Pearline is a woman whose roots touch down in Cuba, Jamaica, and Brooklyn, in Donna Hemans’s gorgeous novel, The House of Plain Truth. When Pearline returns to her family in Jamaica as her father’s health takes a turn for the worse, she finds so much more than a moment to mourn. Startling news sends Pearline and her sisters — both with big opinions about her choice to emigrate to America — into a tailspin.
It turns out, the family home is wrapped up in a complicated ownership web, and untangling it will likely surface more unwelcome secrets. As Pearline and family navigate this tricky situation, the author takes us back and forth through time, to Havana, to Brooklyn, and back again to Jamaica.
Pearline has big decisions to make, and where once she thought she knew exactly what she wanted — in spite of the gigantic chips on her Jamaican family’s shoulders, or the objections of her daughter back in Brooklyn — she comes to find that nothing will be simple, nothing will be straightforward.
The House of Plain Truth is so rich with character, with place, and with humanness. The author’s writing, in all of its beauty, is also perfectly grounding. You and your book club will want to savor this novel and then dive into unpacking all that’s within its pages.
The House of Plain Truth
by Donna Hemans
Read an excerpt.
When family dynamics find their way to the forefront of a novel, there is typically so much to explore. Adding on to that the complexities of a multinational life, the death of a patriarch, and deeply felt resentment makes this novel prime discussion territory. After reading (spoilers abound!), dip in further with these questions for discussion.
Pearline hasn’t been in Jamaica for Easter for eons, and when the holiday arrives, she shows up to her sister Aileen’s house with escovitch fish and buns. We’d never heard of the dish before, so naturally we went looking to learn more. Escovitch fish is a crispy fried fish, made with either whole fish or filets (we prefer the latter), and then punched up post-pan with a pop of vinegar-tinged vegetables. We recommend you start with the version we’ve linked below, but be sure to explore different versions for a little improvisational inspiration.
The zip of the fish would pair perfectly with a rum-based punch, but if you’re feeling like a glass of wine instead of a citrus-y cocktail, try this Blanchard and Lurton Les Fous Sauvignon Blanc. It’s got just enough bright fruit in the glass to balance the boldness in the recipe.
Whether reading by yourself, thinking back on the book later, or getting together with your book club besties, kick your literary immersion up a notch by pressing play on this novel-inspired playlist.