Book Review: Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Published by Penguin, 31st July 2014 (Hardback)
Watch the Penguin Books UK trailer for Little Lies
Blurb:
Pirriwee Public School is a BULLY-FREE ZONE!
We say NO to bullies...
She could hear men and women shouting. Angry hollers crashed through the soft humid salty summer night. It was somehow hurtful for Mrs Ponder to hear, as if all that rage was directed at her... then she heard the wail of a siren in the distance, at the same time as a woman still inside the building began to scream and scream...
When a harmless quiz night ends with an act of shocking violence, the parents of Pirriwee Public School can't seem to stop their secrets from finally spilling out. Rumours ripple through the small town, as truth and lies blur to muddy the story of what really happened on that fateful night.
Review:
Thank you so much to Penguin Books UK for the awesome opportunity to review an ARC of Little Lies. I can honestly say that I was quite nervous having to write this review - it can be quite intimidating to do such a great book justice!! Little Lies is the first of Liane Moriarty's novels I have read, and I am excited to get hold of the rest in hope that they are even half as brilliant as Little Lies.
I really love the style of Moriarty's writing. There are a lot of characters in the book, but Liane develops their stories in such a way that you soon remember the characters, and even understand all their different quirks. I thought the dynamic of following the points of view of 3 of the main characters, Jane, Madeline and Celeste, through the story worked brilliantly. It was a really clever technique in helping the reader really connect with all the characters and understand not only their individual stories, but how they are all interconnected.
This book explores so many circumstances which are prominent in the world today; from divorced parents and one-night stands to bullying at school and abusive relationships. Through these difficult situations, Moriarty really pulls at the heart strings of the reader. I really connected with the characters and their stories and found myself wanting to help fight for them. Amongst all the difficult emotions exposed in Little Lies, Moriarty incorporates just the right amount of wit to keep a light-hearted edge to the story to make for an easy-read.
Early in the book the reader finds out that the school quiz night has resulted in a murder. Moriarty brilliantly creates the mystery around this event. The investigation style dialogue at the end of the chapters keeps the seed planted for the reader that although you're following the lives of the characters, the ultimate goal is to discover the truth about what happened the night of the quiz. Moriarty keeps you guessing all the way through, and I can honestly say that the truth revealed was not what I expected! It takes strong talent to keep the mystery alive throughout a story without the reader guessing the answer before it is revealed - Moriarty has knocked this one out the park!
Little Lies explores the idea that nothing is ever as it seems - everyone has their own hidden secrets that they are afraid of others finding out. As the story progresses these secrets start to plague the lives of the characters and their lives start to spiral. I really enjoyed following the friendship as it developed between Jane, Madeline and Celeste. They are 3 such different characters but they all offer each other such amazing support.
I can't say much more in fear of giving away too much of the story. I really feel this is one that you should completely immerse yourself in and don't be put off by the size of the novel. At around 500 pages it is quite a big book... but I can honestly say that you don't notice it at all. The pace of the book flows wonderfully throughout - and I was so gripped by the mystery of the novel and the lives of the characters, that I stayed up reading till 3am... on a school (work!) night no less!! I just couldn't help it... if I tried to put the book down I could hear it calling my name!!
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone!! It is one of my MUST-READ books of 2014!! From this single novel Liane Moriarty is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.
An insanely addictive and heart-wrenching story: it pulls at all the right strings to completely engulf the reader!
About the Author:
Liane Moriarty is the bestselling author of five novels, Three Wishes, The Last Anniversary, What Alice Forgot, The Hypnotist's Love Story and most recently her top ten bestseller The Husband's Secret.
She lives in Sydney with her husband and son.
Book Links:
2 comments
Hi Jessica, I found your blog through the Book Blogger list .You have a nice place with a bright bookish background :) I enjoyed your review about this one and it has made into my 'must read' ...The cover of the book is great and other titles by the author are interesting... specially 'What Alice Forgot'... Glad to be here .. wishes n regards.. Happy Reading, Happy Blogging, Kokila.
ReplyDeleteHi Kokila, thank you so much for stopping by and I am so glad to hear you like the look of my blog and the reviews! I love it when I can help spread the word about some beautiful books! And in my opinion this is definitely one of them!! If you do read it do let me know what you think. Happy reading to you too, Jess xx
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