by E. Lockhart
Delacorte Press, 2014
240 pages
source: library copy
Welcome to the beautiful Sinclair family.And so begins what's being touted as the must-read book this summer. I'm not much of a YA reader, but this one ticks all the boxes - a summer house (actually a family compound on a private island near Martha's Vineyard), multiple generations, old money, a little dysfunction, and some sort of accident. The family tree and island map are added bonuses.
No one is a criminal.
No one is an addict.
No one is a failure.
The Sinclairs are athletic, tall, and handsome. We are old-money Democrats. Our smiles are wide, our chins square, and our tennis serves aggressive.
It doesn't matter if divorce shreds the muscles of our hearts so that they will hardly beat without a struggle. It doesn't matter if trust-fund money is running out; if credit card bills go unpaid on the kitchen counter. It doesn't matter if there's a cluster of pill bottles on the bedside table.
It doesn't matter if one of us is desperately, desperately in love.
We Were Liars is a very quick read. I read it in two sittings, but could have easily read it in an afternoon.
I won't say much more about the plot...even the goodreads summary is a little vague:
A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.
We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.
Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.The writing in this novel, so fresh and snappy, will appeal to readers outside the YA community.
Bottom Line:
Don't miss We Were Liars. Pick a lazy, summer day and read it straight through.
My rating:
I loved this book and I, too, am not a big YA reader. This one is definitely a good cross-over and I think will be the most talked about book of the summer!
ReplyDeletePS - If you liked this one, try Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore. I actually liked it even more than Liars…I'm posting review on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteSarah - Thanks, I just saw a review of the book this weekend and added it to my wish list.
DeleteLoved this book. Loved the coming-of-age theme (without the eye-rolling silliness), the writing, and the heartbreaking conclusion. Wow. Totally a book for a day at the beach.
ReplyDeleteSandy - That eye-rolling silliness is what usually puts me off with YA novels. I loved this book for many reasons, but especially the for omission that particular teen quality.
DeleteYES, YES, YES! I read it this weekend and it was great.
ReplyDeleteAndi - A perfect read for the long weekend!!
Deletesounds interesting, I like how the sentences are laid out. very unique. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
ReplyDeleteKelley - I really loved the writing in this novel!
DeleteJust got this book, and can't wait to read it and be amazed.
ReplyDeleteNise' - I think you'll love it.
DeleteI am seeing this book on blogs everywhere so I think I will have to buy or borrow it soon, it looks like a must read!
ReplyDeleteLindsay - My recommendation is to borrow it from the library... if the list isn't too long.
DeleteNew subscriber.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely ADORE this bit: "Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE." *ROFL*
Chalk up another TBR!
LuAnn- Thank you for visiting! This was such an unusual book and there is a twist at the end that you're better off not knowing about.
DeleteOh, this one does sound like a must-read! Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain Snow - I think you won't regret spending a day with this book!
DeleteAnother must read!
ReplyDeleteHere is my intro post from Sufficient Ransom by Sylvia Sarno .
And
Here is my teaser post from Night Fish by Kristine Ong Muslim .
Gautami - Definitely!
DeleteI love the way this story begins. It definitely made me want to keep reading.
ReplyDeleteMargot - This is a very quick read and I think you'll enjoy it.
DeleteSince it's a must read, I'll probably give it a go eventually.
ReplyDeleteKathy - You really should!!
DeleteI'm not much of a YA reader either but this does sound good. Great review!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - If you're like me and read only one or two YA titles a year, I definitely think this should be one of them!
DeleteSometimes its nice to have a quick read, thanks.
ReplyDeletePeggy - So true! This was a great read.
DeleteWhen I first read about this book, I wasn't all that impressed. But of course now with all of the great reviews and everyone saying it's THE must-read book of the summer, I feel as if I must find a copy. Soon.
ReplyDeleteTi - I doubt you'll regret spending a day with this book :)
DeleteWOW -- I liked that intro and now I need to see if the library has the audio:) thanks for enabling us.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I started listening to this on my walk Saturday morning (very good audio production), then ended up reading the rest of it from the copy I borrowed from the library. Didn't expect it to such a quick read!
DeleteThe title seems very fitting after that intro! I would keep reading. I'm already intrigued!
ReplyDeleteLiterary Feline - Don't think you'd be disappointed if you decide to read it!
DeleteThis book is high up on my wishlist. It sort of reminds me of Meg Clayton's The Four Ms. Bradwells. I don't know why though.
ReplyDeleteAthira - Now I'm curious about The Four Ms. Bramwells.... off to look it up on amazon :)
DeleteI'm not a huge YA reader either but this one has me intrigued. Since there's little about the plot in any of the summaries I've read so I've been a little hesitant but this is the 2nd really positive review so I think that means I should get it!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I only read 1 or 2 YA titles a year and am glad this was one of them. The plot descriptions are intentionally vague to prevent spoilers... there is an interesting twist.
DeleteI just requested my library get this for me - they don't have it yet, but sometimes they will purchase books on readers' recommendations. I've seen so many great reviews and I'm dying to read it, but have no money in my book budget right now!
ReplyDeleteCarrie - I borrowed this through inter-library loan, but my branch just purchased a copy... interest seems to be spreading.
DeleteIt seems like everyone is reading this right now! I have a huge stack of books to read but maybe I can squeeze this one in this summer. I am curious about it now.
ReplyDeleteVasilly - I'm sure you could read this in a day... definitely worth finding time to fit it into the lineup!!
DeleteI have this on my wishlist, but unfortunately have a stack of books to read before I buy more. I don't read YA anymore, except maybe some fantasy or dystopian, but from everyone's talk about this title, I do intend to get to it sometime this summer. Thanks for a good review.
ReplyDeleteRita - I almost never read fantasy/dystopian and only seem to manage one or two YA titles a year, but this one was really remarkable... especially if you like summer house/family drama themes.
DeleteGreat recommendation! I'll definitely be reading it this summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Judith
Judith - This is the perfect book to read while relaxing in an Adirondack chair some afternoon :)
DeleteI just put myself on hold for the library audio!
ReplyDeleteDarlene - I actually started this on audio. Listened to the first hour while walking, then came home and read the library book until I'd finished. The audio production was really good, too!
DeleteFirstly, your post presented this book in such a positive light I thought I would comment with thanks for the recommendation. Secondly, with all these incredibly positive comments from your readers, this book looks like a definite must read sometime in the near future! Wow - some many people have liked it here. I am going on a short trip soon, and thins sounds like something i could read on the plane - I'll be looking for it.
ReplyDeleteTamara - This would be a perfect book to read on a plane! Happy travels and I hope you enjoy it :)
DeleteI haven't heard of this before. I like that it is a quick read and is 'fresh' and 'snappy'. I've added it to my To Read list. Thanks for your great review!
ReplyDeletePat - The pace of this book and the writing were a refreshing change of pace for me. Hope you like it, too.
DeleteI am very curious about this one--I really enjoyed Frankie Landau when I read it years ago for a readathon--but I'm going to have to sit on this one a bit. Too much buzz about that twist! Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteTrish - I've added Frankie Landau to my wish list... want to read more by Lockhart!
DeleteWhat a terrific review. It sound like the perfect summer read!
ReplyDeleteSunday - It really is a perfect summer read... about as far away from Middlemarch as you can get ;-)
DeleteSounds like this one lives up to the hype. I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDelete