Bitter in the Mouth

Author(s): Monique Truong

Location(s): North Carolina

Genre(s): Fiction

Location

Content

The teen heroine of her second novel is different from the other girls in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. Not only are the walls of her bedroom decorated in manly maritime prints, but she suffers from “auditory-gustatory” synesthesia. There are certain words she craves to hear – mom (chocolatemilk) and period (blueberrymuffin) – while others such as prune (scallion) and character (pickledwatermelon-rind) make her wince.
Not only are the walls of her bedroom decorated in manly maritime prints, but she suffers from “auditory-gustatory” synesthesia. There are certain words she craves to hear – mom (chocolatemilk) and period (blueberrymuffin) – while others such as prune (scallion) and character (pickledwatermelon-rind) make her wince.

The love of her life, a blond boy named Wade, triggers a shower of orange sherbet on her tongue. Family secrets, first love and betrayal are ingredients of this entertaining coming-of-age tale. (The Independent)

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