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The Truth Together
Families are complicated. The Herndons are no exception.
Only a few decades removed from slavery, Alonzo, a self-declared “money man,” is climbing his way to success in Atlanta, with a string of barbershops and real estate.
Adrienne, his wife, is not as contented in her skin, literally. A drama and elocution professor at Atlanta University and aspiring stage actress, Adrienne has lived her life somewhat sheltered from the restrictions of racism. As Jim Crow spreads its dark shadow over Atlanta, the family’s wealth and safety are put in peril.
Effie, the Herndon’s daughter, graduates from the Municipal Training School for Colored Nurses and takes a one-year nursing position at the Georgia State Sanitarium. Effie craves a different life from the one she’s been given. If only someone had told her to be careful what she wished for.
Life at the sanitarium is beyond all of Effie’s imaginings. While there, she meets Fern, a fearless and free-spirited young woman, bearing the actual and figurative scars of her upbringing. Haunted by the events of their own lives and the circumstances and choices of their families, Effie and Fern get tangled up in the intrigues of the institution. Ultimately, they discover truths together and begin to make sense of the world in a way that many others never do.
The Truth Together challenges the mystic southern narrative, upending conceptions of patriarchy, wealth, and race in early 20th century Georgia.
Only a few decades removed from slavery, Alonzo, a self-declared “money man,” is climbing his way to success in Atlanta, with a string of barbershops and real estate.
Adrienne, his wife, is not as contented in her skin, literally. A drama and elocution professor at Atlanta University and aspiring stage actress, Adrienne has lived her life somewhat sheltered from the restrictions of racism. As Jim Crow spreads its dark shadow over Atlanta, the family’s wealth and safety are put in peril.
Effie, the Herndon’s daughter, graduates from the Municipal Training School for Colored Nurses and takes a one-year nursing position at the Georgia State Sanitarium. Effie craves a different life from the one she’s been given. If only someone had told her to be careful what she wished for.
Life at the sanitarium is beyond all of Effie’s imaginings. While there, she meets Fern, a fearless and free-spirited young woman, bearing the actual and figurative scars of her upbringing. Haunted by the events of their own lives and the circumstances and choices of their families, Effie and Fern get tangled up in the intrigues of the institution. Ultimately, they discover truths together and begin to make sense of the world in a way that many others never do.
The Truth Together challenges the mystic southern narrative, upending conceptions of patriarchy, wealth, and race in early 20th century Georgia.
338 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2022
31 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Rodgers
43 books2 followersKelly Rodgers is intrigued and delighted by cities. Since moving to Portland, Oregon in 1995, she has worked in a variety of areas to support the development of a sustainable city - neighborhood planning, green infrastructure, community design, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation. In other words, she has been working to create cities where people know their neighbors, where resources are used efficiently, where people don't have to get in cars to meet their basic needs, and where it's possible to work collaboratively on creative energy, food, and housing solutions.
Kelly currently works as the Program Manager for the Sustainable Transportation Council, which is developing an evaluation tool and rating system for transportation plans and projects called STARS.
Kelly currently works as the Program Manager for the Sustainable Transportation Council, which is developing an evaluation tool and rating system for transportation plans and projects called STARS.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 20, 2022
Set in early twentieth-century Georgia, The Truth Together follows the Herndon family, Alonzo, Adrienne, and their two children, Norris and Effie, while examining the ugly side of human nature and its effects along the way.
The novel opens with Effie Herndon, about to board a train to fulfill a one-year nursing role at the Georgia State Sanitarium. What she finds there is both eye-opening and shocking especially when she meets Fern Walker, who was born in the asylum.
I love a good, sweeping, multi-generational saga and The Truth Together is a very good one, and more than capably straddles the genres of historical fiction, crime, and mystery.
The beginning has a touch of first novel nerves but only for a couple of passages, and then the narrative settles down to fully engage the reader. The story explores some dark territory but, conversely, it remains an effortlessly easy and enjoyable read.
Multi-perspective and primarily flitting from Alonzo Herndon’s story set in the 1900s to daughter Effie’s and sanitarium inmate Fern’s in the 20s. Rodgers is a natural storyteller who has gifted this book with a well-judged pace and structure.
Interspersed with Alonzo, Effie, and Fern are stories and viewpoints from additional characters, past and present, all of whom are connected in some way to each other, and events at the sanitarium.
However, each individual has their own personal story which subtly unfolds. This not only affords depth but, even in the most unlikeable of personalities, ensures reader understanding if not always their sympathy.
Effie, for me, was the nucleus of the book and a lovely character who gradually grew in confidence and belief. There is a real sense of considered progression in her depiction; by the end of the story, she felt like an old friend.
Similarly, Fern also evolves beautifully and believably. Rodgers utilizes her very well within the narrative to drive it forward. The dynamic between her and Effie was touching in its quiet strength.
Alonzo was excellently realized and really could have his own novel. I did struggle a touch with Adrienne; she was lacking something, and this made her interestingly enigmatic but also slightly frustrating.
Special mention to supporting characters, Sallie Davis and Mr. Ingram who were nicely convincing and authentic.
Racism, Jim Crow, segregation, and the legacy of slavery form the backbone of the story, and there are some profoundly shocking moments as a result. Further, the sanitarium is a cauldron of abject misery, extreme vulnerability, and complete neglect.
Consequently, the inmates are easily suggestible and prey to the worst of humanity. Rodgers is never overly explicit and the horrors of the place are mainly revealed through the emotional reactions and behavior of the women involved.
Indeed, The Truth Together is a book of conflicts and contrasts, internally within the characters and externally, in the wider world. Rodgers explores these struggles with integrity and thoroughness that always relates to, and complements her narrative.
A technique that is used to excellent effect is foreshadowing chiefly concerning Fern. Rodgers balances this well, enough for knowing suspense but not so much that plot elements are spoiled.
Nonetheless, there is a twist at the conclusion that has not been signposted and which is a neat touch, entirely credible, and gives the nod to the actual Herndon family who inspired The Truth Together.
Notwithstanding, there is a loose end regarding Fern which can certainly be developed in a future novel or, frankly, left to the reader’s imagination. It works equally.
The Truth Together is an extremely readable, absorbing, and thoroughly entertaining debut novel full of historical insight and intrigue. Highly recommended.
The novel opens with Effie Herndon, about to board a train to fulfill a one-year nursing role at the Georgia State Sanitarium. What she finds there is both eye-opening and shocking especially when she meets Fern Walker, who was born in the asylum.
I love a good, sweeping, multi-generational saga and The Truth Together is a very good one, and more than capably straddles the genres of historical fiction, crime, and mystery.
The beginning has a touch of first novel nerves but only for a couple of passages, and then the narrative settles down to fully engage the reader. The story explores some dark territory but, conversely, it remains an effortlessly easy and enjoyable read.
Multi-perspective and primarily flitting from Alonzo Herndon’s story set in the 1900s to daughter Effie’s and sanitarium inmate Fern’s in the 20s. Rodgers is a natural storyteller who has gifted this book with a well-judged pace and structure.
Interspersed with Alonzo, Effie, and Fern are stories and viewpoints from additional characters, past and present, all of whom are connected in some way to each other, and events at the sanitarium.
However, each individual has their own personal story which subtly unfolds. This not only affords depth but, even in the most unlikeable of personalities, ensures reader understanding if not always their sympathy.
Effie, for me, was the nucleus of the book and a lovely character who gradually grew in confidence and belief. There is a real sense of considered progression in her depiction; by the end of the story, she felt like an old friend.
Similarly, Fern also evolves beautifully and believably. Rodgers utilizes her very well within the narrative to drive it forward. The dynamic between her and Effie was touching in its quiet strength.
Alonzo was excellently realized and really could have his own novel. I did struggle a touch with Adrienne; she was lacking something, and this made her interestingly enigmatic but also slightly frustrating.
Special mention to supporting characters, Sallie Davis and Mr. Ingram who were nicely convincing and authentic.
Racism, Jim Crow, segregation, and the legacy of slavery form the backbone of the story, and there are some profoundly shocking moments as a result. Further, the sanitarium is a cauldron of abject misery, extreme vulnerability, and complete neglect.
Consequently, the inmates are easily suggestible and prey to the worst of humanity. Rodgers is never overly explicit and the horrors of the place are mainly revealed through the emotional reactions and behavior of the women involved.
Indeed, The Truth Together is a book of conflicts and contrasts, internally within the characters and externally, in the wider world. Rodgers explores these struggles with integrity and thoroughness that always relates to, and complements her narrative.
A technique that is used to excellent effect is foreshadowing chiefly concerning Fern. Rodgers balances this well, enough for knowing suspense but not so much that plot elements are spoiled.
Nonetheless, there is a twist at the conclusion that has not been signposted and which is a neat touch, entirely credible, and gives the nod to the actual Herndon family who inspired The Truth Together.
Notwithstanding, there is a loose end regarding Fern which can certainly be developed in a future novel or, frankly, left to the reader’s imagination. It works equally.
The Truth Together is an extremely readable, absorbing, and thoroughly entertaining debut novel full of historical insight and intrigue. Highly recommended.
August 11, 2023
The Truth Together is a historical fiction novel written by Kelly Rodgers, spanning the early years of the 1900s. It follows Effie Herndon as she navigates a nursing job at the Georgia State Sanitarium and the mysteries within its walls, peppering in chapters with other characters’ viewpoints in the past and present along the way. We get a taste of her life as a child through her father, Alonzo’s story. We also see another side of Effie’s tale through Fern’s eyes, a woman who grew up at the sanitarium, as well as some side stories told by a few minor characters.
Rodgers has a wonderful way of creating authentic, believable characters. In the beginning, we witness the friendship blossom between the two present-day protagonists, Effie and Fern, and we watch it grow into something powerfully rooted as their narratives weave together through their heroic efforts to uncover the truth buried beneath the sanitarium’s foundation. Likewise, Alonzo’s journey is a touching one as we watch his family navigate through a world carved with racism.
We’re also given the story through beautiful language and imagery:
“surrounded by color in human flesh—brown that crimsoned readily; dim soft yellow that escaped description, cream-like duskiness that shadowed to rich tints of autumn leaves.” Rodgers’s descriptions set up painted scenes in breathtaking detail.
That being said, I had a hard time getting into this novel. It’s a captivating story, but some of the writing kept me from truly being immersed. It started slowly and didn’t pick up much until the book’s second half. There were a lot of passing-the-time moments that could have been cut, such as characters cooking meals or readying themselves for bed. A few POV slips popped up throughout the story. And toward the end of the novel, when chapters are split between two characters, we get some jarring cuts when switching between the two.
“Fern could only nod.
She couldn’t move a muscle. The space small and cramped.”
This example comes from a chapter in Fern’s and Effie’s POVs. The end of the first paragraph follows Fern, while the next starts Effie’s. There is no discernable separation between the two, and the abruptness between the switch took me out of the story. I had to read through the next paragraph to realize we’d returned to Effie. This could have been easily avoided if some transitional spacing or symbols were added between the two sections.
Still, despite its flaws, The Truth Together is a heartwarming read but would have benefited from one last thorough edit. Because of this, I give it a 3/5-star rating.
Rodgers has a wonderful way of creating authentic, believable characters. In the beginning, we witness the friendship blossom between the two present-day protagonists, Effie and Fern, and we watch it grow into something powerfully rooted as their narratives weave together through their heroic efforts to uncover the truth buried beneath the sanitarium’s foundation. Likewise, Alonzo’s journey is a touching one as we watch his family navigate through a world carved with racism.
We’re also given the story through beautiful language and imagery:
“surrounded by color in human flesh—brown that crimsoned readily; dim soft yellow that escaped description, cream-like duskiness that shadowed to rich tints of autumn leaves.” Rodgers’s descriptions set up painted scenes in breathtaking detail.
That being said, I had a hard time getting into this novel. It’s a captivating story, but some of the writing kept me from truly being immersed. It started slowly and didn’t pick up much until the book’s second half. There were a lot of passing-the-time moments that could have been cut, such as characters cooking meals or readying themselves for bed. A few POV slips popped up throughout the story. And toward the end of the novel, when chapters are split between two characters, we get some jarring cuts when switching between the two.
“Fern could only nod.
She couldn’t move a muscle. The space small and cramped.”
This example comes from a chapter in Fern’s and Effie’s POVs. The end of the first paragraph follows Fern, while the next starts Effie’s. There is no discernable separation between the two, and the abruptness between the switch took me out of the story. I had to read through the next paragraph to realize we’d returned to Effie. This could have been easily avoided if some transitional spacing or symbols were added between the two sections.
Still, despite its flaws, The Truth Together is a heartwarming read but would have benefited from one last thorough edit. Because of this, I give it a 3/5-star rating.
June 3, 2022
I have to admit that novels based in the Deep South of America always hold a fascination for me as they evoke, usually, deep seated tensions that remain from a divisive history. With that in mind, Kelly Rodgers' book is typical as there is racism and prejudice here, it being set mainly at the start of the twentieth century, when segregation was prevalent and coloured people were still considered lesser citizens by many white folk, including politicians.
Rodgers' book, however, brings this period alive by taking this tense climate and the potential for these prejudices to be conquered, and centring her book on a real life family, the Herndons of Atlanta, Georgia, using their lives and her imagining of those lives as a frame for her narrative. In the process, she has created a truly unique story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This novel is very well-written. Rodgers chooses to have her narrative told from different character viewpoints, although the main perspectives, related in the third person, are those of Effie, Alonzo, Fern and Nora. She also chooses to have their stories told in a non-linear way, which could make the novel a difficult read but it is not; in fact, quite the opposite as I found it very easy to follow and read and became fully immersed in the story.
When Effie becomes a nurse at a sanitarium, she soon discovers that its purpose is not solely as a place for healing: not at all. Her father, Alonzo, has reservations about her employment there but supports her decision to move to Milledgeville to pursue her vocation. Whilst there, Effie quickly encounters Fern who is neither patient nor employee at the sanitarium but is part of it in her own unique way. Nora is Fern's mother who has her own story to tell about how she came to be at the sanitarium.
There are many stories contained in this novel and Rodgers does well to ensure that they interweave in a way that is seamless. Her characters are well-drawn and the personalities of all the main people of the book are distinctive and brought alive through lively and realistic dialogue and their actions during the book. The plot is paced well and leads to a climax that, if not wholly surprising, is completely satisfying for the end of the novel.
A really good read.
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC. This review is a fair and unbiased representation of my opinion of the book.
Rodgers' book, however, brings this period alive by taking this tense climate and the potential for these prejudices to be conquered, and centring her book on a real life family, the Herndons of Atlanta, Georgia, using their lives and her imagining of those lives as a frame for her narrative. In the process, she has created a truly unique story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This novel is very well-written. Rodgers chooses to have her narrative told from different character viewpoints, although the main perspectives, related in the third person, are those of Effie, Alonzo, Fern and Nora. She also chooses to have their stories told in a non-linear way, which could make the novel a difficult read but it is not; in fact, quite the opposite as I found it very easy to follow and read and became fully immersed in the story.
When Effie becomes a nurse at a sanitarium, she soon discovers that its purpose is not solely as a place for healing: not at all. Her father, Alonzo, has reservations about her employment there but supports her decision to move to Milledgeville to pursue her vocation. Whilst there, Effie quickly encounters Fern who is neither patient nor employee at the sanitarium but is part of it in her own unique way. Nora is Fern's mother who has her own story to tell about how she came to be at the sanitarium.
There are many stories contained in this novel and Rodgers does well to ensure that they interweave in a way that is seamless. Her characters are well-drawn and the personalities of all the main people of the book are distinctive and brought alive through lively and realistic dialogue and their actions during the book. The plot is paced well and leads to a climax that, if not wholly surprising, is completely satisfying for the end of the novel.
A really good read.
This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC. This review is a fair and unbiased representation of my opinion of the book.
August 4, 2023
I think the author did a good job of balancing the seriousness and the light heartedness of her characters and the time they are in. I laughed and cried with and for the characters in this book and my heart strings were definitely plucked heavily.
What I loved:
--- Our MFC's, Effie and Fern, were absolute delights!
--- The storytelling was really well done and once it got going it kept pretty good momentum to the end.
--- Hope was a theme that was present throughout and kept popping up at various moments but it didn't make it seem superficial, it was done well.
--- I really liked how she exposed or explored the sanitariums during this time and how they were able to get away with horrific things because their patients were seen as less than.
What I did not love:
--- Transitions were roooooooooouggghhhh.
--- Too many times we were with one character then the next line we were with a different character in a different time or place than the previous one.
--- There were some characters that just didn't offer much to the plot, and I felt them to not be as well developed.
--- The strife presented for the time period, riots, KKK, racism, murders, etc, felt like it was through rose colored glasses. Or maybe more like we were viewing from afar rather than truly getting into the nitty gritty of it. I was expecting to feel a lot more than just a little sadness or discomfort.
--- The loose ends were tied up entirely too easily. I'm all for a happy ending, just one where it doesn't fit so perfectly. This was almost a too sugary sweet tie up.
Overall this was well done. If not for the poor transitions and choppy flow, I would have given this 5 stars. I think as far as historical fiction goes, this is a solid piece.
Plot: 4/5
Character Dev: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
What I loved:
--- Our MFC's, Effie and Fern, were absolute delights!
--- The storytelling was really well done and once it got going it kept pretty good momentum to the end.
--- Hope was a theme that was present throughout and kept popping up at various moments but it didn't make it seem superficial, it was done well.
--- I really liked how she exposed or explored the sanitariums during this time and how they were able to get away with horrific things because their patients were seen as less than.
What I did not love:
--- Transitions were roooooooooouggghhhh.
--- Too many times we were with one character then the next line we were with a different character in a different time or place than the previous one.
--- There were some characters that just didn't offer much to the plot, and I felt them to not be as well developed.
--- The strife presented for the time period, riots, KKK, racism, murders, etc, felt like it was through rose colored glasses. Or maybe more like we were viewing from afar rather than truly getting into the nitty gritty of it. I was expecting to feel a lot more than just a little sadness or discomfort.
--- The loose ends were tied up entirely too easily. I'm all for a happy ending, just one where it doesn't fit so perfectly. This was almost a too sugary sweet tie up.
Overall this was well done. If not for the poor transitions and choppy flow, I would have given this 5 stars. I think as far as historical fiction goes, this is a solid piece.
Plot: 4/5
Character Dev: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
August 11, 2023
A Cover to Cover Read!
A historical fiction about life in the South from a privileged and unfortunate perspective.
The Truth Together is a great mixture of historical fiction and non-fiction. It's about the lives of Effie Herndon, Alonzo, Adrienne, and Fern. What Effie and Fern had to go through at a place that was suppose to be for rehabilitation was absolutely abhorrent for anyone to experience. There were times of apprehensive emotions that experienced while reading.
I liked how the author provided the main characters their own chapters from their perspective on being at the Sanitarium. With their narratives each character had a connection with each other. The flow between the characters chapters made it easy to put it all together. This made it possible to paint a clear picture of what was happening. Rodgers way of putting together the ending really brought out the title of the book, and was enjoyable.
I think Rodgers did an exceptional job with her description of the conditions and the amount of detail of what the characters were doing in the moment and what was about to happen. There were parts of the story that would have been better to introduce before certain events happened to one of the characters. I could also recognize Rodgers wanted to acknowledge many people during this time period in history because there were so many filler characters that it slightly difficult to know who was involved in a situation. Aside from the main characters telling features about what they looked like, it was a challenge for me to realize who was black and who was white.
Overall, Rodgers has an amazing work. Putting together historical fiction and non-fiction was a great way to bring out some people and events that cannot go unnoticed.
A historical fiction about life in the South from a privileged and unfortunate perspective.
The Truth Together is a great mixture of historical fiction and non-fiction. It's about the lives of Effie Herndon, Alonzo, Adrienne, and Fern. What Effie and Fern had to go through at a place that was suppose to be for rehabilitation was absolutely abhorrent for anyone to experience. There were times of apprehensive emotions that experienced while reading.
I liked how the author provided the main characters their own chapters from their perspective on being at the Sanitarium. With their narratives each character had a connection with each other. The flow between the characters chapters made it easy to put it all together. This made it possible to paint a clear picture of what was happening. Rodgers way of putting together the ending really brought out the title of the book, and was enjoyable.
I think Rodgers did an exceptional job with her description of the conditions and the amount of detail of what the characters were doing in the moment and what was about to happen. There were parts of the story that would have been better to introduce before certain events happened to one of the characters. I could also recognize Rodgers wanted to acknowledge many people during this time period in history because there were so many filler characters that it slightly difficult to know who was involved in a situation. Aside from the main characters telling features about what they looked like, it was a challenge for me to realize who was black and who was white.
Overall, Rodgers has an amazing work. Putting together historical fiction and non-fiction was a great way to bring out some people and events that cannot go unnoticed.
August 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, which chronicles the lives of a prominent biracial family in Atlanta through good times and bad, over a few generations. It explores the challenges of being black, white, and both during times of violent racism. The Herndon family is made up of strong, loveable, if sometimes, troubled, characters and you'll find yourself wanting nothing but the best for all of them. You'll encounter racism, mental illness, infectious diseases, and, sometimes, violence. In all cases, it will be eye-opening (at least it was for me) and keep you hoping for a happy ending. But, you will have to read it to find out if you get your wish. It is worth every page, good or bad
August 1, 2023
Historical fiction at its finest!
I grabbed this book with the intention of reading a couple chapters a day, and ended up not being able to put it down! A great story on moving forward and finding happiness in the bitterest of place. Moving and well-written. Sucks you in!
I grabbed this book with the intention of reading a couple chapters a day, and ended up not being able to put it down! A great story on moving forward and finding happiness in the bitterest of place. Moving and well-written. Sucks you in!
August 4, 2023
good read
Very good book..I would have arranged the chapters differently because the way they are caused confusion but I was able to figure it out…held my attention all the way through and really left me wanting to know more of what happened in their lives after this book ends
Very good book..I would have arranged the chapters differently because the way they are caused confusion but I was able to figure it out…held my attention all the way through and really left me wanting to know more of what happened in their lives after this book ends
September 3, 2023
Amazing turn of everts
I loved how each character was explained along with their backstory. It gave me the assumption on how part of the story would end. I like how parts of history was added into the story to give it a suspenseful turn off events. I would love to see a second book to see how both Effie and Fern turn out.
I loved how each character was explained along with their backstory. It gave me the assumption on how part of the story would end. I like how parts of history was added into the story to give it a suspenseful turn off events. I would love to see a second book to see how both Effie and Fern turn out.
June 16, 2025
There can be peace among races
Certainly a turning and twisting story but definitely uplifting and shows there is promise and harmony among crossing lines whether it be racial, socially, or professionally promoted.
Certainly a turning and twisting story but definitely uplifting and shows there is promise and harmony among crossing lines whether it be racial, socially, or professionally promoted.
December 30, 2023
The author of this book said “author” was a hefty title and she wrote the story “because [she] wanted to not because [she’s] an author”… But she’s an author
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews