The Truth About Delilah Blue

by Tish Cohen

Delilah Blue Lovett has always been a bit of an outsider, ever since her father moved her from Toronto to L.A. when she was eight, claiming Delilah’s mother no longer wanted to be part of their family. Twenty now and broke, but determined to be an artist like her errant mom, Delilah attends art class for free -- by modeling nude at the front of the room, a decision that lifts the veil from her once insular world. While Delilah struggles to find her talent, her father, her only real companion, is beginning to exhibit telltale signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s. And her mother, who Delilah always assumed had selfishly abandoned them, is about to reappear with a young daughter in tow . . . and a secret that will change everything. Delilah no longer knows which parent to trust -- the only one she can really rely on is the most broken person of herself. In a new novel as witty, sparkling, and poignant as her acclaimed Inside Out Girl , author Tish Cohen uncovers the humor and heart within the most dysfunctional of families.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Novels, Family Drama, Adult Fiction

412 pages, Paperback

First published May 21, 2010

About the author

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Anais Nin quote from Oprah's website inspired Tish Cohen to write her first adult novel.

Tish Cohen is the author of TOWN HOUSE, a 2008 finalist for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize – Best First Book Award (Canada and Caribbean region), and in development as a feature film with Fox 2000. Ridley Scott’s Scott Free is producing and John Carney, the award-winning, critically acclaimed director of ONCE is directing. TOWN HOUSE was released to massive media interest in Canada and has been published in Italy and will soon be released in Germany.

Cohen has also written the middle-grade novels THE INVISIBLE RULES OF ZOE LAMA, and its sequel THE ONE AND ONLY ZOE LAMA

Cohen has contributed articles to some of Canada’s largest newspapers, including The Globe and Mail and The National Post. Having grown up in Los Angeles, Orange County and Montreal, Cohen now calls Toronto home. INSIDE OUT GIRL is Cohen’s second novel for adults.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere early on, I could figure out what the Truth was. But, the why behind it is what kept me reading. Why did that happen? That's what kept me going. It's not that the book was dull or hard to read. It wasn't. I actually really enjoyed Cohen's writing style. Some comments she wrote made me chuckle. And some of her descriptions were amazing. So awesomely descriptive in a manner that made it something I was easily able to relate to. Of course, nothing specific comes to mind now that I'm writing about it ...

(I've started thinking that perhaps I should be noting some of these things when reading a book I intend to review, but then it feels like more of a job. Less like something I'm doing for fun.)

Anyway, I did enjoy the book. It was well-written and has interesting characters. I felt so bad for Victor in several scenes, and poor Lilah in watching her father begin to lose his mind – quite literally. I had NO empathy – or sympathy – for Elizabeth. None whatsoever. Yes, I'm a mother. Yes, having my child kidnapped by anyone – even their father – would be the worst thing (short of their deaths) I could imagine living through. BUT, this woman was horrible. Blaming poor Victor for everything negative. Stretching the truth, charming her way out of culpability in just about any circumstances, not having any idea what actually is and isn't appropriate for children ... by the end I feel sorry for Delilah because she's stuck being the adult.

Overall, it was an interesting, enjoyable read. While I don't see myself reading this again, I can't say there's anything I didn't like about it. It just didn't leave me wanting more.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful book. One of the best I've read this year.

[Hannah McKinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tish Cohen writes with effortless ease and grace, inter-weaving the stories of her characters' lives with exquisite finesse and humour. This is a stand-out book for me, one I didn't want to end.

[Donna Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a full carousel of characters. I loved the variety while hating many of their actions. The author handled the topic of Alzheimer’s with grace and wit.

[Janet Berkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third novel by Tish Cohen that I have gobbled up: I loved Town House and The Inside Out Girl and so put The Truth About Delilah Blue on my library hold list as soon as I knew it was to be released.

Lila Mack has lived with her over-protective father since she was eight, believing that her mother no longer wanted to be in her life. Now at age twenty, she is trying to pursue art with no funding from her father. Deciding to work as a life model seems to be a great way to get some free art lessons, as she can listen in to the instructor while she poses. Her mother, who has been searching for her for years, reconnects with her and some pieces fall in to place for Lila. But it's not a straightforward happy reunion/ending, and Lila/Delilah finds herself having to take on the role of parent to her parents much sooner than she expected.

Cohen writes with great sympathy for each of the three main characters in this novel, drawing us into their lives as they try to make sense of shifting roles. She is able to write about this dysfunctional family with an eye to all sides of the story, to parents who both feel they need(ed) to protect their child from the other, and from the child/woman who has to redefine her relationships with parents who are not who she thought they were.

The Truth About Delilah Blue is a funny and poignant novel, but not depressing. The past is what it is, and Cohen writes honestly about the way forward for Lila who has difficult choices to make as she learns the truth about the present.

Highly recommended!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Delilah Blue Lovett was a little girl, she asked her father why her mother wasn’t coming with them to California? Her father told her that Delilah’s mother no longer wanted to be a part of their family. Delilah was satisfied for the moment but she always wanted to someday confront her mother about walking out of her and her father.

Delilah is an adult now and wonders what ever happened to her mother. Delilah decides to seek her mother out to learn the truth before it is too late. Delilah has the early stages of Alzheimer’s. What Delilah learns about the truth regarding her mother and the life she lived will shock her.

One of my friends asked me recently if I had read any good books lately and the first book that came to my mind was The Truth about Delilah Blue. I didn’t have to think twice about this book. This is because the characters were real people and not just characters in a book. I felt for Delilah, her mother and father and the turmoil they all went through. They showed lots of emotion. This book will draw you in right from the beginning. If you have never read Tish Cohen before then you are in for a real treat. The Truth about Delilah Blue is that this book is a winner!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Miriam Toews, you will love The Truth About Delilah Blue by Tish Cohen.

This was a story about a 20 year old living with her father in L.A., who is demonstrating the signs of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. After 12 years of believing her mother abandoned her, Lila's mom shows up in L.A. with some shocking news: her father kidnapped her! Duh duh duh...!

Beautifully written with well-captured characters. As the numerous dramas unfold, Cohen offers the reader a bit of humour to make things a bit more light-hearted instead of sappy.

This is such a wonderful book for fiction-lovers. I cannot wait to read Cohen's other novels!

[emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was angry with the book. It sounded interesting. I like characters around my age, and she was interested in the arts which I am as well. I loved the title and like stories about complicated mother-daughter relationships so I thought, why not? Well it was nothing short of awful. The characters were uninteresting. The plot, about 10 pages in was totally predictable. The mother was a selfish annoying flake, the father dealing with the beginnings of Alzheimers pissed me off. I just didn't care. The romantic interest for Delilah, god, I pretty much skipped over every page involving that relationship. To be honest, I have never been a romance fan. And Delilah herself? Not that interesting. Not bad, but not interesting. The only character I found myself curious about was her little sister who popped up along with the mother. Even she didn't quite seem like a believable seven year old. To top it all of, the writing wasn't all that great.

[Erica]

this book was a nice little surprise for me. I had read the first chapter for work purposes a while ago and thought it was interesting enough, but as it went on I was totally gripped by the story. It's about a 20 year old girl who lives with her somewhat overprotective father and works as a nude model for art classes. She wants to go to art school, but her dad won't let her, so it's her way of absorbing some sort of education. She's always thought that her mother abandoned her, but as the story gets going she discovers that's not quite the case. What I appreciated most about this story was the way Tish Cohen shows that both parents are at fault in what happened to Delilah, and that she has to make the choice who to love and who to believe.

Now I'm very much looking forward to marketing this one when it comes out in june!

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be biased, as many of the issues revealed in this book mirror my personal home life, but Tish Cohen did a phenomenal job at looking into the disfunction of a small family. This book goes to show you that you don't need a lavish plot to create a deep story!

It is true that on the surface not much happens in the book, but for me personally this novel shed a lot of light on my childhood and rephrased what I went through in a novel way.

The choices of the heroin, Delilah Blue, in the end of the book may be viewed/criticized and analyzed but we do so with the 'personal baggage' that we all bring to the novel. I for one understand the actions of the heroin and think Tish Cohen did not disappoint!!!!!

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book has similarities to Jodi Piccoult's Vanishing Acts, but in the end, they were two different, yet equally engaging books. Deliliah is a bit of a lost soul, which is understandable considering her upbringing. Both of her parents are complex, faulted people, and at different points in the story I alternated between disdain and sympathy for both of them. The author also does an excellent job of making the reader feel Delilah's internal conflict, and of making her a strong, yet fragile character. The plot moves along swiftly, and there is a wonderful use of language. Older teens who have outgrown Sarah Dessen and the like will find this a worthwhile read.

[Terri Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only drawback to this story is that as curious a child and inventive a child as Delilah was, she sure did not ask alot of questions about the move from Toronto to LA. She would have had alot more memories at 8 years old and should have asked alot more questions of her father.

I liked that you could see the craziness of both parents in the process, so you did not want to favor one over the other in the end. I think Delilah would have been stronger than the book showed in pursuing her art dreams.

[Esil · Rating 2 out of 5]

I ran out and bought this book because the Globe and Mail ran a review saying that it was a good summer read--a book that the reviewer could not put down. That was not my experience! I had to force myself to finish this book--which is rare for me. I did not find the characters interesting and I found the story predictable. Disappointing, especially given the strong review. I hope I can find some true good summer reads...

[Katherine Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say what it is about this book that keeps me thinking about the story line long after I've finished it, but it does. Delilah Blue is a little girl lost character who struggles to find out who she really is and what she wants, along with her mother and father. This is a beautifully written novel. Its poignancy stays with you long after you turn the last page. I love Tish Cohen's writing style--open, honest, and forthright--a real gift.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this story was a bit slow to start, the author weaves an excellent tale that ties together generations and provides an opportunity for parents to evaluate their true motives. Delilah is a strong character who, in spite of her odd upbringing, develops in to a bright, creative, introspective young woman who is able to see past her parents foibles and appreciate their love for her.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cohen's suspenseful novel is about a young aspiring artist who is comes to grips with her true identity after her parents reveal the truth about her childhood. Although it lacked the oompf that would give it 5 stars, this book is definitely a page-turner with accessible prose. It would be a great read for readers with an interest in books about the art world and/or complex family relationships.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really quite liked this book. A story line that I've never come across before and, while it worked for the most part, could be considered a bit contrived. That being said, it was an interesting story line and would be a great vacation book. There is some bad language and the main character does have a questionable "job".

[Ruth Martinez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters weren't that interesting. The bit about the coyote seemed like it didn't flow well with the rest of the story, though it was cool. I see how the author meant it to be a metaphor or mirror to the main character but it wasn't done seamlessly or too well. The little sister was a stereotype we've seen before. The love interst fucking chugged Nyquil all the time, addicted to it, and there was nothing redeeming about him either, he wasn't interesting, he was supposed to read like some hippie artsy surfer boy type but she just made him seem extra juvenile for some reason (and who could be attracted to someone who constantly swigs Nyquil, by the way??). The stuff with the mom being the real culprit, the true neglectful parent, the liar, the selfish idiot, etc, never gets resolved. That was very annoying. I skipped pages. It just didn't flow well for me.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My overall impression of this book was "average." The plot kept me going but some of the writing and characters were predictable. At times I felt the author was spoon feeding me the revelations and insights instead of allowing me to figure out the layers of the characters myself. For example, the whole situation with the mother being the child and the child being the parent. I just felt it was dumbed down when it was so out in the open like that. This technique made the book feel shallow despite the author's attempt at depth. It was an easy read and it flowed well but wasn't captivating literature that made me contemplate the meaning of life. All that being said, if you are looking for a quick read on your holiday, this would fit the bill.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was slow and hard to get into for me. I stuck with it and ended up finishing it but gave it a 3 star due to how slow it was and how hard it was to get lost in the story. This book follows Delilah who doesn’t remember her mother and has always believed her mother to have wanted nothing to do with her until her mother finds her!! Delilah is working as a nude model for an art class in a college where she wishes she could afford to take art classes. When her mother finds her and the story unfolds of the truth of what happened and how Delilah came to only be raised by her father, she is also faced with the realization that her father is not who she thought he was and also just found out and started showing signs of dementia. This story is about family, love, lost and innocence.

[Jean St.Amand · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started out not liking this book much because it wasn't believable, but as the story went on I liked it more as it got more detailed. As more background was revealed the story made more sense. I read it quickly because I was anxious to find out why Victor had kidnapped his daughter. By the end of the book I wanted to smack Elisabeth upside the head because self absorbed people really annoy me but I suppose for the story to make sense she had to be that way. All in all a good read. :)

[Baylee Maddox · Rating 3 out of 5]

i was waiting for something bigger to happen the entire book, but it never came. it was written well and was an easy read but pretty predictable plot overall. kieran’s obsession with missing children was an odd addition, i get the motive but the author could’ve left it out while still indicating her desire for attention. i enjoyed the detailing of delilah’s experience through art and being a nude model though. 3.5/5

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me about 90 pages to really get into this book. It has a lot of beautiful description but I tend to be a "speed reader" and sometimes that puts me off a bit. It was interesting how the characters developed and what I felt about them at the beginning changed dramatically by the end.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I DNF'd this book at 61 pages. I found the characters rather irritating and just could not get into the storyline. There were components to the story that irked me, as well. This book was just not for me.

[Stephanie Sirois · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't find this book very enjoyable, or particularly thought provoking, but I did find it very character driven. All the people feel so real in it.

The story itself, a little too down pat. Too perfect of a conclusion.

[Laurie Leehane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Louise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried two or three times and just can't finish this one.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I couldn't put it down.

[Mary Ripley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good light read

[Cyndie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good enough book to read in 3 days when you haven’t in a decade. Very well written and easy to feel the characters as real people.