Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The Truth Against the World, by David Corbett, is a highly praised, exciting Book set in a post-apocalyptic America. 

STORY

The story of The Truth Against the World is simple and complex at the same time. The novel begins with Shane Riordan, a mysterious Irishman and the story’s first-person narrator, visiting a banker to convince him to locate Rory Fitzgerald, a successful writer.

Georgie O’Halloran and Shaun are old friends. She wrote a book titled The Truth Against the World, which she gifted to Rory Fitzgerald, her professor and lover. Rory published the book under his name, so Shaun talks to the banker.

This scene sets off a quest plot that Shaun and Georgie undertake across America, from Pennsylvania to California, searching for the original book and Rory. The journey is difficult because the country is falling apart due to political differences among its citizens and the government’s inability to control various interest groups. Imagine the consequences for the United States if Trump and his fake news had prevailed. That is the scenario of the novel.

Additionally, one of the reasons the United States finds itself in this situation is that a video game based on Georgie’s book has become extremely popular. Many people use the digital platform of the game to spread fascist, nationalist, and racist ideologies and coordinate actions against the US government.

Up to this point, the plot may seem ordinary, but we soon discover that Shaun is unique. Although he sings very well, he isn’t a superhero or has any particular talent that makes him a traditional hero. Instead, Shaun is unique because he comes from another place and a very distant, mythical time.

Shaun must relive life until he attains wisdom; therefore, he has had several reincarnations, one of which occurs in the novel. In his effort to stop the cycle of reincarnation, Shaun constantly reflects on his past lives, and that’s why the novel is full of flashbacks.
On their journey, Georgie and Shaun meet various colorful characters who sometimes help them search and sometimes create obstacles that raise the stakes, keeping the intrigue alive throughout the novel.

The ending is unexpected, and the fates of Georgie and Shaun are forever changed.

Plot

As I mentioned, the novel’s plot structures around a quest. In this type of plot, the main character embarks on a journey to achieve a specific goal or objective. In the case of The Thruth Against the World, the objective is to find Rory Fitzgerald and recover the book’s original copy. This type of plot is common in literature, movies, and other storytelling mediums, particularly in the adventure and fantasy genres, as we’ll see later.

In a quest plot, the protagonist usually faces challenges, obstacles, or trials along the journey, which helps them grow and develop as a character. In the novel, these challenges take various forms, especially physical confrontations. Still, we also find emotional turmoil in Shaun and Georgie; the characters must actively solve enigmas throughout the story.

This plot in The Truth Against the World works perfectly well. It takes readers deeper, tapping into universal themes of personal growth, self-discovery, and pursuing meaningful goals.

Style

One element that stands out in the novel is the style used by David Corbett to write the novel. The writing style is short, efficient, poetic, and therefore economical and efficient. The novel’s style features precise language, minimalism, and the ability to convey complex ideas or emotions in a few carefully chosen words or phrases.

The narrating voice focuses on clarity and brevity, avoiding unnecessary embellishments, wordiness, or redundancy. However, the sporadic use of complex vocabulary sometimes makes reading difficult. Shaun’s narrative voice tries to create powerful imagery and evoke emotions with sparse, efficient use of language.

Genre

Another exciting aspect of the novel is that it is so innovative that it doesn’t fall within a specific genre. Instead, I find elements of detective fiction, historical fiction, mystery, some thriller, and even fantastical elements. Some reviewers even classify the novel as science fiction, which I’m afraid I have to disagree with.

In any case, the flexibility of literary genres gives the novel freshness and prevents it from falling into clichés.

Characters

One last aspect that is a complete success in the novel is the characterization used by Corbett. I’m not referring only to Shaun and Georgie but all the characters in the novel. Thus, we find a femme fatale at the end of the book, who is described in-depth with a few precise strokes. At some point, we come across a little person and clown, a paranoid but methodical acquaintance who helps the characters along the way, or the professor, Shaun’s friend, who is essential in the quest.

The way the author creates such memorable characterizations is seemingly simple. First, he provides a physical description of the characters but generally focuses on some details that outline the characters and set them apart from clichés. Then, he gives us, almost in passing, some aspect of the character’s psyche and then subtly explains the character’s dramatic function in the novel—a total success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Truth Against the World, by David Corbett, is a captivating novel that weaves together a rich tapestry of myth, adventure, and political intrigue. Corbett’s unique writing style, innovative blending of genres, and memorable characters make this book stand out.

Readers journey alongside Shaun and Georgie through a post-apocalyptic America, they are drawn into a thought-provoking exploration of personal growth, self-discovery, and the pursuit of meaningful goals. This novel is a must-read for those who appreciate imaginative storytelling and engaging narratives.

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