2008 Woodie Awards
"A version of the truth" by Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack
Issue date: 7/2/08 Section: The Edge
"A Version of the Truth" is a novel written by authors Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack. They are also authors of the L.A. Times No. 1 bestseller "Literacy and Longing in L.A."
The novel starts out by introducing the main character, Cassie. She is a newly-widowed 30-year-old woman. Cassie did not graduate high school and she has never been a high achiever or what people would consider a smart person. This is the type of woman who seems to have hardship after hardship.
Cassie decides she wants to do something more with her life and she sets out to get a new job. Not long into the job search she realizes that she will not be able to get far without a high school diploma.
She decides to tell a little while lie when she fills out her application at an employment agency. When asked for her education she says she is a college graduate of Michigan University with a major in psychology.
Cassie ends up with an office job at a university near her home. She gets along with most of the people in the office, with the exception of the other girl in the office. She does really well at first and seems to be able to fool everyone.
After getting the job, Cassie starts dating again and takes a few classes at the university. She reads books by famous authors her professors talk about, trying to live the life of the person she created.
While trying to live this grand and extravagant life she, seems to encounter many problems - some funny, and some sad. Cassie is very good at getting herself into sticky situations and then making them even more awkward.
Cassie eventually starts to fit into her made-up life and actually starts a romantic relationship with one of the professors in her office. Everything seems like it is going to work out for her, but then in the end her big secret is let out of the bag.
The book wraps up pretty quickly after her secret is out. The authors of this book have a weird style of writing. They describe people in very vivid details while they leave other things vague.
It is very frustrating to read about Cassie's character. She does things that most people would not do and fails to do other things most people would do in certain situations. Authors Kaufman and Mack like to write about oddball characters, but this one was just annoying.
The book had its high points and its low points. There were times it was good and times when it was far from good. This is not the type of book that is hard to put down most of the time.
Outgoing, hard working high achievers who stand up for themselves will most likely not like this book. On the other hand, shy, introverted underachievers may find this book enjoyable. I give this book 2 stars out of 5.
-Kari Albsmeyer
edge staff
The novel starts out by introducing the main character, Cassie. She is a newly-widowed 30-year-old woman. Cassie did not graduate high school and she has never been a high achiever or what people would consider a smart person. This is the type of woman who seems to have hardship after hardship.
Cassie decides she wants to do something more with her life and she sets out to get a new job. Not long into the job search she realizes that she will not be able to get far without a high school diploma.
She decides to tell a little while lie when she fills out her application at an employment agency. When asked for her education she says she is a college graduate of Michigan University with a major in psychology.
Cassie ends up with an office job at a university near her home. She gets along with most of the people in the office, with the exception of the other girl in the office. She does really well at first and seems to be able to fool everyone.
After getting the job, Cassie starts dating again and takes a few classes at the university. She reads books by famous authors her professors talk about, trying to live the life of the person she created.
While trying to live this grand and extravagant life she, seems to encounter many problems - some funny, and some sad. Cassie is very good at getting herself into sticky situations and then making them even more awkward.
Cassie eventually starts to fit into her made-up life and actually starts a romantic relationship with one of the professors in her office. Everything seems like it is going to work out for her, but then in the end her big secret is let out of the bag.
The book wraps up pretty quickly after her secret is out. The authors of this book have a weird style of writing. They describe people in very vivid details while they leave other things vague.
It is very frustrating to read about Cassie's character. She does things that most people would not do and fails to do other things most people would do in certain situations. Authors Kaufman and Mack like to write about oddball characters, but this one was just annoying.
The book had its high points and its low points. There were times it was good and times when it was far from good. This is not the type of book that is hard to put down most of the time.
Outgoing, hard working high achievers who stand up for themselves will most likely not like this book. On the other hand, shy, introverted underachievers may find this book enjoyable. I give this book 2 stars out of 5.
-Kari Albsmeyer
edge staff
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