The Porcupine of Truth

Written by Bill Konigsberg

A road trip unravels family secrets and a mysterious truth.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 2,307 ratings

325 pages· 84,628 words· Est. 8 hour read

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Carson Smith's summer in Montana takes an unexpected turn when he meets runaway Aisha Stinson. Together, they embark on a road trip to uncover the mystery of Carson's vanished grandfather and confront the truths that bind their fractured families. As they journey through hidden histories and personal revelations, they seek the elusive 'Porcupine of Truth' that could change everything. Will they find the answers they need to heal and move forward, or will the past prove too powerful to overcome?

From the publisher

The author of Openly Straight returns with an epic road trip involving family history, gay history, the girlfriend our hero can’t have, the grandfather he never knew, and the Porcupine of TruthThe Stonewall Book Award-winning novel from the author of Openly Straight and Honestly Ben!”Words like ‘brilliant’ are so overused when praising novels–so I won’t use that word. I’ll just think it.” – Benjamin Alire Saenz, author of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”Undeniably human and unforgettably wise, this book is a gift for us all.” – Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper JungleCarson Smith is resigned to spending his summer in Billings, Montana, helping his mom take care of his father, a dying alcoholic he doesn’t really know. Then he meets Aisha Stinson, a beautiful girl who has run away from her difficult family, and discovers a secret regarding his grandfather, who disappeared without warning or explanation decades before. Together, Carson and Aisha embark on an epic road trip to try and save Carson’s dad, restore his fragmented family, and discover the “Porcupine of Truth” in all of their lives.