Truth or Fiction

Desmond Fitzmaurice is a mysterious literary giant of the thirties whom no one has seen for years. Caroline is a London journalist, and hasn t the faintest interest in going to Dublin to interview him. That his life story will feature lots of sex and some violence , as the old man claims, seems farcical. She ll stay for a couple of nights, extract what she can and try to make his life sound interesting. But in Desmond s quiet house, his quiet life, Caroline discovers much, much more than she bargained for...

“'Roddy Doyle has called her "the best writer in Ireland" and I'm not going to argue. Any novel by the great Johnston is an event...wisdom, pinpoint observation and elegance...even the surprises are surprising...richly satisfying'”

[Caroline s] journey into [Desmond s] murky past is beautifully written and builds to a glorious grand finale - Saga Magazine

Quiveringly tender and sensitive...as perfect and as minutely aware as ever - Sunday Independent

Irresistible - Times Literary Supplement

Jennifer Johnston is not just one of Ireland s best living writers, she is one of the best, full stop...A masterpiece - Irish News

Roddy Doyle has called her the best writer in Ireland and I m not going to argue. Any novel by the great Johnston is an event...wisdom, pinpoint observation and elegance...even the surprises are surprising...richly satisfying - Kate Saunders, The Times

Johnston writes with exquisite precision, yet scenes and characters are brought vividly before our eyes...An Irish masterpiece in miniature...in the same class as William Trevor that is, head and shoulders above most writers at work today - Scotsman

Jennifer Johnston is one of the foremost Irish writers of her, or any, generation. She has won the Whitbread Prize (THE OLD JEST), the Evening Standard Best First Novel Award (for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS), the Yorkshire Post Award, Best Book of the Year (twice, for THE CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS and HOW MANY MILES TO BABYLON?). She has also been shortlisted for the Booker Prize with SHADOWS ON OUR SKIN.

Desmond Fitzmaurice is a mysterious literary giant of the thirties whom no one has seen for years. Caroline is a London journalist, and hasn t the faintest interest in going to Dublin to interview him. That his life story will feature lots of sex and some violence , as the old man claims, seems farcical. She ll stay for a couple of nights, extract what she can and try to make his life sound interesting. But in Desmond s quiet house, his quiet life, Caroline discovers much, much more than she bargained for...

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