When considering the modern memoir, high-volume titles typically fall into one of two categories: the salacious ‘tell-all’ or a story of redemption. At a glance, Kylen S. Barron’s UNSPOKEN TRUTH: From A Buried Past may appear to be a drama-drenched dish, but the book ultimately defies categorization. While readers will discover a trove of scandalous secrets within the book’s pages–a list that includes decades-long lies and hidden affairs–UNSPOKEN TRUTH is ultimately a story of absolution and self-discovery.
For all intents and purposes, Barron’s journey began with her mother’s death in 2009 which was both unexpected and traumatic. But as so often happens, the aftermath would soon prove equally, if not more trying, than the event itself. Barron’s attempt to settle her mother’s affairs soon led to a series of heartbreaking revelations that placed tremendous strain on her sibling relationships, pushing pre-existing tensions to the edge. With her late mother serving as the common denominator for so much of her anger and resentment, Barron couldn’t help but ask herself, ‘why?’ Unfortunately, it would take some time for her to begin answering the question—five years to be exact. The key to unlocking a lifetime of secrets came by way of a seemingly random request to connect via social media. The message would soon lead to a series of life-altering discoveries, changing not only Barron’s perception of her mother, but also the size of her family.
According to her bio, Barron has spent her career immersed in the entertainment sector, including stints in both the film and music industries. Given her background, it’s hardly a surprise that UNSPOKEN TRUTH is a highly engaging read. Barron’s conversational prose and confessional demeanor serve her story well, so much so that there are portions of her story read like a heartfelt letter from a dear friend. And if there’s one overarching lesson to be learned from the book it’s the pronounced and lasting impact parents have on their children. Plagued with a litany of mental issues, the shadow Barron’s mother cast over her and her siblings’ lives was so pronounced that it took the author a lifetime to truly quantify its influence. Still, there’s more to Barron’s journey than pain and sorrow. As she points out in the book’s forward, therapy has been (and continues to be) a key component of her journey. The author also provides a litany of candid reflections, including the enduring value of forgiveness in the face of deceit. Black, white, young, or old, every single person has a family, and thus, anyone can relate to some degree with aspects of Barron’s story, just as anyone can learn from her unspoken truth.
With UNSPOKEN TRUTH: From A Buried Past, Kylen S. Barron unearths a trove of long-buried family secrets and, in the process, delivers a deeply personal story with a high level of relatability.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader