The secret sauce that spices this book is that all the diarists are busybodies to some degree, so they wind up interacting in strange and unexpected ways. Much like a Twitter or Facebook feed, the book is composed of fairly short chapters (each from a different character’s point of view), and while it moves along at a bracing clip, the thread is always easy to follow ... The story’s confessional tone is in many ways a logical extension of Pooley’s popular pseudonymous blog, Mummy Was a Secret Drinker, but TMI is always balanced by TLC. And while Pooley’s characters’ lives, much like our own, often look better from the outside, they all ultimately reconcile what they pretend to be with what they actually are.
It's not always easy or comfortable to tell one’s true story, as Pooley believably relates in her novel...In so doing, Pooley adds a bit of a realistic edge and bite to what easily could have become a too-simple treacly tale ... a feel-good novel that still prompts thought and self-reflection --- and might even inspire some readers to embark on a truth-telling odyssey of their own.
Poole succeeds in persuasively conveying the daily texture of city life, and in creating appealing characters we want to see happy ... [the] cheerful premise demands bite to balance its not-always-believable sweetness ... At times, overly broad characterization and clichéd gestures detract from the story ... And yet, several reversals and a neat twist mean that The Authenticity Project grows stronger toward its end: a rarity for novels ... an enjoyable read that is cozy – or as its British characters would have it, cosy – in the best sense of the word.
Not only a charming story of strangers connecting in beguiling ways, this debut fiction by memoirist and blogger Pooley is a thoughtful meditation on authenticity in the age of self-promotion. Recommended for readers looking for a pick-me-up.
This is a glossy tale where difficulties and addictions appear and are overcome, where lies are told and then forgiven, where love is sought and found, and where truths, once spoken, can set you free. Secondary characters, including an interracial gay couple, appear with their own nuanced parts in the story. The message is strong, urging readers to get off their smartphones and social media and live in the real, authentic world—no chain stores or brands allowed here—making friends and forming a real-life community and support network. And is that really a bad thing? ... An enjoyable, cozy novel that touches on tough topics.
... wistful, humorous ... Pooley maintains a quick, satisfying pace as the characters’ simple, spontaneous acts affect each other’s lives. This is a beautiful and illuminating story of self-creation.
