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prolificliving 's review for:
Big Little Lies
by Liane Moriarty
Big Little Lies Review:
I finally met myself in a book: I am Madeline, or Mad Maddie as Nathan, her ex-husband, calls her. Maybe that's why I loved the book so much. I mean, let's face it, we are all fascinated by ourselves, and to see the world from the outside through the eyes of someone who is just like you, or to read a story of a character that is so like you, you don't want to so much as blink as you read the next story about her, well that is a delicious treat, and that's how I felt with Big Little Lies. This book is a delicious read and still manages to touch on some serious themes.
What may seem at first like a fluff make-you-feel good read actually goes into the disturbing reality of real issues such as abuse - verbal and physical - bullying, toxic relationships, lies we tell ourselves to hide the truth for fear of shame and guilt brought on by society, and lies which, while seemingly harmless, cause more havoc than any old ugly truth could on its own. Big Little Lies is a really good story, humorous, entertaining, and also sad, but with such a delicious fair and just ending that you can't help but smile. I can't wait to pick up the next book by the same author, and I don't even care about the plot/story. I've heard good things about The Husband's Secret. (Have you read it?)
My other observations about the book:
- Did I mention I loved Madeline and Ed? My absolute favorite character with her drama, her short temperament, her PMS, her outrage at the behavior of others, her truly good nature on the inside, her fierce love for justice done the Madeline way, and her assertion as a woman. Oh and her obsession with shoes!
- The layout of the book: Moriarty uses an interesting approach to telling the story, the climax of which happens on Trivia Night at the school. She intersperses quotes from characters we haven't even met in statements made to the police after the fact into the story, and flashbacks to months, weeks and days building up to Trivia Night.
- The culture and dynamics of the school, the kids and the parents of the upper-middle class in Australia.
- It's funny that I can tell when I'm reading a British book but the Australian book read just like an American book. No Aussie colloquialism. No local expressions. The use of the English language is very neutral.
- The point of view: Moriarty writes from 3rd person limited point of view, giving Celeste, Jane and Madeline a chance to tell it from their side. I enjoy books that switch it up between the narrators, so you get the full view. There are some smaller characters who get a chance to say a few words too, but mainly the 3 women drive the story forward.
- Just the right balance between plot and story, with your wonderful dose of eccentric yet real life characters that make it oh so good.
- The picture the author paints of various lives, the struggling single mom Jane, the upper-middle-class Madeline, the beyond measure wealthy Celeste, and how they feel and behave in their respective "social classes" but also when among each other. In other words, how money plays a role - spoken and not - in a circle of friends at vastly different stages of life.
Absolutely delicious and wonderful read!
I finally met myself in a book: I am Madeline, or Mad Maddie as Nathan, her ex-husband, calls her. Maybe that's why I loved the book so much. I mean, let's face it, we are all fascinated by ourselves, and to see the world from the outside through the eyes of someone who is just like you, or to read a story of a character that is so like you, you don't want to so much as blink as you read the next story about her, well that is a delicious treat, and that's how I felt with Big Little Lies. This book is a delicious read and still manages to touch on some serious themes.
What may seem at first like a fluff make-you-feel good read actually goes into the disturbing reality of real issues such as abuse - verbal and physical - bullying, toxic relationships, lies we tell ourselves to hide the truth for fear of shame and guilt brought on by society, and lies which, while seemingly harmless, cause more havoc than any old ugly truth could on its own. Big Little Lies is a really good story, humorous, entertaining, and also sad, but with such a delicious fair and just ending that you can't help but smile. I can't wait to pick up the next book by the same author, and I don't even care about the plot/story. I've heard good things about The Husband's Secret. (Have you read it?)
My other observations about the book:
- Did I mention I loved Madeline and Ed? My absolute favorite character with her drama, her short temperament, her PMS, her outrage at the behavior of others, her truly good nature on the inside, her fierce love for justice done the Madeline way, and her assertion as a woman. Oh and her obsession with shoes!
- The layout of the book: Moriarty uses an interesting approach to telling the story, the climax of which happens on Trivia Night at the school. She intersperses quotes from characters we haven't even met in statements made to the police after the fact into the story, and flashbacks to months, weeks and days building up to Trivia Night.
- The culture and dynamics of the school, the kids and the parents of the upper-middle class in Australia.
- It's funny that I can tell when I'm reading a British book but the Australian book read just like an American book. No Aussie colloquialism. No local expressions. The use of the English language is very neutral.
- The point of view: Moriarty writes from 3rd person limited point of view, giving Celeste, Jane and Madeline a chance to tell it from their side. I enjoy books that switch it up between the narrators, so you get the full view. There are some smaller characters who get a chance to say a few words too, but mainly the 3 women drive the story forward.
- Just the right balance between plot and story, with your wonderful dose of eccentric yet real life characters that make it oh so good.
- The picture the author paints of various lives, the struggling single mom Jane, the upper-middle-class Madeline, the beyond measure wealthy Celeste, and how they feel and behave in their respective "social classes" but also when among each other. In other words, how money plays a role - spoken and not - in a circle of friends at vastly different stages of life.
Absolutely delicious and wonderful read!