Fans of David Corbett’s work know he’s a master of the crime-mystery-thriller genres. His latest novel, The Truth Against the World, helps cement that legacy and goes well beyond normal expectations. This time he’s given us a hybrid that’s part quest, part fantasy, part Irish folklore, and part apocalyptic. But beyond the myths, the dystopian landscape, and the intense struggle between good and evil, The Truth Against the World, remains a compelling thriller that will keep your heart racing all the way through the final scene.
The setting for The Truth Against the World is the United States in the very near future. Not an easy task because by the time a novel reaches the public that future may already be upon us. That’s the case here. The rich and powerful pulling the strings behind the scenes are much like those we find in power today. That makes Corbett’s newest novel even more poignant. We know these villains, and we know the poor and disillusioned whom they entice to resort to violence and cruelty to stop anyone who doesn’t share their worldview or religious fervor.
Corbett is a master of characterization. His two guides on character development are constant references for beginning writers and well-established authors. The plot of The Truth Against the World centers around two main characters. Georgie O’Halloran, a talented, delightful, frail young woman who’s written the book of the title. Shane Riordan, mostly honest, always sincere, and sometimes downright heroic, is Georgie’s friend and protector with a long past and a heavy burden, both of which become apparent as the adventure develops. Both Georgie and Shane feel real and relatable, as do most of the supporting cast of characters, good and bad.
In Corbett’s capable hands, we’re right there with Georgie and Shane as they make their way across the dangerous landscape, barely escaping powerful, corrupt forces that have the advantage of the latest technologies and seemingly unlimited finances to track them down. Like Georgie and Shane, as readers, we’re constantly looking over our shoulders to see who might be closing in next. And Corbett’s scenes are so vividly real, we can see, feel, hear, even smell the surroundings.
Corbett has opted for a first-person narrator, Shane Riordan. Although some reviewers found this technique disconcerting and containing too many sentence fragments, it’s exactly what we should expect when the voice of the piece is talking to us directly. The entire novel is essentially either internal or external dialogue. Not all first-person narrators are reliable, but even though Shane Riordan has his secrets, he’s completely reliable. As does Georgie, we trust him to get us safely through this frightening adventure.
The references to and examples of Celtic lore give the novel a sense of place in our collective history and help us understand that, at its core, what we experience today isn’t all that new. The Truth Against the World is a thought-provoking read, with twists and turns and breath-holding moments that will stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. If you’re not already a fan of David Corbett’s work, The Truth Against the World will make you one.
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Read this novel!Mythopoeic apocolyptic crime thriller with ancient Celtic resonances. Something like that--but better.David Corbett is the real deal -- as a novelist and as a teacher.
