Thoughtful & Real: The Porcupine of Truth - Bill Konigsberg

Porcupine of Truth by Bill Konigsberg
Date Released: May 26, 2015
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Pages: 336 pages
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Rating: 4 Stars!
Series: Standalone!

Goodreads Synopsis: The author of OPENLY STRAIGHT returns with an epic road trip involving family history, gay history, the girlfriend our hero can't have, the grandfather he never knew, and the Porcupine of Truth. 

Carson Smith is resigned to spending his summer in Billings, Montana, helping his mom take care of his father, a dying alcoholic he doesn't really know. Then he meets Aisha Stinson, a beautiful girl who has run away from her difficult family, and Pastor John Logan, who's long held a secret regarding Carson's grandfather, who disappeared without warning or explanation thirty years before. Together, Carson and Aisha embark on an epic road trip to find the answers that might save Carson's dad, restore his fragmented family, and discover the "Porcupine of Truth" in all of their lives. 

From Goodreads

I absolutely loved The Porcupine of Truth by Bill Konigsberg! It was fun, real and honest and it was just a book that opened up a lot about people and what life is. Konigsberg crafted such a well-written and funny YA novel that I believe any reader, young or old, definitely needs to pick it. Everything from its adventurous and fun protagonist Carson Smith to a secret that's been left in the shadows, it was an amazing read.

“Some things you remember, and some you forget. Of the things you remember, you have to wonder what’s real and what’s translated into a memory from a story you heard.”

The book begins with Carson who meets Alisha Stinson, a beautiful girl that he happens to met at the zoo. Who also happens to be a lesbian. In addition, Alisha faces a tough situation being kicked out of her house because of being a lesbian. Carson then decides to take her into his house and ultimately sets the path to finding his grandfather's long held secret to meeting new people. I greatly enjoyed Carson as a protagonist, he had such an ease and teenage spirit that any YA reader could relate to. His relationship with Alisha was something unique and special. I thought Alisha was a great contrast character to Carson because she was there to add some fun and spunk to their trip. 

I loved how the novel deals with Carson's grandfather's secret. Konigsberg doesn't automatically hit the reader with Carson's gay history. While this was my first LGBT novel, it definitely did not disappoint. The author does an amazing job in weaving a journey with Carson in finding who his grandfather was and telling his alcoholic dad who he was. The Porcupine of Truth touched upon issues of hate against "gays" but also the idea that they are also humans and need to be treated just like normal people. 

Ultimately, The Porcupine of Truth was such a thoughtful and real read. It opens a lot about human nature and how powerful the truth is. I loved everything about this book and I cannot wait to see what else Konigsberg has to write in the future! Definitely pick up the novel if your looking for a great LGBT novel. 

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