Oh me oh my!Big Little Lies was my very first Liane Moriarty. I didn't know what to expect.
I have to confess that I thought 'too light and fluffy for me.'
I have read & enjoyed a few of her sisters books (Jaclyn Moriarty).
I had also read several good reviews about Liane's last book, The Husband's Secret. But I was still doubtful.
So let me say, right here and now how much I thoroughly enjoyed Big Little Lies.
Set in a fictitious, but oh so familiar Sydney suburb, Liane perfectly & hilariously describes the local school playground abuzz with stay-at-home mums, career mums and the occasional dad.
There are second marriages, steps, halves and wholes, single mums and lots of very precious children.
And a very suspicious death at the school trivia night!
I found myself reading out sections to Mr Books as we recognised ourselves and our fellow playground & soccer sideline cohorts. I couldn't decide if Liane had written the perfect farce or a biting satire.
But then, all of a sudden, we're in the middle of a domestic violence drama!
And I hate to say it, still chuckling away at certain passages.
It's not easy to juggle black comedy, social commentary on the sexual enslavement of young girls and an exposé on domestic violence, but Liane does so beautifully.
By the end of Big Little Lies, I felt that these people were my best friends. I cared about them & what happened to them. And now that I've finished the book, I miss them.
Although you could see the end coming, the delight was in the anticipation and the set-up. I still cried out loud "I knew it, I knew it, I knew it" with satisfaction as all was revealed.
Liane has showed us how a very serious topic can be dealt with in a lighthearted way without taking away from the importance of the issue.
Big Little Lies is an August release through Macmillan Australia.
Oh that does sound good. I haven't read any Liane Moriarty yet (or her sister either), this does sound a good place to start. I'm very jealous of your early access to books!
ReplyDeleteBig Little Lies is a very good place to start!
DeleteAnd yes, I still pinch myself - the sheer joy of working in a bookshop has not worn off after 6 years. I love the ARC's - the challenge, though is to read them before they're published !!
Hmm, I might have to give Moriarty a second look... my initial reaction to her books has been "too fluffy for me" as well, but after reading your review, I'll reconsider.
ReplyDeleteIt is light and easy. But she's also funny, obviously very observant and has a social conscious. It would be a great holiday read. I read it one rainy weekend after a bout of heavy books (& in need a some light relief). This fit the bill perfectly.
DeleteI'm so glad you loved her! I just read The Husband's Secret after assuming for far too long that it would be silly chick lit (it was the pink flower on the cover that made me think that) and I loved it! This one is a must read for me now.
ReplyDeleteIt was your review of The Husband's Secret, Melissa that made me pick up this ARC at work in the first place - so thank you!
DeleteI think you will thoroughly enjoy this one too :-)
PS I've now also worked out the perfect place for us to have a lunch date when you come to Sydney.)
I'm really looking forward to this one! I thought The Husband's Secret was terrific -- quite thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteLisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies