Title: Big Little Lies
Author: Liane Moriarty
Release Date: December 25, 2014
Length: 458 pages
Genre: General Fiction / Mystery
***My Review***
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies is a captivating and thrilling novel that explores the secrets, lies, and struggles of three women whose seemingly perfect lives unravel in the wake of a shocking event. The novel’s intricate plot, well-developed characters, and powerful emotions make it a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery.
The novel is set in a wealthy coastal town in Australia, where the lives of three mothers, Madeline, Celeste, and Jane, become intertwined after their children start attending the same school. The novel opens with the annual school trivia night, where an incident occurs that leaves the community reeling.
The narrative then takes us back six months earlier and follows the three women as their lives intersect and their secrets slowly come to light. As the novel progresses, the tension builds, and the reader is left wondering who is behind the shocking event at the trivia night.
The theme of over-parenting is prevalent, with working mothers pitted against stay-at-home mothers, and questions of fulfillment versus involvement. The book’s humorous tone had me laughing out loud, particularly at the absurdities of some of the mothers.
However, beneath the surface lies a deeper layer, where the author tackles serious issues such as bullying and spousal abuse. The women in the book all have their own issues and problems in their marriages, as well as traumas from their past.
Despite tackling heavy themes such as bullying, cheating, rape, and domestic abuse, Moriarty handles them with grace, and the book retains its light and easy style. Even with such weighty topics, the book remains highly readable and engaging.
I particularly appreciate Moriarty’s writing style, which is difficult to pinpoint, but it draws me in and engages my senses. Her storytelling is so vivid that I can easily imagine the scenes unfolding in my mind.
Moriarty has created three compelling and complex protagonists, each with their own struggles and secrets.
Madeline, a fierce and outspoken mother of three, is dealing with the fallout of her ex-husband’s new marriage and her own feelings of inadequacy.
Celeste, a beautiful and successful lawyer, appears to have it all but is hiding a dark and dangerous secret. And Jane, a young single mother new to town, is haunted by a traumatic event from her past. The supporting cast of characters, including the other parents at the school, are equally well-developed and add to the richness of the story.
Furthermore, the characters and their relationships depicted in the book felt very genuine and representative of parents at a primary school anywhere in the world. I particularly enjoyed reading about ‘the blonde bobs’, who organize the P&C and fundraising events, as well as the mothers who worry about their gifted children – these are types of people we all know.
The commentary of quotes from the parents following the event were amusing, albeit often inaccurate, yet they accurately portrayed the spread of rumors in such a close-knit community.
While the book humorously depicts the politics of the schoolyard, as well as the marriages and lives of the characters, it also tackles serious subjects such as bullying and domestic violence in a manner that is well-balanced with the overall tone of the book.
Moriarty has a keen understanding of human emotion and uses it to great effect in Big Little Lies. The novel is at times funny, poignant, and heartbreaking. The reader feels deeply invested in the lives of the characters and their struggles, and the novel’s powerful emotional payoff is satisfying and cathartic.
The novel’s strengths lie in its engaging plot, well-drawn characters, and nuanced exploration of themes such as friendship, motherhood, and the masks we wear to hide our true selves. Moriarty’s writing is engaging and accessible, and she has a talent for weaving together multiple plot threads to create a cohesive and compelling narrative.
I enjoyed the structure of the story, which provided hints of the outcome throughout the book. It was cleverly done, with each hint tying back to the backstory being told. The anticipation of the major climax kept me engaged and wanting to know what would happen next.
The book has two distinct sides. The first is a fun and whimsical side that makes the reader want to be part of the group of friends depicted in the story. The second is a darker side that highlights the fact that we never really know what goes on behind closed doors, even among close friends.
Ultimately, the book is about life and the people we love, as well as those who drive us crazy – often, they are one and the same. The idea that there are three sides to every person – the one we show to the world, the one we show to loved ones, and the one we show only to ourselves – is a powerful and relatable theme that runs throughout the story.
Some readers may find the novel’s focus on the lives of wealthy, privileged people to be off-putting. Additionally, the novel’s pacing can be slow at times, as the focus is on character development rather than action.
Overall, Big Little Lies is a gripping and emotionally resonant novel that will keep you turning the pages until the very end. Moriarty’s skillful storytelling and well-drawn characters make for a thoroughly engaging reading experience, and the novel’s exploration of themes such as friendship, motherhood, and the weight of secrets will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. Highly recommended.