The Honest Truth

Mark tends to focus on the effects of light in photography: “I lifted the camera from around my neck, framed the lighted windows of the restaurant right in the middle with the night’s blackness all around, and snapped a picture” (29). How does the light and dark contrast inform readers about Mark’s perspective and worldview?

Mark’s objective is ultimately a quest for truth, but he must lie to slip past different checkpoints and obstacles. What does this dissonance suggest about the themes of truth running through the novel?

Mark labels the Spanish cooks “angels” and the thugs “wolves.” How does the juxtaposition of these two episodes lend to Mark’s progressive acceptance of others’ help?

What craft techniques does Gemeinhart use to integrate both his protagonist’s young voice and poetic lyricism? Describe the style’s effect on the reader’s experience.

How does Jessie’s Mexican heritage and family background inform her character and decisions in the narrative?

Who is the narrator? Does the narrator alternate between perspectives, or is it consistent throughout the novel? Consider how Mark’s chapters read in first-person and Jessie’s chapters are third-person and italicized.

Why does Gemeinhart title each chapter according to how many miles Mark has left to go?

How does The Honest Truth compare to other fictional stories about cancer in terms of thematic focus and character development?