The Authenticity Project: A Novel - Hardcover

Pooley, Clare

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1984878611 ISBN 13: 9781984878618

Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books, 2020

Synopsis

The story of a solitary green notebook that brings together six strangers and leads to unexpected friendship, and even love

Julian Jessop, an eccentric, lonely artist and septuagenarian believes that most people aren't really honest with each other. But what if they were? And so he writes--in a plain, green journal--the truth about his own life and leaves it in his local café. It's run by the incredibly tidy and efficient Monica, who furtively adds her own entry and leaves the book in the wine bar across the street. Before long, the others who find the green notebook add the truths about their own deepest selves--and soon find each other In Real Life at Monica's Café.

The Authenticity Project's cast of characters--including Hazard, the charming addict who makes a vow to get sober; Alice, the fabulous mommy Instagrammer whose real life is a lot less perfect than it looks online; and their other new friends--is by turns quirky and funny, heartbreakingly sad and painfully true-to-life. It's a story about being brave and putting your real self forward--and finding out that it's not as scary as it seems. In fact, it looks a lot like happiness.

The Authenticity Project is just the tonic for our times that readers are clamoring for--and one they will take to their hearts and read with unabashed pleasure.

About this title

About the Author

Clare Pooley spent twenty years in the heady world of advertising before becoming a full-time mother. Pooley writes from her kitchen table in Fulham, London where she lives with her husband, three children, dog and an African pygmy hedgehog.

Review

Praise for The Authenticity Project:

“The Authenticity Project is a rich roast of great characters, even better relationships, wonderful entanglements, and a few surprises along the way. If Monica’s Cafe were a real place, I’d stop by every day.”
—Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is
 
“Insightful, timely, and utterly addictive, The Authenticity Project illuminates the importance of discovering - and honoring - our truest, most imperfect selves.”
—Georgia Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of We Were The Lucky Ones
 
“Fans of Fredrik Backman and Gail Honeyman—make room on your shelves for Clare Pooley. The Authenticity Project is a stunning debut and it left me inspired me to share more of myself with the world.”
—Steven Rowley, bestselling author of The Editor
 
“It’s full of life’s truths, funny, poignant and ultimately uplifting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
—Fanny Blake, author of A Summer Reunion
 
"One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Original, engaging, and unforgettable."
—Sarah Morgan, bestselling author of A Wedding in December
 
“It's a joyous, funny read that leaves you all warm inside.”
—Beth Morrey, author of The Love Story of Missy Carmichael
 
“Beautifully written, thought provoking, and uplifting, The Authenticity Project is a warm and endearing tale about truth, friendship and the power of connection. Pooley's characters will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It was a joy to read.”
—Mike Gayle, author of The Hope Family Calendar

“A heart-warming, feel-good story about love, loss and what it means to be human. Pooley’s debut is gloriously upbeat and gorgeously readable.”
—Annabel Abbs, author of The Joyce Girl

About this edition

• Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books
• Publication date: 2020
• ISBN 10: 1984878611
• ISBN 13: 9781984878618
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 368