"Corruption, fake news and environmental disaster are at the centre of this darkly comic adventure"
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Award 2022 ages 11-14 | May 2021 Book of the Month
Despite being set in the 1920’s in the imaginary country of Afalia, this stunning and inventive story, from twice Carnegie medal winning author McCaughrean, has powerful messages about the current state of politics, big business and environmental exploitation in our world and most loudly of all about the need for reliable and independent news sources. The story is partly revealed by facsimile newspaper cuttings and it is fascinating to see the progression from real information to manipulation of popular opinion by ruthless and deadly corrupt officials. Gloria, a naive 15-year-old maid to the Suprema, Alfalia’s ruler, is at the heart of the story. As flooding and disaster threaten to overwhelm the country, the Suprema runs away, and Gloria is inveigled by the Suprema’s husband into temporarily impersonating her. As they discover the full extent of the corruption and misinformation, they face an uphill battle to save lives and stand up for what is right. Meanwhile a second narrative follows the fate of people in the neglected North (in another real life parallel) and a dog’s epic quest to find his boy. The canine conversations are just one of the pleasures provided in this multi-layered narrative populated by such a vivid cast of characters and with so many twists and turns keeping the reader enthralled. Ultimately the novel demonstrates the resilience of man and nature and the ability of people to do the right thing given half a chance. This really is vintage McCaughrean and highly recommended.
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An epic and twisting read set in a fictional world where disaster waits just outside the city walls. A smart, moving book with characters you can root for.
Set in the fictional world of Afalia, this book is an epic tale following the adventures of a maid, Gloria, as she steps into the shoes of the region’s leader Madame Suprema. The story flicks between Gloria’s point of view and the inhabitants of The Wetlands, often seen through the eyes of Heinz the dog.
When Afalia begins to flood, tensions rise and loyalties are tested. There are so many twists and turns in The Supreme Lie and you never quite know who you can trust. There are some funny elements amongst the drama and the characters are likeable, particularly those of the canine variety.
The world that McCaughrean has built is wholly believable and the issues that are brought up are relevant to our society today.... Read Full Review
This is a YA novel that defies description being a mix of adventure, dystopia and fantasy, and like many of McCaughrean’s novels is slightly bizarre and multifaceted; lots for the reader to think about and discuss with issues relevant to society today.
When Afalia’s ruler, Madame Suprema, disappears after unprecedented floods threaten not only the country but also the capital, Praesto, her husband decides to pass off her maid, 15-year old Gloria, as the leader. There ensures a tale of political corruptness full of twists and turns, not to mention biased reporting, misinformation and mass media scare-mongering – a familiar landscape given the world in 2021 – and throughout all this meandering is the sub-plot of a rather endearing dog searching for his family.... Read Full Review
A brilliant book that made me chuckle and made me cry, and made me, more than ever, wish I owned a dog.
Geraldine McCaughrean is an expert story spinner, and The Supreme Lie is no exception. Although the world she has created is not our own, the people in it are affected by many of the same issues we are, most notably climate change and media misinformation.
When the protagonist, Gloria, is suddenly and unceremoniously ‘promoted’ from maid to Suprema (the Afalian equivalent of Prime Minister), she finds herself plunged into a world of danger, lies and intrigue. As the book progresses her character develops from a naïve girl to a young adult with an awareness that people are not always kind and that politicians and newspapers don’t always tell the truth.... Read Full Review
