The Truth According to Us

The Truth According to Us (2015) is the first novel for adults by Annie Barrows, successful children’s writer and co-author of the New York Times bestseller The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (2008), which she wrote with Mary Ann Shaffer. The Truth According to Us is a historical novel that tells the story of Layla Beck, a Washington socialite sent to work for the Federal Writer’s Project in Macedonia, West Virginia, after angering her powerful father. It is also a coming-of-age story, narrated in part by the bookish 12-year-old Willa, the older daughter of Layla’s host family in Macedonia. As Layla, Willa, and Layla’s aunt Jottie gradually uncover a dark secret from the past, Barrows’s novel interrogates the nature of history, community, and family.

This guide refers to the 2015 Doubleday edition.

Plot Summary

Washington debutante Layla Beck is commissioned by the Federal Writers’ Project to research and write a history of Macedonia, West Virginia. In Macedonia, she becomes a lodger in the Romeyn household, which consists of Felix Romeyn; his sisters, Jottie, May, and Minerva; and his daughters, Willa and Bird. At first, Layla is resentful of her task and disdainful of Macedonia. However, she soon becomes fascinated by the town, its history, and its people, in part because of her attraction to Felix and friendship with Lottie.

Twelve-year old Willa is initially fascinated by their cosmopolitan guest but soon grows suspicious of Layla’s relationship with her father. Willa resolves to become a “sneak” and to discover the secrets of the adults around her. In the course of their respective research, both Willa and Layla become aware of a mystery surrounding a fire at the local factory, American Everlasting Hosiery, which was owned by Felix’s father. Vause Hamilton, who was Felix’s best friend and Jottie’s sweetheart, died in the fire while apparently attempting to steal a large sum of money from the company. Sol McKubin, a friend of Felix and Vause, accused Felix of setting the fire, earning Felix’s hatred but stirring up the town’s skepticism about the official narrative.

Over the course of the sweltering summer, Layla falls in love with the charming but roguish Felix. Jottie and Sol begin a relationship, although Felix is determined to keep them apart. Meanwhile, Jottie and Sol’s brother, Emmett, encourage the workers at American Everlasting to unionize. After a sit-down strike at the factory, Sol, who is loved and respected by the workers, takes over as company president.

When Willa explores an old cellar that she has seen her father go into, she discovers Vause’s coat with a picture of a young Jottie in the breast pocket. She also finds many envelopes of cash. When Felix discovers that Jottie and Sol are in a relationship and have gone away together for Jottie’s birthday, he furiously confronts them while Willa listens in. Sol responds by repeating his allegations and appealing to Jottie that they both know that Vause would never have stolen or set the fire. When Jottie concurs with Sol, Felix tries to win her back to his point of view by telling her that Vause was running away from her because he felt that she wanted to trap him into marriage. Seeing the effect that her father’s arguments are having on her aunt, Willa bursts in and reveals her findings in the cellar. Felix is forced to confess his own guilt for the fire and the theft. As Jottie sends Felix away and Layla breaks off their relationship, Sol feels vindicated, but Willa is devastated.

Jottie eventually breaks off her relationship with Sol because she feels that he is too proud that his version of the story proved correct. Willa successfully persuades her aunt to let her father back into their lives, although there is now a warrant out for Felix’s arrest, and his life is increasingly precarious. Following the success of her History of Macedonia, Layla is offered a new assignment on the cultivation of local apples. This time, she invites Jottie to join her as unofficial co-author. When Layla’s father summons her home, she rejects his invitation, stating her intention to remain in Macedonia. Layla and Emmett begin a relationship and marry.

The Epilogue recounts how Jottie continues as a professional writer even after the Federal Writers’ Project is dissolved. Willa comes to forgive Layla after she sees how tenderly Layla cares for Emmett when he is injured in World War II.