Big Little Lies
Ratings149
Average rating4.2
+1 star for: THE SAXON BANKS REVEAL!!! i gasped so loud i scared my poor roomate... sorry emily!
+1 star for: the three leading ladies! love my girls and their relationships with one another. lowkey love how they made me want to be a mom just for the gossip LMFAO
+1 star for: some laugh out loud moments like this book was so randomly funny
+1 star for: “what are you babbling on about woman”
I kept getting distracted because I think I've read this before and just forgotten. Don't think I've watched the show since I don't have HBO. I enjoyed it either way
I may be the last person to read this, but I'm glad I added it to my list.
So much fun! Now I see why they made it a series. Such rich characters–even though each appeared to have only one dimension at first.
You will recognize every personality in the schoolyard in this book, not in the children, but the parents.
The hint of intrigue and murder mystery was an added bonus. I didn't need it to complete my enjoyment of the book, but I loved how it played out. Great beach read!
They say no book is perfect but Big Little Lies came close. Vivid, believable characters, deliciously gray scenarios, surprising and satisfying twists throughout. Big Little Lies was the first book I read by Liane Moriarty and it won't be the last.
«اتاق‌های خانه‌شان درست مثل نوشته‌های فیس‌بوک پری بود. ارائه مدرن و منظم زندگی آن‌ها. بله حق با او بود. آن‌ها روی مبل‌های زیبایی می‌نشستند و نوشیدنی خود را روی میز می‌گذاشتند و به غروب آفتاب اقیانوس نگاه می‌کردند. بله درست و حتی گاهی افتخارآمیز است. اما آن مبل همان مبلی است که یک‌بار پری صورتش را به آن فشار داد و نزدیک بود او را خفه کند. نوشته زیر عکس فیس‌بوک که «روز خوب با بچه‌ها» اصلاً دروغ نبود اما پری تصویری از اتفاقات آن شب بعد از خوابیدن بچه‌ها نداشت. خون از دماغ او سرازیر شد. همیشه این اتفاق می‌افتاد.»
TW: domestic abuse, rape
I haven't seen the show, so my impression of this book is only of the book. I really enjoyed it. I found each of the characters to be relatable and likeable in some way, they each felt unique and had a distinct voice. I was not expecting any of the twists.
It's not an easy read, as it does touch upon difficult subject matter, but it was captivating enough for me to feel affected by it when I was finished.
This was a great story. When I first started listening, I thought it was a going to be too dark, and wasn't sure it would be a book I'd like. But I really enjoyed each of the characters and how they progressed through the story.
I found out after listening, that it was a TV series. I still haven't watched it yet, but if I find it streaming, I will check it out.
I would definitely recommend this book!
I have one word- WOW. There is nothing else that can adequately illustrate what I am feeling right now. When I picked this book up at my local supermarket, I didn't think much of it and haven't even been able to get into the show whatsoever. However, upon having finally finished reading it, I am moved beyond anything I could have imagined from this book. It has opened my eyes in more ways than one and will forever be one of my favorite books of all time.
To begin with, the book follows a rather unique writing pattern. We go from the peak of the climax to the very beginning of when things first started to slowly transpire and started building up to the main event. Every chapter draws us closer to the truth and a little is revealed, or seemingly little things anyways. Those little things really end up being a very big part of the complete and whole picture. What a unique look into the psyche of human beings and the way that our minds perceive events and then the whole process that our minds undergo transforming those events into thoughts, twisting and totally changing them as we go. I also really liked how after every chapter and being given one more important part of the story, there was the dialogue that the detective was having with the people involved in the crime and who were on the scene at the time of the crime. I have never seen this being done in books before and it definitely stood out to me.
In addition, the writing style was by far my favorite type. It was precise and to the point without being too drawn out or too short. It was a joy to read because the chapters were also not too long and too short and because of that the story moved at a very nice pace, without being too rushed or being stretched out too long. I am not one to reread books ever but I might just have to reread this one in the future because it was that good.
Further on, the characters were my favorite part of the whole book because they all had their little intricacies and I loved how far inside their minds we were able to go. We really found out what made them tick and it really made for memorable characters that jumped out at me as I read through the story.
All in all, this book is one of a kind. I am not one for “momma drama” type stories but this was so much more than that. There were really complicated issues addressed in this book as well but in a very slightly dark humor kind of way. And the crime at the center of the story just really kept me on the edge of my seat and I couldn't stop reading until I got all the answers and they all took me by surprise.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good crime mystery and not to get discouraged by the seemingly useless momma drama in the very beginning because it all ties in perfectly at the end and makes sense. What a fantastic read!
This book...definitely one you should pick up! You know right from the start that someone dies but have no idea who killed them. I love how the book talks about everything that lead up to that night and leaves you guessing the entire time. The drama between the mothers felt so real, like something you'd actually see these days. Another great read!
“They say it's good to let your grudges go, but I don't know, I'm quite fond of my grudge. I tend it like a little pet.”
This book was a lot of fun, although it made me quite uneasy at times: the descriptions of what had happened to Jane. Moriarty writes in a distinctly engaging manner, it was easy to get attached to the characters and see them as real people. I think she's great at character development. The police interviews were a great addition and effective comic relief. I enjoyed the twist at the end, however, I did guess a big part of it right from the beginning, not about who had died, but that other thing: who the father was.
All in all, this was an engrossing and highly readable book. I must check out Moriarty's other books.
Literally could not put this book down!
I had the Kindle version, but I could not put this down so I purchased the audio version for when I was driving, showering, sleeping, cleaning, or performing other necessary duties where holding my iPad or mobile would be difficult. This is my 2nd Moriarty book and I'm looking forward to the next. Already downloaded both the audio and Kindle version as I was finishing this one. I think I'm addicted!
I can't stop saying, “Oh calamity!” I was so sad when the book ended. I loved these characters so much. Madeline was my favorite, but Ed was a close second.
Such a well developed story! I am just fascinated with Moriarty's imagination now. She really weaves a good one! I've been suggesting this one to everyone, even strangers I catch browsing for their next guilty pleasure read.
I was pretty certain that I knew who the dad was about a quarter into the book, but when Ed cracked open his Cornwall novel and the red herring reference was made, I decided to keep my mind open. ;)
I literally squealed so loud at Tom's revelation in his apartment in the back of Blue's Blues that my son came running “What!?” I think that was in my top 5 moments of reading the book. Also Chloe's conversation with Madeline in the car on the way to orientation raked high on my list. What a hoot that was!
5 Stars easily! It's one of my favorite books (ever) now.
A page turner
A who done it/ who's the victim, right to the end kind of book. A dark but very well written story.
well written, funny, interesting, and above all, relevant. .well done again! re read it and it hadn't lost an ounce of its sparkle. love it!
Oh what a decadent and dangerously addictive book this is! It is your every guilty pleasure between two covers. I warn you, you will not be able to put it down. Thanks to Liane Moriarty I lost hours of much needed sleep and woke up cranky but still wanting more Big Little Lies.
The story mostly focuses on three main characters: Madeline – a stylish and high-spirited mum whose ex-husband's daughter attends the same school as her kids; Jane – a young, single mum who is new to the area; and Celeste – a beautiful and rich stay-at-home mum with rambunctious twin boys. The events and interactions between the mums of Pirriwee Public School all lead up to a dramatic drunken riot and the tragic death of one parent. Police suspect murder.
The wonderful thing about this book is that not only are you guessing ‘who-dunnit', but also you don't know who died til the very end either. It is a two-for-the-price-of-one mystery.
Don't let the size of the book deter you. This is an easy and satisfying read. Moriarty is a gifted storyteller; her writing is effortless and enticing. I felt like I knew some of these characters (Oh calamity! I probably do!). The mothers of Pirriwee could represent those at any primary school, squabbling over who was invited to a party, gossiping about an unconfirmed affair and always trying to outdo each other.
While I had to laugh at the antics of the school mums (and admit, took a certain amount of glee from their petty feuds), there are some very real and serious issues that are dealt with in this book. Bullying, domestic abuse and body image issues all play an important role.
Big Little Lies is a highly entertaining, funny yet thought-provoking novel. I will be recommending it to all my friends, book club and perhaps highlighting a couple of paragraphs for a select few Kindy mums.
Thank you to Bookworld for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.