The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu
YA Contemporary
E book, 208 pages
June 3, 2014
Roaring Brook Press

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “There are some things […] that are easy to forgive.  And there are some things that are just unforgivable.”

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu reminded me a little of Jay Asher’s 13 Reasons Why in the layout. Five students-the vindictive princess, the clueless jock, the outcast brain, the unintentional slut, and the scared social climber-all come together in a series of internal dialogue and memories, flashing between the past and present to explain to us how and why one girl was chosen to become the target of these students’ anger. Bullying and slut shaming are the main themes on which this story is built upon.

This is not a happy story. There are no clear cut lessons in morality. We aren’t given a villain and/or victim because each character is a combination of both. Stereotypical in makeup but unique in presentation, Mathieu calmly gives us the truth as seen through the character’s eyes. Written in a gossipy style conversational tone, Mathieu paints an engaging though strangely disconnected portrait of a high school girl whose reputation is systematically destroyed by rumors, innuendos, and half truths. Our villains are known from the beginning but with each scene, Mathieu peels back the layers and tries to explain to us (in their own words) the motivation behind their attacks. It’s an interesting look at the typical high school mentality and the narcissism that exists. It also shows how it only takes one small remark from multiple sources can come together to create a domino effect of infinite proportions.

Alice Franklin is a slut

Alice Franklin is your average teenager. Product of an absent father and uninterested mother, Alice is one of those people who exist firmly in the middle of the high school popularity scene. She isn’t a social butterfly but neither does she exist on the fringes. She has her own style and her refusal to bow to the norms both attracts and repeals. When the local high school hero is killed in an accident, Alice is blamed because of a rumor the boy started before he left. His best friend validates the rumor and starts a new one that she was texting Brandon, which led to the accident.  From there, rumors and gossip begins to flow and Alice is doomed. Her confusion towards all the antagonism is palpable. From her best friend to people she has grown up with, she is suddenly the least liked girl in school. It happens so gradually that the damage is already done before she even realizes what has happened.

“…it had to be gradual. So people would get used to it. So it would become easy for them to treat me like shit. So my best friend since freshman year could justify dumping me […] So they could have the slut stall and enjoy having it. So there would be enough time for me to become subhuman in their eyes.”

What was particularly heart wrenching is the reasons behind the rumors. You’re expecting something meaningful but they are rather miniscule. They’re ridiculous. They’re childish attempts to blame someone for their own insecurities and disappointments. Yet, Mathieu manages to invoke some sympathy in the reader. You may not agree with their actions or reasons but the author is brutal in revealing the humanity in these kids’ selfishness and self absorption. Kids are cruel for no other reason then they can be. Some kids pick on others in order to assure themselves a stronger place in the social hierarchy.

“If everyone had still liked her, I would have liked her too.”

The ending will not appeal to everyone. There is no happily ever after. There is no vindication or revenge. Rather, we learn that sometimes you are stuck with the hand you’re dealt and how you chose to deal with it is all that really matters in the end.

RATING: B

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