True Believer

Wolff's second novel about LaVaughn and her friends follows the widespread critical acclaim received for Make Lemonade. Like the earlier novel, True Believer is stylistically accomplished; the heroine's independent and reflective qualities are realised through a poetic first person narration. LaVaughn's academic potential is recognised by the Guidance Man who makes arrangements for talented, underprivileged children to join challenging education programmes. Specialising in Sciences, LaVaughn begins to question the extreme religious beliefs held by her closest childhood friends; they are growing apart. After her enrolment on a Grammar Programme the narration gradually assimilates to Standard American English reflection LaVaughn's developing social awareness. True Believer charts the search for something to believe in; 'the possibility of the world making sense someday'; and the discovery that 'Loving is dangerous'. A sensitive reader will detect an ironic undercurrent, recognising that LaVaughn's aspirations are limited by social conditioning. A subtly challenging read which continues to work on the reader after the book is closed.