CW: racism, casual ableism, pregnancy & birth (graphic/on page), violence, alcohol use, drug use mentioned, gun violence, police brutality, death of a parent mentioned, infertility & miscarriage mentioned, classism, bullying, violence, child abuse

this type of contemporary isn't usually my go-to, so I had a bit of a hard time getting into it, but overall a really good read. Johnson has a way with words and I'd be interested in what she writes next.

An impressive debut that deeply examines race, class & motherhood with strong character development. Ruth's story - and her family's story - is compelling and moving and beautifully written. This one will sit with me for a while.

WOWOWOW. The Kindest Lie is an emotional, evocative, insightful novel. Read this book! 

This book centered wholly around family. What, or who, makes a family? What expectations are set simply because of familial ties? What duties are to be upheld? When does the individual self give way to the familial whole? Is there a breaking point amongst family? Should there be?

Lena and Midnight’s stories— individually and as a whole— warmed my heart, broke it, and put it back together again. 

The Kindest Lie handled racism and classism in both big topic discussions, with outright acknowledgments, and everyday nuance. The themes were intertwined, layered, fully realized... This novel truly does it all.

I had two main gripes, one writing-wise and one more personally based. First, I felt the storyline about Stanley DeAngelo was unnecessary. The way the community of Ganton was described, built upon, and shown to the reader, I would’ve very easily believed that the families and church handled their business amongst themselves. I’ll leave it at that to prevent spoilers.

Second, the personal note, I was aggravated whenever Ruth said “my son.” I thought it took too long for someone to put Ruth to her paces about how she could imagine sort of claim to the title “my son.” Ruth’s actions at the riverbank belied this very idea of motherhood. Her motives and actions were selfish; Ruth’s behavior in that scene was antithetical to all of the decisions that had been made for Ruth to get her to that point. In other words, whereas so many decisions prior to that point made for Ruth were motivated by love and her own betterment (whether she liked it or not), Ruth’s decision in that moment was for her own (mistaken? misguided?) absolution. 

I am of the firm belief biology has no bearing on a family. Perhaps if I were a mother, I’d be empathetic to Ruth. I am not, though, and adoption holds the dearest place in my heart.

All said, I loved this book and would enthusiastically recommend!