse and understanding as well as people standing up for their beliefs and for what is right.
March 2, 2019
Wow, this was such a pleasant surprise, and so timely. I picked up an ARC of this one at ALAMW after seeing that it was historical fiction set in Atlanta in the 1950’s, and this did not disappoint. As others have said, it was so nice to read historical fiction with a Jewish main character (#ownvoices rep) that is not set during the Holocaust.
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE deals with themes that are, unfortunately, all too timely. I originally picked this up because of the setting, and as a lifelong Atlantan who is the child, grandchild, and great-grandchild of lifelong Atlantans, I thought this book perfectly captured the duality of Atlanta during the twentieth century (and maybe still today)— it succeeded in celebrating the beauty of the city while unabashedly critiquing its incredibly ugly history of racism, anti-Semitism, injustice, and hatred. Many people might not know about Atlanta’s shameful anti-Semitic history, but this book was inspired by a true event, the Atlanta Temple Bombing of 1959.
I was hesitant going into this one, because I worried the focus on the Jewish community here in Atlanta in the 1950’s would omit the struggle of black Atlantans during the Civil Rights era. However, I thought the author handled this pretty well. This story shows how, not only did Jewish people in Atlanta face their own kinds of discrimination, but also how the Jewish community here was often engaged in the fight for equal rights for all Americans (without making this into a white savior story). However, I do wish that there had been discussion around the fact that Ruth, our main character, hides her Jewish identity and “passes” around her new debutante friends, but Ruth’s black counterparts don’t have the luxury of passing. Definitely some missed opportunities for discussions around privilege. (I should note that I am neither Jewish nor black and can’t personally speak to the quality of this representation on either front.)
Overall, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE is a book I think will stick with me for quite some time, and I highly recommend picking it up this spring.
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE deals with themes that are, unfortunately, all too timely. I originally picked this up because of the setting, and as a lifelong Atlantan who is the child, grandchild, and great-grandchild of lifelong Atlantans, I thought this book perfectly captured the duality of Atlanta during the twentieth century (and maybe still today)— it succeeded in celebrating the beauty of the city while unabashedly critiquing its incredibly ugly history of racism, anti-Semitism, injustice, and hatred. Many people might not know about Atlanta’s shameful anti-Semitic history, but this book was inspired by a true event, the Atlanta Temple Bombing of 1959.
I was hesitant going into this one, because I worried the focus on the Jewish community here in Atlanta in the 1950’s would omit the struggle of black Atlantans during the Civil Rights era. However, I thought the author handled this pretty well. This story shows how, not only did Jewish people in Atlanta face their own kinds of discrimination, but also how the Jewish community here was often engaged in the fight for equal rights for all Americans (without making this into a white savior story). However, I do wish that there had been discussion around the fact that Ruth, our main character, hides her Jewish identity and “passes” around her new debutante friends, but Ruth’s black counterparts don’t have the luxury of passing. Definitely some missed opportunities for discussions around privilege. (I should note that I am neither Jewish nor black and can’t personally speak to the quality of this representation on either front.)
Overall, IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TRUE is a book I think will stick with me for quite some time, and I highly recommend picking it up this spring.
July 7, 2020
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Algonquin Books for reaching out to me to participate in this Book Tour and for providing me with a physical copy of the paperback arc!
#intheneighborhoodoftrue
This was an incredible story. The premise of the story is surrounded by the hate against people that are not white, are not Christians, are not the "ideal Southern"person/family.
After Ruth's father dies, her and her family move from non-restrictive and flexible, New York City, to old-beliefs, upheld traditions and sweet tea, Atlanta. Ruth quickly discovers that she can fit in with the popular kids, or she can be Jewish, but she cannot be both. She decides to hide her religion and soon she has these new friends and new crush, Davis, that are all apart of the all-Christians club. Deep inside, Ruth knows she can't hide her religion forever, and violence is brewing. Ruth will have to choose between all she loves in her new life or standing up for what she believes is right.
It has been a long time since I read a book that is centralized around Southern culture and beliefs. I have always found their traditions interesting and intriguing, and I like that things like the Magnolia Queen were included in this book.
I enjoyed how the author kept the injustice "silently" brewing in the background of the story until the breaking point. I know that it wasn't really silent, it was blatant and obvious, but with a character who is hiding her religion, it quietly brews until she knows she needs to stand up.
Somethings that felt a little off for me were, Max as a character and the ending. In my opinion, its always good to have a side character that can help bring the main character back to what is right, but to me Max didn't really do that. He was just kind of there as a plot guidance to help Ruth slowly realize her fault, but I didn't feel attached or interested in him at all. The ending just lacked the pack of the punch. I wanted more from it. It felt rushed and straight to the point, and even then I wasn't happy with it. There could've been more dialogue and intrigue and heartbreak. Without spoilers, there just could've been more to the ending.
I admire how the author also based this story off of a true event and also things that have happened in her life. She attended the temple that was mentioned in the book, and one day as they were leaving the temple, her daughter asked her "did you know my classroom was bombed?" and that is where it started.
I still 100% recommend this book! It discusses important topics and the writing style is great.
Make sure to check out the hashtag #intheneighborhoodoftrue on Instagram and Twitter to see the buzz about book!
Thank you to Algonquin Books for reaching out to me to participate in this Book Tour and for providing me with a physical copy of the paperback arc!
#intheneighborhoodoftrue
This was an incredible story. The premise of the story is surrounded by the hate against people that are not white, are not Christians, are not the "ideal Southern"person/family.
After Ruth's father dies, her and her family move from non-restrictive and flexible, New York City, to old-beliefs, upheld traditions and sweet tea, Atlanta. Ruth quickly discovers that she can fit in with the popular kids, or she can be Jewish, but she cannot be both. She decides to hide her religion and soon she has these new friends and new crush, Davis, that are all apart of the all-Christians club. Deep inside, Ruth knows she can't hide her religion forever, and violence is brewing. Ruth will have to choose between all she loves in her new life or standing up for what she believes is right.
It has been a long time since I read a book that is centralized around Southern culture and beliefs. I have always found their traditions interesting and intriguing, and I like that things like the Magnolia Queen were included in this book.
I enjoyed how the author kept the injustice "silently" brewing in the background of the story until the breaking point. I know that it wasn't really silent, it was blatant and obvious, but with a character who is hiding her religion, it quietly brews until she knows she needs to stand up.
Somethings that felt a little off for me were, Max as a character and the ending. In my opinion, its always good to have a side character that can help bring the main character back to what is right, but to me Max didn't really do that. He was just kind of there as a plot guidance to help Ruth slowly realize her fault, but I didn't feel attached or interested in him at all. The ending just lacked the pack of the punch. I wanted more from it. It felt rushed and straight to the point, and even then I wasn't happy with it. There could've been more dialogue and intrigue and heartbreak. Without spoilers, there just could've been more to the ending.
I admire how the author also based this story off of a true event and also things that have happened in her life. She attended the temple that was mentioned in the book, and one day as they were leaving the temple, her daughter asked her "did you know my classroom was bombed?" and that is where it started.
I still 100% recommend this book! It discusses important topics and the writing style is great.
Make sure to check out the hashtag #intheneighborhoodoftrue on Instagram and Twitter to see the buzz about book!
June 22, 2019
Official blurb: "Susan Kaplan Carlton's snapshot of 1958 Atlanta is both exquisite and harrowing – and, tragically, it feels all too timely. It's been a while since I felt so immersed in a piece of historical fiction, and I know I'll hold Ruth's story in my heart for a long time."
April 10, 2019
3.5 out of 5 Stars!
Thank you so much to Algonquin Books for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
REVIEW:
"In the neighborhood of true...that's what we say when something's close enough."
Set in the late 1950s, this historical ownvoice novel centers on Ruth Robb, a 16-year-old girl who's desperately trying to make sense of the world around her. Recently uprooted from the life she knew, Ruth quickly finds herself immersed into the pastel world of debutante balls, etiquette classes, and dimple-clad Southern boys. With her old-money lineage and "exotic" good looks, it's no surprise that she's adapting quite nicely to her new surroundings.
The only problem? Ruth is living her new Southern life in the neighborhood of true -- trying to pass herself of as something (or someone) close enough to her friends "ideal" standard. You see Ruth was raised in the Jewish faith, which doesn't fit in with her new Christian crews' way of thinking.
"Jews are accepted just fine at the banks or the law offices or the hospital or whatnot. But after dinner? After five o'clock, people like to socialize with their kind."
Yikes, am I right? But those "words of wisdom" come straight from Ruth's very own grandmother who frequently encourages Ruth to keep her "religious preferences" on the downlow. Eager to fit in and maintain her new glamorous lifestyle, Ruth doesn't mind keeping her mother-mandated trips to the synagogue a secret. But like many teenagers that have come before her, Ruth starts to struggle with the lies as she becomes more aware of who she wants to be in this world.
"I thought about feeling a part of something, instead of apart from everything."
Sparked by repeated hate crimes, Ruth soon in thrown into a chain of events that will force her to acknowledge her beliefs and "make a little ruckus."
Inspired by real events, this coming-of-age novel elegantly delivers a story of identity and what it means to find your own path to your true self. Carlton's narrative captures everything from the joy and levity of first loves to the fear and hatred surrounding our nation's racism and anti-Semitism. And although it's set 60+ years ago, the content in this novel still felt incredibly relevant and important for today's readers. The novel beckons us to discover who we are and own it and to be brave (more than in theory) by speaking out and speaking up for those that need our voices.
All quotes were taken from an advanced ecopy and may not match the final release.
Thank you so much to Algonquin Books for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
REVIEW:
"In the neighborhood of true...that's what we say when something's close enough."
Set in the late 1950s, this historical ownvoice novel centers on Ruth Robb, a 16-year-old girl who's desperately trying to make sense of the world around her. Recently uprooted from the life she knew, Ruth quickly finds herself immersed into the pastel world of debutante balls, etiquette classes, and dimple-clad Southern boys. With her old-money lineage and "exotic" good looks, it's no surprise that she's adapting quite nicely to her new surroundings.
The only problem? Ruth is living her new Southern life in the neighborhood of true -- trying to pass herself of as something (or someone) close enough to her friends "ideal" standard. You see Ruth was raised in the Jewish faith, which doesn't fit in with her new Christian crews' way of thinking.
"Jews are accepted just fine at the banks or the law offices or the hospital or whatnot. But after dinner? After five o'clock, people like to socialize with their kind."
Yikes, am I right? But those "words of wisdom" come straight from Ruth's very own grandmother who frequently encourages Ruth to keep her "religious preferences" on the downlow. Eager to fit in and maintain her new glamorous lifestyle, Ruth doesn't mind keeping her mother-mandated trips to the synagogue a secret. But like many teenagers that have come before her, Ruth starts to struggle with the lies as she becomes more aware of who she wants to be in this world.
"I thought about feeling a part of something, instead of apart from everything."
Sparked by repeated hate crimes, Ruth soon in thrown into a chain of events that will force her to acknowledge her beliefs and "make a little ruckus."
Inspired by real events, this coming-of-age novel elegantly delivers a story of identity and what it means to find your own path to your true self. Carlton's narrative captures everything from the joy and levity of first loves to the fear and hatred surrounding our nation's racism and anti-Semitism. And although it's set 60+ years ago, the content in this novel still felt incredibly relevant and important for today's readers. The novel beckons us to discover who we are and own it and to be brave (more than in theory) by speaking out and speaking up for those that need our voices.
All quotes were taken from an advanced ecopy and may not match the final release.
July 3, 2021
Can I tell you how much I enjoyed this beautiful read? This was one of the monthly suggestions for the Jewish Book Club, and it really packs a punch. The premise is original, and it was done extremely well. An emerging Jewish teen in the 1950's, following the death of her beloved father, moves with her family to the heart of the South, to live with her mother's family. Her mother had converted years earlier, when she left the Southern life to become a reporter in the North. When Ruth arrives in the South, she gets caught up in the Pre-debutante balls, the Magnolia, the Chrysanthemum, etc, fulfilling the promise of her grandmother who has built up legacy and ancestry. And naturally, she is falling in love with a boy. But of course Ruth is caught. Grieving, and growing as a teen, she is caught between watching how Blacks and Jews are seen, treated, and endangered, and she gets as involved with the activism of the Atlanta Temple and the need for change, as she does with the Debutante Scene. Ruth, and others, are left "Somewhere in the Neighborhood of True." Ruth, has to eventually come to figure out her own truths, and take the courage to live them. It was extremely well done and beautifully written.
On another note, I remain confused about what gets classified as YA. Is it simply because the main character is a teenager coming of age, that the classification is given? I try to ignore that, because YA to me feels like there are times when it's no different from what I generally read across the board (as it is in this case), and when it's truly meant for a teen audience. Sometimes I think the classification is misleading. In the Neighborhood of True has a teen protagonist, but the book is meant for a wider audience.
On another note, I remain confused about what gets classified as YA. Is it simply because the main character is a teenager coming of age, that the classification is given? I try to ignore that, because YA to me feels like there are times when it's no different from what I generally read across the board (as it is in this case), and when it's truly meant for a teen audience. Sometimes I think the classification is misleading. In the Neighborhood of True has a teen protagonist, but the book is meant for a wider audience.
June 22, 2019
In hindsight, this book wasn’t exceptional and nearly everything I have to say about it is critical. It’s got a gorgeous cover and it’s fairly easy to read an enjoyable, but with such a distressing topic at its forefront it shouldn’t feel like more of a ‘fun and fluffy contemporary’ than an important historical narrative. Full review to come-once I stop procrastinating, that is-because I have some important things to say about this one.
April 9, 2019
My thoughts are so conflicting on this book. It’d probably be best to break it up into positives and negatives so that my thoughts seem to have a cohesive result.
Positives:
- The historical storyline of this book is one that needs to be told. Of course I had heard of lynchings and the racism in the United States during the Civil Rights era, but I had no idea that Jews were also discriminated against and hated so harshly.
- Setting. I adored the way the setting was described and how all the traditions were put into the book to give it a more authentic air.
- Portrayal of religion. Ruth goes through a very real struggle in this book: Is religion passed down or chosen? I thought this was a good and poignant topic to explore.
Negatives:
- Ruth’s character. This book was told in first person, yet I had no idea who Ruth was. We kind of jump in in the middle of the book it feels like. The backstory we’re given of Ruth doesn’t feel fully formed and that does the entire rest of the book a disservice.
- The romance. Insta-love at its finest. I thought it would eventually be revealed that Ruth didn’t really love the male love interest but that she loved how she “fit in” when she was with him. That never happened. The love story was portrayed as real, but I never felt as if it was.
- Love triangle? There was a set-up for a love triangle but it was never fleshed out. Like why even include the hint of it?
- The entire last 25% of this book was so rushed! Ruth changes her tune so fast. I didn’t feel as though the end was the end. Ruth “learned her lesson” without any real progression.
- Fake friendships. All of Ruth’s relationships in the book were surface level. I wish she had a real friend.
There are my summarized thoughts on the book. I think the idea is fantastic, but the potential was squandered by sub-par characterization. I hope people do pick up this book and learn from it.
Positives:
- The historical storyline of this book is one that needs to be told. Of course I had heard of lynchings and the racism in the United States during the Civil Rights era, but I had no idea that Jews were also discriminated against and hated so harshly.
- Setting. I adored the way the setting was described and how all the traditions were put into the book to give it a more authentic air.
- Portrayal of religion. Ruth goes through a very real struggle in this book: Is religion passed down or chosen? I thought this was a good and poignant topic to explore.
Negatives:
- Ruth’s character. This book was told in first person, yet I had no idea who Ruth was. We kind of jump in in the middle of the book it feels like. The backstory we’re given of Ruth doesn’t feel fully formed and that does the entire rest of the book a disservice.
- The romance. Insta-love at its finest. I thought it would eventually be revealed that Ruth didn’t really love the male love interest but that she loved how she “fit in” when she was with him. That never happened. The love story was portrayed as real, but I never felt as if it was.
- Love triangle? There was a set-up for a love triangle but it was never fleshed out. Like why even include the hint of it?
- The entire last 25% of this book was so rushed! Ruth changes her tune so fast. I didn’t feel as though the end was the end. Ruth “learned her lesson” without any real progression.
- Fake friendships. All of Ruth’s relationships in the book were surface level. I wish she had a real friend.
There are my summarized thoughts on the book. I think the idea is fantastic, but the potential was squandered by sub-par characterization. I hope people do pick up this book and learn from it.
Want to read
July 6, 2019hi I just want to wallpaper my room with this cover okay it's a very soft aesthetic that I want to be surrounded with always
June 8, 2022
DNF at 13%
Read
June 2, 2021The premise of this book is a good one: a Jewish girl moves down from New York to live with her Christian grandparents in a swanky area of Atlanta. She wants to fit in. So she keeps quiet about being a Jew. The year is 1958.
Cute title and captures the essence of what the book aims to say.
The problem is that it's not Atlanta in the late 1950s. It's not the South. It's a never-never land of the author's imagining and stereotyping -- a sort of Valley of the Dolls with "southern comfort" instead of drugs. The sexual mores are at least five years ahead of the times. The author has Atlanta mixed up with Florida; she thinks the leaves never fall off the trees. And she has pool parties in mid-October.
And lipstick melting on the windowsill overnight? I never heard of that, not even in the daytime.
She does that stereotype of "y'all" as referring to one person. But "y'all" is a version of "you guys."
The Jews in her fictional big synagogue on Peachtree Street are warm cuddly Southerners, including the rabbi, but in actuality they tended to be from points north, including the real rabbi for which the fictional one in the book is a stand-in. Few had a southern accent. They did not say y'all. She thinks the sanctuary was empty on Saturdays, but it was not so empty, since the older kids attended after religious school. Only the little kids had "Sunday school." The building had not been added onto as at present and so both days were needed. The type of civil rights activity in the book is from today, not then.
All in all, I was thinking her research consisted of having read the first two or three pages of Melissa Fay Greene's The Temple Bombing, since that's how the book reads. So I was somewhat mollified to come to the author's afterword in which she reports on the actual history of the times in which the book was set. She also reports reading some good books, several of which I've read and one I'd like to (Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn).
While she says the book is fiction, she used real places thinly disguised, stand-ins for real people, and events and words from history. That's fine. It's just that saying it's fiction is not an excuse for such gaps in her research on the setting.
So, a very good premise and one that deserves to be explored with less stereotyping all around.
I hope this is a poor representative of the genre of YA ("young adult")
I ordered what I thought was a used copy of this book over the internet but it turned out to be an advance reading copy (galley). So it's possible some further editing took place -- maybe at least that misuse of "y'all." I hope so! So will not give a numerical rating to this one.
Cute title and captures the essence of what the book aims to say.
The problem is that it's not Atlanta in the late 1950s. It's not the South. It's a never-never land of the author's imagining and stereotyping -- a sort of Valley of the Dolls with "southern comfort" instead of drugs. The sexual mores are at least five years ahead of the times. The author has Atlanta mixed up with Florida; she thinks the leaves never fall off the trees. And she has pool parties in mid-October.
And lipstick melting on the windowsill overnight? I never heard of that, not even in the daytime.
She does that stereotype of "y'all" as referring to one person. But "y'all" is a version of "you guys."
The Jews in her fictional big synagogue on Peachtree Street are warm cuddly Southerners, including the rabbi, but in actuality they tended to be from points north, including the real rabbi for which the fictional one in the book is a stand-in. Few had a southern accent. They did not say y'all. She thinks the sanctuary was empty on Saturdays, but it was not so empty, since the older kids attended after religious school. Only the little kids had "Sunday school." The building had not been added onto as at present and so both days were needed. The type of civil rights activity in the book is from today, not then.
All in all, I was thinking her research consisted of having read the first two or three pages of Melissa Fay Greene's The Temple Bombing, since that's how the book reads. So I was somewhat mollified to come to the author's afterword in which she reports on the actual history of the times in which the book was set. She also reports reading some good books, several of which I've read and one I'd like to (Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn).
While she says the book is fiction, she used real places thinly disguised, stand-ins for real people, and events and words from history. That's fine. It's just that saying it's fiction is not an excuse for such gaps in her research on the setting.
So, a very good premise and one that deserves to be explored with less stereotyping all around.
I hope this is a poor representative of the genre of YA ("young adult")
I ordered what I thought was a used copy of this book over the internet but it turned out to be an advance reading copy (galley). So it's possible some further editing took place -- maybe at least that misuse of "y'all." I hope so! So will not give a numerical rating to this one.
April 14, 2019
You can also read this review on my blog illbefinealonereads.
A huge thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for the chance to be a part of this blog tour.
When it comes Historical Fiction books it’s always a hit or miss with me, never in the middle. It’s a genre I don’t read too often and I’m careful with picking up since misses happen more often than hits. But every once in a while a book like In the Neighborhood of True comes along and changes my mind. Because the thing that this book does best is that it doesn’t, not even for a single moment, feel like historical fiction - or fiction at all.
In the Neighborhood of True is a story about the south in the late ‘60s through the eyes of Ruth, a Jewish girl in her teens. After her father’s death her mother moves them from somewhat progressive New York to Atlanta, where the debutante culture and calling the civil war “the war of northern aggression” are the norm. Ruth then does everything she can to both fit in and stand up for what she believes in, which tend to be mutually exclusive.
I really enjoyed the writing in this book, I thought the writing style and the voice Mrs. Kaplan Carlton chose fit the story very well.
The characters were well-developed and the interactions between them seemed very organic. I was especially caught up in the interactions between Max and Ruth the entire time, I thought that there was a special kind of dynamic between them that was really fun to witness.
The pacing of the plot suited the story very well too, and the story itself was moving and especially engaging.
This book was hard to put down for me. During the time I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it, it occupied my mind until the very end. I think that thanks to where this world stands at this moment when it comes to politics, this book doesn’t feel like fiction at all, which is scary to think about. The only thing I can say that I didn't enjoy was the ending, to me personally it wasn't as satisfying, but at the same time I understand why it is the way it is (and that's all I'm gonna say in name of keeping this review spoiler free).
I love everything about this In the Neighborhood of True. It is one of the books that you should definitely not miss this year. It’s an important one and it’s gripping from beginning to end.
I recommend it.
*Copy received through NetGalley
*Rating 4/5 stars
YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON: MY BLOG | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
A huge thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for the chance to be a part of this blog tour.
When it comes Historical Fiction books it’s always a hit or miss with me, never in the middle. It’s a genre I don’t read too often and I’m careful with picking up since misses happen more often than hits. But every once in a while a book like In the Neighborhood of True comes along and changes my mind. Because the thing that this book does best is that it doesn’t, not even for a single moment, feel like historical fiction - or fiction at all.
In the Neighborhood of True is a story about the south in the late ‘60s through the eyes of Ruth, a Jewish girl in her teens. After her father’s death her mother moves them from somewhat progressive New York to Atlanta, where the debutante culture and calling the civil war “the war of northern aggression” are the norm. Ruth then does everything she can to both fit in and stand up for what she believes in, which tend to be mutually exclusive.
I really enjoyed the writing in this book, I thought the writing style and the voice Mrs. Kaplan Carlton chose fit the story very well.
The characters were well-developed and the interactions between them seemed very organic. I was especially caught up in the interactions between Max and Ruth the entire time, I thought that there was a special kind of dynamic between them that was really fun to witness.
The pacing of the plot suited the story very well too, and the story itself was moving and especially engaging.
This book was hard to put down for me. During the time I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it, it occupied my mind until the very end. I think that thanks to where this world stands at this moment when it comes to politics, this book doesn’t feel like fiction at all, which is scary to think about. The only thing I can say that I didn't enjoy was the ending, to me personally it wasn't as satisfying, but at the same time I understand why it is the way it is (and that's all I'm gonna say in name of keeping this review spoiler free).
I love everything about this In the Neighborhood of True. It is one of the books that you should definitely not miss this year. It’s an important one and it’s gripping from beginning to end.
I recommend it.
*Copy received through NetGalley
*Rating 4/5 stars
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December 29, 2019
Following her father's death, Ruth Robb and her younger sister Nattie have relocated from New York City to their mother's native Atlanta. It's culture shock for sure, but Ruth quickly finds herself pulled into the pre-debutante "Tea and Etiquette" club for high school juniors (where she is embraced as a legacy, as both her mother and grandmother were Magnolia Queens), and dating the cutest boy in school. There's one problem, though. The year is 1958. Anti-Semitism runs just as rampant through southern society as racism. And everything Ruth loves about her new life will be taken away if anyone finds out that she's Jewish.Shalom, y'all! As you can see by my rating, I loved this book.
It's not an action book; it's a slow burn of Ruth's growing internal discomfort as she tries to pass as somebody she's not, and tries to reconcile her family's dedication to social justice with her own silence.
I found the whole story so well and subtly done. It doesn't preach or whack the reader over the head with any messages. It simply shows how pervasive and poisonous racism and religion-ism were in 1950's Georgia, and how casually all that hatred was wielded before the Civil Rights movement. Even though I've read history, watched movies set in the Jim Crow south, and knew this stuff, this book still managed to shock me with how normal and acceptable prejudice is to the native white southern characters. It's very fair to them -- this is just how it's always been for them and they are on the benefitting side of the equation, so why would they want to question it or examine it too hard? Ruth's mother converted to Judaism when she married, so even Ruth's grandmother is a bit uncomfortable with her Jewish grandchildren. In a weird way, this book felt like a dystopian novel to me, where it takes an outsider to see what's wrong with this picture. Without calling it out, it also juxtaposed Ruth, who can pass as Christian even with her wildly curly hair (she frets about it as a marker of Jewishness all through the story), with the black characters and their obvious skin color -- they have no choice about how white people perceive them.
I don't want to say too much more. This is a book better experienced than told about.
This book was beautiful and moving. I read it because I have Jewish relatives, but it was so deep, and such a strong demonstration of learning how important it is to be true to oneself and to stand up for justice for everyone, that I recommend it to everyone.
April 12, 2019
I am in so much of of how an author could write a story that is both a fun and sweet coming of age tale of a teenage girl (is there anything more complicated than being a teenager?!), but also simultaneously tackle complicated and complex subjects that make you think and feel and react.
It's the 1950's in NYC and Ruth Robb's father has just died. Her mother whisks her and her sister away from the city they call home, to what feels like another world. 1950's Atlanta to live with her grandparents. It takes Ruth no time to adjust to the endless glasses of sweet tea and boundless southern charm, as she slowly starts to enjoy spending time with the pastel posse girls, engaging in endless conversations of debutantes, dances and designer dresses.
What she struggles to adjust to, is where that charm tends to cross the line - the racial references to anyone whose skin isn't white, whose hair isn't blond, and the references that the KKK is always just around the corner pushing for segregation, denouncing Jews and Blacks alike, is evident in every day encounters and conversations.
The hardest struggle is that Ruth IS Jewish. And that just won't do in this town. At this time. So she hides it, and balances her new life of days with the debutantes dodging racial slurs and religious digs, and weekends at Temple, grasping at her heart and soul to stay true, and steadfast.
But then something awful happens, and Ruth needs to decide if she is going to fit in, or stand out. And it's a joy to watch her decide.
I loved Ruth - she is strong and witty and you root for her to find the courage to find herself in such a confusing and complicated era. In such a tumultuous time in the world, and her life - you hope she can choose wisely, between 2 very different conflicting lives that she's been living and struggling to balance. A wonderful story!
It's the 1950's in NYC and Ruth Robb's father has just died. Her mother whisks her and her sister away from the city they call home, to what feels like another world. 1950's Atlanta to live with her grandparents. It takes Ruth no time to adjust to the endless glasses of sweet tea and boundless southern charm, as she slowly starts to enjoy spending time with the pastel posse girls, engaging in endless conversations of debutantes, dances and designer dresses.
What she struggles to adjust to, is where that charm tends to cross the line - the racial references to anyone whose skin isn't white, whose hair isn't blond, and the references that the KKK is always just around the corner pushing for segregation, denouncing Jews and Blacks alike, is evident in every day encounters and conversations.
The hardest struggle is that Ruth IS Jewish. And that just won't do in this town. At this time. So she hides it, and balances her new life of days with the debutantes dodging racial slurs and religious digs, and weekends at Temple, grasping at her heart and soul to stay true, and steadfast.
But then something awful happens, and Ruth needs to decide if she is going to fit in, or stand out. And it's a joy to watch her decide.
I loved Ruth - she is strong and witty and you root for her to find the courage to find herself in such a confusing and complicated era. In such a tumultuous time in the world, and her life - you hope she can choose wisely, between 2 very different conflicting lives that she's been living and struggling to balance. A wonderful story!
April 5, 2019
This book really hit me hard! What really shocked me was that that it is set in the 1950’s but honestly it rings true for some events that are currently taking place now. When Ruth’s father passes away her mother packs her and her sister up and moves them to New York to Atlanta. Ruth is amazed with the debutante culture she desperately wants to fit in, so she keeps the fact she’s Jewish a secret. Ruth’s mother wants her to stay close to her religion so has her attend temple. While at one of the debutante balls Ruth sneaks away with a boy she finds herself falling for Davis Jefferson. While she’s spending time with Davis her temple is filled with dynamite. Deep down Ruth believes she may know who was responsible for her temple attack and she may not be able to keep her faith hidden if she comes forward , she may also risk losing her friends and her debutante society she has become part of. This book took my breath away! The details about the 1950’s south and the racism really made me hurt for them. I absolutely enjoyed reading about a Jewish girl that wasn’t set in World War 2 , while she discovered her own identity and living in a world where being Jewish was a target. I should note that Ruth’s temple was a target because the Rabbi encouraged its members to work toward racial integration during a time where Jim Crow was still in practice. Watching Ruth’s character grow really had me cheering for her! I give this four stars and highly recommend fellow readers to pick this book up and read it!
April 6, 2019
This review was first posted on my blog In Between Book Pages. ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
61 years - that is the amount of time in between 2019 and 1958. But even with six decades separating then and now the events of 1958 still resonate, ripple down our today.
I don't know what that says about us as human beings, about our ineptitude and willful ignorance, repeating all our past mistakes over and over again.
Loosely inspired by the October 1958 bombing of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, Atlanta's oldest synagogue, Susan Kaplan Carlton tackles racism, discrimination and identity in In the Neighborhood of True.
The story follows 16-year old Ruth Robb, who moves to Atlanta from New York after her father's untimely death. Ruth quickly acculturates to her new home, embracing tea and etiquette lessons, pre-debutante balls and accepting inclusion into the "pastel posse" - a group of popular girls all from well-pedigreed, all-white, all-Christian families. Knowing that she wouldn't be welcomed otherwise, Ruth hides her religion, her Sundays at the temple with her mother and younger sister in exchange for her new life, and for a while this works for her. But a violent hate crime smash together the two halves of her life and forces Ruth to choose between what she wants and what she believes is right.
In the Neighborhood of True was such as simple story of a young girl coming of age in a period of great change. This simplicity and uncomplicatedness, however, only made this book standout, giving me a snapshot of history and highlighting the message it wants to impart. Racism and discrimination are still topics very relevant to our lives in this day and age. These are topics, hurtful as they may, that we need to talk about.
Ruth, the focus of much of this story, was a well-developed character. Being once a teen myself, I understood her position and why she chose to hide part of herself to fit in with her new friends. She was a young girl still dealing with the pain and grief of losing her beloved father. I think she found comfort (and maybe some distraction) in being part of something that was so different from her old life in New York - a life where she had a living father and a complete family. Atlanta and its pre-debutante/debutante balls must have felt like a fresh start for her. In Ruth I saw bits of my younger sisters, and I felt for her, wanted her to be happy even as I cringe and roll me eyes at all the frippery she seem to genuinely love.
Ruth was believable - like a real-life teenage girl with flaws, someone who still have a lot of learning and growing up to do, and she lends the story a great amount of realism. The thing I appreciated the most, though, in the way Susan Kaplan Carlton wrote her was how she didn't make out Ruth as a white savior. Instead, she had her called out several times like in that part when she told the pastel posse about Birdie's, her grandparents' black maid, daughters being in college the housekeeper took her aside and told her to not use her children to impress her friends.
Susan Kaplan Carlto's writing was, like the story she wanted to tell, simple, straightforward and on point. No fripperies for her at all, as opposed to her main character, and it made her story flow easily.
Still, there were a couple things that could have been done better. The secondary characters come to mind immediately. With the exception of Alice, Ruth's mother, and Nattie, her younger sister, Carlton's supporting cast felt one dimensional. They were there to play parts in relation to Ruth. I couldn't imagine what their lives are, what they do when they are not with Ruth - and these are all signs that they aren't as fleshed out as they could have been.
The blurb was also a bit misleading. Going in, I anticipated some sort of love triangle between Davis, Max and Ruth. Sure, there was a Davis and Ruth pairing and something with Max was alluded to, but other than that? Nil.
Overall, In the Neighborhood of True was a thoughtful read. I enjoyed it a whole lot, its flaws aside, and honestly feel like this should be a book that should be read by everyone. YA historical fiction fans, as well as YA contemporary lovers certainly will find something for themselves in this book.
61 years - that is the amount of time in between 2019 and 1958. But even with six decades separating then and now the events of 1958 still resonate, ripple down our today.
I don't know what that says about us as human beings, about our ineptitude and willful ignorance, repeating all our past mistakes over and over again.
Loosely inspired by the October 1958 bombing of the Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, Atlanta's oldest synagogue, Susan Kaplan Carlton tackles racism, discrimination and identity in In the Neighborhood of True.
The story follows 16-year old Ruth Robb, who moves to Atlanta from New York after her father's untimely death. Ruth quickly acculturates to her new home, embracing tea and etiquette lessons, pre-debutante balls and accepting inclusion into the "pastel posse" - a group of popular girls all from well-pedigreed, all-white, all-Christian families. Knowing that she wouldn't be welcomed otherwise, Ruth hides her religion, her Sundays at the temple with her mother and younger sister in exchange for her new life, and for a while this works for her. But a violent hate crime smash together the two halves of her life and forces Ruth to choose between what she wants and what she believes is right.
In the Neighborhood of True was such as simple story of a young girl coming of age in a period of great change. This simplicity and uncomplicatedness, however, only made this book standout, giving me a snapshot of history and highlighting the message it wants to impart. Racism and discrimination are still topics very relevant to our lives in this day and age. These are topics, hurtful as they may, that we need to talk about.
Ruth, the focus of much of this story, was a well-developed character. Being once a teen myself, I understood her position and why she chose to hide part of herself to fit in with her new friends. She was a young girl still dealing with the pain and grief of losing her beloved father. I think she found comfort (and maybe some distraction) in being part of something that was so different from her old life in New York - a life where she had a living father and a complete family. Atlanta and its pre-debutante/debutante balls must have felt like a fresh start for her. In Ruth I saw bits of my younger sisters, and I felt for her, wanted her to be happy even as I cringe and roll me eyes at all the frippery she seem to genuinely love.
Ruth was believable - like a real-life teenage girl with flaws, someone who still have a lot of learning and growing up to do, and she lends the story a great amount of realism. The thing I appreciated the most, though, in the way Susan Kaplan Carlton wrote her was how she didn't make out Ruth as a white savior. Instead, she had her called out several times like in that part when she told the pastel posse about Birdie's, her grandparents' black maid, daughters being in college the housekeeper took her aside and told her to not use her children to impress her friends.
Susan Kaplan Carlto's writing was, like the story she wanted to tell, simple, straightforward and on point. No fripperies for her at all, as opposed to her main character, and it made her story flow easily.
Still, there were a couple things that could have been done better. The secondary characters come to mind immediately. With the exception of Alice, Ruth's mother, and Nattie, her younger sister, Carlton's supporting cast felt one dimensional. They were there to play parts in relation to Ruth. I couldn't imagine what their lives are, what they do when they are not with Ruth - and these are all signs that they aren't as fleshed out as they could have been.
The blurb was also a bit misleading. Going in, I anticipated some sort of love triangle between Davis, Max and Ruth. Sure, there was a Davis and Ruth pairing and something with Max was alluded to, but other than that? Nil.
Overall, In the Neighborhood of True was a thoughtful read. I enjoyed it a whole lot, its flaws aside, and honestly feel like this should be a book that should be read by everyone. YA historical fiction fans, as well as YA contemporary lovers certainly will find something for themselves in this book.
July 12, 2020
In the Neighborhood of True is a captivating novel based on the 1958 bombing of Hebrew Benevolent Congregation Temple. As Atlanta’s first official Jewish institution The Temple not only served as a beacon within the Jewish community, but under the leadership of Rabbi Jacob Rothschild it also was a center for social justice and the burgeoning civil rights movement.
Carlton manages to capture this fraughtful time through the eyes of a Jewish girl coming of age in the wake of her father’s death. Ruth is smitten with the debutante scene and the handsome young Davis Jefferson. She is warned by her grandmother that her Jewishness might set her apart from the in-crowd and so at first she “passes” for Christian. But as time goes by she realizes that her lies of omission are a wedge between her and true acceptance by her new friends. Ultimately, she must decide which side she wants to be on — somewhere “in the neighborhood of true” where no one knows who she really is — or on the side of truth and justice and doing what’s right.
Carlton manages to capture this fraughtful time through the eyes of a Jewish girl coming of age in the wake of her father’s death. Ruth is smitten with the debutante scene and the handsome young Davis Jefferson. She is warned by her grandmother that her Jewishness might set her apart from the in-crowd and so at first she “passes” for Christian. But as time goes by she realizes that her lies of omission are a wedge between her and true acceptance by her new friends. Ultimately, she must decide which side she wants to be on — somewhere “in the neighborhood of true” where no one knows who she really is — or on the side of truth and justice and doing what’s right.
March 29, 2019
3.5 Stars
This is such a necessary and great story about identity, history, and accountability. In the Neighborhood of Truth follows Ruth Robb, New York transplant as she navigates the racially and anti semitic environment of her new home in min-1905s Atlanta. I immediately liked Ruth. Even though she’s unsure of how much of her identity she wants to reveal, she is confident in herself. And her love of all things fashion and beauty related. I also really loved the family dynamic in the story. There was a lot of honesty there - especially as Fontaine is more judgemental and ignorant than you may desire. But I really liked Mr. Hank. I didn’t really like the romance in the story. It was kinda rushed and not that well-developed. The ending of the story could have been a little more flesh out as well, but I really enjoyed the story and bringing this time in history to light.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a necessary and great story about identity, history, and accountability. In the Neighborhood of Truth follows Ruth Robb, New York transplant as she navigates the racially and anti semitic environment of her new home in min-1905s Atlanta. I immediately liked Ruth. Even though she’s unsure of how much of her identity she wants to reveal, she is confident in herself. And her love of all things fashion and beauty related. I also really loved the family dynamic in the story. There was a lot of honesty there - especially as Fontaine is more judgemental and ignorant than you may desire. But I really liked Mr. Hank. I didn’t really like the romance in the story. It was kinda rushed and not that well-developed. The ending of the story could have been a little more flesh out as well, but I really enjoyed the story and bringing this time in history to light.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
February 25, 2019Set in 1950s Atlanta, this story could, unfortunately, be set today and still be as resonant. When Ruth's father dies, she, her sister, and her mother move from New York City to her mother's former home of Atlanta. Ruth finds herself fascinated with debutante culture and strives to fit in -- and in doing so, she hides the fact she is Jewish. Keeping this little lie tucked away becomes more and more challenging, though, as her mother insists she attends Temple (her mother was not Jewish but her father was) as a means of staying connected to her faith. Ruth finds herself falling deep for a boy named Davis Jefferson.
After one of the debutante balls, Ruth and Davis sneak away to one of his family cabins. This is the same night her temple is filled with dynamite. As she digs further and further, she realizes she might know who was responsible for the attack and realizes that she can't keep her faith hidden any longer. But will it cost her her new friends? Her place in debutant society?
Immersive, engaging, and exceptionally detailed about the 1950s south, this book doesn't shy away from racism or anti-semitism. As noted above, it feels still too-relevant today. It was refreshing to read a story about a Jewish girl not set in World War II, while allowing her a life that really questions what it means to be Jewish in a culture where being Jewish is a target. Ruth's Temple is relatively progressive, and one of the reasons it became a target was that the Rabbi encouraged members to work toward racial integration at a time when Jim Crow was still a matter of practice.
Ruth ultimately finds her voice in this story, and it's a coming-to that many young readers will really connect with. She is, ultimately, an activist, and that, when paired with her desire for acceptance and desire to be part of debutant culture, helps craft her as a multi-dimensional (aka: realistic) teen girl.
After one of the debutante balls, Ruth and Davis sneak away to one of his family cabins. This is the same night her temple is filled with dynamite. As she digs further and further, she realizes she might know who was responsible for the attack and realizes that she can't keep her faith hidden any longer. But will it cost her her new friends? Her place in debutant society?
Immersive, engaging, and exceptionally detailed about the 1950s south, this book doesn't shy away from racism or anti-semitism. As noted above, it feels still too-relevant today. It was refreshing to read a story about a Jewish girl not set in World War II, while allowing her a life that really questions what it means to be Jewish in a culture where being Jewish is a target. Ruth's Temple is relatively progressive, and one of the reasons it became a target was that the Rabbi encouraged members to work toward racial integration at a time when Jim Crow was still a matter of practice.
Ruth ultimately finds her voice in this story, and it's a coming-to that many young readers will really connect with. She is, ultimately, an activist, and that, when paired with her desire for acceptance and desire to be part of debutant culture, helps craft her as a multi-dimensional (aka: realistic) teen girl.
Read
November 18, 2018I'm too pressed for time to write a review right now but I really hope I get off my lazy butt and do it because I liked this a lot and it feels so incredibly relevant, more so even than when the author actually wrote it, because there are so many shades of the Pittsburgh shooting here in the sense of the institution having social justice goals being central to its being targeted. More later, but put it on your TBR now. (Though heads-up for a gay slur and obviously racism and anti-Semitism. Negro is used throughout as well.)
August 30, 2019
First of all, thanks to NetGalley and Brittani from Algonquin Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for a honest review.
You have to know English isn’t my first language, so feel free to correct me if I make some mistakes while writing this review.
Real rating: 3,75 stars.
Do you remember Hart of Dixie? That sunny and humid Alabama where our main character - portrayed by Rachel Bilson - moves into from New York? And suddenly there are young girls all around her worried about their debutant ball and girls her own age wearing exclusively pastel dresses?
That one - it was like diving into fictitious Bluebell, except we are in Atlanta, Georgia in 1958.
Following her husband's death, Ruth's mother decides to leave New York to relocate her family in the guest house of her own parents in the South of United States.
Everyone knows the Landrys and they have history and legacy within the high society. Fontaine, Ruth's grandmother, has been Magnolia Queen and so was her daughter - now she wants the same for Ruth.
There's only one problem: no one in Atlanta knows Alice Landry married a Jewish man, converted herself and raised her daughters as Jews.
It's something it has to be kept a secret if Ruth wants to have an easy life, to be a part of the better Clubs and to get the crown.
Ruth says it herself: she's a bit shallow. She cares about her hair and dresses, she wants to look good and she wants to flirt - sixteen as she is, it's perfectly normal.
She misses her dad and she feels a little distant from Temple and Hebrew because of that, but her mother wants to make a deal with her: Ruth can be silent about her religion and she can hang out with Davis and the girls from her private school, but she has to go to Temple with her once a week.
There's not really a love triangle - not literally. Max is someone Ruth can be herself with about her religion and how she was raised, but still she doesn't get him - not entirely. He's all about social justice and it's a beautiful thing, but I can't find Ruth totally at fault when she doesn't completely understand it. Because it's true hate crimes are a reality even in New York, but somehow it felt different in a place not so mentally closed as it is the South of United States.
Those were difficult years.
Years where black people were at white people's service, where they had to sit in the back on the bus, where being a Jew and inciting at social justice and integration meant to be a "negro lover".
Those were the years of hate crimes, fear of communism and Jews, burning crosses by the Ku Klux Klan.
And it's particularly difficult in Georgia, where the war between North and South is called "uncivil" - where they still feel attacked in their own rights.
But Ruth is sixteen, she cares about dresses and boys - one in particular, Davis. She feels guilty for her lies and because she has to hide a part of herself, but the other half wants the same life her grandmother and her mother had before. I can't blame her if she doesn't think so much about religion - I mean, she's sixteen, what did you think about when you were her age?
I don't usually like instalove - it bothers me so much. Not here, though: maybe it's because we are in 1958, maybe because everything was so fast at that time - with their families always around, teenagers didn't have so much time to be alone so they tried to get everything they could in the small time they had.
That's why the love between Ruth and Davis didn't bother me - we can think that a love like theirs is rushed now, but it wasn't at that time.
In the Neighborhood of True is not only the title, but it's also a saying Ruth learns from Davis.
It's something not strictly true, but close to it and when guilty starts to weigh on Ruth and a hate crime upsets Jews like her, she'll have to choose between the truth or something like it - between the person she was raised to be or the one she could have been.
The 1861-1865 war is something distant from my own history as an Italian girl - we learn about it as something that changed the world, but then we focus inside our own country at school, still I can't help to acknowledge how much important these topics are.
I was strucked by the way teachers at Ruth's school felt about Civil War - I don't mean to be disrespectful, it's not my intention. I had no idea the South still looked at that like an assault.
I had a couple of issues with Fontaine, Ruth's grandmother.
It's clear she loves her niece and she's trying to protect her, but there's always... something when she talks with her. It's Fontaine who tells her to keep being a Jew a secret, it's Fontaine who tells her no one in the city knows Alice married a man from a different religion and how they raised their daughters, it's Fontaine who pushes her toward the debutante ball otherwise she'll never be a part of the best Club.
It's clear she loves her, but there's always something that makes you think her mind is shaped like everyone else's - still, she knows how and when to support her own nieces.
I liked it, but the ending was a little too fast.
It starts in 1959 with Ruth as a witness in a trial, then we go back to six months earlier - but we see only two of those months. Like I said, I wasn't bothered by Ruth's interest in dresses and friendships because she's sixteen and it's okay, but on a second thought the pace could've been better and those parts kept shorter to give space to something else.
Because there's a four months time-jump after the Magnolia Ball and then we're back to the trial - I would've liked to see how the community reacted and how Ruth changed from the girl she was to the one standing there as a witness.
Still, it's a book I recommend.
You have to know English isn’t my first language, so feel free to correct me if I make some mistakes while writing this review.
Real rating: 3,75 stars.
Do you remember Hart of Dixie? That sunny and humid Alabama where our main character - portrayed by Rachel Bilson - moves into from New York? And suddenly there are young girls all around her worried about their debutant ball and girls her own age wearing exclusively pastel dresses?
That one - it was like diving into fictitious Bluebell, except we are in Atlanta, Georgia in 1958.
Following her husband's death, Ruth's mother decides to leave New York to relocate her family in the guest house of her own parents in the South of United States.
Everyone knows the Landrys and they have history and legacy within the high society. Fontaine, Ruth's grandmother, has been Magnolia Queen and so was her daughter - now she wants the same for Ruth.
There's only one problem: no one in Atlanta knows Alice Landry married a Jewish man, converted herself and raised her daughters as Jews.
It's something it has to be kept a secret if Ruth wants to have an easy life, to be a part of the better Clubs and to get the crown.
Ruth says it herself: she's a bit shallow. She cares about her hair and dresses, she wants to look good and she wants to flirt - sixteen as she is, it's perfectly normal.
She misses her dad and she feels a little distant from Temple and Hebrew because of that, but her mother wants to make a deal with her: Ruth can be silent about her religion and she can hang out with Davis and the girls from her private school, but she has to go to Temple with her once a week.
There's not really a love triangle - not literally. Max is someone Ruth can be herself with about her religion and how she was raised, but still she doesn't get him - not entirely. He's all about social justice and it's a beautiful thing, but I can't find Ruth totally at fault when she doesn't completely understand it. Because it's true hate crimes are a reality even in New York, but somehow it felt different in a place not so mentally closed as it is the South of United States.
Those were difficult years.
Years where black people were at white people's service, where they had to sit in the back on the bus, where being a Jew and inciting at social justice and integration meant to be a "negro lover".
Those were the years of hate crimes, fear of communism and Jews, burning crosses by the Ku Klux Klan.
And it's particularly difficult in Georgia, where the war between North and South is called "uncivil" - where they still feel attacked in their own rights.
But Ruth is sixteen, she cares about dresses and boys - one in particular, Davis. She feels guilty for her lies and because she has to hide a part of herself, but the other half wants the same life her grandmother and her mother had before. I can't blame her if she doesn't think so much about religion - I mean, she's sixteen, what did you think about when you were her age?
I don't usually like instalove - it bothers me so much. Not here, though: maybe it's because we are in 1958, maybe because everything was so fast at that time - with their families always around, teenagers didn't have so much time to be alone so they tried to get everything they could in the small time they had.
That's why the love between Ruth and Davis didn't bother me - we can think that a love like theirs is rushed now, but it wasn't at that time.
In the Neighborhood of True is not only the title, but it's also a saying Ruth learns from Davis.
It's something not strictly true, but close to it and when guilty starts to weigh on Ruth and a hate crime upsets Jews like her, she'll have to choose between the truth or something like it - between the person she was raised to be or the one she could have been.
The 1861-1865 war is something distant from my own history as an Italian girl - we learn about it as something that changed the world, but then we focus inside our own country at school, still I can't help to acknowledge how much important these topics are.
I was strucked by the way teachers at Ruth's school felt about Civil War - I don't mean to be disrespectful, it's not my intention. I had no idea the South still looked at that like an assault.
I had a couple of issues with Fontaine, Ruth's grandmother.
It's clear she loves her niece and she's trying to protect her, but there's always... something when she talks with her. It's Fontaine who tells her to keep being a Jew a secret, it's Fontaine who tells her no one in the city knows Alice married a man from a different religion and how they raised their daughters, it's Fontaine who pushes her toward the debutante ball otherwise she'll never be a part of the best Club.
It's clear she loves her, but there's always something that makes you think her mind is shaped like everyone else's - still, she knows how and when to support her own nieces.
I liked it, but the ending was a little too fast.
It starts in 1959 with Ruth as a witness in a trial, then we go back to six months earlier - but we see only two of those months. Like I said, I wasn't bothered by Ruth's interest in dresses and friendships because she's sixteen and it's okay, but on a second thought the pace could've been better and those parts kept shorter to give space to something else.
Because there's a four months time-jump after the Magnolia Ball and then we're back to the trial - I would've liked to see how the community reacted and how Ruth changed from the girl she was to the one standing there as a witness.
Still, it's a book I recommend.
April 4, 2019
. : ☾⋆ — 4 ★
READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG!!!
https://bit.ly/2K8usZe
ARC provided from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (thank you Algonquin Young Readers!!)
trigger warnings for antisemitism, racism, terrorist behavior. somebody explain to me how this book is set in 1958 when everything that happened in it could’ve happened in 2019 and it would still be relevant?? 1958 AND 2019 ARE 60 YEARS APART. this is such a heartbreaking and disappointing thought and I can’t believe we as a species literally just….. consistently mess up without ever worrying about doing better.
In the Neighborhood of True is such a powerful read, and an even more brilliant debut. its political and religious parallels with today’s social issues makes up for a harsh reality check, which Susan Kaplan Carlton pulls off masterfully. her characters speak volumes of the kind of oppression that was commonplace in the 50s and 60s, social conflict and everything included. all political issues aside, I’m also truly just wonderstruck. Susan Kaplan Carlton’s writing skills are INCREDIBLE. In the Neighborhood of True captured me in its beautiful balance of severity and lightness—its soft, comical moments mixed in with offhanded, internalized antisemitism and racism. Ruth and her family genuinely were amazingly crafted, complex characters and I couldn’t get enough of them.
my one and only semi-lukewarm note on this book is that the ending felt a bit rushed and slightly anticlimactic since we’d been building up to that final scene from the very first chapter of the book, and really nothing much happened in the end. I would’ve maybe liked to see some more of the true aftermath of the legal implications related to Ruth’s case, but to be fair this is actually quite a short and quick read and dragging the end out might not have been a good idea because it would’ve completely broken the incredible tone and pacing of this book. aside from that, though, In the Neighborhood of True is a highly recommended read!! thanks again to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing a free copy of this book!!
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ARC provided from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (thank you Algonquin Young Readers!!)
trigger warnings for antisemitism, racism, terrorist behavior. somebody explain to me how this book is set in 1958 when everything that happened in it could’ve happened in 2019 and it would still be relevant?? 1958 AND 2019 ARE 60 YEARS APART. this is such a heartbreaking and disappointing thought and I can’t believe we as a species literally just….. consistently mess up without ever worrying about doing better.
In the Neighborhood of True is such a powerful read, and an even more brilliant debut. its political and religious parallels with today’s social issues makes up for a harsh reality check, which Susan Kaplan Carlton pulls off masterfully. her characters speak volumes of the kind of oppression that was commonplace in the 50s and 60s, social conflict and everything included. all political issues aside, I’m also truly just wonderstruck. Susan Kaplan Carlton’s writing skills are INCREDIBLE. In the Neighborhood of True captured me in its beautiful balance of severity and lightness—its soft, comical moments mixed in with offhanded, internalized antisemitism and racism. Ruth and her family genuinely were amazingly crafted, complex characters and I couldn’t get enough of them.
my one and only semi-lukewarm note on this book is that the ending felt a bit rushed and slightly anticlimactic since we’d been building up to that final scene from the very first chapter of the book, and really nothing much happened in the end. I would’ve maybe liked to see some more of the true aftermath of the legal implications related to Ruth’s case, but to be fair this is actually quite a short and quick read and dragging the end out might not have been a good idea because it would’ve completely broken the incredible tone and pacing of this book. aside from that, though, In the Neighborhood of True is a highly recommended read!! thanks again to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing a free copy of this book!!
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