The Truth About My Daughter

by Jo Skinner

Sisters Fin and George navigate their love/hate relationship growing up in a highly dysfunctional family.

Their father Victor moves them to an isolated rural property outside Brisbane where his dreams to create an idyllic rural retreat crumble while his family tiptoe around his unpredictable moods.

Fin leaves the moment she can and becomes a compassionate palliative care nurse, helping people to leave this world but unable to bring her own child into it. George has the opposite problem and turns to Fin whenever she runs into difficulties. When Fin, close to forty, falls in love with Anthony, her biological clock is ticking.

Will she fulfill her dream of parenthood, or will her family's needs once again prevail?

‘Steinbauer family history was rewritten even while it was happening until it became difficult to recall which bits were fabricated or embellished.

277 pages, Paperback

Published September 14, 2024

Reviews

[Andrea InCoorparoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congratulations to Jo Skinner on this engrossing novel. The novel covers a range of really complex issues through a story that has suspense and twists. The characters of Viktor and George, and their impact on their family, are especially vivid.

Reflecting on the book, I really appreciated that COVID was pivotal in the plot. The book covers many years, so it's definitely not a novel 'about COVID", but the impacts on the characters are handled very thoughtfully. I feel like not many authors have had the courage to do this. So thank you to Jo Skinner for having the courage and skill to include a period of time that profoundly affected us all.

[Renee Tunney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! If you like Sally Hepworth, you will love this. A great holiday read. Congratulations Jo Skinner on your debut novel. I look forward to reading your next one.

[Camille Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About My Daughter is Jo Skinner’s debut novel. I loved this poignant, non-linear peek into the life of Fin’s dysfunctional family and the foreboding, unsettling tug of never feeling quite like she belonged.

Jo deftly weaves together a complex tapestry of the Steinbauer family portrait with all its secrets, strained relationships, and fraught emotions. It’s the secrets and complicated family members sitting at the heart of this novel that drive the story forward and make it a real page turner.

The chapters jump from past to present to depict Fin’s life from childhood with sister, George, submissive mother, Barb, and her father, Victor, a German migrant who is complex, unpredictable, and holding firmly to his own ways in a constant, tension-filled tantrum of toxic masculinity💔

Reading this book filled me with an emotion I can only describe as a weird sense of nostalgia… it felt like when I was a kid and I was invited for the first time to a friend’s house for a sleepover and sitting down to their dinner table seemed so foreign to me even though it shouldn’t. Maybe it was in the way they cooked their carrots (boiled in a pot but still holding their crunch)… it wasn’t the same as the way my mum did at home (microwaved until they were soft and mushy then drizzled in butter and honey). I remember sitting there feeling awkward, removed, confused, trapped, and questioning everything I thought I knew about myself and the world.

It’s clear that this author possesses great skill when it comes to heartbreaking storytelling, creating complex characters, and dealing with heavy topics in a tender way to show readers what really matters: that real family are those we choose to love♥️

Even though this was a debut, Skinner’s writing is nuanced and her observations, compelling. I can’t wait to read whatever she has next. Congratulations, Jo!

[Anne Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written with aching restraint and melancholic beauty, The Truth About My Daughter clutched my heart from the first page and refused to let go. A story about the fragility of happiness and innermost dreams, this intriguing migrant family drama depicts the slow erosion caused by buried secrets, old resentments, and fresh criticisms. Crafted by adroit storyteller Jo Skinner, every vivid line shimmers on the page, leading the reader to a bittersweet conclusion that feels like vindication.

[Fiona Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About My Daughter is a compelling tale of family secrets, difficult relationships and love in all its forms. In dual time lines, the novel tells the story of Fin, growing up in a troubled household, and finding her way as an adult, trying to form a family of her own. The Truth About My Daughter is a book filled with tender insights and surprises.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo Skinner’s debut marks her as a writer to watch. I could not stop reading this book, but rather than devour it, I wanted to savour every scene and spend time with main character Fin experiencing her life.

Sisters Fin and George grow up in a highly dysfunctional family. As soon as she is able, Fin leaves home to study nursing, eventually becoming a palliative care nurse where she supports those in their final days. When she falls in love with Anthony, her longing for a child goes unrewarded, leading to further family issues.

Told in a non linear form, Fin’s story is one of fraught family relationships, especially with her father, Victor. His belittling of both Fin and her mother Barb was incredibly hard to read and made me absolutely furious. Full of “grandiose plans” that never come to fruition, he makes the other family members’ lives incredibly difficult. His criticism for Fin and Barb does not extend to his younger daughter George who can apparently do no wrong and is forgiven all manner of transgressions and this continues into her adult life, where Fin is often summoned to pick up the pieces.

Filled with heartbreak and hardship but also love and hope, The Truth About My Daughter was a compelling story that I felt right in the heart.

Please be aware of trigger warnings including infertility, pregnancy loss and termination, death, domestic abuse and alcoholism.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Shelley Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Skinner’s *The Truth about my Daughter* is an engrossing read that brilliantly explores the complexities of family dynamics and the bonds between sisters. The novel could just as well be titled *The Truth about my Sister,* as it follows Fin and George, two sisters whose childhood closeness is tested by the passage of time and the challenges of adulthood. Jo expertly portrays the unravelling of their relationship as George, the reckless and self-centered younger sister, repeatedly leans on Fin’s unwavering loyalty to clean up the messes she leaves behind.

The settings are vividly drawn, and Jo’s nuanced understanding of family life is evident as she captures the simmering tension caused by a domineering father whose treatment of his wife and his daughter Fin, plus his unfinished renovation projects, are a constant source of stress. Despite the tangled web of strained relationships, the novel is grounded in love and hope. Through Fin’s journey, Jo addresses heavy themes such as infertility, miscarriage, abortion and cancer with sensitivity and depth. Yet, it’s Fin’s poignant realisation that sometimes the best families are the ones we create for ourselves that gives this story its heart and makes it truly uplifting.

[Lynne Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe’ The Truth about my Daughter’ is Skinner’s debut novel. This book was gifted to me for review and is guaranteed to break your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat. I devoured it in two sittings.

Sisters, Josefine (Fin) and Georgina (George) must navigate a dysfunctional family in regional Queensland with a tyrannical father, Victor, and a mother, Barb, who is hiding a secret. Fin’s biological clock is ticking when she meets kindly bookshop-owner, Anthony. Unlucky-in-love George has the opposite problem. Then the pandemic throws this already chaotic family into disarray, Fin is torn in all directions and discovers how far she must go to protect what is hers.

Skinner is a GP with a special interest in women’s health and drug and alcohol issues. It deals with some heavy-hitting issues like: coercive control; eating disorders; alcohol abuse; end-of-life decisions and miscarriage. It does so sensitively and with the heft of someone who has experience in dealing with such matters.

Above all, this book celebrates love in its various forms: young love; sisterly love; maternal love; familial love and neighbourly love. It’s about how fate can deliver us a future that is so much more fulfilling than the one we planned if we only leave a space for grace, resilience, perseverance, forgiveness and redemption. I will happily read Skinner’s next book.

[Michelle Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the beginning. I was intrigued by the main character Fin and her journey through becoming a woman as the oldest daughter in a troubled upbringing.
I guess I could identify with her as I’m the oldest and I had a controlling troubled mother. I too wanted to make my life honourable and I still wanted to be a parent. I saved this book until I was on holiday and I could give it my full attention.
I think the author Jo touched on some areas that all of us experience in life, love and loss and redemption is sought, but sometimes is not forth coming or miss understood.
Well worth your time and I’m looking forward to more from this author thank you Jo Skinner for introducing yourself to me and Iluka Emporium where we could host your book and get to know you at a book launch. For a debut novel I’m excited for your writing future!

[Jennifer Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great debut novel by Jo Skinner. Had the chance to review an advance copy and was drawn in by the well-crafted story that follows a family's dramas and hidden secrets across the decades. Skinner has created such wonderful characters and cleverly weaves the story of their lives through the eyes of Fin, one of the daughters.

A great tale that will tug at your heartstrings and keep you guessing until the final chapter.

[Cass Moriarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fiction debut The Truth About My Daughter (Hawkeye Publishing 2024) by Jo Skinner is a thoughtful portrait of the dynamics of families, with an emphasis on themes of parenthood and parent/child relationships; pregnancy, miscarriage and fertility issues; and illness and grief.

With a good eye for detail, evocative description and great dialogue, Skinner tells a very Brisbane-based story that will appeal to local readers with many mentions of well-known landmarks and specific cafes and shops, while the broader themes of how families function – or the ways in which they are dysfunctional – will resonate with many more readers.

The novel has a mysterious start, hooking us in with what might come, before unravelling the rather complicated family situation of the main character Fin, who we meet at various ages throughout the story, from when she was a child in the eighties, to almost the present day. Skinner is good at orientating the reader by the details of the times and settings – those old enough to remember the eighties will reminisce over small, forgotten details, and all readers will connect with the scenes set during the height of the Covid pandemic, when life became difficult and dangerous for so many.

The author has worked hard to construct complex and interesting characters, with Fin’s father Victor being a particular example of a man of his time and circumstances. His language and his actions demonstrate the controlling force he exerts on his family. Skinner has created an authentic portrayal of the bond between sisters Fin and George, with all the frustrations, sense of responsibility, regret, love and anger that often accompany siblings’ interactions.

The book does go back and forth a lot in time, set in 1985/6, 1989, 1992/3, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, but because the story is not told in a linear way, I did become a little disoriented with going back and forth, and trying to remember who was in what stage of their life at what time, perhaps interfering a bit with the pace of the story. So while I felt the author kept close control of each individual time section, it did require some work to keep everything straight in my head during the changeovers. The final chapters are given names rather than dates, which actually was a rather clever way to delineate the separate chapters all set in the one time. The different periods do all come together in the end in a satisfying way.

The narrative contains at least two major surprises which really were both shocking and unexpected, these twists coming at just the right times to grip the reader with suspense about what might happen next. I felt that the author really hit her stride in the second half of the book, which was tender, authentic and tense.

The story contains more than one romantic exploration, and I guess would be placed in the Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Domestic Fiction or Commercial Fiction genre (although I hate labelling and feel it’s only useful for readers to get some idea of how the book might pan out). Skinner gives us some beautiful sentences, two of which I wrote down because I read them over and over again:

‘She longed to lose herself in the wisdom of stories told by people with only the final pages of their lives left to live.’

And also:

‘Steinbaur [the family name] history was rewritten even while it was happening until it became difficult to recall which bits were fabricated or embellished.’

I think both of these are good examples of the issues that the author explores in this novel, about family and family stories, about memory and the conflicting memories of different people who experienced the same events, about aging and grief and loss, and about the complex and complicated layers and dynamics which make up all families – making them messy, frustrating, difficult and contradictory, and yet which nevertheless remind us that blood is thicker than water, and that when family ties and bonds are tested, they often bend rather than break. It is also a reminder that we can choose our family, and as we get older, we often do choose to focus our energy and time on people – whether blood-related or not – who we have decided are the ones who give us back the most in return.

[Debbie Terranova · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The Truth about my Daughter’ might be a debut novel but its author, Jo Skinner, is no novice to writing. Indeed, she has written, published, and received awards for dozens of articles, short stories, and pieces of non-fiction. She also produces a fascinating monthly newsletter about three of her passions: writing, long-distance running, and medical matters (yes, she is also a GP).
‘The Truth about my Daughter’ is a tale about relationships and family ties: the good, the bad, the ugly. Through well-rounded characters, she exposes secrets that would otherwise never see the light of day beyond the family circle. Secrets about control, reward, punishment, desire, disappointment, failure, compassion. Much centres on the strained relationship between two sisters—Fin and George—and the difficult relationship with their parents. The overbearing, controlling father dreams big but delivers little, while the long-suffering mother cannot bring herself to question her husband’s wishes and motives.
There is a lot here to unpack. As adults, we have all experienced or witnessed these things. While the writing is easy to read, certain aspects of the narrative are difficult to process or may trigger strong emotional reactions.
For me, segments set in the COVID era are gut-wrenching. Like central character, Fin, I was shut out of the hospital when my husband was admitted suffering a life-threatening disease. Thankfully, he survived. While my son was locked down in Manhattan in 2020, I watched the TV footage in horror as body-bags containing victims were moved out of NYC hospitals. He survived too. My recent reading of ‘The Truth about my Daughter’ coincided with my own battle with COVID, the second in as many years. Fortunately, I was also a survivor.
Overall this engaging narrative, set in and around Brisbane, runs at a brisk pace throughout. Plenty of twists and turns keep you guessing; many moments resonate with personal experiences. Best of all is the unexpected but satisfying twist at the end. Highly recommended.

[Steve Hawe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have many words and flowery phrases to describe this wonderful novel – compelling, raw, brutally honest, an insightful glimpse into complex family dynamics, light and dark, etc – all of these descriptions absolutely true of Jo Skinner’s debut novel, but perhaps less impactful as a result of overuse (done to death!)
Instead, here are two brief takeaways from an engrossing page-turner.
I loved the characterisation of Fin, (the heroine) her younger sister George, family members, Fin’s first love, and her future partner. Each of them acquired uniqueness of personality and stature that jumped off the page. For example (no spoilers now!) her father, Victor, with his nit-picking, belittling, and bullying of Barb - his all forgiving, beaten down wife – could well have written the playbook for anyone wanting to do gaol-time for breaching modern society’s coercion laws. Even so, the author was able to instil in readers via an unexpected turn of events and subtle reference to Victor’s past, a modicum of pity in regard to his inability to grasp what he had – or could have had – when everything he holds dear is lost.
Most of all, I felt the agony of Fin’s all-consuming, desire to conceive. As a reader – a male, no less – I shared the pain of miscarriage, alone in the paddock in a red mist of despair as if I was there in real time. The struggle to resurface, to regain equilibrium amidst grief and the gamut of emotions that never quite fade, is something many male partners never fully grasp. Nevertheless, in Skinner’s stark, ‘take-no-prisoners’ prose, I came close. The clarity of her imagery has cleaned my windscreen. That’s powerful. Well done.
@SteveHaweAuthor stevehawe.com https://hawkeyebooks.com.au/pages/ste...

[Sarah Todman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping debut is both an exploration of family — in all its messiness — and an insightful look at the journey we take in life to learn who we are and what we want for ourselves.

Though the sibling dynamics between sisters Fin and George anchor the novel and have a strong hand in how the plot lines unfold, for me, this is very much Fin’s story. Skinner has drawn this character so, so well.

We get to know Fin through each stage of her life and I became deeply invested in her, which is exactly what I want from a book. I ached for Fin as she navigated a difficult childhood, I connected with her as an awkward and self-conscious teenager, I rejoiced in her experience of first love with the sweet Arch, and I crossed my fingers tight when her yearning for a child and the kind of steady adult love she so deserved seemed like it might be just outside her grasp at 40.

I love Australia and feel a deep sense of connection (and pride) when it is depicted in novels and on screen with an authenticity that makes its beauty shine even brighter. Skinner achieves this. Add to this her wonderful characterisation and an empathic heart and you get scenes that will stay with you.

My favourite in the book is one between Fin and Arch, set by the creek near both their homes. It’s about first love and being truly seen for the first time. I adored it.

I could write more, there were other scenes in the book that really affected me, but I won’t. If you are reading this little review, my suggestion is to grab yourself a copy of Not Without My Daughter and discover this heartfelt story for yourself.

[Peter Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a satisfying read, Jo Skinner’s debut novel, The Truth About my Daughter, is a gripping tale of family, passion, human frailty, secrets, and betrayal, that’s impossible to put down. Set across both rural and urban Queensland, and New York, the descriptions, and settings, are evocatively delightful. The rendition of family life and the, often, competitive nature of sibling (in this case sisters’) rivalry, is realistically, psychologically, and dramatically honest. With two compelling time-lines running, the plot, sometimes spicy, has many twists and turns that keep the protagonist stretched, the emotional tension high and the reader mesmerised with the final reveal, clever and satisfying. You can’t help but love nurse Fin, the novel’s protagonist, even when she’s not at her best.
A practicing medico, distance runner, medical writer, the author grounds the novel in experience, humaneness, and writerly skill. Well worth five stars.

[Diane Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth about my Daughter
Jo Skinner

Jo Skinner’s poignant debut novel begins with the main character’s memories as a child, particularly the birth of her sister, through to her 40’s. Fin, the elder Steinbauer daughter of Victor and Barb, is brought up in a dysfunctional family where she and her sister George cling to one another for comfort and safety. Fin is brought up to feel less worthy whereas George is indulged, leading them down quite different paths in adult life. It is these family dynamics and the people drawn to the sisters that comprise the story where love, loss, regret, despair and hope play out against a SE Queensland backdrop that is beautifully described.
I was drawn to Fin – the brave, responsible, caring women of the family who is required to deal with the mess left by others. Yet, life doesn’t always return the favour, or at least, not in an expected way. The ending is bittersweet as new beginnings profoundly change her sense of family.

[Christine Neumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully crafted novel about a highly dysfunctional family, set in the Brisbane area, by Australian author Jo Skinner. I wasn't sure at the beginning of the book, with the timelines changing between 'Now, four years earlier and childhood.' It wasn't long though, and it all started to make sense, and I found that the timelines were cleverly done for a reason, and they all fell into place nicely.
This story is about an imperfect family with secrets, desires, dreams, love and hate. It's raw at times
and sad, as it brings out the good and the bad in this family. The Truth About My Daughter consumed me the entire time I was reading it, and I thought I knew how it would end, but I was surprised.
I loved it and would highly recommend reading 'The Truth About My Daughter.'
Christine Neumann

[Lorena Otes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth about my Daughter is a stunningly written womens fiction novel that draws a portrait of one family, through the eyes of Fin.

The timeline cleverly shifts from past to present throughout which provides a satisfying and rich backstory of Fin, her complicated sister George, and her very dysfunctional parents.

With deep themes of love conquers all, and a steel tight message that blood is not always thicker than water, we see the various levels of how Fin’s life unfolds, and the unusual, but beautiful way she finds motherhood.

This is a real tear jerker at times. Funny too, and very memorable. A brilliant debut for Jo Skinner. Can’t wait for more from this talented, inciteful and sensitive author.

My favourite line: ‘She shuddered when she remembered snippets of the evening, a kaleidoscope of humiliation.’

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About My Daughter is a heartfelt novel that deep dives into the complexities of dysfunctional families, toxic relationships, and balancing your own needs against the needs of those you love. Skinner expertly addresses serious and emotional topics with care, all whilst weaving a wonderful, entertaining story that will stay with you long after you read the last word.

I will note this novel may not be suitable for all readers. I'd recommend picking this book up when you are in a good mental place and able to handle the difficult topics addressed, as Skinner does not hesitate to show us the raw pain her complex characters go through. Otherwise this is a brilliant read that I highly recommend picking up!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an awesome book this was. I previously had read Jo Skinner's newest book which was great and was keen to read her earlier work. This story is told over multiple timelines flashing back from past to present. It tells the story of Fin and George and their family. They grew up with a domineering father and their mother just lingered in the background. Fin is desperate to become a mother and meetings Anthony - a bookstore owner. They suffer miscarriages and disappointment whereas George can't stop getting pregnant. I devoured this book over a couple of days and will look forward to anything this author writes moving forward. She is a brilliant story teller and another new Australian author to watch. 5 deserving stars.

[Troy Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning debut! This beautifully written, heart-wrenching story weaves threads of hope back and forth across time despite an ocean of challenges and poignant moments in one woman’s life.

Fin is the glue that holds her insidious family together despite their incessant assault to her patience and sanity with their self-absorbed ignorance and deluded behaviour.

I could not stop reading this book and ploughed through it in two sessions in the hope that Fin achieved her every desire in the face of multi-layered adversity.

[Meesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About My Daughter is an enthralling debut from a supremely talented author. Jo Skinner expertly writes complicated family relationships, love, genuine sisterly relationships, and tragedy to create this heartbreaking tale. There’s some kind of unexplainable magic in Jo’s writing that hooks you from the beginning. I loved this book as soon as I read it and couldn’t put it down. It’s one of my favourites, and rivals some of the top-rated Australian fiction out there. I can’t wait for everyone to read it.

[Casey Nott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About My Daughter is a beautifully crafted story about the darker underbelly of family. Tied together with stunning imagery- particularly that of the Australian outback - this story hooked me from the beginning with a sense of foreboding that overshadowed Fin from the first page.

The clever use of multiple timelines gave a deeper layering to the flawed and damaged characters in this story of longing, loss and love.

An excellent debut novel that will have you turning pages long past bedtime.

[Zuzanne Belec · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is not much I can add that hasn’t already been expressed with such praise for this engaging debut story by Jo Skinner.
Emotional depth, relatability, realism sensitively written - all leave one with a lasting emotional resonance long after finishing the book.
If you’re on the lookout for strong reader engagement on the universal theme of family relationships, compassionately balanced with warmth and compassion,The Truth about my Daughter, by Jo Skinner, is for you.
Skinner: a powerful new voice in contemporary fiction, folks!

[Woodford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy. I spend a lot of time thinking about my childhood and how my siblings and parents influenced me - both positively and negatively. This book does an excellent job of pulling family relationships apart and weaving a compelling story about those closest to use and how they both help and harm us. Well written, engaging and ultimately positive about the human condition, vulnerability and how we can chose and engage with those we love.

[Jack Roney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading 'The Truth About My Daughter' as a judge on the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize. The quality of writing, authentic characters, and engaging story propelled the manuscript to the short list. It is a compelling story about families and finding ones own path. A must read for lovers of contemporary women's fiction. Highly recommended reading from this emerging Australian author.

[Eileen O'Hely · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About my Daughter is a fabulous debut from Brisbane writer Jo Skinner. We follow the life of Fin from the moment she becomes a big sister until the present day when she enters motherhood. Surprisingly, the book is not so much about Fin's daughter as her own experiences as a daughter, sister and partner.
(Also, there may or may not be a twist, and it may or may not be what you think. I was surprised.)

[Koorparoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get a review copy to read. This is a great book about the dynamics within families and how they shape us. It is enjoyable to read, moves at a good place and easily holds interest as the characters develop and the story unfolds (including a few plot twists). Strongly recommended to anyone who enjoys a gripping read about people, families and life.

[Linda Zanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth about my Daughter was beautifully written, I couldn’t put it down. Jo portrayed the many difficulties families face in life with such insight and emotion. As a reader I experienced heart wrenching sadness, frustration and compassion for the characters in equal measure. An enjoyable read that I have recommended to our Book Club for our November meeting.