Title: Truth Like the Sun
Author: Jim Lynch
First published January 1, 2012
272 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780307958686 (ISBN10: 030795868X)
Rating: 3.34
Overview
Truth Like the Sun is a captivating novel that takes us on a thrilling journey of political intrigue in Seattle. The story is set in two timelines, 1962 and 2001, when Seattle hosted the World’s Fair and during the dot-com boom.
At the center of it all is Roger Morgan, the mastermind behind the fair, who is now running for mayor at the age of seventy. Helen Gulanos, a determined reporter, sees an opportunity to investigate Morgan’s past and uncover the secrets that have made him a powerful figure in the city.
As she delves deeper, she discovers a man full of contradictions – a brash young promoter in 1962, and a beloved public figure in 2001. The book is a fascinating exploration of the city’s history, its aspirations, and the people who shaped its destiny.
With its vivid characters, backroom deals, and larger-than-life personalities, Truth Like the Sun is a must-read for anyone who loves political thrillers and stories about the American Dream.
About the Author
Meet Jim Lynch – author of the critically acclaimed novels The Highest Tide, Border Songs, and Truth Like the Sun. His books have received many accolades, including the Indies Choice Honor Book Award, Pacific Northwest Booksellers Award, and Dashiell Hammett Prize finalist.
Now, he is all set to release his next novel, Before the Wind, in April 2016.
As an experienced journalist, Lynch has won several national awards, including the Livingston Young Journalist Award. He currently resides in Olympia, Washington, with his loving wife and daughter.
Exciting news for book lovers! Lynch will be going on a book tour for “Before the Wind” in mid-April 2016. He will be visiting bookstores and venues on the east and west coasts, so keep an eye out for dates and locations near you.
Editoral Review
Jim Lynch’s Truth Like the Sun is a political thriller that explores the shifting landscape of Seattle in the 1960s and 2001. Lynch, a former journalist and the author of The Highest Tide and Border Songs, captures the cultural shifts in this Pacific Northwest city with impressive skill.
The story is centered around Roger Morgan, a charismatic and enigmatic figure who is running for mayor of Seattle in 1962 during the height of the city’s World’s Fair. In 2001, a tenacious and ambitious journalist named Helen Gulanos is assigned to investigate Morgan’s past and the mysteries that surround him.
With Roger Morgan at the center, the narrative jumps back and forth between 1960s Seattle and the city’s more modern, corporate era. Lynch’s writing is strong and his characters are compelling, particularly Morgan, who is both charming and mysterious all at once.
The novel is filled with moments of tension, intrigue, and uncertainty as the characters’ relationships and secrets are revealed over time. The book’s themes of political corruption, corporate greed, and social change are relevant to contemporary events such as the Occupy Wall Street movement and the political climate of the United States.
Despite this relevance, however, Lynch never overpowers his readers with political views or messages; he merely explores political topics within his narrative. Lynch’s descriptions of Seattle are vivid and detailed, capturing both the energy and essence of the city’s two distinct eras.
The World’s Fair is especially evocative, with Lynch painting a lively portrait of the city during this transformative period in its history. While there are certainly some uneven moments throughout the novel, Lynch’s writing and pacing are consistently strong.
His use of alternating narration between Morgan in the past and Gulanos in the present is effective, with each chapter offering new revelations and developments to keep the reader fully engaged. Overall, Truth Like the Sun is a captivating and skillfully executed novel that will appeal to readers interested in mysteries, politics, and the Pacific Northwest.
It’s a thought-provoking and insightful book that earns a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommended.
