The Truth About Delilah Blue: A Novel
Author: Tish Cohen (website, Facebook, Twitter)
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Publisher: Harper Perennial
ISBN: 978-0061875977
409 pages
Delilah Blue Lovett has always been a bit of an outsider, ever since her father moved her from Toronto to L.A. when she was eight, claiming Delilah’s mother no longer wanted to be part of their family. Twenty now and broke, but determined to be an artist like her errant mom, Delilah attends art class for free — by modeling nude at the front of the room, a decision that lifts the veil from her once insular world. While she struggles to find her talent, her father, her only real companion, is beginning to exhibit tell-tale signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s. And her mother, who Delilah always assumed had selfishly abandoned them, is about to reappear with a young daughter in tow . . . and a secret that will change everything. Delilah no longer knows which parent to trust — the only one she can really rely on is the most broken person of all: herself.
In a new novel as witty, sparkling, and poignant as her acclaimed Inside Out Girl, author Tish Cohen uncovers the humor and heart within the most dysfunctional of families.
Initial Reaction:
I really liked this novel by Tish Cohen. Although I thought the book was a bit long, it did read surprisingly fast. I enjoyed delving into these characters psyches and the dynamics of this very dysfunctional family. There is a lot going on and I was easily immersed into the story. I would definitely recommend this book to any fan of contemporary fiction.
The Book:
This book is told from two points of view – from Delilah and from her father, Victor. It was easy to switch back and forth and both of their narrations added to the complete story.
Delilah Blue Lovett was just 8 years old when her father moved her from Canada to Los Angeles, telling her that her mother didn’t want to have anything to do with them anymore. They started their lives over, even giving themselves new names. Delilah Blue Lovett became Lila Mack. As she grew up, she always missed her mother and wondered why her mom didn’t want her anymore. 20 years old at the time of this story, Lila is a struggling artist, living with her father, Victor, in a house in the mountains. Victor refuses to pay for Lila’s art schooling, insisting that she get a degree in business that she can use anywhere. Without the financial support of her father, Lila begins nude modeling for Life Drawing classes at the local L.A. Arts College, hoping to learn about art through the instructor of the art class, without having to pay the college admission fees. Ingenious, really! Of course, this paid venture is kept from her father.
Victor is an interesting man. He is losing his thoughts, forgetting what he is doing, where he is going, what he is supposed to be d
oing. It’s devastating to read about his descent into early-onset Alzheimer’s. It reminded me of the book Still Alice by Lisa Genova. It’s heartbreaking and I really felt for him. He is a bit of a quirky character; a very overprotective father; and a vengeful neighbor all rolled into one. I actually liked his character the best.
The “Truth” about Delilah Blue is pretty easy to figure out. I had it pegged by page 25. But, even knowing that early on, I still wanted to know the “whys” and “hows”. The author grabbed me from early on in the story and made me want to know what happened and how these characters got to where they are.
During the story, Lila’s mother, Elisabeth, comes back into her life. With her appearance come many answers that Lila has been looking for the last 12 years. Some things she doesn’t want to know, but she can’t stop herself from asking the questions and getting the answers. Elisabeth is not a sympathetic character. I actually hated her as a character. She’s the type of person that is so egomaniacal that everything is about her and putting the attention on her. She definitely added another dimension to the story and to Lila’s feeling about seeing her mother again. Lila has to come to terms with the parents she thought she knew – the doting father; the absent, but revered mother – not being what she thought they were. I really felt for Lila as she struggled with this emotional upheaval. I can’t imagine that what you thought you knew about your life and your parents is completely wrong.
Overall, this is a story about a fractured family attempting to come together again. It’s about a young woman who is an artist and looking for her place in the world. It’s a wonderful character study and I enjoyed it immensely.
I really liked this novel by Tish Cohen. Although I thought the book was a bit long, it did read surprisingly fast. I enjoyed delving into these characters psyches and the dynamics of this very dysfunctional family. There is a lot going on and I was easily immersed into the story. I would definitely recommend this book to any fan of contemporary fiction.
The Book:
This book is told from two points of view – from Delilah and from her father, Victor. It was easy to switch back and forth and both of their narrations added to the complete story.
Delilah Blue Lovett was just 8 years old when her father moved her from Canada to Los Angeles, telling her that her mother didn’t want to have anything to do with them anymore. They started their lives over, even giving themselves new names. Delilah Blue Lovett became Lila Mack. As she grew up, she always missed her mother and wondered why her mom didn’t want her anymore. 20 years old at the time of this story, Lila is a struggling artist, living with her father, Victor, in a house in the mountains. Victor refuses to pay for Lila’s art schooling, insisting that she get a degree in business that she can use anywhere. Without the financial support of her father, Lila begins nude modeling for Life Drawing classes at the local L.A. Arts College, hoping to learn about art through the instructor of the art class, without having to pay the college admission fees. Ingenious, really! Of course, this paid venture is kept from her father.
Victor is an interesting man. He is losing his thoughts, forgetting what he is doing, where he is going, what he is supposed to be d
oing. It’s devastating to read about his descent into early-onset Alzheimer’s. It reminded me of the book Still Alice by Lisa Genova. It’s heartbreaking and I really felt for him. He is a bit of a quirky character; a very overprotective father; and a vengeful neighbor all rolled into one. I actually liked his character the best.
The “Truth” about Delilah Blue is pretty easy to figure out. I had it pegged by page 25. But, even knowing that early on, I still wanted to know the “whys” and “hows”. The author grabbed me from early on in the story and made me want to know what happened and how these characters got to where they are.
During the story, Lila’s mother, Elisabeth, comes back into her life. With her appearance come many answers that Lila has been looking for the last 12 years. Some things she doesn’t want to know, but she can’t stop herself from asking the questions and getting the answers. Elisabeth is not a sympathetic character. I actually hated her as a character. She’s the type of person that is so egomaniacal that everything is about her and putting the attention on her. She definitely added another dimension to the story and to Lila’s feeling about seeing her mother again. Lila has to come to terms with the parents she thought she knew – the doting father; the absent, but revered mother – not being what she thought they were. I really felt for Lila as she struggled with this emotional upheaval. I can’t imagine that what you thought you knew about your life and your parents is completely wrong.
Overall, this is a story about a fractured family attempting to come together again. It’s about a young woman who is an artist and looking for her place in the world. It’s a wonderful character study and I enjoyed it immensely.
I received this book from the publisher for participation in a virtual book tour through TLC Book Tours.
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