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White Lies: A Tale of Babies, Vaccines, and Deception
Inspired by a true story, one mother's quest for the truth about her baby's injuries from a vaccine, and the unlikely friendship that develops with her small town attorney who has problems of her own. A popular book club selection and an insightful look at life with a vaccine-injured child. This novel offers hope to families who are considering filing a claim with the government's compensation fund.
283 pages, Hardcover
First published November 21, 2006
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Honenberger
6 books34 followersI like to say I write about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Pen/Faulkner chose my third novel, CATCHER, CAUGHT, for its Writers in Schools program. It was a semi-finalist in the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. My other novels include WALTZING COWBOYS, a 2009 nominee for the Library of Virginia Fiction Award, and WHITE LIES: A TALE OF BABIES, VACCINES, and DECEPTION, the story of one mother’s quest for the truth about the childhood vaccine that injured her son, and MINDING HENRY LEWIS, another river story about the unlikely alliance between the sister of a boy who drowns and her white neighbor recovering from cancer. Other prize-winning fiction has appeared in Antietam Review, New Millenium, SouthLit, Pedestal, the HooK, and other literary journals. I speak and teach creative writing at seminars and conferences to students of all ages. Oprah used my essay, ‘Gathering Rosebuds: A Working Woman’s Manifesto,’ in one of her book club segments.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 17, 2009
There were several reasons that I knew I wasn’t going to be persuaded to buy "White Lies." It was in hardback and I always wait for the paperback, unless it’s Harry Potter. It’s about a something serious – childhood vaccinations – and Michael Crichton’s "State of Fear" has put me off fiction that pretends to educate. It’s about the lives of two separate families, and I hate books with artificial, or artsy connections. It’s emotional – I don’t want my emotions manipulated. It’s written in first person, which I don't usually relate to. And it involves a lawyer – oh no, not another Jodi Picault courtroom scene; I’ve long since sworn off those overly dramatic surprise conclusions.
But I read the first chapter of "White Lies" on Sarah Honengberger's web site and went racing to the nearest bookstore. Why?
For a start, Sarah writes very well. In particular, she writes very well in the first person. Just a few paragraphs were enough to create a character I liked and related to. The single scene was so perfectly drawn – a mother remembering the day her child fell ill, providing details that any mother would relate to, retelling emotions that moved me to concern without tears. It wasn’t that I became desperate to know what happened next. Rather, I finished the chapter eager to get to know the mother better. So I had to buy the book.
As for my concerns, I did learn learn something, despite myself,from reading the book – I learned about courts and advocates and medical records and the way laws might be phrased. But Sara wasn’t educating me; she was giving me background that brought the story to life. I never felt like she was imposing her opinions or her interpretations on me, or on her characters.
I did become very involved in two separate family’s lives. But I never felt I was reading separate stories. There was one story here, with real characters, who had real families and real lives that impinged on the telling.
I found myself emotionally attached to the story – could hardly put it down. But no one was manipulating my emotions; I was excited, angry, sad, concerned, disturbed, because that’s what the characters deserved, because the author had made me care.
And the first person writing wasn't a problem. Actually, there are two first person narrators in White Lies. And, amazingly – very expertly – Sarah Honenberger manages to keep their voices so well delineated I never once was unsure of who was speaking. Okay, the chapter headings helped. But when I’m really involved in a book, I don’t read headings, and I didn’t need to. Not only do the characters have very different narrative voices, but they don’t even hear each other the same way as they speak, and it doesn’t matter. The mother as narrator is older and wiser than the mother quoted by her lawyer, and yet is still clearly the same person. Both voices are eminently readable – no artificial vocal quirks to distract me. And the narrators grow and change through the course of the book. They form opinions, express opinions, and change their opinions; all the time as real people; people I would want to know.
Sarah’s first chapter drew me in. And the book fulfilled its promise. If you’re looking for a really good read, with two fascinating, flawed, wise and wonderful lead characters, and an interesting look at the legal and medical systems and their interaction, you should go to the web site for yourself and see if you’re not intrigued just as I was
Or you could take my word for it and go buy the book.
But I read the first chapter of "White Lies" on Sarah Honengberger's web site and went racing to the nearest bookstore. Why?
For a start, Sarah writes very well. In particular, she writes very well in the first person. Just a few paragraphs were enough to create a character I liked and related to. The single scene was so perfectly drawn – a mother remembering the day her child fell ill, providing details that any mother would relate to, retelling emotions that moved me to concern without tears. It wasn’t that I became desperate to know what happened next. Rather, I finished the chapter eager to get to know the mother better. So I had to buy the book.
As for my concerns, I did learn learn something, despite myself,from reading the book – I learned about courts and advocates and medical records and the way laws might be phrased. But Sara wasn’t educating me; she was giving me background that brought the story to life. I never felt like she was imposing her opinions or her interpretations on me, or on her characters.
I did become very involved in two separate family’s lives. But I never felt I was reading separate stories. There was one story here, with real characters, who had real families and real lives that impinged on the telling.
I found myself emotionally attached to the story – could hardly put it down. But no one was manipulating my emotions; I was excited, angry, sad, concerned, disturbed, because that’s what the characters deserved, because the author had made me care.
And the first person writing wasn't a problem. Actually, there are two first person narrators in White Lies. And, amazingly – very expertly – Sarah Honenberger manages to keep their voices so well delineated I never once was unsure of who was speaking. Okay, the chapter headings helped. But when I’m really involved in a book, I don’t read headings, and I didn’t need to. Not only do the characters have very different narrative voices, but they don’t even hear each other the same way as they speak, and it doesn’t matter. The mother as narrator is older and wiser than the mother quoted by her lawyer, and yet is still clearly the same person. Both voices are eminently readable – no artificial vocal quirks to distract me. And the narrators grow and change through the course of the book. They form opinions, express opinions, and change their opinions; all the time as real people; people I would want to know.
Sarah’s first chapter drew me in. And the book fulfilled its promise. If you’re looking for a really good read, with two fascinating, flawed, wise and wonderful lead characters, and an interesting look at the legal and medical systems and their interaction, you should go to the web site for yourself and see if you’re not intrigued just as I was
Or you could take my word for it and go buy the book.
January 23, 2008
This book was sent to me by the author. Her goal is to raise awareness regarding the risks that vaccines have for injuring children. It is about a woman that has a healthy baby until he is 3 months old and gets the DPT shot. Fast forward 20 years later and she is in a court battle to get funds from the vaccine injury fund (federal) to help care for her son. The story centers around Lacey (the mother) and her attorney, Jean. It is a well written book. I was up very late one night (morning) reading it as I could not put it down. I wanted to know what happened!
I believe this is an important topic. I stopped vaccinating my children (we only do tetanus) in 2003. I have 2 children who have been injured by vaccines. I will be adding a review to my vaccine information blog at www.hishealthychild.blogspot.com.
I believe this is an important topic. I stopped vaccinating my children (we only do tetanus) in 2003. I have 2 children who have been injured by vaccines. I will be adding a review to my vaccine information blog at www.hishealthychild.blogspot.com.
March 11, 2008
WHen this book first came out, I posted the awards and reviews here, shameless self-promotion. Four years later libraries and book groups from Florida to Massachusetts have loved it: debating medical ethics, government deception, vaccine safety, and parenting issues for mothers balancing careers and family.
Copley News Service said:
“A brilliant debut by a fine new novelist, a rare gem - a superbly written tale that deals with the sorts of things that matter most in life - such as love and family - and also with such great and timeless themes as tragedy and triumph; character strengths and failings; duty, honor and integrity; and courage in the face of adversity. Sarah Collins Honenberger is a gifted storyteller, a master of nuance who knows how to move you deeply; how to lift your heart; how to grab your attention and hold it.”
Copley News Service said:
“A brilliant debut by a fine new novelist, a rare gem - a superbly written tale that deals with the sorts of things that matter most in life - such as love and family - and also with such great and timeless themes as tragedy and triumph; character strengths and failings; duty, honor and integrity; and courage in the face of adversity. Sarah Collins Honenberger is a gifted storyteller, a master of nuance who knows how to move you deeply; how to lift your heart; how to grab your attention and hold it.”
August 31, 2009
White Lies is a great book with wonderful character development, very memorable scenes, and an exciting courtroom case. However, Honenberger's most recently published "Waltzing Cowboys" is even better. I wish there was a book cover for that one on this site!
February 12, 2021
Loved this book! Interesting story and very well written - didn’t want to put it down. The characters are believable and relatable. This is a good choice for vacation or a rainy weekend.
March 8, 2008
The author takes the reader on the gritty journey of a mother whose child fails to develop after receiving childhood vaccinations. Lacy, the baby's mom, develops a relationship with lawyer, Jean, who is also a mother. Each in her own way struggles with the responsibilities of her family. A fast-paced and sensitive book with sorrow and triumph to spare.
March 2, 2012
This author doesn't write the sort of book I normally pick up, but after hearing her speak and actually picking up Catcher, Caught, I can't put any of her books down. This book has characters that seem to be from my own life.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews