Publisher's Synopsis
From Kirkus Reviews:
"[Zevy's]'s debut short story collection offers whimsical, mostly true tales of his life as as a child of Egyptian Jews in Canada.... But this book, consisting of 34 tales, isn't exclusively autobiographical. A man named Harold Goldfarb headlines a series of hysterical stories, which see him meticulously plotting his suicide-this turns out to be less morbid than it sounds-and, later, struggling to decipher the meaning of a coconut emoji in a cryptic text... Zevy writes in an easygoing style that's both polished and seemingly improvised. When discussing a woman who plays a significant role in one of his tales, he writes: "I kinda feel bad I don't know her name. I am going to ask Steve before I finish this story." Complementing the author's humor is earnestness, particularly when writing about his charming parents, as in "My Mother" and "Photographs." Zevy adds some of his personal photos as well. Heartfelt and droll tales that blend autobiography and fiction."
"Almost the Truth: Stories and Lies is uniformly one of the more creative, satisfyingly reads of 2020. Readers who enjoy wry humor and life observations that depart from any anticipated pathway will delight in Aaron Zevy's collection, which is often politically or culturally incorrect in delightful ways."
-Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer "To read Zevy is not only to get lost in his often hilarious and unexpected tales, but to be given a front row seat on the nature and art of storytelling itself."
-Jules Lewis
Author of Waiting for Ricky Tantrum (Dundurn Press) "Incredibly entertaining! I read one story after another. As soon as I put it down, my husband grabbed it. Rather than fight over it, we read it aloud to each other. A great way to spend an afternoon."
Goodreads Review "Reading Zevy is like having the good fortune of pulling up a barstool next to a master storyteller- and you don't have to leave your house."
5-star Amazon Review From the Publisher: Amost the Truth: Stories and Lies is a collection of memoirs, short stories, and recollections which crackle with wit, brazen sentimentality, and unfiltered self awareness. The stories blur the line between fact and fiction leaving the reader wondering what is real and what is not. Characters from the short stories pop up in family recollections and friends make guest appearances in the short stories. These crossovers become increasingly compelling as the more you read the more you realize these seemingly stand alone pieces are inter connected. There is a tip of the hat to the curmudgeonry of Larry David, self deprecation of Woody Allen, and self awareness of David Sedaris, but Zevy's voice and humor is unique and very much his own. After all, you shouldn't let the truth get in the way of a good story. "The book is a breath of fresh air, offered in a period where we all need that. Very highly recommended. 5-star Amazon Review
