Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty

*** Review ***

Ever since reading Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty has held a special place in my heart. That book, with its intricate plot and deep character development, rekindled my passion for reading. Now, with Here One Moment, Moriarty once again proves her storytelling prowess, offering a novel that intertwines fate, free will, and the human condition in a thought-provoking and emotionally gripping narrative.

Here One Moment poses a tantalizing question: If you knew your future, would you try to fight fate? This question underpins the story of a seemingly ordinary flight from Hobart to Sydney, where something extraordinary happens. Passengers learn exactly when and how they will die. Some, with distant death dates, laugh it off. But for six passengers, their imminent deaths cast a shadow over their lives.

The predictions come from an unremarkable woman, later known as “The Death Lady.” Not a single passenger or crew member recalls noticing her board the plane. She wasn’t exceptionally old or young, rude or polite. But her predictions soon become infamous when they start coming true.

Among the passengers, we meet a fascinating array of characters: the beautiful Indian flight attendant Allegra Patel, who is predicted to die at 28 from self-harm; Paula Binici, a mother told one child will live to 100 while her other, little Timmy, will die at age seven from drowning; civil engineer Leo, who learns he will die in a workplace accident, missing his daughter’s school play; middle-aged couple Sue and Max O’Sullivan, shocked that while Max will live into his 90s, Sue will die in a few years from pancreatic cancer; and honeymooners Dom and Eve, where Eve is told she will be killed by Dom.

Moriarty masterfully navigates these intertwining lives, drawing the reader into their fears, hopes, and struggles. Each character’s journey is compelling, making you root for them and ponder the nature of destiny. The tension builds as three passengers die exactly as predicted, leaving the others scrambling to change their fates.

Cherry Lockwood, the woman behind the predictions, becomes a central figure. Her backstory is as captivating as the main plot. Raised by a psychic mother, Madame Mae, Cherry’s life is a blend of skepticism and belief in the supernatural. Her transformation from an ordinary actuary to the “Death Lady” is a fascinating journey, laden with emotional depth and complexity.

As the story unfolds, Moriarty explores whether fate can be fought. Can Leo quit his job to avoid the predicted accident? Should Allegra seek psychological help to prevent self-harm? Can Paula’s efforts to teach Timmy to swim avert his drowning? The novel doesn’t just ask these questions; it delves into the characters’ actions and emotions as they grapple with their foretold destinies.

Reading Here One Moment, I was deeply moved by Cherry’s character. Her peculiar, quirky intelligence and her connections to her psychic mother and eccentric aunt made her journey particularly engaging. Cherry’s attempts to live a fulfilling life, despite her own predictions, add a rich layer of poignancy to the story. Her transformation from an unnoticed passenger to a figure of fear and fascination is handled with Moriarty’s trademark blend of humor and pathos.

This novel, with its blend of mystical, dramatic, and philosophical elements, delivers a powerful message about living life fully. It advises readers to make the most of their limited time, to challenge the odds and the reaper by defying statistical consequences. Moriarty’s ability to weave a complex, multi-layered narrative that still feels personal and intimate is nothing short of extraordinary.

I was particularly struck by the philosophical questions Moriarty raises. She skillfully blends determinism and free will, pushing readers to consider their own lives and choices. Are we mere puppets of fate, or do we have the power to shape our destinies? This novel doesn’t offer easy answers, but it encourages deep reflection.

Here One Moment is not just a book; it’s an experience. Moriarty’s prose is engaging, her characters vividly real, and her plot intricately crafted. The emotional depth of the novel left me questioning my own life and destiny, making it one of my favorite reads of the year.

In conclusion, Here One Moment is a brilliantly constructed tale that examines profound questions about life and death, fate and free will, and the human struggle for control in an uncertain world. Liane Moriarty has outdone herself with this novel, creating a gripping, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. I highly recommend this book, and I eagerly await the hardcover edition for my personal collection.