Truth With Ornaments is an allegorical gay novel based on a true story by Jacob Green, a Russian novelist. Written under extraordinary circumstances, it was self-published first in Russian and a few years later in English.

Set in an imaginary city parallel to Saint Petersburg, the author’s hometown, the story revolves around three main characters - Evan, Michael, and Madame Verona. At the time of work on the novel, there were no such things as gay rights in Russia. Nevertheless, there were no anti-gay propaganda laws, either, like those in power nowadays. To be open or live in a closet was a matter of great courage and self-acceptance.

While Evan has already accepted himself as a gay person, Michael is only on his way to do it. They are north and south, with Madame Verona in between, an observer discovering new truths of life through her own prejudices and rose-colored ornaments.