Another brilliant novel has sailed across my desk – We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. This is a YA novel which stays with you long after the final page has been devoured. The story is told through the central character, Cadence. We follow her summers spent on a family island along with her friends /cousins –The Liars. As the liars hold a mirror to their family, they don’t always like what they see, and this has a disastrous effect.
The narrative of this novel is like a boat on the ocean, the reader is rocked by its undulations, of an idyll childhood spent on a private island near Martha’s Vineyard, to the fractures of this Kennedyesq family, which break, heal and break again. The reader is taken on an emotional journey, riding the ups and downs of the waves, which eventually crash to the shore with its stunning conclusion.
Lockhart’s writing is clear and concise but not devoid of description or poetry. It is her writing that first grabbed my attention. Here is an example of the main character describing her cousins and friend.
Johnny
He is bounce, effort, and snark.
Mirren
She is sugar, curiosity and rain.
Gat
He was contemplation and enthusiasm. Ambition and strong coffee.
The writing was taut and effortless, but it was the plot in the end that won me over. I had to know the secret, the mystery.
Do not go in search of other reviews if you are interested in reading this one, as spoilers will surely ruin the whole experience. I’ll leave the last word to the dust jacket.
“We Were Liars is a modern suspense that will leave you reeling. Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just lie.”
Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhart
Published: 2014
Genre: YA/ Crossover
bookgirl 
I really like the spare, evocative descriptions. I’m up to my ears in deadlines, but I can always appreciate the power of clear, crystalline writing. I’ll have to put this on the “later” list.
I’ve made your TBR list grow yet again, sorry 🙂
Everyone seems to love this one, I can’t wait to read it. Great review, thanks for sharing.
I hope you get to read it soon.
I just finished this book last week, and I raced through it! I’m like you, I had to know the “secret.” Writing the review has been a little difficult because I don’t want to give too much away!
I was really concerned that if I delved too much into the plot that I would spoil the novel for any future readers. Sometimes it can be a fine line. 🙂
Well, I just want to say thank you for reading my, ”No, not that again” blog. You always have something interesting on yours.
You are welcome and Thank you:)
Hi, and thank you for reading my ”They may never fit in” and ”Sweet Tooth?” blogs.
As a review reader, I appreciate the effort to explain the magic in the work without saying too much. That I think is easier said that done!! You have me wanting to read it now!!
Thanks, i hate it when a whole novel is told to me in a review, so I try and not do this for my readers.