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__ceecee__ 's review for:
We Were Liars
by E. Lockhart
Tempted to give this 1 star but kind of redemeed itself for being self-aware and not entirely glamorizing whatever happened in the book. Writing style is not my cup of tea. Overly dramatic teenager I can understand, I’ve been one myself so my teenage self would have loved this probably. It feels like the kind of stories we read back in 7th-8th grade. I’m too old and not much of a professional to judge this as fitting read for YA. I wanted to know why it won the award, I was aware and liked some of e.lockhart’s books, but i just didnt like this book.
Discussing specific plot points below:
First off, Cady was full of herself. That’s why the tragedy happened. At least she realized it by the end. Plus points for self awareness. Just a little too late to be likable by the end. Relatable, yes.
What a horrid twist ending. It will definitely get readers talking. Shock value sells.
Kind of obnoxious writing style, imo. I guess it was to show Cady’s self importance and obnoxiousness, still, it was not an enjoyable read. I know why it was utilized, it was just hard to get through.
And in the end, everything was fine. Adults got over it in two years. Sounds like a fairytale ending to me. A tragedy that awful would make that already fragile family fall apart. But it’s all because they had to support Cady that they got through it together. Sounds like a plot device. There’s no book if they didnt all decide to be there for Cady and indulge in her delusions so they could help her heal. How recommendable is that, anyway? They explained it off as a therapist’s suggestion.
But the tragedy happened because the family already had a weak bond, it was falling apart way before that summer fifteen, Cady just didnt realize it - it’s one of her character points that she realized that their summer idylls weren’t idyllic at all. So how’d they end up there two years after the tragedy?
Look, the book will fall apart if you really thought it through. It’s banking on the emotions it evokes. Felt manipulative to me.
THEY WERE GHOSTS ALL ALONG. It was only ever hinted by a child character, and we all tend to think there are ghosts in ancient houses anyway. Turns out he was right. I thought it was a clever twist.
Discussing specific plot points below:
Spoiler
First off, Cady was full of herself. That’s why the tragedy happened. At least she realized it by the end. Plus points for self awareness. Just a little too late to be likable by the end. Relatable, yes.
What a horrid twist ending. It will definitely get readers talking. Shock value sells.
Kind of obnoxious writing style, imo. I guess it was to show Cady’s self importance and obnoxiousness, still, it was not an enjoyable read. I know why it was utilized, it was just hard to get through.
And in the end, everything was fine. Adults got over it in two years. Sounds like a fairytale ending to me. A tragedy that awful would make that already fragile family fall apart. But it’s all because they had to support Cady that they got through it together. Sounds like a plot device. There’s no book if they didnt all decide to be there for Cady and indulge in her delusions so they could help her heal. How recommendable is that, anyway? They explained it off as a therapist’s suggestion.
But the tragedy happened because the family already had a weak bond, it was falling apart way before that summer fifteen, Cady just didnt realize it - it’s one of her character points that she realized that their summer idylls weren’t idyllic at all. So how’d they end up there two years after the tragedy?
Look, the book will fall apart if you really thought it through. It’s banking on the emotions it evokes. Felt manipulative to me.
THEY WERE GHOSTS ALL ALONG. It was only ever hinted by a child character, and we all tend to think there are ghosts in ancient houses anyway. Turns out he was right. I thought it was a clever twist.