Little Lies

Some of Moriarty's other novels are MUCH better than this one. But there are many good things about this book.

It does take on very important topics (domestic abuse and bullying) and tells the story of a single mother (Jane) who along with her son Ziggy moves to a seaside town supposedly on a whim (though you will learn later that there is more to why she chose that town...a clever plot turn on the author's part). She is very young (24) and has difficulties when she registers her son for kindergarten. The other mothers assume she is a nanny because she is so young.

For years, Jane has refused to identify Ziggy's father or the circumstances around her son's conception. She eventually reveals the ugly and life-altering story to some of her new friends. But about half way through the book I guessed what the outcome would be concerning the father.

I found all the drama at the school and with the very high maintenance mothers of the other children to be a bit tedious. The “camps” seemed to be divided between Jane's friends (who were for the most part rational) and the other mothers (who were mostly caricatures of the over-involved mom....too involved, too quick to judge, too critical. A little more “grey” and not so much black and white would have helped.

I'd much more quickly recommend Moriarty's The Hypnotist's Love Story and The Husband's Secret. Both of those books seem to be more tightly written and were novels I lost myself in right away.

This book felt like it was too long but the humorous writing style kept me reading.

Didn't think I'd like a silly little story like this, but the author creates characters you love and hate and want to invest your time in getting to know. And of course you have to keep reading to find out about the killing that occurs.

The first 80 pages or so, I wanted to stop reading this book (which would have been my third DNF in a row, I think). I wanted to give it only one star. I hated the mommy drama BS. I didn't like any of the characters. Everyone seemed so fake and terrible and catty. It made me feel kind of rage-y.

So I now hate the fact that the book picked up and got really, really good, and now I have to give it lots of stars.

During those first 80 pages, I kept looking at all the positive reviews for this book and thinking, What is it that I'm not getting? Why did this get four and five stars from EVERY friend I follow on Goodreads?

I'm glad I stuck with it. The story took off, the writing stopped feeling so cheesy and trope-y, it got all serious, and I flew through it.

Now I'm one of you.

listened to this on audio and loved it! Narration was fantastic. I felt like I knew the characters in the book, you don't find out who gets murdered until very close to the end - found myself guessing someone different throughout the book. Serious topics discussed in a fun approachable manner. If you are married and or have kids you will find something to relate to in this book.

An addictive page turner, just like The Husband's Secret (which is the book I read to ‘discover' Liane Moriarty.)

She has a way of creating real, believable characters, putting them in everyday situations, and making them do the unexpected!

Thoroughly enjoyed, devoured in a day.

This story was a really good one. It took a darker turn than I expected, and was a page-turner from start to finish. The characters were so superficial, yet relatable. I found myself quoting some of them in real life. Highly recommend!

This book was fantastic! I've never read any of Liane Moriarty's books despite owning two of them so this was my first. Someone in my book club had raved about it as she had just finished it and I thought I'd pick it up. I checked on Amazon and it was on sale for the Kindle for $2.99! I took that as a sign and snapped it up.

From the start you know someone dies at the school trivia night, but you don't know who, how or why and it's maddening! But in the most delicious way.

The story focuses on three women and as I got to know them I desperately didn't want them to be the victim who meets her demise. There was so much that reminded me of the gossiping and backstabbing that goes on with school moms. Of course, no one has died at our school auction, but I could see glimpses of real life in so much of Big Little Lies.

Of course, now that I've read this book I've got to finally read her others. One is already on my tbr list for that challenge!

Great book!

This storyline, so much better than “The Husband's Secret”. This storyline was so interesting and captivated my attention. I definitely did not expect the ending!

On the evening of the school fundraiser a parent is killed, perhaps murdered, amidst the general mayhem of duelling Elvis' and screaming Audrey Hepburns. It's hard to suss out the actual details with all the gossipy innuendo surrounding a French nanny, bullied kids and an erotic book club. There's a lot going on here and Moriarity handles it all with a deft hand, mixing humour with darker truths and snappy banter. It's a literary Desperate Housewives meets earnest After School special for adults without tilting too far into either camp.

Fantastic read. Fast paced, well plotted, engaging characters. I was a little worried in the beginning because in just the first paragraph Madeline irritated me. Now I think that was just residual irritation from the book I'd just finished. Because by the halfway point, Madeline had become a favorite (loved her almost as much as I loved Ed). So much so that I missed her when she wasn't around.

A great mix of over the top, absurd parenting antics and reactions (anyone who has ever had to deal with parents will immediately identify real life counterparts to the fictional women) and normal family dynamics. But, along with the humor there were serious topics like bullying and abuse, none of which were handled lightly.

The author masterfully staged and plotted the who-done-it portion of the story. Throwing in clues and jagged bits of information without tilting her hand at who was the perpetrator or the victim. It took me a while to figure out that the interview excerpts weren't really police interviews. Love what they really turned out to be.

Really liked this one - so much so that I feel the need to read Liane Moriarty's other books.

This book belongs in the dictionary under the definition of “page turner.” I couldn't work or sleep until I knew what horrible event took place that was alluded to in the first chapter. And by the time it took place I had grown so attached to the three main characters that I was wracked with anxiety that one of them would be the victim or the culprit. I don't want to give the impression that Big Little Lies is a grim novel; at times it is bitingly funny, especially the Greek Chorus of parents and teachers who provide a running commentary on the action. I think the less you know about the specifics of the plot going in to this book, the better, but rest assured you will laugh, cry, gasp and sigh, and at the end you will feel both exhausted and satisfied.

I will admit that I miss the simple romanticism of Moriarty's earlier novels, but it's rewarding to see her growth as an author, and I am glad she is garnering both critical and commercial success.