Synopses & Reviews
For the first time since his much-beloved tale
Hemingway's Chair was published in 1998, Michael Palin pens a new novel featuring the warm and witty story of an everyman, a tantalizing offer, a journey to India, and the search for the truth.
Keith Mabbut is at a crossroads in his life. A professional writer of some repute, he has reached the age of fifty-six with nothing resembling the success of his two great literary heroes, George Orwell and Albert Camus. When he is offered the opportunity of a lifetime — to write the biography of the elusive Hamish Melville, a widely respected and highly influential activist and humanitarian — he seizes the chance to write something meaningful. His search to find out the real story behind the legend takes Mabbut to the lush landscapes and environmental hotspots of India.
The more he discovers about Melville, the more he admires him — and the more he connects with an idealist who wanted to make a difference. But is his quarry really who he claims to be? As Keith discovers, the truth can be whatever we make it.
In this wonderful, heartwarming novel, Michael Palin turns his considerable skills to fiction in the story of an ordinary man on an extraordinary adventure.
Review
“An ingeniously plotted, beautifully written and hugely enjoyable book that raises tricky questions about...our need for heroes [and] the price of personal compromise.” The Daily Telegraph
Review
“With passion and flair, Palin (of Monty Python fame) details a journalist's quest to discover the truth about a reclusive environmental activist….It's been a long time since Palins first novel (Hemingway's Chair, 1998). The wait for this compelling book has been more than worth it.” Kirkus, starred review
Review
“The Truth is an ingeniously plotted, beautifully written and hugely enjoyable book that raises tricky questions about the cost of progress, and even trickier ones about our need for heroes, the price of personal compromise, and what Palin calls ‘the uncontroversial assumption that the truth is immutable.'” The Daily Telegraph
Review
“Well-crafted, warm hearted — and wholly recommended.” Readers Digest
Review
“Entertaining...delightfully funny.” Sunday Express
Review
“Part environmental thriller, part biting swipe at the publishing industry...a thoughtful and generous study of failure.” Daily Mail
Review
“The Truth is a compelling and zippily paced book.” Time Out
Review
“It's an enthralling and almost Kipling-esque tale for our times.” Metro
About the Author
Michael Palin is a comedian, novelist, actor, playwright, and Python. He also happens to be one of the funniest people on the planet. He lives in London, England.