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Big Little Lies
Liane Moriarty
Berkley Books
458 pages
Published 2014
Genres: Women,Thrillers, Suspense, Family Life, Psychological
I read this one back in 2017, when it was already a bestseller and all my book buddies were raving about it, but well before the TV adaptation that catapulted the author to the next level. I have since seen (and loved) both seasons of the TV show, and apart from my disappointment that it was transplanted to the US, thought it was a very effective adaptation.
Set in a fictional beach suburb of Sydney, Australia, this is about a group of parents whose children are all starting at the local primary school, and the private dramas and past secrets of their families. We know that one of them has died, and get the points of view of several of the protagonists in the six months leading up to it, as they navigate the bitchy competitiveness of school politics. I don’t have children (thankfully) but have enough friends who do to know how realistic all these characters and their dynamics are – and I did live in Sydney for a year so recognise how very Australian they are too! This is not a light book, however, there are some dark and painful issues – certainly not chick-lit as you might imagine.
I’m really glad I didn’t read too many reviews and get accidentally spoiled, as the gripping part of his is the suspense of figuring out who died, why, and because of whom. Luckily I had a day off as I spent all day reading (otherwise it might’ve been a very late night!) I really don’t have any criticism of this – one of the best thrillers of the last decade.
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