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Truth, By Omission
Dr. Alfred Olyontombo barely survived the violence of his desperate childhood in central Africa. Ripped from his village as a young orphan, Alfred persevered through turbulent years of lawlessness and civil war, eventually making his way to a refugee camp as Rwanda's genocide raged behind him. Alone amidst the chaotic conditions at the camp, Alfred's quick mind and gift for languages caught the attention of an idealistic young doctor who opened the door to a whole new life for Alfred. He seized that chance, moving forward with hard work, honor, and a conscious decision to leave the full truth of his past-and the boy he used to be-behind in Africa.
Years pass and Alfred becomes a respected physician married to a beautiful lawyer, enjoying a privileged life in Colorado. But then his idyllic existence is shattered by the terminal illness of his young daughter. As he and his wife struggle to come to terms with their unfathomable loss, Alfred is publicly accused of a long-ago war crime in Africa. The mere accusation threatens to destroy everything he has built-including his marriage. But as he struggles to defend himself, Alfred realizes he is culpable and that omitting his sins did not absolve them.
His future hanging in the balance, Alfred is forced to face all the misdeeds he'd hoped time and his carefully crafted version of the past had buried forever. But is it too late for the truth to matter?
Years pass and Alfred becomes a respected physician married to a beautiful lawyer, enjoying a privileged life in Colorado. But then his idyllic existence is shattered by the terminal illness of his young daughter. As he and his wife struggle to come to terms with their unfathomable loss, Alfred is publicly accused of a long-ago war crime in Africa. The mere accusation threatens to destroy everything he has built-including his marriage. But as he struggles to defend himself, Alfred realizes he is culpable and that omitting his sins did not absolve them.
His future hanging in the balance, Alfred is forced to face all the misdeeds he'd hoped time and his carefully crafted version of the past had buried forever. But is it too late for the truth to matter?
334 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2019
33 people are currently reading
1154 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Beamish
2 books18 followersI love to write—to create story, imagine character, and give it shape with words. With the hope of doing my part to make the world a little bit better, I try to subtly raise some awareness of social issues that matter by weaving them into my stories. I volunteer locally, I travel when I can, and I spend time with family as much as possible.
https://www.danielbeamish.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 31, 2019
Can you ever truly outrun your past? Does that past define who you are?
I'm still stunned by the emotions that went through me as I finished this book. Mr. Beamish has skillfully written a truly engaging and emotionally impacting story that will linger with the reader long after the last page has been read. It is a story of festering guilt, of devastating loss, of unconditional love, and ultimately, of the struggle of the human spirit to find hope. Set against the backdrop of the horrors of Rwanda in the early 90s and carrying forward to America in the present day, Alfred's story will reel you in and transform you for the better.
I'm still stunned by the emotions that went through me as I finished this book. Mr. Beamish has skillfully written a truly engaging and emotionally impacting story that will linger with the reader long after the last page has been read. It is a story of festering guilt, of devastating loss, of unconditional love, and ultimately, of the struggle of the human spirit to find hope. Set against the backdrop of the horrors of Rwanda in the early 90s and carrying forward to America in the present day, Alfred's story will reel you in and transform you for the better.
September 28, 2019
Wonderfully crafted account of the sad reality of many people living in Africa during the Rwanda genocide. Azi is a small boy when his parents, and then his aunt and uncle, are brutally murdered and he finds himself captive by a gang of thugs. He endures their ruthless abuse and witnesses events no person should ever be subjected to. Azi is a smart boy and also does terrible acts in order to fit in and survive. His intelligence allows for his ease and the love of learning. He has an uncanny knack for learning many new languages and dialects that sets his life on course it probably wouldn’t have otherwise taken.
The story follows Azi AKA Alfred as he gets away from captors and attends a catholic missionary school, he eventually ends up at a UN run refugee camp. Now in his late teens his life begins to change, he meets people (Victor and four Nuns) who love and believe in him. They have a profound influence on his character and change is life. Opportunity arises for young Alfred and he ends up in the USA. He has a loving devoted wife, a beautiful daughter and a solid career as a physician. But never being too far from his ugly and tragic past, he is accused of war crimes in Rwanda and has to deal front and center with those horrific events.
There is a lot going on here and many lessons to be learned; Rwanda history, Human tragedy, Love, Compassion, Empathy, Forgiveness, Opportunity, Loyalty, How strong the human will is to survive, How good can come out of so much evil.
We make our own destiny and can’t run away from our deeds, good or bad, we are accountable. Our actions follow us in one way or another, be always kind, your conscience will thank you.
The story follows Azi AKA Alfred as he gets away from captors and attends a catholic missionary school, he eventually ends up at a UN run refugee camp. Now in his late teens his life begins to change, he meets people (Victor and four Nuns) who love and believe in him. They have a profound influence on his character and change is life. Opportunity arises for young Alfred and he ends up in the USA. He has a loving devoted wife, a beautiful daughter and a solid career as a physician. But never being too far from his ugly and tragic past, he is accused of war crimes in Rwanda and has to deal front and center with those horrific events.
There is a lot going on here and many lessons to be learned; Rwanda history, Human tragedy, Love, Compassion, Empathy, Forgiveness, Opportunity, Loyalty, How strong the human will is to survive, How good can come out of so much evil.
We make our own destiny and can’t run away from our deeds, good or bad, we are accountable. Our actions follow us in one way or another, be always kind, your conscience will thank you.
April 30, 2019
“Truth by Omission“ provides a trove of information on a subject that I really hadn’t bothered to educate myself on, the Rwandan genocide. It’s always nice to learn new stuff, even on horrible events. What I found more enlightening however, was the insight into humanity that the book provides. Many of my generation pondered the question, “were all the participants of the Nazi genocide monsters?” While this is a different genocide, and different monsters, it does provide context to the question.
The protagonist Alfred is clearly not a monster, and although he is sucked into the vortex of evil against his will, he did do bad stuff. The novel seems to ask: is unavoidable participation in savagery an excuse or is it unredeemable? Is it possible to live a good life, post bad acts? Do ones actions have unavoidable consequence? This is the kind of book that you put on your lap and start thinking mid page.
The book is extremely well written, and I would highly recommend it. Although historic in content, I would categorize this book as a psychological thriller, that provides an opportunity to think about big questions while learning about recent historical events. There is no preaching or prejudice in this story, I am reminded of Tom Jode’s line at the end of Grapes of Wrath, “there ain’t no sin and their ain’t no virtue, just things folks do“. This book is a true page turner that one can’t help but be read from cover to cover in a few sittings.
The protagonist Alfred is clearly not a monster, and although he is sucked into the vortex of evil against his will, he did do bad stuff. The novel seems to ask: is unavoidable participation in savagery an excuse or is it unredeemable? Is it possible to live a good life, post bad acts? Do ones actions have unavoidable consequence? This is the kind of book that you put on your lap and start thinking mid page.
The book is extremely well written, and I would highly recommend it. Although historic in content, I would categorize this book as a psychological thriller, that provides an opportunity to think about big questions while learning about recent historical events. There is no preaching or prejudice in this story, I am reminded of Tom Jode’s line at the end of Grapes of Wrath, “there ain’t no sin and their ain’t no virtue, just things folks do“. This book is a true page turner that one can’t help but be read from cover to cover in a few sittings.
August 2, 2019
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This novel details the brutal life of a child born in Rwanda who escapes brutality but is forced into situations that require him to participate in bloodshed. He finds a mentor, works hard to become educated, finds love, becomes a father, and then the past finds him. This novel is both heartbreaking and inspirational.
I highly recommend the book.
This novel details the brutal life of a child born in Rwanda who escapes brutality but is forced into situations that require him to participate in bloodshed. He finds a mentor, works hard to become educated, finds love, becomes a father, and then the past finds him. This novel is both heartbreaking and inspirational.
I highly recommend the book.
September 24, 2019
Very well written. This book demonstrates the rawness of human emotion. A testament to the power of evil and the power of kindness. It captures the sheer degradation of a human spirit. And yet, there is a thread of hope throughout the novel that I clung to as I kept reading. I could not help but feel empathy for Alfred, despite the horrors of his past.
Well done Mr. Beamish! I look forward to your second novel!
Well done Mr. Beamish! I look forward to your second novel!
August 8, 2019
Powerful, penetrating and poignant!! Like life is, itself sometimes, "Truth by Omission" is neither easy nor pleasant. But Beamish, and his protagonist, tackle this dark and pain-filled subject-matter with courage, candour and grace, and I was both shaken and moved by their efforts. Bad things do happen to good people, and good people sometimes do terrible things. Although we are unavoidably shaped by our past, it's what we do next that matters. I highly recommend this heartbreaking and inspirational book.
July 15, 2019
A revealing read on the human condition and how circumstances can completely change the person you were meant to be. It is also the story of love, betrayal and its pain and the survival of a man in desperate need of redemption.
Thought provoking but especially hopeful that we 'humans' can reconsider our choices and make the right and decent ones when the opportunity presents itself.
Thought provoking but especially hopeful that we 'humans' can reconsider our choices and make the right and decent ones when the opportunity presents itself.
July 21, 2019
Just finished reading "Truth by Omission" by Daniel Beamish. It is a thought provoking, compelling and engaging read - and is almost to impossible to put down. It weaves a story that too many of us need to understand - particularly in 2019. Thanks to the author for putting together such a strong and powerful story!
September 17, 2019
This is a daring magnificent read. There is a section of gory violence but what the book is really about is forgiveness and moving on. I found it to be an amazing read!
July 11, 2019
In this book Dan Beamish tells us the story of Alfred, a man who has lived through the horrors of being manipulated into becoming a child soldier during the Rwandan genocide. As he grows up he encounters opportunities and generosity that enable him to receive an education and pursue a career that allows him to try and make amends for the atrocities he participated in as a child. This does not save him from heartbreak as his past manages to have a grave impact on his life.Throughout the book we have glimpses of the stories of people Alfred meets along the way. There are frequent juxtapositions of good and evil in these characters presenting us with the realities of surviving the inhumanity that accompanies war and destruction.
Most Canadians of a certain age were aware of the atrocities that took place in Rwanda in the 1990’s, due in large part to the public struggles with PTSD that members of our military serving as UN peacekeepers experienced after witnessing and being unable to prevent the slaughter that took place. Dan presents us with a story from the viewpoint of many of the combatants in this civil war, but does so by exploring the manipulation of the young people involved without condoning their actions. He also highlights a number of ‘1st world’ issues of the time including the placing of ‘troublesome’ priests into the far reaches of the ‘3rd world’ and the refusal of governments around the world to intervene to assist a minimally sized UN force in the face of the genocide, just as they had done the year before in Burundi. Throughout the book I couldn’t help but be reminded of the dangers of ‘group thought’; Hutu and Tutsi seeing each other as ‘the other’, children being indoctrinated into the ‘group thought’ of a particular rebel group; the ‘group thought’ of the Belgiums seeking retribution against Alfred because he was a black African. We see the same thing going on around us today and we have to take every opportunity to point it out when we see it.
This book is a page turner with all the content that makes a novel a great read… adversity, love, mystery and maybe a little redemption. It makes you want to toggle over to google to learn more about the situations Alfred finds himself in. It may inspire you to be like Vincent and volunteer time to the less fortunate. It may make you want to start a conversation with others about the world we live in …. Like I said all the characteristics of a very good read.
Most Canadians of a certain age were aware of the atrocities that took place in Rwanda in the 1990’s, due in large part to the public struggles with PTSD that members of our military serving as UN peacekeepers experienced after witnessing and being unable to prevent the slaughter that took place. Dan presents us with a story from the viewpoint of many of the combatants in this civil war, but does so by exploring the manipulation of the young people involved without condoning their actions. He also highlights a number of ‘1st world’ issues of the time including the placing of ‘troublesome’ priests into the far reaches of the ‘3rd world’ and the refusal of governments around the world to intervene to assist a minimally sized UN force in the face of the genocide, just as they had done the year before in Burundi. Throughout the book I couldn’t help but be reminded of the dangers of ‘group thought’; Hutu and Tutsi seeing each other as ‘the other’, children being indoctrinated into the ‘group thought’ of a particular rebel group; the ‘group thought’ of the Belgiums seeking retribution against Alfred because he was a black African. We see the same thing going on around us today and we have to take every opportunity to point it out when we see it.
This book is a page turner with all the content that makes a novel a great read… adversity, love, mystery and maybe a little redemption. It makes you want to toggle over to google to learn more about the situations Alfred finds himself in. It may inspire you to be like Vincent and volunteer time to the less fortunate. It may make you want to start a conversation with others about the world we live in …. Like I said all the characteristics of a very good read.
July 8, 2019
What a beautiful and moving story, sadly not always fictional. Although the rest of the world didn't see the genocide in Rwanda on their news channels, we, in Africa did.
This is such a strong and sad story, of forgiveness, hope and kindness. It's all too often we hear of child soldiers, child slaves, children who must do what they must do just to survive. It's so easy for us, who eat every day, who sleep in relative safety, to think of these kids as barbarian. As hopeless cases. When you read this book as I really hope you do, please try to see life from Azi's eyes, and not your own. And please, let us all show some kindness to others, no matter how small. Kindness can never be underestimated, only remembered.
Beautifully written, and put in perspective for me, even though I watch this almost daily on the news, and my heart aches for these children, the picture is much clearer now. Horrifying but clearer.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read this enrichingly sad book, reality in most of Africa.
This is such a strong and sad story, of forgiveness, hope and kindness. It's all too often we hear of child soldiers, child slaves, children who must do what they must do just to survive. It's so easy for us, who eat every day, who sleep in relative safety, to think of these kids as barbarian. As hopeless cases. When you read this book as I really hope you do, please try to see life from Azi's eyes, and not your own. And please, let us all show some kindness to others, no matter how small. Kindness can never be underestimated, only remembered.
Beautifully written, and put in perspective for me, even though I watch this almost daily on the news, and my heart aches for these children, the picture is much clearer now. Horrifying but clearer.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for allowing me to read this enrichingly sad book, reality in most of Africa.
August 26, 2019
Absolutely loved this book! Was hard to put down once I started it. Really opened my eyes to the sorrow and tragedy that millions of people endured in Africa, but told via a story that was very interesting, sad and horrific at times, but yet joyful moments throughout. This book is my pick for my Book Club this year.
Daniel Beamish, I am looking forward to your next book!
Daniel Beamish, I am looking forward to your next book!
July 8, 2019
I can't remember the last time I sat and read a book cover to cover! Daniel Beamish's story had a little bit of everything: historical fiction, love story, human tragedy and courtroom drama. I loved every minute!
August 8, 2019
Let me say from the start that I am a medium volume reader and I never write reviews. I don’t have time. My reviews are typically word of mouth to friends and that is where I usually get recommendations for what to read and that is where I heard about this book. But after reading it in two sittings, something I’ve never done before, and being stunned by the emotional roller-coaster, I feel I owe it to the author to say something.
On its simplest level Truth, By Omission is an engrossing story about the life of Alfred, a Rwandan orphan who is able to overcome a horrible and brutal childhood and make a successful life. But he is forced to own up to the past he has been hiding. The story is told in carefully revealed segments alternating between his childhood and his adult life. I enjoyed this style as it kept me turning pages and not wanting to let go of the book. And there was more than one twist that kept me rooting (and crying) for the protagonist.
The story in itself is such a good tale, part historical fiction, part modern drama, that it flew by. Without giving away the ending, this is one of those books that when you close the last page you can’t help but stop and reflect. It was only then that I realized that I had been so caught up in the story I had not had time to think about the deeper meaning that was woven into it. For me it was at first a story about atonement as Alfred tried to make up for the wrongs of his past. But then the more I thought about it, it was a story about the rest of us… how much capacity do we have to forgive? And then as I thought a little more about what I had read I saw that there were all these societal issues of injustice that had been floated under the surface. I almost want to read the book again keeping these things in mind.
Needless to say, and in spite of some things that were at times difficult to read about, I loved this book a lot and am giving it 5 stars and I strongly recommend it.
On its simplest level Truth, By Omission is an engrossing story about the life of Alfred, a Rwandan orphan who is able to overcome a horrible and brutal childhood and make a successful life. But he is forced to own up to the past he has been hiding. The story is told in carefully revealed segments alternating between his childhood and his adult life. I enjoyed this style as it kept me turning pages and not wanting to let go of the book. And there was more than one twist that kept me rooting (and crying) for the protagonist.
The story in itself is such a good tale, part historical fiction, part modern drama, that it flew by. Without giving away the ending, this is one of those books that when you close the last page you can’t help but stop and reflect. It was only then that I realized that I had been so caught up in the story I had not had time to think about the deeper meaning that was woven into it. For me it was at first a story about atonement as Alfred tried to make up for the wrongs of his past. But then the more I thought about it, it was a story about the rest of us… how much capacity do we have to forgive? And then as I thought a little more about what I had read I saw that there were all these societal issues of injustice that had been floated under the surface. I almost want to read the book again keeping these things in mind.
Needless to say, and in spite of some things that were at times difficult to read about, I loved this book a lot and am giving it 5 stars and I strongly recommend it.
September 28, 2019
Just finished flying through this page-turner! This is an amazing story that kept me captivated throughout the entire book. The historical info was enlightening. I had no idea about this tragic piece of history. A must read.
September 4, 2019
It's been a long time since a book has captivated me and made me think like Truth By Omission. It's one of those books that I didn't want to put down, and one that when I was finished reading it kept me thinking for days.
The story follows the life of a young African orphan, alternating back and forth between his childhood and his present day situation in America. I won't say more for fear of giving away the twists and turns that make this story so compelling except to say that they are inventive and like nothing I have read before.
Like a few others have commented, I was so invested in the main character and the story that I failed to think much about the theme and the issues until I closed the back cover. Then I realized what a great book club book this would make. The author had stealthily injected all of these moral questions into the writing, such as: where is the line between right and wrong; why do such terrible things happen to good people; how unfair are the circumstances of situations on our life; and can we ever really atone for the choices we have made. Don't get me wrong... these themes might make it sound like this story is heavy slogging, but it's not. It flows quickly and easily. That's what I found especially interesting about this novel... it was the way the after-effects crept up on me.
I'll definitely be recommending this book to my friends in book clubs.
The story follows the life of a young African orphan, alternating back and forth between his childhood and his present day situation in America. I won't say more for fear of giving away the twists and turns that make this story so compelling except to say that they are inventive and like nothing I have read before.
Like a few others have commented, I was so invested in the main character and the story that I failed to think much about the theme and the issues until I closed the back cover. Then I realized what a great book club book this would make. The author had stealthily injected all of these moral questions into the writing, such as: where is the line between right and wrong; why do such terrible things happen to good people; how unfair are the circumstances of situations on our life; and can we ever really atone for the choices we have made. Don't get me wrong... these themes might make it sound like this story is heavy slogging, but it's not. It flows quickly and easily. That's what I found especially interesting about this novel... it was the way the after-effects crept up on me.
I'll definitely be recommending this book to my friends in book clubs.
July 13, 2019
Rarely do I feel the need to read every single word in a book. But, in Daniel Beamish’ first novel , Truth, by Omission I did just that. This is the story of a young orphaned boy , born in Rwanda and growing up amongst the rebels and barbaric conditions in the 1990s. The atrocities that occur in the young life of ‘ Azi’ Have a profound affect on his youth. However as the years pass he meets Anna in Paris. They marry and move to the United States. Alfred ( Azi) becomes a physician. But life is not about to forget the atrocities of his past. The journey is not easy. Redemption. Loyalty. Friendships and the take away for me is ,’ Never judge’. We have no idea how we would behave in atrocious situations such as Azi was in. Lots of discussion from this amazing book!! I loved it!!!
August 1, 2019
I don't really write reviews but I enjoyed this book so much that I wanted to share some of the experience. This should be on everyone's bookshelf.
Truth, By Omission is a thrilling story that illustrates the true character of conflict. It blends difficult subject matter with a tale of love, compassion and commitment, allowing us a glimpse into the struggles of the protagonist. One can sympathize with the present-day life story, while the flashback narrative paints a brutally elegant picture of distant events that are an unfortunate reality of our not-so-distant humanity. This is a provocative read that will evoke a whirlwind of emotion and thought.
Truth, By Omission is a thrilling story that illustrates the true character of conflict. It blends difficult subject matter with a tale of love, compassion and commitment, allowing us a glimpse into the struggles of the protagonist. One can sympathize with the present-day life story, while the flashback narrative paints a brutally elegant picture of distant events that are an unfortunate reality of our not-so-distant humanity. This is a provocative read that will evoke a whirlwind of emotion and thought.
August 11, 2019
I love books that are entertaining and moving but that also give me a bit of a history lesson. This book was impossible to put down after the first chapter. I was enthralled by winding brutal story that was expertly written and woven together. Along the way I realized that I really didn't know much about the Rwandan genocide and learned a lot about this terrifying time in our modern history.
The themes of devotion, justice, love, and survival were laid out so raw and real that it made me at times simulataneously cherish and despise our humanity and our world history. I highly recommend this book for its amazing storytelling and for tearing at my emotions the entire read. Excellent novel.
The themes of devotion, justice, love, and survival were laid out so raw and real that it made me at times simulataneously cherish and despise our humanity and our world history. I highly recommend this book for its amazing storytelling and for tearing at my emotions the entire read. Excellent novel.
September 12, 2019
Truth, By Omission is a gripping book that I didn't want to put down. I felt like I was in Africa with Alfred and sympathized with his moral dilemmas. Even after finishing the book, I kept thinking about Alfred's struggles and how his environment shaped him. The book really hit home to me about the tragic circumstances of child soldiers. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fascinating read, and it would be an excellent choice for book clubs.
July 15, 2019
Loved this book right from the beginning. Beautiful story. So well written it made me shed a tear at the end. Its a story that needs to be told more and we need to learn from our mistakes in past history.
July 29, 2019
A real page turner! I read this book in one sitting! Opened up my world about Rwanda and tragic events that have taken place not just there but all over Africa.
A great book for book club discussions!
Highly recommend.
A great book for book club discussions!
Highly recommend.
September 17, 2019
AWEful
The truths of the suffering in Africa made personal. A particularly moving story. It holds forth that kindness can triumph over evil.
The truths of the suffering in Africa made personal. A particularly moving story. It holds forth that kindness can triumph over evil.
March 22, 2019
Book Review: 'Truth, by Omission' by Daniel Beamish
When should you read ‘The Truth, by Omission’? When you’re ready for some deep introspection about your own history and mankind’s ability to be morally good.
With thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a free e-copy of ‘Truth by Omission’ in exchange for an honest review.
Sunday morning history
It’s Sunday morning; we drink tea, we eat brunch. Mr Shelf asks, ‘what’s that you’re reading there?’
‘Oh, just a casual book about the Rwandan genocide,’ I say, merrily.
‘Truth by Omission’ tells the story of Alfred, a doctor living in the States with his American wife, Anna. Although he has settled into his new life, he has a dark history: he grew up during the Rwandan civil war and subsequent genocide. There is much about his past that even his wife does not know.
However, history has a way with catching up with us and Alfred will need to answer for the actions he committed in the direst of circumstances.
Growing up during genocide
Through flashbacks to his childhood, we grow to understand more about Alfred. Having witnessed extreme brutality at a very early age, he has been influenced not only by what he has seen, but what he has needed to do to survive.
Alfred is a very sympathetic character. We’re always on his side. We have some insight into his thoughts and experience his remorse and, sometimes, self-pity alongside him.
But the novel asks a lot of quite complex questions about morality which are less clear-cut than they first seem.
We know, for example, that Alfred killed while he was a minor. But in one particular section, we read about the brutality he used while killing. How do we feel about that? Did he use unnecessary force? Could a killing like that ever be justified? Can we even judge it at all, independent as we are of its context?
I really enjoyed the quite subtle way that Beamish introduced these moral dilemmas. Through exposing us to really brutal situations and demanding our emotional involvement, he manages to convincingly blur our morals. It’s an impressive feat and one that I only really realised had happened after I finished the novel!
Is it a historical novel?
When I first read the novel, I didn’t know anything at all about the author and deliberately did not look him up until after I had finished. I was surprised to learn that he did not have a personal experience of the Rwandan genocide as he writes about it so confidently and sensitively.
However with the new knowledge that ‘Truth, by Omission’ was not written by a Rwandan author (and also bearing in mind its title), it seems to me in retrospect that it’s less about telling the story of the genocide and more about examining human morality against this backdrop.
Usually, I’m enthusiastic about novels like that and ‘Truth by Omission’ certainly provides lots of moral questions to chew over. These include the age of criminal responsibility, whether violence can be justified, and whether all people are equally capable of it.
It may not be a historical novel in the true sense, as it relies on a majority of fictional events which coincide with the real events of the Rwandan genocide, but it still has a lot to say.
A personal bugbear
It is a huge bugbear of mine to read novels which contain ‘perfect women’. Or, as Gillian Flynn calls them in ‘Gone Girl’, ‘Cool Girls’.
Basically, ‘perfect women’ are not real characters; they don’t have their own thoughts or agendas. They never make mistakes, they never consider their situation pragmatically but above all they never, ever doubt their husbands.
In ‘Truth by Omission’, Alfred’s wife Anna is a ‘perfect woman’. She sticks by Alfred’s side even when it looks like he might have killed a lot of people. Even though he is very sketchy about his history, she never wavers.
She also wants to have sex at inexplicable times, precisely at the moment when most actual women would probably want to punch their husbands in the face. ‘Perfect women’ are a male fantasy that I’m very tired of reading.
However, this is very probably a personal quirk of mine that many readers would not notice or particularly mind.
I also found it really refreshing at the start of the novel that Beamish had – seemingly – flipped a few stereotypes.
From tropes I’d previously read, I had expected that Alfred’s integration into a white American family might be fraught with racial tensions (as this is a favourite trope of lots of novels).
Not so! His wife’s genuinely lovely, ‘woke’ family accept him with open arms. Great! But no – my hopes had disintegrated by the end of the novel.
Overall
I really enjoyed reading ‘Truth by Omission’. It was well written, sensitive and morally complex. It also had a majority of interesting, believable characters, despite the few that got on my nerves.
I would recommend this novel as an absorbing and affecting read. It’s perfect if you’re interested in the history of the region and also like your reads to come with some challenging issues to keep your brain occupied.
Strong six out of ten
When should you read ‘The Truth, by Omission’? When you’re ready for some deep introspection about your own history and mankind’s ability to be morally good.
With thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a free e-copy of ‘Truth by Omission’ in exchange for an honest review.
Sunday morning history
It’s Sunday morning; we drink tea, we eat brunch. Mr Shelf asks, ‘what’s that you’re reading there?’
‘Oh, just a casual book about the Rwandan genocide,’ I say, merrily.
‘Truth by Omission’ tells the story of Alfred, a doctor living in the States with his American wife, Anna. Although he has settled into his new life, he has a dark history: he grew up during the Rwandan civil war and subsequent genocide. There is much about his past that even his wife does not know.
However, history has a way with catching up with us and Alfred will need to answer for the actions he committed in the direst of circumstances.
Growing up during genocide
Through flashbacks to his childhood, we grow to understand more about Alfred. Having witnessed extreme brutality at a very early age, he has been influenced not only by what he has seen, but what he has needed to do to survive.
Alfred is a very sympathetic character. We’re always on his side. We have some insight into his thoughts and experience his remorse and, sometimes, self-pity alongside him.
But the novel asks a lot of quite complex questions about morality which are less clear-cut than they first seem.
We know, for example, that Alfred killed while he was a minor. But in one particular section, we read about the brutality he used while killing. How do we feel about that? Did he use unnecessary force? Could a killing like that ever be justified? Can we even judge it at all, independent as we are of its context?
I really enjoyed the quite subtle way that Beamish introduced these moral dilemmas. Through exposing us to really brutal situations and demanding our emotional involvement, he manages to convincingly blur our morals. It’s an impressive feat and one that I only really realised had happened after I finished the novel!
Is it a historical novel?
When I first read the novel, I didn’t know anything at all about the author and deliberately did not look him up until after I had finished. I was surprised to learn that he did not have a personal experience of the Rwandan genocide as he writes about it so confidently and sensitively.
However with the new knowledge that ‘Truth, by Omission’ was not written by a Rwandan author (and also bearing in mind its title), it seems to me in retrospect that it’s less about telling the story of the genocide and more about examining human morality against this backdrop.
Usually, I’m enthusiastic about novels like that and ‘Truth by Omission’ certainly provides lots of moral questions to chew over. These include the age of criminal responsibility, whether violence can be justified, and whether all people are equally capable of it.
It may not be a historical novel in the true sense, as it relies on a majority of fictional events which coincide with the real events of the Rwandan genocide, but it still has a lot to say.
A personal bugbear
It is a huge bugbear of mine to read novels which contain ‘perfect women’. Or, as Gillian Flynn calls them in ‘Gone Girl’, ‘Cool Girls’.
Basically, ‘perfect women’ are not real characters; they don’t have their own thoughts or agendas. They never make mistakes, they never consider their situation pragmatically but above all they never, ever doubt their husbands.
In ‘Truth by Omission’, Alfred’s wife Anna is a ‘perfect woman’. She sticks by Alfred’s side even when it looks like he might have killed a lot of people. Even though he is very sketchy about his history, she never wavers.
She also wants to have sex at inexplicable times, precisely at the moment when most actual women would probably want to punch their husbands in the face. ‘Perfect women’ are a male fantasy that I’m very tired of reading.
However, this is very probably a personal quirk of mine that many readers would not notice or particularly mind.
I also found it really refreshing at the start of the novel that Beamish had – seemingly – flipped a few stereotypes.
From tropes I’d previously read, I had expected that Alfred’s integration into a white American family might be fraught with racial tensions (as this is a favourite trope of lots of novels).
Not so! His wife’s genuinely lovely, ‘woke’ family accept him with open arms. Great! But no – my hopes had disintegrated by the end of the novel.
Overall
I really enjoyed reading ‘Truth by Omission’. It was well written, sensitive and morally complex. It also had a majority of interesting, believable characters, despite the few that got on my nerves.
I would recommend this novel as an absorbing and affecting read. It’s perfect if you’re interested in the history of the region and also like your reads to come with some challenging issues to keep your brain occupied.
Strong six out of ten
September 30, 2019
I loved this book! I felt like I was there with the characters every step of the way. Through their turmoil, hardships, love, devotion. Beamish did a great job developing the characters and pulled strong emotions out of me as I read the pages of this awesome story. I would highly recommend this book, especially for a book club as it touched on so many facets of our humanity.
May 10, 2021
I couldn’t put down this book...despite the fact that it broke my heart over and over. One of my best friends is a Rwandan Tutsi, so I am always interested in learning more about her culture and the Rwandan genocide. This book was an entirely new perspective on the conflict. While fiction, I have no doubt it was based in truth. It was a tear jerker.
October 26, 2019
Fabulous writing
Historical fiction has long been one of my favorites. This Book is so well written I devoted it in a day. The first couple of chapters were confusing but then the story took off. So many of us in the first world countries have no idea what happens in Africa. This was a compelling story.
Historical fiction has long been one of my favorites. This Book is so well written I devoted it in a day. The first couple of chapters were confusing but then the story took off. So many of us in the first world countries have no idea what happens in Africa. This was a compelling story.
July 28, 2019
This was a great read, a page-turner for sure, propelled by a compelling main character and the diverse supporting characters he encounters over his life. I think Alfred will stay with me for a long time.
November 3, 2019
This novel is so well written that I thought was based on a true character. While the facts are based on things that really happened, it is the imagination of the writer. It speaks of the life of Alfred Olyontombo, who managed to flee Rwanda after witnessing the terrible acts and killings in the times of the genocide and reach a refugee camp. His knowledge of several languages caught the attention of the camp doctor, who would become his friend for life, help him to study to become a doctor, and get to the United States. There, he is able to leave the horrors of his childhood behind and married a successful lawyer, the love of his life. Life is now smiling to him, but he is not prepared for what is to come. Some terrible things he did in his past are coming back to haunt him. After turning his life around, will he be able to survive the bleak future he is facing? An excellent book, but hard to read. We learn of the torture and inhumane actions that occurred in Rwanda, wondering how it is possible for human beings to be the worst animals on earth.
October 14, 2019
Heartwrenching and raw.
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