Why Sell Lies When the Truth Is Free? is a coming-of-age fiction that delves deeply into family drama, love, and cultural enlightenment. This beautifully narrated novel follows the life of Martins, a young boy whose perspective of the world deepens as he undergoes significant personal growth and faces challenges such as identity struggles, complex family dynamics, military service, romance, and cultural awareness. The collection of chapters and dream sequences explores various aspects of the protagonist's life and experiences.
As Martins reflects on his upbringing, relationships, and the impact of human experiences on his worldview, the narrative continuously hints at themes of searching for truth in a complex world, self-discovery, resilience, and the importance of confronting adversity and injustice. Each chapter propels the story forward, describing Martins' transformation from a place of uncertainty and falsehood to a more enlightened and self-aware state.
One aspect I particularly appreciated is how the book skillfully blends prose and poetry. The narrative elements, dialogue, and reflective writing are complemented by poetic touches, including metaphorical language and emotional depth. The quotes introducing each chapter added a sense of anticipation and a touch of mystery to the storyline. However, I'm ambivalent about the drawings and pictures included in the book. While they enhanced the story’s rich historical perspective and, at times, deepened my understanding of the plot, overall, they didn’t seem to significantly improve my grasp of the settings, emotions, or characters.
The story largely revolves around Martins' life experiences and relationships. His confrontation with inner demons, embodied by his complex relationship with his father, the warmth and love for his mother and brother, and his deep romance with the love of his life are the pillars on which the plot is built. Despite my mixed feelings about certain elements, I still rate this book 5 out of 5. It captivated me with its surprising plot twists, such as Martins' unexpected ambition to run a political campaign. His journey to embrace cultural history and depth, coupled with the full extent of his ambitions, was intriguing.
Not to mention the pivotal moments like his father-in-law's changed reception, his mother's illness, his brother's death, the shocking results of his ancestry DNA test, and the heartbreaking end of his marriage. These experiences reflect the unpredictable nature of life and made me introspect on the illusion of control we often believe we have over our lives. The book also led me to question how much of our identity is shaped by our roots, and how biases, even those we think we've overcome, can still influence our decisions in subtle ways.
Another reason I rate this book so highly is its exploration of broader societal issues, including race, interracial marriage, mental health, and politics. It encourages readers to engage critically with these topics and challenge conventional wisdom. The plot and characters are well-developed, and the first-person narration effectively delivers the story without any obstacles to its flow.
The book's cover is also very unique, with a pair of eyes on the main cover that seem to symbolize the soul—a reflection of the place where the multiple themes of human experience in this book begin and interconnect. If you enjoy reading books that explore societal issues and strong emotional themes, then this book is definitely worth your time. Once you start reading, you’ll find it hard to put down. The intriguing title, exciting plot, and suspense-filled narrative will keep you engaged until the very end. The book challenges you to consider perspectives you may have never imagined before.
• Reviewed by Peace Bukola via eBookFairs