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The Deception Artist
Who needs the truth?
Eight-year-old Ivy has a vivid imagination and tells lies so that people will like her. With her brother, Brice, in hospital, life at home feels unsettled and things become even more strained after her father loses his job, along with his sense of purpose. Ivy’s parents might divorce and her best friend hates her but, ever creative, she abandons her escapist fantasies and determines to uncover the truth.
In this sharp and funny literary debut set in Northern California during the 1980s recession, Fayette Fox delves deep into the dark heart of an ordinary American family – and finds out that make-believe isn't just for kids.
Eight-year-old Ivy has a vivid imagination and tells lies so that people will like her. With her brother, Brice, in hospital, life at home feels unsettled and things become even more strained after her father loses his job, along with his sense of purpose. Ivy’s parents might divorce and her best friend hates her but, ever creative, she abandons her escapist fantasies and determines to uncover the truth.
In this sharp and funny literary debut set in Northern California during the 1980s recession, Fayette Fox delves deep into the dark heart of an ordinary American family – and finds out that make-believe isn't just for kids.
278 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2013
About the author
Fayette Fox
2 books6 followersFayette Fox is a writer based in Oakland, California. She has worked as a copywriter for Lyft, Square, and Accenture. She previously commissioned Lonely Planet guidebooks in London. Fayette has taught sex-ed to Dalit (untouchables caste) teenage girls in India and was attacked by a giant centipede in Japan. Fayette holds an MA in publishing from the London College of Communication and a BA in creative writing from Hampshire College.
Her quirky, sharply funny debut novel "The Deception Artist" is told from the perspective of 8-year-old Ivy and deals with themes of childhood and make-believe, truth and lies. The novel has been very well received and was shortlisted for the Edinburgh International Book Festival First Book Award and Amazon’s Rising Stars Award.
Her quirky, sharply funny debut novel "The Deception Artist" is told from the perspective of 8-year-old Ivy and deals with themes of childhood and make-believe, truth and lies. The novel has been very well received and was shortlisted for the Edinburgh International Book Festival First Book Award and Amazon’s Rising Stars Award.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 1, 2013
Originally reviewed on my blog: http://stephinlondon.com/2013/06/03/b...
The Deception Artist was a very sweet little book and a very quick (and addictive) read. The chapters are short and punchy, there were no boring bits and I was fully captivated by Ivy and her point of view of the goings on with her family. The way Ivy sees things harkens back to my own childhood when we also lived paycheck to paycheck, when my best friend stopped being my friend and when rumours of affairs were everyday occurrences. After reading this book, I'd like to think that I was the Ivy of the late 90s.
One thing I that really excited me about this book is that it started out as a NaNoWriMo novel. True, Fox didn't "win" NaNo that year and the book itself took around 5 years to write, but Ivy's story was the direct product of Fox "getting out there" and attempting to write a novel. As a fellow NaNoer, Fox's story is way inspirational.
Absolutely adored this book.
The Deception Artist was a very sweet little book and a very quick (and addictive) read. The chapters are short and punchy, there were no boring bits and I was fully captivated by Ivy and her point of view of the goings on with her family. The way Ivy sees things harkens back to my own childhood when we also lived paycheck to paycheck, when my best friend stopped being my friend and when rumours of affairs were everyday occurrences. After reading this book, I'd like to think that I was the Ivy of the late 90s.
One thing I that really excited me about this book is that it started out as a NaNoWriMo novel. True, Fox didn't "win" NaNo that year and the book itself took around 5 years to write, but Ivy's story was the direct product of Fox "getting out there" and attempting to write a novel. As a fellow NaNoer, Fox's story is way inspirational.
Absolutely adored this book.
May 14, 2015
It’s California in the 80s, and for eight-year-old Ivy, it seems like everyone – and everything – in her world is changing. Her big brother doesn’t want to play make-believe any more, she gains a stay-at-home dad in exchange for a working mom, and her forever best friend has decided Ivy is babyish and has moved on from their friendship. As her world becomes more complicated, Ivy clings to her creativity and imagination for escape and sometimes finds the lines between what’s real and imagined are quite blurry. In “The Deception Artist,” author Fayette Fox takes adult readers into the mind of a child whose keen observations and honest interpretations make for an engaging and often humorous story.
Full review, including where Fox shines and where she left me a little frustrated, on Hall Ways at http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
Full review, including where Fox shines and where she left me a little frustrated, on Hall Ways at http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
January 4, 2020
When I think about it, this book is one of the least plot-driven books I've ever read. But that is not a slight. I enjoyed the normality of the book and felt that as a result of the less traditional beginning, middle, end-type book, I got to know and understand the characters a lot better.
I felt that Fox used the vehicle of Ivy's innocence to help the reader understand the adult issues that were going on in much the same way as 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. We hate Olivia and root for her parents in the same way that she does. But we also see through the motives that she sees and understand more about the situation than she does herself.
This is a deceptively simple book, which is quick to read, but which leaves you feeling satisfied in a way that only a well-rounded and well-thought-out book can.
I felt that Fox used the vehicle of Ivy's innocence to help the reader understand the adult issues that were going on in much the same way as 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. We hate Olivia and root for her parents in the same way that she does. But we also see through the motives that she sees and understand more about the situation than she does herself.
This is a deceptively simple book, which is quick to read, but which leaves you feeling satisfied in a way that only a well-rounded and well-thought-out book can.
December 19, 2017
The Deception Artist follows eight-year old Ivy through a year in her life packed with disruption, change and perturbing situations- her brother Brice is in hospital, leaving her as the only kid at home; her dad loses his job; she loses her best friend; her mum becomes a career woman and her dad makes a worrying friendship with one of her new friends mothers. In order to deal with all this, Ivy pours her concentration into her fantasies and love for make-believe games and art.
Ivy is one of the most beautifully sweet and intelligent children I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Her reactions to her parents confusing behaviours are so endearing and reminded me of the funny things I used to believe when I was her age! Part of the reason I enjoyed this novel was because of the connection I felt with Ivy- I saw a lot of my younger self in her, and even in our differences I kept finding myself thinking I definitely would have been friends with her if she’d gone to my school.
Interestingly, I found myself questioning the title and focus of the book. I didn’t find that Ivy was an excessive liar for a child of her age, and I found that the small lies she told did not make up a very large part of her personality. It was her imagination and quiet determination that drew her off the page for me, and I think that in places Ivy’s characters completely overtook the plot and drowned it out.
Although I enjoyed reading this story, and I found Fayette Fox’s writing delicious to read, I did feel that perhaps the plot wasn’t strong enough in places. I found that the novel skipped from chapter to chapter, often with little or no connection. I was expecting a more solid, purposeful story instead of the narrative plod of day-to-day life I found. I still found it enjoyable to read because it was obvious that these characters had been crafted carefully and with love, but I finished the book and felt like I had missed something.
Additionally, I hoped that the end of the book would tie up the daydreams Ivy had been having about “The Artist”- these sections thoroughly confused me. Ivy would imagine her future self in a wonderful warm apartment, painting and drawing as a grown up. I thought this was a lovely touch until “The Artist” started communicating with her as if she had actually transported into the future. As a separate idea for a story I think this would have been really interesting to read, however, within this particular story I found it out of place and couldn’t really see why it had been included.
My issues with the plot aside, I do recommend this book purely for the wonderful writing and irresistible charm of Ivy.
This review was first published on Nudge-books.com on 3rd April 2017.
Ivy is one of the most beautifully sweet and intelligent children I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Her reactions to her parents confusing behaviours are so endearing and reminded me of the funny things I used to believe when I was her age! Part of the reason I enjoyed this novel was because of the connection I felt with Ivy- I saw a lot of my younger self in her, and even in our differences I kept finding myself thinking I definitely would have been friends with her if she’d gone to my school.
Interestingly, I found myself questioning the title and focus of the book. I didn’t find that Ivy was an excessive liar for a child of her age, and I found that the small lies she told did not make up a very large part of her personality. It was her imagination and quiet determination that drew her off the page for me, and I think that in places Ivy’s characters completely overtook the plot and drowned it out.
Although I enjoyed reading this story, and I found Fayette Fox’s writing delicious to read, I did feel that perhaps the plot wasn’t strong enough in places. I found that the novel skipped from chapter to chapter, often with little or no connection. I was expecting a more solid, purposeful story instead of the narrative plod of day-to-day life I found. I still found it enjoyable to read because it was obvious that these characters had been crafted carefully and with love, but I finished the book and felt like I had missed something.
Additionally, I hoped that the end of the book would tie up the daydreams Ivy had been having about “The Artist”- these sections thoroughly confused me. Ivy would imagine her future self in a wonderful warm apartment, painting and drawing as a grown up. I thought this was a lovely touch until “The Artist” started communicating with her as if she had actually transported into the future. As a separate idea for a story I think this would have been really interesting to read, however, within this particular story I found it out of place and couldn’t really see why it had been included.
My issues with the plot aside, I do recommend this book purely for the wonderful writing and irresistible charm of Ivy.
This review was first published on Nudge-books.com on 3rd April 2017.
July 28, 2015
"The Deception Artist" is a light, clever novel written from the point of view of an elementary schoolkid named Ivy, who is clueless when it comes to the lives of adults. Ivy is only just learning to hide her vulnerabilities from shallow friends and blundering grown-ups, yet with us she's delightfully candid. Often, she's precociously witty, though it's rarely on purpose. Here are some of her best lines:
"We put back the jawbreakers, like explorers throwing the heaviest things overboard from a hot air balloon."
and:
"I would like to be melted down into something new. Transformed into a shiny new Ivy who would giggle and play tetherball with the other girls, rope wrapping tightly around the pole. She wouldn't cut holes in her clothes or steal lip gloss. Everyone would like her no matter what and for always."
and then:
"Maybe ballet will be the thing that everyone likes about me, something to make me special."
This one's great:
"When Mozart was eight, he composed his first symphony. I am eight and have saved my family."
Also, I can't forget to mention "I pray to God and Inspector Gadget," and "I pray to my Guardian Angel and the Last Unicorn."
Ivy's a great character. She's equal parts heroic and confused, like Inspector Gadget. She's at a moment in her life where she wants to *become* something, but she's trying to figure out what that will be, and she's afraid of losing what she already has. Times are tough for Ivy, and not just because of the recession. But she has champions to protect her. Her calm and composed brother is ready to leave childhood behind, but sticks around out of kindness to Ivy. Their mom and dad are trying their best, but can't always be everything they want to be. There's also a mysterious artist: independent, skillful and worldly.
"The Deception Artist" is a pleasant read. Ivy's really lucky. Her life is, well, normal. But she has problems too--normal problems, the same problems we all had in those awkward years between childhood and adolescence. Adults who can't remember those days--or just don't want to--may be surprised by Ivy. She's more grown up than she thinks, and quite possibly, so were you.
"We put back the jawbreakers, like explorers throwing the heaviest things overboard from a hot air balloon."
and:
"I would like to be melted down into something new. Transformed into a shiny new Ivy who would giggle and play tetherball with the other girls, rope wrapping tightly around the pole. She wouldn't cut holes in her clothes or steal lip gloss. Everyone would like her no matter what and for always."
and then:
"Maybe ballet will be the thing that everyone likes about me, something to make me special."
This one's great:
"When Mozart was eight, he composed his first symphony. I am eight and have saved my family."
Also, I can't forget to mention "I pray to God and Inspector Gadget," and "I pray to my Guardian Angel and the Last Unicorn."
Ivy's a great character. She's equal parts heroic and confused, like Inspector Gadget. She's at a moment in her life where she wants to *become* something, but she's trying to figure out what that will be, and she's afraid of losing what she already has. Times are tough for Ivy, and not just because of the recession. But she has champions to protect her. Her calm and composed brother is ready to leave childhood behind, but sticks around out of kindness to Ivy. Their mom and dad are trying their best, but can't always be everything they want to be. There's also a mysterious artist: independent, skillful and worldly.
"The Deception Artist" is a pleasant read. Ivy's really lucky. Her life is, well, normal. But she has problems too--normal problems, the same problems we all had in those awkward years between childhood and adolescence. Adults who can't remember those days--or just don't want to--may be surprised by Ivy. She's more grown up than she thinks, and quite possibly, so were you.
July 28, 2015
I read this book a while ago but was inspired to write a review after getting to hear the author do a reading at a local book store. What I love about this book is how completely it captures the feelings of childhood. It has a quite intimacy that brought me right back to the feeling of a small world made huge by imagination. I’ve read a lot of stories that are told from the perspective of children, but none that immersed me so completely back in the excitement, insecurities, fears and possibilities of being a kid. Peeking in on Ivy’s world was like taking a trip back in time – I’m not sure how to explain it – you’ll just have to read it yourself to understand!
September 3, 2015
My cousin recommended this book to me, and to be honest it didn't look like the sort of book I'd read normally, but I gave it a try and was really surprised by how much I like it. The style of writing is engaging, the story is charming...all in all the book was a delight. I enjoyed how it could cover a relatively ordinary series of events, and there was an unexpected shade of magical realism which I thoroughly enjoyed. All in all, if this looks at all appealing, you should definitely read it, and if it doesn't, you should try it out anyway!
June 3, 2015
I read this book in three long gulps. I'm not a huge fan of children, so it says a lot that this narrative, told from the point of view of a young girl, absolutely captivated me. So many of the feelings of childhood rang extremely true, even if I hadn't thought about them in a long, long time. There is a fair bit of humour in the novel also, which was quite enjoyable. All in all a delightful first novel by the lovely Fayette Fox!
September 6, 2013
ok now here is the thing. I have rated this book a 4 as it was a quick easy and engaging book. BUT I dont know if i actually liked it.
I would say that it was a well written book, in the voice of an 8yr old but that 8yr old had some pretty adult thoughts and feelings whilst presenting it wrapped around a childs voice.
Read it and tell me what you think!
I would say that it was a well written book, in the voice of an 8yr old but that 8yr old had some pretty adult thoughts and feelings whilst presenting it wrapped around a childs voice.
Read it and tell me what you think!
June 30, 2015
The Deception Artist is a gem that brought me back to my own childhood, growing up in California in the late 80s. The novel is organized through a series of vignettes with a sprinkling of the fantastical. Narrated through the eyes of precocious Ivy, the book touches on topics like the fragility of childhood friendships, the power of make-believe to navigate hardship, etc. A quick read!
September 26, 2015
“The Deception Artist” is a terrific read. The comic (mis)understandings and (mis)adventures of the protagonist, eight-year old Ivy, brought memories of when I was a child trying to figure out the world around me. Like her, things were never what they seemed. Give yourself a treat. Read “The Deception Aritist” and relive your childhood. You will groan, smile and laugh out loud along the way.
June 20, 2013
Eight-year-old Ivy is such a vivid narrator; at times she reminded me of Ramona Quimby. She has a great imagination, and often misinterprets the confusing adult world around her. It's a superb debut.
September 23, 2013
I loved it. An easy read but insightful to see inside an imaginative 8year old head, made easier by excellent writing. I loved Ivy as well as the beautifully told story.
Want to Read
April 17, 2015Author's guest post at my blog:
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2015/04/...
http://bookfare.blogspot.com/2015/04/...
June 21, 2024
I liked the author but the book was too long. It was ok for a first time writer. I liked the parts the best about the parents dynamics, shifts in gender roles and generation differences.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews