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The Truth Against the World
A country descending into civil war…
A young artist forced to cross a nation in chaos
to retrieve her stolen masterpiece…
Her guide and guardian—whose past remains strangely obscure…
Georgie O’Halloran created an artistic and literary wonder—only to have it stolen from her and published under the thief’s name. Worse, it’s the inspiration for a wildly popular video game that’s become a favorite among the militants seeking to transform America through bloodshed.
To confront the plagiarist, Georgie must cross an entire continent erupting in violence. Her only Shane Riordan, “Irish as wet grass,” a fiercely loyal friend with a beautiful singing voice, an oddly encyclopedic memory—and impressive fighting skills.
It turns out, however, that Georgie isn’t the only one on a cross-country quest. Shane is on a journey all his own, far beyond even Georgie’s imagining.
A young artist forced to cross a nation in chaos
to retrieve her stolen masterpiece…
Her guide and guardian—whose past remains strangely obscure…
Georgie O’Halloran created an artistic and literary wonder—only to have it stolen from her and published under the thief’s name. Worse, it’s the inspiration for a wildly popular video game that’s become a favorite among the militants seeking to transform America through bloodshed.
To confront the plagiarist, Georgie must cross an entire continent erupting in violence. Her only Shane Riordan, “Irish as wet grass,” a fiercely loyal friend with a beautiful singing voice, an oddly encyclopedic memory—and impressive fighting skills.
It turns out, however, that Georgie isn’t the only one on a cross-country quest. Shane is on a journey all his own, far beyond even Georgie’s imagining.
390 pages, Paperback
Published May 26, 2023
49 people are currently reading
4694 people want to read
About the author
David Corbett
32 books189 followersDavid Corbett is the author of seven novels: The Devil’s Redhead (nominated for the Anthony and Barry Awards for Best First Novel) Done for a Dime (a New York Times Notable Book and nominated for the Macavity Award for Best Novel), Blood of Paradise (nominated for numerous awards, including the Edgar), Do They Know I’m Running (Spinetingler Award, Best Novel—Rising Star Category 2011), The Mercy of the Night, The Long-Lost Love Letters of Doc Holliday (nominated for the Lefty Award for Best Historical Mystery), and The Truth Against the World (June, 2023).
David’s short fiction and poetry have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, with two stories selected for Best American Mystery Stories.
In 2012, Mysterious Press/Open Road Media re-issued his four novels plus a story collection, Thirteen Confessions, in ebook format.
In January 2013 Penguin published his textbook on the craft of characterization, The Art of Character (“A writer’s bible that will lead to your character’s soul.” —Elizabeth Brundage). he followed this up with The Compass of Character (Writers Digest Books).
He has taught creative writing at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Project, Chuck Pahalniuk’s Litreactor, 826 Valencia, The Grotto in San Francisco, Book Passage, and at writing conference across the country. He is also a monthly contributor to Writer Unboxed, an award-winning blog dedicated to the craft and business of fiction.
Before becoming a novelist, David spent fifteen years as an investigator for the San Francisco private detective agency Palladino & Sutherland, working on such high-profile civil and criminal litigations as The DeLorean Case, the Peoples Temple Trial, the Lincoln Savings & Loan Scandal, the Cotton Club Murder Case, the Michael Jackson child molestation investigation and a RICO action brought by the Teamsters against members of organized crime.
David’s short fiction and poetry have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies, with two stories selected for Best American Mystery Stories.
In 2012, Mysterious Press/Open Road Media re-issued his four novels plus a story collection, Thirteen Confessions, in ebook format.
In January 2013 Penguin published his textbook on the craft of characterization, The Art of Character (“A writer’s bible that will lead to your character’s soul.” —Elizabeth Brundage). he followed this up with The Compass of Character (Writers Digest Books).
He has taught creative writing at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Project, Chuck Pahalniuk’s Litreactor, 826 Valencia, The Grotto in San Francisco, Book Passage, and at writing conference across the country. He is also a monthly contributor to Writer Unboxed, an award-winning blog dedicated to the craft and business of fiction.
Before becoming a novelist, David spent fifteen years as an investigator for the San Francisco private detective agency Palladino & Sutherland, working on such high-profile civil and criminal litigations as The DeLorean Case, the Peoples Temple Trial, the Lincoln Savings & Loan Scandal, the Cotton Club Murder Case, the Michael Jackson child molestation investigation and a RICO action brought by the Teamsters against members of organized crime.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 22, 2023
Normally when I seek out novels that feature a society that is tearing apart at the seams, I am more than eager to delve into a fiction-driven world, but I had no issue restraining my enthusiasm for this crumbling world. Why? Because the civilization on the brink of an outright civil war is one that is arguably already unfolding before our very eyes.
The Truth against the World takes place in America, and the timeline could be five years from now or two decades at most. The country is on the brink of civil war, one that is heavily driven by right-wing religious ideology, and I can honestly say that while this information isn’t the main focus of the tale, David Corbett’s latest novel is one of the most terrifying pieces of fiction I’ve personally interacted with since I read Stephen King’s It for the first time, because we are seeing the potential descent in real time.
Cover of The Truth against the World
David Corbett
However, as I said, the devout and unempathetic religious population is not the main plot point of the book. Instead, we keep our focus on a genuinely kind soul who goes by the name of Shane. An immigrant from Ireland with a rather colorful past, Shane takes on a mission to escort a young writer, Georgina O’Halloran, across the tense American landscape to recover a stolen piece of work and confront the man who took the book and published it as his own work. This man is not only a plagiarist, but he is also Georgina’s former professor and lover.
On this journey, Shane and Georgina must evade figures of authority as well as the dangers one could expect to find in a theocratic society. They encounter good souls, and awful folks as well, but every person that they interact with feels like a real person with honest characteristics, and I cannot commend Corbett any higher for making the character interaction run so fluidly. It was rare for me to stop and second-guess if someone would respond in the ways that the people in The Truth Against the World did. Even more so than the side characters, though, for me, nothing really compares to the friendship that Shane and Georgina have. Not once did I pick up on a hinting at a forced romantic relationship between the two, which I find rather rare in media in general.
I will admit that initially, the plot did feel rather odd to me. I could not grasp why anyone, with the world seemingly at a breaking point, would risk their life to claim the authorship of a book. Even with the overall success of Georgina’s stolen work (which goes by the very same title as this book), the odds against our protagonists were well out of the realm of achieving that goal. From the very start, Shane and Georgina had damn near everything going against them. But I believe that is an intended discussion point from Corbett. The Truth against the World is a vehicle to drive the question “How far are we willing to go for the truth?”
Packed with action and tragedy, this novel is a love letter to the Celtic tenets, and it holds a lot to admire. It is an interesting blend of a pending future with a mystical past, raw betrayal, powerful political messages, honest people, and above all else, hope. Hope for humanity even in the most desperate of times.
The Truth against the World takes place in America, and the timeline could be five years from now or two decades at most. The country is on the brink of civil war, one that is heavily driven by right-wing religious ideology, and I can honestly say that while this information isn’t the main focus of the tale, David Corbett’s latest novel is one of the most terrifying pieces of fiction I’ve personally interacted with since I read Stephen King’s It for the first time, because we are seeing the potential descent in real time.
Cover of The Truth against the World
David Corbett
However, as I said, the devout and unempathetic religious population is not the main plot point of the book. Instead, we keep our focus on a genuinely kind soul who goes by the name of Shane. An immigrant from Ireland with a rather colorful past, Shane takes on a mission to escort a young writer, Georgina O’Halloran, across the tense American landscape to recover a stolen piece of work and confront the man who took the book and published it as his own work. This man is not only a plagiarist, but he is also Georgina’s former professor and lover.
On this journey, Shane and Georgina must evade figures of authority as well as the dangers one could expect to find in a theocratic society. They encounter good souls, and awful folks as well, but every person that they interact with feels like a real person with honest characteristics, and I cannot commend Corbett any higher for making the character interaction run so fluidly. It was rare for me to stop and second-guess if someone would respond in the ways that the people in The Truth Against the World did. Even more so than the side characters, though, for me, nothing really compares to the friendship that Shane and Georgina have. Not once did I pick up on a hinting at a forced romantic relationship between the two, which I find rather rare in media in general.
I will admit that initially, the plot did feel rather odd to me. I could not grasp why anyone, with the world seemingly at a breaking point, would risk their life to claim the authorship of a book. Even with the overall success of Georgina’s stolen work (which goes by the very same title as this book), the odds against our protagonists were well out of the realm of achieving that goal. From the very start, Shane and Georgina had damn near everything going against them. But I believe that is an intended discussion point from Corbett. The Truth against the World is a vehicle to drive the question “How far are we willing to go for the truth?”
Packed with action and tragedy, this novel is a love letter to the Celtic tenets, and it holds a lot to admire. It is an interesting blend of a pending future with a mystical past, raw betrayal, powerful political messages, honest people, and above all else, hope. Hope for humanity even in the most desperate of times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2023
I’ve been wondering when I would meet a contender for My Book of The Year - not many have moved me in the first half, but at last here’s one. The Truth Against The World is an ingenious blend of genres - part quest fantasy, part futuristic dystopian thriller, with a load of Celtic mythology thrown in. I don’t often read ARCs from new authors these days, but received an invitation from the publisher to download this, and was seduced by the beautiful cover and intriguing synopsis - I’m very glad I decided to check it out. I’m shocked that at the time of writing, two weeks post publication, this only has five GoodReads reviews, as it deserves many more readers.
In Near Future America, society is crumbling as powerful factions pit ordinary people against one another. Shane Riordan is an Irish soldier with an unusual past, who is on a mission to protect his young friend Georgie. She suffered a nervous breakdown when her college professor lover plagiarised the book she created for him out of Shane’s folk stories, which became an international bestseller and led to a hugely popular video game which is now being used to recruit players to Alt Right causes. Breaking her out of captivity in a psychiatric institution, he agrees to escort her on a journey to the other side of the country to confront her ex and reclaim her art, but with unknown enemies hunting them, will Shane’s warrior skills be enough?
I don’t know much about Irish history and legends, but this cleverly blends them into an exciting adventure story with two very sympathetic lead characters whose unbreakable bond of friendship happily remains platonic. The world building was believable enough to be frightening - the breakdown of law, politics driven by religious fundamentalists, brainwashing of the masses by secret corporate-funded manipulators - this is exactly where the US is heading, and the various technological advances suggest that it’s only set a decade or less into the future. It’s grim, with some brutal and sometimes gory violence, but not actually depressing, with some wonderful minor characters who help our heroes on their way, and I liked the unexpected ending. My only complaint is the present tense throughout: it’s rare for me to give 5 stars in this case but I’m making an exception because the storytelling is just that good.
Thanks to NetGalley and Swell Media for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Truth Against The World is available now.
In Near Future America, society is crumbling as powerful factions pit ordinary people against one another. Shane Riordan is an Irish soldier with an unusual past, who is on a mission to protect his young friend Georgie. She suffered a nervous breakdown when her college professor lover plagiarised the book she created for him out of Shane’s folk stories, which became an international bestseller and led to a hugely popular video game which is now being used to recruit players to Alt Right causes. Breaking her out of captivity in a psychiatric institution, he agrees to escort her on a journey to the other side of the country to confront her ex and reclaim her art, but with unknown enemies hunting them, will Shane’s warrior skills be enough?
I don’t know much about Irish history and legends, but this cleverly blends them into an exciting adventure story with two very sympathetic lead characters whose unbreakable bond of friendship happily remains platonic. The world building was believable enough to be frightening - the breakdown of law, politics driven by religious fundamentalists, brainwashing of the masses by secret corporate-funded manipulators - this is exactly where the US is heading, and the various technological advances suggest that it’s only set a decade or less into the future. It’s grim, with some brutal and sometimes gory violence, but not actually depressing, with some wonderful minor characters who help our heroes on their way, and I liked the unexpected ending. My only complaint is the present tense throughout: it’s rare for me to give 5 stars in this case but I’m making an exception because the storytelling is just that good.
Thanks to NetGalley and Swell Media for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. The Truth Against The World is available now.
June 19, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2023
This book was gripping from beginning to end. Set in an apocalyptic world that becomes all too recognizable, the story entwines not only a suspenseful journey but ancient Irish myths that keeps you pondering long after you've finished reading it.
I loved the characters as well as the plot. Each character was memorable in his/her own right, and again kept me thinking of our acceptance of others' differences and judgments.
It may be too dark for some, and those who don't wish to have tradition and belief in politics and religion examined should not read it.
This book was gripping from beginning to end. Set in an apocalyptic world that becomes all too recognizable, the story entwines not only a suspenseful journey but ancient Irish myths that keeps you pondering long after you've finished reading it.
I loved the characters as well as the plot. Each character was memorable in his/her own right, and again kept me thinking of our acceptance of others' differences and judgments.
It may be too dark for some, and those who don't wish to have tradition and belief in politics and religion examined should not read it.
June 13, 2023
This was a very different sort of read for me. I liked the characters, some good, some not so good, some pretty bad. What surprised me most was the state of the world based on a video game. It's very close to what is happening today, everyone stuck on their phones or tablets playing violent warlike videogames that look and sound so very real! Are people smart enough to differentiate reality from fantasy? How can society as a whole allow this to continue? After reading David's book, one wonders. Thanks for a well written, quick read. Got me to thinking?!?!
Thanks Net Galley for sharing this Kindle read.
Thanks Net Galley for sharing this Kindle read.
November 13, 2024
I don't do dystopian, but I love David Corbett's work and decided I would give Truth Against the World a spin. And I must say this was an interesting, well-presented read. I loved the Irish name pronunciation chart and the clear definitions of each side in the political disputes involved in the tale. And things in America are currently much too tribalist, much like the Troubles in Ireland in the past. I only wish there had been a clearer picture of the road to a non-violent solution to these troubles. Certainly an eye-opening novel, this. Thank you, Mr. Corbett.
Reviewed on October 20, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
Reviewed on October 20, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
June 25, 2023
Fans of David Corbett’s work know he’s a master of the crime-mystery-thriller genres. His latest novel, The Truth Against the World, helps cement that legacy and goes well beyond normal expectations. This time he’s given us a hybrid that’s part quest, part fantasy, part Irish folklore, and part apocalyptic. But beyond the myths, the dystopian landscape, and the intense struggle between good and evil, The Truth Against the World, remains a compelling thriller that will keep your heart racing all the way through the final scene.
The setting for The Truth Against the World is the United States in the very near future. Not an easy task because by the time a novel reaches the public that future may already be upon us. That’s the case here. The rich and powerful pulling the strings behind the scenes are much like those we find in power today. That makes Corbett’s newest novel even more poignant. We know these villains, and we know the poor and disillusioned whom they entice to resort to violence and cruelty to stop anyone who doesn’t share their worldview or religious fervor.
Corbett is a master of characterization. His two guides on character development are constant references for beginning writers and well-established authors. The plot of The Truth Against the World centers around two main characters. Georgie O’Halloran, a talented, delightful, frail young woman who’s written the book of the title. Shane Riordan, mostly honest, always sincere, and sometimes downright heroic, is Georgie’s friend and protector with a long past and a heavy burden, both of which become apparent as the adventure develops. Both Georgie and Shane feel real and relatable, as do most of the supporting cast of characters, good and bad.
In Corbett’s capable hands, we’re right there with Georgie and Shane as they make their way across the dangerous landscape, barely escaping powerful, corrupt forces that have the advantage of the latest technologies and seemingly unlimited finances to track them down. Like Georgie and Shane, as readers, we’re constantly looking over our shoulders to see who might be closing in next. And Corbett’s scenes are so vividly real, we can see, feel, hear, even smell the surroundings.
Corbett has opted for a first-person narrator, Shane Riordan. Although some reviewers found this technique disconcerting and containing too many sentence fragments, it’s exactly what we should expect when the voice of the piece is talking to us directly. The entire novel is essentially either internal or external dialogue. Not all first-person narrators are reliable, but even though Shane Riordan has his secrets, he’s completely reliable. As does Georgie, we trust him to get us safely through this frightening adventure.
The references to and examples of Celtic lore give the novel a sense of place in our collective history and help us understand that, at its core, what we experience today isn’t all that new. The Truth Against the World is a thought-provoking read, with twists and turns and breath-holding moments that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. If you’re not already a fan of David Corbett’s work, The Truth Against the World will make you one.
The setting for The Truth Against the World is the United States in the very near future. Not an easy task because by the time a novel reaches the public that future may already be upon us. That’s the case here. The rich and powerful pulling the strings behind the scenes are much like those we find in power today. That makes Corbett’s newest novel even more poignant. We know these villains, and we know the poor and disillusioned whom they entice to resort to violence and cruelty to stop anyone who doesn’t share their worldview or religious fervor.
Corbett is a master of characterization. His two guides on character development are constant references for beginning writers and well-established authors. The plot of The Truth Against the World centers around two main characters. Georgie O’Halloran, a talented, delightful, frail young woman who’s written the book of the title. Shane Riordan, mostly honest, always sincere, and sometimes downright heroic, is Georgie’s friend and protector with a long past and a heavy burden, both of which become apparent as the adventure develops. Both Georgie and Shane feel real and relatable, as do most of the supporting cast of characters, good and bad.
In Corbett’s capable hands, we’re right there with Georgie and Shane as they make their way across the dangerous landscape, barely escaping powerful, corrupt forces that have the advantage of the latest technologies and seemingly unlimited finances to track them down. Like Georgie and Shane, as readers, we’re constantly looking over our shoulders to see who might be closing in next. And Corbett’s scenes are so vividly real, we can see, feel, hear, even smell the surroundings.
Corbett has opted for a first-person narrator, Shane Riordan. Although some reviewers found this technique disconcerting and containing too many sentence fragments, it’s exactly what we should expect when the voice of the piece is talking to us directly. The entire novel is essentially either internal or external dialogue. Not all first-person narrators are reliable, but even though Shane Riordan has his secrets, he’s completely reliable. As does Georgie, we trust him to get us safely through this frightening adventure.
The references to and examples of Celtic lore give the novel a sense of place in our collective history and help us understand that, at its core, what we experience today isn’t all that new. The Truth Against the World is a thought-provoking read, with twists and turns and breath-holding moments that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. If you’re not already a fan of David Corbett’s work, The Truth Against the World will make you one.
May 27, 2023
This was a genre-defying novel. Part dystopia, part fantasy, part quest story. It was an engaging title narrated by Shane Riordan who has lived again and again. He's under a curse to do so until he learns what he is supposed to learn.
Currently, he is best friends with Georgie O'Halloran who suffers from depression. They met when she was in college and his was a janitor at the college. They became friends. She was intrigued by Celtic myths, and he told her lots of stories never revealing that they were about his past. She wrote them up and illustrated them and gave them to her lover as a gift. The lover - Reginald Feely - took her gift, claimed it was his own work, and sold it for publication. It, and the video game it inspired, became a cult hit which incited some of the factionalism that is plaguing the United States.
Shane breaks Georgie out of the hospital where she is being treated and the two take off to find Feely and gain his apology for stealing her book and intellectual property. They need to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast through a disintegrating United States filled with gangs each touting their own version of what should be. And they are being pursued by people who don't want them to interfere with the book or the video game.
I enjoyed the story once I got over the writing style which at first seemed to be filled with sentence fragments. I enjoyed learning more about Shane and what his quest was. He is definitely the main character of this one despite what the blurb seems to imply.
Currently, he is best friends with Georgie O'Halloran who suffers from depression. They met when she was in college and his was a janitor at the college. They became friends. She was intrigued by Celtic myths, and he told her lots of stories never revealing that they were about his past. She wrote them up and illustrated them and gave them to her lover as a gift. The lover - Reginald Feely - took her gift, claimed it was his own work, and sold it for publication. It, and the video game it inspired, became a cult hit which incited some of the factionalism that is plaguing the United States.
Shane breaks Georgie out of the hospital where she is being treated and the two take off to find Feely and gain his apology for stealing her book and intellectual property. They need to travel from the East Coast to the West Coast through a disintegrating United States filled with gangs each touting their own version of what should be. And they are being pursued by people who don't want them to interfere with the book or the video game.
I enjoyed the story once I got over the writing style which at first seemed to be filled with sentence fragments. I enjoyed learning more about Shane and what his quest was. He is definitely the main character of this one despite what the blurb seems to imply.
June 3, 2023
A heartwrenching, innovative literary fantasy that combines elements of Celtic mythology and history and a gut-wrenching look at a dystopian and divided America set in the near future. The country is on the verge of civil war. The landscape is aflame, littered with burning or ruined buildings, damaged vehicles, and the dead. Rioters hold different ideas for what they want in the future, and the country is heading towards anarchy or a hardline theocracy.
Georgie O'Halloran is confined to a mental institution. She had written a book chronicling Celtic legends and decorated it with beautiful illustrations. She gave it as a gift to an older man, who was her professor and lover. He left her without warning and published the book to fame and success under his name. His deception and plagiarism sent Georgie into a deep depression.
Furthermore, the book became the source for a video game. The game heightened the actions of the dissenting factions against the government and law and order. Gangs wandered the streets with guns, knives and homemade weapons. Their opposition used advanced technology to track dissenters.
Shane Riordan has acted as Georgie's guardian and trusted friend. Shane is a former soldier, a veteran of many combats and has an encyclopedic fund of knowledge. He had told her many stories based on Celtic history and folklore. When Georgie included his legends in her book, she was unaware that he was under an ancient curse and was describing events in which he participated and remembered.
Shane breaks Georgie out of imprisonment, and they embark on a quest. They travel cross-country to California to track down the man who stole her book. It took me a while to get into the rhythm and narrative style, but I gradually was immersed in the story. Part quest, part mystery, legend and supernatural, it heads to a powerful conclusion.
The publication date was June 1st. Its author, David Corbett, has won many literary awards and critical acclaim. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this compelling, imaginative read. 3.5 Stars.
Georgie O'Halloran is confined to a mental institution. She had written a book chronicling Celtic legends and decorated it with beautiful illustrations. She gave it as a gift to an older man, who was her professor and lover. He left her without warning and published the book to fame and success under his name. His deception and plagiarism sent Georgie into a deep depression.
Furthermore, the book became the source for a video game. The game heightened the actions of the dissenting factions against the government and law and order. Gangs wandered the streets with guns, knives and homemade weapons. Their opposition used advanced technology to track dissenters.
Shane Riordan has acted as Georgie's guardian and trusted friend. Shane is a former soldier, a veteran of many combats and has an encyclopedic fund of knowledge. He had told her many stories based on Celtic history and folklore. When Georgie included his legends in her book, she was unaware that he was under an ancient curse and was describing events in which he participated and remembered.
Shane breaks Georgie out of imprisonment, and they embark on a quest. They travel cross-country to California to track down the man who stole her book. It took me a while to get into the rhythm and narrative style, but I gradually was immersed in the story. Part quest, part mystery, legend and supernatural, it heads to a powerful conclusion.
The publication date was June 1st. Its author, David Corbett, has won many literary awards and critical acclaim. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this compelling, imaginative read. 3.5 Stars.
November 24, 2024
In a departure from Corbett's earlier novels, The Truth Against the World combines a dystopian thriller with a stunning contemporary mythic journey. Our narrator, Shane, an ex-military warrior, is the quintessential enigmatic hero. He's Irish, wise beyond his years, gifted with a mordant wit and a love of ballads.
He has befriended Georgie, a bright muse who was felled by love. Georgie created a heart gift for her lover/professor: a book based on the Celtic Fenian Cycle, with illustrations inspired by the Book of Durrow. This gift of such magnitude led to her undoing. The professor claimed the book as his own, ruthlessly ending the relationship. Sinking into deep depression, Georgie was institutionalized.
The action begins two years later when Shane rescues Georgie from the mental hospital. He reveals the fate of her book - it has become a bestseller and a video game, motivating her to confront her nemesis. This is a United States set in the near future, a country that no longer has a stable government. Gang warfare pits faction against faction. In this chaotic world, where young gamers are programmed to respond to recruitment into violence, the oligarchs still control the system, and the 1% are still in charge. Shane and Georgie dedicate their lives to tracking down the despicable plagiarist and setting things right. As fugitives, they must travel from New England to California.
As with many road stories, character development evolves through vignettes. Characters and settings offer opportunities for growth and transformation. In this tale, the horrific violence combined with a bleak landscape fortells a possible future and serves as a warning to the present-day reader. The catastrophic climax hints at a possible sequel. One hopes it will be released soon.
Highly recommended for book clubs and readers who enjoy Cormac McCarthy or Stephen King. Not for the squeamish; the battle scenes are bloody and accurate.
Full disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley.com in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.
He has befriended Georgie, a bright muse who was felled by love. Georgie created a heart gift for her lover/professor: a book based on the Celtic Fenian Cycle, with illustrations inspired by the Book of Durrow. This gift of such magnitude led to her undoing. The professor claimed the book as his own, ruthlessly ending the relationship. Sinking into deep depression, Georgie was institutionalized.
The action begins two years later when Shane rescues Georgie from the mental hospital. He reveals the fate of her book - it has become a bestseller and a video game, motivating her to confront her nemesis. This is a United States set in the near future, a country that no longer has a stable government. Gang warfare pits faction against faction. In this chaotic world, where young gamers are programmed to respond to recruitment into violence, the oligarchs still control the system, and the 1% are still in charge. Shane and Georgie dedicate their lives to tracking down the despicable plagiarist and setting things right. As fugitives, they must travel from New England to California.
As with many road stories, character development evolves through vignettes. Characters and settings offer opportunities for growth and transformation. In this tale, the horrific violence combined with a bleak landscape fortells a possible future and serves as a warning to the present-day reader. The catastrophic climax hints at a possible sequel. One hopes it will be released soon.
Highly recommended for book clubs and readers who enjoy Cormac McCarthy or Stephen King. Not for the squeamish; the battle scenes are bloody and accurate.
Full disclosure: I received an ARC from NetGalley.com in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.
June 16, 2023
WHAT AN AMAZING WORK OF FICTION. I took my time reading this dystopian thriller so that I could savor every bit of the fantastic writing. As I kept reading, I kept marveling at each brilliant character description--even the minor character descriptions--and their fully formed, at times quirky, funny personalities. I loved the Second Coming Yeatsean milieu, and at times I found myself attempting to talk just like Shane. As this brilliant character might say, "I swear on a stack of bible salesmen that one day I will talk and swear just like Shane Riordan". I look forward to a movie being made from this novel, and perhaps a Truth Against the World real live video game. I hope to learn to be a much better writer and craftsperson by re-reading this amazing book. It was a privilege to read.
May 28, 2023
I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is a story which is about Geogie and Shane's journey to recover a book which someone else has published as their own work. It begins with Shane looking for information where the individual who stole the book resides. After learning if the information, he goes to a hospital where Georgie has been committed. While visiting Georgie an event happens and as a result Georgie and Shane escape.
Read along as they attempt to cross the country to California. Discover more of Shane's background and see all of the obsicles that Georgie and Shane encounter during their trek
The ending is one that I didn't expect but does answer some questions.
This is a story which is about Geogie and Shane's journey to recover a book which someone else has published as their own work. It begins with Shane looking for information where the individual who stole the book resides. After learning if the information, he goes to a hospital where Georgie has been committed. While visiting Georgie an event happens and as a result Georgie and Shane escape.
Read along as they attempt to cross the country to California. Discover more of Shane's background and see all of the obsicles that Georgie and Shane encounter during their trek
The ending is one that I didn't expect but does answer some questions.
Read
May 31, 2023This stylish love letter to Celtic myth centers around trickster-figure Shane Riordan, who busts his friend Georgie O'Halloran out of imprisonment in a mental institution to go on a quest to hunt down Rory Fitzgerald, one of those sleazy older academics who prey on young women, not only for boinks on the beautyrest but to steal their work, in this case a book actually written by Georgie, published under his name. They journey across a fractured America, where a rather theocracy (depicted rather heavy-handedly) is fomenting national turmoil.
This novel is actually a mix of genres, which really good novels can be. It's a stylistic tour-de-force, with interesting characters, sometimes elusive, and a wild plot.
July 31, 2023
A rich cast of shapeshifting characters barrels along on a wild ride across middle America (Pennsyltucky, etc.) with an all too familiar dystopian nightmare looming. From Georgie and Shane's fierce and uncompromising loyalty while treading toward calamity, to the cadre of resisters who propel them forward to speak truth against the world, David Corbett has created characters to guide us along this alarming journey.
When Shane and Georgie drop into an ancient mythic past, the magical realism is a respite from the all too familiar dystopia surrounding them. Here's hoping we might encounter these characters in future works. Though immortality is a bit of a curse for the immortal, we need them back in our world, fighting the good fight against the rising apocalyptic tide.
When Shane and Georgie drop into an ancient mythic past, the magical realism is a respite from the all too familiar dystopia surrounding them. Here's hoping we might encounter these characters in future works. Though immortality is a bit of a curse for the immortal, we need them back in our world, fighting the good fight against the rising apocalyptic tide.
June 9, 2024
Corbett gets more and more ambitious with each novel, but he overshot the mark with this one. This book has elements of Celtic mythology, the paranormal and dystopian futurism. It's a lot to ask of a single thriller. Of course, Corbett has always aimed to be more than a mere writer of potboilers. His previous book, The Long Lost Letters of Doc Holliday, was brilliant. This one has its moments, and Corbett's prose is still unequaled in American crime fiction. But the book asks readers not just to suspend their disbelief but expel it altogether. That and the muddled ending left me dissatisfied. I'm a huge Corbett fan, so I really wrestled with my thoughts on this novel, but I wish he'd get back to the real world.
May 14, 2024
One of my favorite books this year! The Truth against the World is a dystopian literary fantasy that brims with stories about Shane, an Irish immigrant, Georgie, who turns Sharne's Irish tales Iinto a beautifully illustrated book, the lover who publishes Georgie’s book and makes a fortune when it’s turned into an explosive video game, and Georgie’s stepmother, who institutionalizes her in exchange for payments from the deceitful lover. In David Corbett’s violent and chaotic future America, Shane pursues justice.
I was honored to interview the author for a New Books Network podcast: https://newbooksnetwork.com/the-truth...
I was honored to interview the author for a New Books Network podcast: https://newbooksnetwork.com/the-truth...
June 16, 2023
Corbett has really gone to some new places in this one, though there is still plenty of crime-world action. A near-future dystopian USA provides an all-too-believable backdrop for a fast moving story of innocence on the run. There's a noir sensibility at work here (evident in the lovely Chandleresque turns of phrase) and the characterization is particularly strong for a story with this much action. All this plus a charming deep dive into ancient Celtic culture. This novel kicks ass, but with poetry!
July 24, 2023
I interviewed David Corbett for my radio show (Hoot and Holler, WESU), before I had a chance to read this book. Now I have regrets, and questions. I knew I had to read it after speaking with David. Little did I know I'd love it as much as I did. It's a road story and a dystopian novel with an unbreakable friendship at its core. There's Irish myth and white supremacists and video games and vigilantes, and Corbett is a first-rate storyteller with and eye for detail and a mind filled with fascinating facts and hidden histories that he love to share. Find it and read it.
June 19, 2023
I'm not sure how to review this book. It was not at all what I was expecting based on the description. It starts off slow, but never really picks up speed, slowed down by multiple flashbacks and alternate stories. I spent most of my time trying to figure out what was going on and never really engaged with any of the characters. It may just be me but can't recommend this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Swell Media for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Swell Media for an advanced reader copy.
August 13, 2023
Possibly the best book I have read this year. Grand mix of apocalyptic end of world urban fantasy, myth, and gunplay. Shane Riordan liberates Georgie O'Halloran from an insane asylum and they embark on a road trip through warring US militias to reclaim Georgie's manuscript that has become a world-wide best seller under her old lover's name. It's great.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
August 25, 2024
I am not sure how I feel about this novel. It took a good storyteller that tells stories within the story. Stories that cover the centuries. Stories that helped change our current story. Stories that kept adding to the current story. Then the lies. Where did the truth lie? And when the story ended, was the story really over? Was it? Are you sure?
September 1, 2023
Intriguing plot and beautiful writing. Complex characters and world view questions. I ended very appreciative of the author’s talent but I did get a little lost on the plot progression at times.
June 21, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this genre-bending novel. Part dystopian, part Irish folklore, with a ton of action. The overall plot was a bit thin, but the world building was excellent and I loved the characters. I also appreciated the pronunciation key for some of the Irish words.
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