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Truth or Dare
A room of secrets in a house of lies.
Uncle Patrick died young. That’s all Josh knows until he discovers a suitcase filled with the strangest collection of belongings. Why were these things hidden? Why is Patrick’s name never spoken? Why does no one talk about him? Ever. Josh needs answers and gradually uncovers the family secrets that have been hidden all this time. Uncle Patrick was different. He had Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition barely understood now, let alone forty years ago.
Uncle Patrick died young. That’s all Josh knows until he discovers a suitcase filled with the strangest collection of belongings. Why were these things hidden? Why is Patrick’s name never spoken? Why does no one talk about him? Ever. Josh needs answers and gradually uncovers the family secrets that have been hidden all this time. Uncle Patrick was different. He had Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition barely understood now, let alone forty years ago.
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
12 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Celia Rees
45 books1,134 followersCelia Rees (born 1949) is an English author of children's, YA and Adult fiction.
She was born in 1949 in Solihull, West Midlands but now lives in Leamington Spa with her husband. Rees attended University of Warwick and earned a degree in History of Politics. After university, she taught English in Coventry secondary schools for seventeen years, during which time she began to write.
Since then, she has written over twenty YA titles. Her books have been translated into 28 languages. She has been short listed for the Guardian, Whitbread (now Costa) and W.H. Smith Children’s Book Awards. She is a regular tutor for the Arvon Foundation. She has been Chair of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group and on the Society of Authors’ Management Committee.
Her first book for adults, Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook, was published by HarperCollins in July, 2020.
She was born in 1949 in Solihull, West Midlands but now lives in Leamington Spa with her husband. Rees attended University of Warwick and earned a degree in History of Politics. After university, she taught English in Coventry secondary schools for seventeen years, during which time she began to write.
Since then, she has written over twenty YA titles. Her books have been translated into 28 languages. She has been short listed for the Guardian, Whitbread (now Costa) and W.H. Smith Children’s Book Awards. She is a regular tutor for the Arvon Foundation. She has been Chair of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group and on the Society of Authors’ Management Committee.
Her first book for adults, Miss Graham's Cold War Cookbook, was published by HarperCollins in July, 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 25, 2023
Being on the autistic spectrum myself it was such an interesting book to read. I knew straight away Patrick was autistic as I have a lot of his traits. I think the author has explained autism in such a understanding way. Autism can be very misled and misunderstood. Every autistic person is different. The masking in social situations and struggling with friendships and understanding certain situations is a great eye opener for a insight in our autistic brains.
May 20, 2018
Ich mochte es wieder ganz gern, aber umgehauen hat es mich nicht.
October 22, 2013
This book neither stopped surprising me nor fascinating me. Not even for a minute. The several climaxes that it involved were interesting, mysterious, and would get anyone's attention at the same time. The writer made sure that the reader would feel the urge to keep on reading whenever there was a sense of boredom. Reaching the end of the book gave me such a relief after the long fast heart beating moments to know what will happen next. I can say nothing but that it suits all bookworms regardless of what their favorite genre is.
July 15, 2017
Wow, what a joy it was to read such an intense gripping read again! Very, very well written ,so that it strongly held my interest from beginning to end, with no boring parts at all. I love stories of the Unexplained, so was pleased that this element was part of this book, but no fear all will be explained. Mystery, family saga, sci-fi, all melded together perfectly.
Highly recommended for all ages from middle grades up.
Highly recommended for all ages from middle grades up.
September 5, 2010
A really gripping Young Adult novel that keeps you turning the pages as more and more mysterious events unfold. Josh is staying at his Grandmother's house over the holidays, he really would rather be anywhere else until he stumbles upon long-kept family secrets. Just what did happen to his Uncle Patrick? Nobody speaks about him, he died in his teens yet there are no photographs, no grave to visit.
Celia Rees uses a very clever plot to uncover the secret of Uncle Patrick that will particularly appeal to young adults but I also found it thrilling too, yet the story also delivers an important message. A message about how far people will go to cover up things that they consider shameful. From descriptions of Uncle Patrick it becomes clear that he has Aspergers - but this story goes back to the 50s when people were ignorant and suspicious of anyone who was 'different'.
A really masterful piece of storytelling - fast, suspenseful and thrilling
Celia Rees uses a very clever plot to uncover the secret of Uncle Patrick that will particularly appeal to young adults but I also found it thrilling too, yet the story also delivers an important message. A message about how far people will go to cover up things that they consider shameful. From descriptions of Uncle Patrick it becomes clear that he has Aspergers - but this story goes back to the 50s when people were ignorant and suspicious of anyone who was 'different'.
A really masterful piece of storytelling - fast, suspenseful and thrilling
April 29, 2014
It's really well paced and very enjoyable even for an adult reader (which most good teen fiction should be I believe.) I like the comparisons between the summer of 1959 and the current days and how children are so much more mature in some ways with greater freedom of voice, but still completely the same in others; like enjoying adventure games and mysteries, albeit in a different form. This, of course, also shows how inactive many children and teens are now with restrictions on their freedom to roam.
January 14, 2013
Makes u realise that there are many people whom u may know suffering from some disease and struggling to be part of this overly cynical society.
Celia Rees has wonderfully brought out a story that deals with two different sets of characters in a different ages.
Celia Rees has wonderfully brought out a story that deals with two different sets of characters in a different ages.
May 12, 2013
I worked out how it was going to end but it was an entertaining and enjoyable read which was a bit creepy at times.
June 12, 2023
Jugendbücher für Erwachsene - welche Bücher habt ihr als Kinder gelesen und wart Jahre später immer noch begeistert von ihnen?
Neben den Klassikern in meinem Regal ist ‚Das goldene Labyrinth‘ von Celia Rees so ein Fall. Josh muss die Sommerferien bei seiner kranken Großmutter verbringen, die seine Mutter pflegen muss. Es gibt spannendere Pläne für die schulfreien Wochen. Deshalb vertreibt er die Langeweile mit einem Computerspiel - und mit der Datei ‚Sommer.doc‘, die er auf dem PC seiner Mutter findet. Sie beschreibt einen Sommer in den 70ern, als UFOs und Aliens gerade das Thema waren und als seine Mutter noch zwei Brüder hatte, von denen einer vor langer Zeit an einer Lungenentzündung gestorben ist. Doch je länger Josh sich mit dem Spiel beschäftigt, desto mehr ähnelt es dem Tagebuch seiner Mutter - und desto mehr Geheimnisse findet Josh in dem alten Haus seiner Großmutter…
Dieses Buch beschreibt eindringlich, wie noch vor wenigen Jahrzehnten mit psychischen Krankheiten umgegangen wurde, und wie kindliche Fantasie einen Sommer - und ganze Lebensabschnitte - beenden kann. Aus zwei Sichtweisen erzählt dieses Buch von zwei Sommern, die das Leben ihrer Protagonisten grundlegend und dramatisch verändert haben. Auch wenn diese Geschichte primär für Jugendliche geschrieben wurde, nimmt die geheimnisvolle, teils sogar gruselige Stimmung mich auch als Erwachsene noch gefangen, und damit ist es genau das richtige für kommende warme Sommerabende.
Neben den Klassikern in meinem Regal ist ‚Das goldene Labyrinth‘ von Celia Rees so ein Fall. Josh muss die Sommerferien bei seiner kranken Großmutter verbringen, die seine Mutter pflegen muss. Es gibt spannendere Pläne für die schulfreien Wochen. Deshalb vertreibt er die Langeweile mit einem Computerspiel - und mit der Datei ‚Sommer.doc‘, die er auf dem PC seiner Mutter findet. Sie beschreibt einen Sommer in den 70ern, als UFOs und Aliens gerade das Thema waren und als seine Mutter noch zwei Brüder hatte, von denen einer vor langer Zeit an einer Lungenentzündung gestorben ist. Doch je länger Josh sich mit dem Spiel beschäftigt, desto mehr ähnelt es dem Tagebuch seiner Mutter - und desto mehr Geheimnisse findet Josh in dem alten Haus seiner Großmutter…
Dieses Buch beschreibt eindringlich, wie noch vor wenigen Jahrzehnten mit psychischen Krankheiten umgegangen wurde, und wie kindliche Fantasie einen Sommer - und ganze Lebensabschnitte - beenden kann. Aus zwei Sichtweisen erzählt dieses Buch von zwei Sommern, die das Leben ihrer Protagonisten grundlegend und dramatisch verändert haben. Auch wenn diese Geschichte primär für Jugendliche geschrieben wurde, nimmt die geheimnisvolle, teils sogar gruselige Stimmung mich auch als Erwachsene noch gefangen, und damit ist es genau das richtige für kommende warme Sommerabende.
September 21, 2024
5 stars ⭐️
I absolutely loved this book ! It’s rare for me to rate a book a 5 but honestly the writing was amazing for a story that had so many details and potential to be a long boring book , the writer had excellent talent of narrating the story in a simple manner and slipping from a point of view of an adult to a child so swiftly . This is my first book from the author Celia Reese and I’m certain it won’t be the last .
I really liked the story very well constructed , and the plot is so gripping I never expected it at all ! Very enjoyable and sheds a light on autism with some great info about the matters put very simply
I absolutely loved this book ! It’s rare for me to rate a book a 5 but honestly the writing was amazing for a story that had so many details and potential to be a long boring book , the writer had excellent talent of narrating the story in a simple manner and slipping from a point of view of an adult to a child so swiftly . This is my first book from the author Celia Reese and I’m certain it won’t be the last .
I really liked the story very well constructed , and the plot is so gripping I never expected it at all ! Very enjoyable and sheds a light on autism with some great info about the matters put very simply
March 9, 2020
Thirteen-year-old Josh's grandmother has had a stroke, and he has to go to stay in her house with his mother who's looking after her. What seems likely to be a dreary summer away from his friends begins to change when he starts investigating the mystery surrounding his uncle Patrick, who died at the age Josh is now, and when he catches sight of the girl next door sunbathing in her garden.
This is a well written story with a good twist at the end. Some things seem unlikely to me, but they're small points that I didn't think of until after finishing. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
This is a well written story with a good twist at the end. Some things seem unlikely to me, but they're small points that I didn't think of until after finishing. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
August 2, 2017
This a very beautiful book that gives you insights into how children and adults with ASD were/are sometimes misunderstood. It also shows they're capable of great things with the right support.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2022
Muy buen libro para aprender del autismo
February 28, 2024
Read this in 24 hours. This was a very fun and unique read! I enjoyed the short chapters, sense of mystery and incorporation of a character with Autism.
October 30, 2011
Can't remember what happens in this book at all but I do know I read it 2 or 3 times during my early teen years so it must have captured my attention when I was the target age. I still have it somewhere and will probably keep it for any future children.
---
After re-read:
Full review can be found here.
The problem with revisiting books from your childhood more than ten years later is that they no longer hold that sense of awe that your memory insists was present all those years ago. It took me about fifty pages to remember what the “shocking twist” at the end was and after that it was all just refreshing my memory.
One of the problems was that, though I may have liked Josh ten years ago (maybe even sympathised with him), this time around his behaviour was at times irritating and voyeuristic (spying on the girl next door sunbathing using your dead uncle’s star gazing binoculars? Just no.) And what was with Katherine’s sudden change of heart? She rightly shows him up at the party but then she apologises for her actions and becomes a permanent fixture in the second half of the book. I didn’t buy that. There were better ways that that could have been handled.
The best bit by far was Joanna’s story of the events of the summer of space madness. This story was more engaging than Joshua’s and gave an interesting look at autism in a time before it was really understood. Any readers of this book should pay attention to the sometimes very subtle parallels between Patrick’s behaviour and his father’s. The grandfather is never portrayed as a sympathetic character but he does have layers that are sometimes only hinted at but expertly portrayed to show a link between him and Patrick.
And finally, the game. It comes in so far into the story that explaining it would mean delving into a whole bunch of spoilers so I’m not going to do that. But it is worth mentioning because at times I just could not follow what was supposed to be happening on the computer screen!
---
After re-read:
Full review can be found here.
The problem with revisiting books from your childhood more than ten years later is that they no longer hold that sense of awe that your memory insists was present all those years ago. It took me about fifty pages to remember what the “shocking twist” at the end was and after that it was all just refreshing my memory.
One of the problems was that, though I may have liked Josh ten years ago (maybe even sympathised with him), this time around his behaviour was at times irritating and voyeuristic (spying on the girl next door sunbathing using your dead uncle’s star gazing binoculars? Just no.) And what was with Katherine’s sudden change of heart? She rightly shows him up at the party but then she apologises for her actions and becomes a permanent fixture in the second half of the book. I didn’t buy that. There were better ways that that could have been handled.
The best bit by far was Joanna’s story of the events of the summer of space madness. This story was more engaging than Joshua’s and gave an interesting look at autism in a time before it was really understood. Any readers of this book should pay attention to the sometimes very subtle parallels between Patrick’s behaviour and his father’s. The grandfather is never portrayed as a sympathetic character but he does have layers that are sometimes only hinted at but expertly portrayed to show a link between him and Patrick.
And finally, the game. It comes in so far into the story that explaining it would mean delving into a whole bunch of spoilers so I’m not going to do that. But it is worth mentioning because at times I just could not follow what was supposed to be happening on the computer screen!
November 30, 2016
Truth or dare is an interesting book. There is no way of knowing what will happen next. Josh is an exciting character ; just like his uncle Patrick who died when only 13 years old. When Josh begins to find things out, the truth reveals itself over time. I rate this book 4 stars as I loved it and would recommend it for people over the age of 11.
October 20, 2007
compelling. a boy has to stay at his grandparents house for a while while his mother looks after his grandmother then organises the funeral.
his mums brother Patrick supposedly died when he was little. and the boy (Josh) finds out about his mothers childhood and what really happened to Patrick
his mums brother Patrick supposedly died when he was little. and the boy (Josh) finds out about his mothers childhood and what really happened to Patrick
May 9, 2011
Just what I needed after Vanity Fair! Although aimed at teens I enjoyed it, even though I could guess what was going to happen and the outcome; the style of writing was very much for a younger reader but all in all it was well written and enjoyable.
August 8, 2011
Was read this when I was in year six and the teacher never finished it so I went and bought it myself. I can't remember the plot too well but I know I read it several times so it must have been fairly good!
August 5, 2007
This book contains many creative describtion on words. In addition, it gave you a final twisted at the end! great book!
April 19, 2009
It was pretty cool, it wasn't what i thought it was going to be about though...i thought it would be about friends and games but it was about a video game
December 2, 2009
Josh explores grandmother's house and finds clues about his strange uncle Patrick who supposedly died in his teens. Josh uncovers a family secret about his autistic, misunderstood uncle.
September 12, 2010
This was an ok read, nothing particularly special, and a tad too predictable for my tastes!
August 17, 2011
Was mostly predictable but still a satisfying read with a good moral.
January 28, 2012
Interesting to read about aspergers through a novel. Made me relate more to a pupil.
August 11, 2012
Un chouette roman où l'on retrouve un héros attachant ainsi qu' une intrigue qui tient le lecteur en haleine et se dénoue de manière à la fois touchante et originale!^^
September 19, 2012
nicely plotted and full of surprises, I very much enjoyed this one.
February 13, 2013
ok read. bit confusing in places and it took a while to get into, but overall a good book
August 28, 2014
An interesting book. I felt that it portrayed it's subject matter accurately (from what I know of it) and I liked the twist of the video game.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews