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laurolly's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars. I loved the premise - and had an awesome epiphany after I finished about the tree’s origin which made me like the book a whole lot more (but I don’t want to give any spoilers!). It was just creepy enough that I got spooked by my own shadow, however, since there was a very heavy focus on science and explanations it was never too scary.
merilizabeth's review against another edition
1.0
I'm sorry, but this was the most boring and suffering process I have to endure in a while. Maybe the translation was at fault, but for me the whole story didn't make any sense at all. The idea was quite good and never seen before, but the performance was plain. I kept on reading, because I simply can't put away something I have stated to read, but also I hoped it will become better. Waste of time this one.
katykelly's review
5.0
I was thrilled when, soon after finishing this, I learned that Hardinge had won not only the Costa Children's award for this novel, but the overall Costa prize. It isn't common for a children's book to beat the adult titles for the Costa award, and had I not read this, I wouldn't have expected it this year.
But The Lie Tree is exceptional. I've read Hardinge before, and love her dark and atmopheric stories and characters. She always manages to endow her females with depth and realism.
This is a period piece, set around the time of Darwin (whose work is mentioned and tangential to the story). Faith is a preacher's daughter, her family suddenly upped and moved to a wall island after something scandal-worthy has occurred to make them take flight. Constrained by her gender and the time she lives in, the intelligent teenager, who yearns for her father's approval and for mental stimulation and acceptance, she secretly investigates her father's mysterious and troubling death.
And discovers a tree - his tree - that seems to thrive on lies... Just how does it work? Is it true? And what will be the consequences if Faith, in her own search for the truth, tricks others into believing her own falsehoods and tales?
It's a story about truth and dishonesty, intellectual or otherwise, in which almost every character is involved in a lie of some sort - I found the women's stories the most interesting, the best-developed, with Faith and her mother th most intriguing characters. I didn't take to Faith's father at all, other males Faith meets don't match up to her depth or intelligence.
I love how Hardinge weaves the topic of evolution into the plot and brings out this discussion of the period, and even the Lie Tree itself, a fantasy construct , I quite enjoyed, though I'm not a fan of this sort of mysterious/nonsensical/unrealistic plot usually. It fit the era, the genre and the plot.
There is so much in here to discuss, for young people's book groups and for readers reading this and discovering the world of the Victorians and their worldview. The treatment and view of women may come as a shock to many, but it is well-written to feel realistic.
So pleased it won the Costa, I hope this gives it a boost into yet wider readerships.
One for ages 13 and above.
But The Lie Tree is exceptional. I've read Hardinge before, and love her dark and atmopheric stories and characters. She always manages to endow her females with depth and realism.
This is a period piece, set around the time of Darwin (whose work is mentioned and tangential to the story). Faith is a preacher's daughter, her family suddenly upped and moved to a wall island after something scandal-worthy has occurred to make them take flight. Constrained by her gender and the time she lives in, the intelligent teenager, who yearns for her father's approval and for mental stimulation and acceptance, she secretly investigates her father's mysterious and troubling death.
And discovers a tree - his tree - that seems to thrive on lies... Just how does it work? Is it true? And what will be the consequences if Faith, in her own search for the truth, tricks others into believing her own falsehoods and tales?
It's a story about truth and dishonesty, intellectual or otherwise, in which almost every character is involved in a lie of some sort - I found the women's stories the most interesting, the best-developed, with Faith and her mother th most intriguing characters. I didn't take to Faith's father at all, other males Faith meets don't match up to her depth or intelligence.
I love how Hardinge weaves the topic of evolution into the plot and brings out this discussion of the period, and even the Lie Tree itself, a fantasy construct , I quite enjoyed, though I'm not a fan of this sort of mysterious/nonsensical/unrealistic plot usually. It fit the era, the genre and the plot.
There is so much in here to discuss, for young people's book groups and for readers reading this and discovering the world of the Victorians and their worldview. The treatment and view of women may come as a shock to many, but it is well-written to feel realistic.
So pleased it won the Costa, I hope this gives it a boost into yet wider readerships.
One for ages 13 and above.
allyexa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
A clever, dark, Victorian era adventure, full of grey characters and gloomy weather. The plot never let up, though that didn’t mean it was all fun and games. I cried more than I laughed, but I didn’t do too much of either.
Still, Hardinge’s writing painted a vivid picture and so neatly wrapped up the snowballing storyline that I was impressed and surprised. I’ll definitely check out more of her work.
4/25/24
Still, Hardinge’s writing painted a vivid picture and so neatly wrapped up the snowballing storyline that I was impressed and surprised. I’ll definitely check out more of her work.
4/25/24
slysky4's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
howtobebooks's review
5.0
This quaint, quirky mystery novel has so many themes intertwined in a logical fashion that I'm considering it to be near perfect.
With magical realism as a major part of this tale, I was initially apprehensive to what conclusion could be achieved without drifting off on a tangent. However, it came together revealing its true purpose, that of the women who at the beginning seemed meek and mild, but actually were at the heart of the plot. Well written.
With magical realism as a major part of this tale, I was initially apprehensive to what conclusion could be achieved without drifting off on a tangent. However, it came together revealing its true purpose, that of the women who at the beginning seemed meek and mild, but actually were at the heart of the plot. Well written.
moshalala's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
edgyirishcupcake's review
2.5
A slow moving story that had an interesting premise and ending. There was definitely a lot of repetition that seemed unnecessary. There was a lot of information that was also unnecessary and irrelevant to the story. Overall, it was OK.
tjsayler's review
It was not engaging and I got bored with it. I had high expectations for it and really tried to get through it, but in the end I realized I was just skimming and reading the words but not really comprehending what was happening.
intorilex's review against another edition
4.0
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Actual Rating 3.5
I usually avoid historical fiction because I know it's a genre that's hard for me to enjoy. But after reading many four starred ratings of this on Goodreads, I decided to take a chance. While reading the first 35% of the book I was regretting that decision and was tempted to stop reading because it started off very slow. However since I had already committed to giving it a try, I powered through and was able to immerse myself in and enjoy the rest of the book. Faith is a very smart and clever girl who has to deal with a society which dismisses her entire gender as fragile and inferior. She quickly learns how to play on those low expectations and sets a plan in motion to discover exactly what happened to her father.
The character development was great. I began the book disliking most of the characters because of their backward thinking and inability to listen to others. While learning more about them I warmed up to the different personalities. Even How, Faith's little brother who is spoiled throughout the book becomes more sympathetic and less annoying. Once Faith sets out to discover what the lie tree is, and how she can use it, the mystery unravels in a enjoyable whirl wind. The island itself provides a dreary but appropriate backdrop to the Faith's lies and hysteria those lies cause. The author is able to describe imaginative and creative vision sequences, that enhanced my reading experience.
Beyond the mystery involved with the lie tree, is a family trying to keep themselves together and persevere through mistreatment and ill fortune. Faith refused to back down from what she knew, or to give up. Despite physical and verbal assaults against her and her family she never doubts herself, and is able to seek out and reveal the truth. Despite the beginning, I still enjoyed reading on and finding out the nature of the lie tree. I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction, who can handle a slow start and enjoys mysteries.
I received this e-book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating 3.5
I usually avoid historical fiction because I know it's a genre that's hard for me to enjoy. But after reading many four starred ratings of this on Goodreads, I decided to take a chance. While reading the first 35% of the book I was regretting that decision and was tempted to stop reading because it started off very slow. However since I had already committed to giving it a try, I powered through and was able to immerse myself in and enjoy the rest of the book. Faith is a very smart and clever girl who has to deal with a society which dismisses her entire gender as fragile and inferior. She quickly learns how to play on those low expectations and sets a plan in motion to discover exactly what happened to her father.
"When every door is closed, one learns to climb through windows."
The character development was great. I began the book disliking most of the characters because of their backward thinking and inability to listen to others. While learning more about them I warmed up to the different personalities. Even How, Faith's little brother who is spoiled throughout the book becomes more sympathetic and less annoying. Once Faith sets out to discover what the lie tree is, and how she can use it, the mystery unravels in a enjoyable whirl wind. The island itself provides a dreary but appropriate backdrop to the Faith's lies and hysteria those lies cause. The author is able to describe imaginative and creative vision sequences, that enhanced my reading experience.
"Zeal was like gas most dangerous when you could not see it. The wrong spark could light it at any time."
Beyond the mystery involved with the lie tree, is a family trying to keep themselves together and persevere through mistreatment and ill fortune. Faith refused to back down from what she knew, or to give up. Despite physical and verbal assaults against her and her family she never doubts herself, and is able to seek out and reveal the truth. Despite the beginning, I still enjoyed reading on and finding out the nature of the lie tree. I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction, who can handle a slow start and enjoys mysteries.
I received this e-book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.