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The author of the acclaimed Advice for Future Corpses (and Those Who Love Them) brings “her singular sensibility, her genius for language, her love of our deeply imperfect world” (Karen Karbo, author of In Praise of Difficult Women) to this insightful exploration of reality TV and the shifting definitions of truth in America.
What is the truth?
In a world of fake news and rampant conspiracy theories, the nature of truth has increasingly blurry borders. In this clever and timely cultural commentary, award-winning author Sallie Tisdale tackles this issue by framing it in a familiar way – reality TV, particularly the long-running CBS show Survivor.
With humor and in-depth superfan analysis, Tisdale explores the distinction between suspended disbelief and true authenticity both in how we watch shows like Survivor and in how we perceive the world around us. With her “bold and wise, galvanizing and grounding” (Chloe Caldwell, author of I’ll Tell You in Person) writing, Tisdale has created an unputdownable, thoroughly entertaining, and groundbreaking book that we will be talking about for years to come.
4.5
Reviewer: Myra D.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fascinating book
Review: This book is great for the ultimate Survivor fan. So many interesting details.
Reviewer: Kevin
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Unmasking Reality TV’s Secrets and Societal Impact
Review: “The Lie About the Truck: Survivor, Reality TV, and the Endless Gaze” by Sallie Tisdale is an exhilarating and thought-provoking exploration of the captivating realm of reality television. With a keen eye for detail and a sense of adventure, Tisdale takes readers on an unforgettable journey behind the scenes of one of the most iconic reality shows of all time: Survivor.From the very first page, Tisdale immerses readers in the fast-paced and adrenaline-fueled world of reality TV production. With insider knowledge and a razor-sharp wit, she uncovers the hidden truths and exposes the carefully constructed illusions that shape the narratives we see on our screens. The author’s ability to peel back the layers and reveal the intricacies of this complex industry is both captivating and eye-opening.Tisdale’s prose crackles with energy as she delves into the behind-the-scenes drama and machinations of Survivor. From the auditions to the challenges, from the emotional manipulation to the relentless pursuit of ratings, every aspect of the reality TV phenomenon is dissected with meticulous detail. The author’s knack for storytelling and her unflinching honesty make for a thrilling and immersive reading experience.What sets this book apart is Tisdale’s ability to go beyond the surface spectacle and delve into the broader cultural and societal implications of reality television. She raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of voyeurism, the impact of media on our perception of reality, and the ethical dilemmas faced by both the participants and the creators of these shows. Her insightful observations shed light on the darker aspects of this phenomenon, challenging readers to examine their own complicity in the voyeuristic culture that surrounds us.”The Lie About the Truck” is not just a thrilling exposé; it is also a deeply personal journey for Tisdale herself. As she grapples with her own experiences as a Survivor contestant, she delves into the psychological toll that reality TV can take on those involved. Her introspection and self-reflection add a layer of vulnerability to the narrative, making it even more compelling and relatable.While the book provides an engrossing exploration of reality TV, there are moments when the pacing feels slightly uneven, with some sections delving into tangential topics. However, Tisdale’s sharp insights and engaging storytelling make up for these occasional lulls, ensuring that readers remain captivated by the overall narrative.
Reviewer: Sophia Khan
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Very fun, whether you’ve watched the show or not!
Review: This was the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a long time — and I’ve barely watched the show! Of course I’ve seen a few episodes here and there over the years, but certainly not enough to remember specific players or locations.Despite that, it was a pleasure to read. Tisdale pulls back the curtain on the show, sharing behind-the-scenes details about contestants, locations, strategies, and more. She doesn’t shy away from criticism though. The book includes chapters on race, sex, and the impact the show has on the native people and their land.If you love deep dives, facts that feel like juicy gossip, and easy-to-digest critical analysis of Survivor and similar reality shows… you’ll be into this!
Reviewer: Janice
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Parts of it were interesting
Review: After coming off binge watching every episode of Survivor on the Paramount Plus streaming service, I was eager to ease off my admitted Survival âwithdrawalâ by reading this book. The reviews were so positive that I was a bit disappointed that I found only about 3/4ths of the book interesting. But I did appreciate the way the author organized and titled each chapter so I could read those topics that interested me and scan or skip the others (among my favorite topics were about ethnicity and race and about why strong players like Ozzie do not always win). It was hard to recall all of the names of the contestants she refers to, but it was fun when I could. But true avid fans who paid close attention to each episode will remember most or all of these contestants, which will probably heighten their interest in this book. Nevertheless, my opinions are just reflective of my personal tastes and to my apparent relative low devotion to the details of the game. Obviously many readers felt otherwise and loved this book.
Reviewer: RynnieReads
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fascinating for Survivor Fans
Review: I love survivor. I have loved and watched survivor since it premiered when I was a child. During the pandemic I have gone back and watched full seasons picking ones with favorite castaways, favorite moments, and ones I missed while I was at college. I have also found myself down several Survivor YouTube rabbit holes. Because of this, I jumped on the opportunity to read a book about the phenomenon that is the show I love. At first I was a little disappointed to find that Sallie has no connection to the show other than being a viewer, but found out from the book that we likely are never to get a book from a player due to the gag orders in playerâs contracts.The book provides a well researched (it includes sources) thesis on Survivor and how it became the blueprint and gold standard for reality TV as a whole. It provides interesting insight on how Survivor and its players have evolved over the years. It also discusses how things like sex, race, and even how much theyâve watched the show factor in to a playerâs chance of winning the prize. To me the most interesting thing was the discussion of how Survivor, like all Reality TV, is essentially fake but we as viewers continue to choose to suspend our disbelief and follow it season after season and year after year. The author states, âI know it is fiction, but fiction of a particular kind; it feels real. Itâs dramality,â and, âSurvivor has become a show about what a show about pretend survival might be like.âThis book is one I can see only really appealing to Survivor super fans. I can see even the casual survivor viewer getting lost in the references to individual players. To me this book was fascinating.
Reviewer: Beausun
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title: No Table of Contents in Sample
Review: Sample doesn’t provide the contents page. Why not? If someone is considering whether to read or buy a book, don’t they look at the Table of Contents?Who makes the decision about what prospective buyers are allowed to “sample?” I bet it’s people who see books as merchandise, people who equate books to nail polish.
