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.
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.
Julian is lonely and one day writes in a journal and leaves it in Monica's Café. Monica finds it, writes in it and leaves it in a bar. Hazard finds it and then Riley and so it goes. Finally finding its way back to Julian. Along the way, people are judged and forgiven, friendships are made, realizations are understood and a community is formed.
I found myself getting frustrated with some characters, yet their flaws are what make them inherently human. Alice, especially. Having been a new mom, I understand feeling exhausted and unattractive. I can't imagine feeling like I had to put up a perfect front on Instagram. My IG feed is private and not perfect by any means today and I thank God it wasn't around when my children were little.
I don't do TikTok and Instagram is where I see so many "influencers" posting for attention, likes, and commissions. I don't follow any, because I don't relate and I don't believe for a minute that their homes are always perfect and their children always dressed the same in clean, expensive clothing. But, it's a big deal, and in Alice's case, just makes her frustrations and insecurities settle in deeper when what is portrayed to the public is less and less like her reality.
So, the premise of authenticity resonates with me because that has been my own journey of the past couple of years. Discovering who I am and living honestly. I write on my blog for me and if other people like it or it resonates with them, fantastic. But, I do it for me.
Living in a world of social media and the perfection we feel compelled to present is often a strange dichotomy. How do we know what the realities of the lives of others really are? We all have hidden depths of light and dark within ourselves that we don't share with the public and even our own family and friends. Who we present to the world, online and in person. And are we obligated to share everything in both places?
In this story, both Monica and Julian find that who they present to the world and who they are in reality don't need to be separate.
One thing I have learned over the years is that we don't know what realities that someone else is living with. Life is so complex and in our passing interactions with strangers, do we even need to know? We don't, but it helps to look at people and realize that it doesn't take much to just be kind to those we pass.
Having grown up in a world without the constant presence of the world in my face, I have to admit that I sometimes miss those days. Where every event wasn't documented. Where we didn't post selfies and scroll through the lives of others. We interacted differently, we lived differently.
And yet, this 21st Century has brought me dear friends who I only have met because of social media, blogging and writing.
This story does an admirable job of capturing a little fragment of neighborhood life. That everyone with their flaws, faults, and strengths can influence and bless those around them.
The Authenticity Project is a light, but compelling read and rides the narrow line of substance and fluff. At times it meanders into implausibility, but the quirkiness of these characters helps keep it moving along.
Ultimately, it's the story of strangers brought together who find friendship, purpose, and even love. It's one I can easily recommend.
Read 4/23
* * * *
4/5 Stars
4/5 Stars
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