Book Review: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

One-sentence summary:

Someone (who??) is dead, and we flash back to the events leading up to it among a mommy-centric group in Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty.

HERE is the Liane Moriarty I was so disappointed to miss in Truly Madly Guilty. The characters have teeth and the twists are truly twisty.

I was reluctant to drop back into Moriarty’s world after the static Truly Madly Guilty, but then read a blurb by Stephen King praising this book. Publisher marketing, I know, but it was enough to make me want to read it.

We follow a group of mom friends, bonding at their kids’ school. One is fabulous and outspoken. One is elegant and victimized. One is young and carries the world heavily on her shoulders.

And then, there are the side players. The husbands. The sharp-tongued judgmental mommy. But really, it’s all about the core three. And they are such fun characters to follow!

Does each character seem to be filling some stereotypical role? Well, yes. But some of them still manage to surprise me.

Liane Moriarty adds elements of the unexpected to her books. She introduces characters, lets you form an opinion of them, and then throws in a situation that brings out a new side you wouldn’t have guessed possible.

The Husband’s Secret is a perfect example of this. Just when you think you know someone, they change under duress and become unrecognizable even to themselves.

The characters in Big Little Lies are so likeable, even in their shortcomings. Of course, likeable characters aren’t a prerequisite to a good or enjoyable book, but it made this one such a pleasure to read. And the end…

Well, I don’t want to spoil the end.

Next on the to-do list: watch the show. I hear it’s wonderful. In fact, I hear Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are in talks to develop Truly Madly Guilty into a show next. Gaaaaaaah, why that one? Liane Moriarty has better books in her stable!

Dangit, I’ll probably watch that one with relish, too.