Liane Moriarty

Includes a readers guide with discussion questions.

Big Little Lies

Follows three mothers, each at a crossroads, and their potential involvement in a riot at a school trivia night that leaves one parent dead in what appears to be a tragic accident, but which evidence shows might have been premeditated.

Fatiema 

"I was thinking we were destined for friendship," she said, when they came up for air. 

Tom brushed a single lock of her hair off her forehead and tucked it behind her ear. "I've got enough friends," he said. 

I haven’t seen the show, but Big Little Lies is a breezy, compulsively readable book—well-structured, twisty, and undeniably entertaining. But it’s also shallow.

Yes, it tackles serious topics like domestic violence and assault, but everything stays light, almost too frothy for its own good. Also, for a book set in Sydney, its world is shockingly white. Not every story needs to tackle diversity, but this level of segregation feels… telling.

That said, if you want a slick, well-oiled bestseller, this is the blueprint. Just don’t expect much depth.

Liana

I haven’t seen the show, but Big Little Lies is a breezy, compulsively readable book—well-structured, twisty, and undeniably entertaining. But it’s also shallow.

Yes, it tackles serious topics like domestic violence and assault, but everything stays light, almost too frothy for its own good. Also, for a book set in Sydney, its world is shockingly white. Not every story needs to tackle diversity, but this level of segregation feels… telling.

That said, if you want a slick, well-oiled bestseller, this is the blueprint. Just don’t expect much depth.



i read this in dutch for my dutch class so maybe thats why i didnt enjoy it that much, it was okay though i liked the twist

matti horckmans

In the running for my favorite read of the year!!!

It was so easy to get very immersed into this story. I really enjoyed the characters and their separate yet intertwining plot lines. I also loved how honest this book was. People will go so far to cover up the ugliness in their lives, and that was fully represented in Big Little Lies. It deals with some difficult subjects while still being fun, entertaining, and mysterious. 

Jillian Roberts

In the running for my favorite read of the year!!!

It was so easy to get very immersed into this story. I really enjoyed the characters and their separate yet intertwining plot lines. I also loved how honest this book was. People will go so far to cover up the ugliness in their lives, and that was fully represented in Big Little Lies. It deals with some difficult subjects while still being fun, entertaining, and mysterious. 

Love love love. Can’t recommend more. 

Ryan Mateyk

I don't know what I was expecting but this was phenomenal! So much fun, easy to read and an addictive story.

Sarah Sammis

It has the same narrative structure as Those People but with way more time spent on the run up to the actual event. Nearly 400 pages of this book is flashback. This isn't a mystery. It's petty people being horrible.

It's a gender swapped Lullaby of Broadway (as seen in Gold Diggers of 1935, not the up tempo retooled version for the 1980 stage play version of 42nd Street).

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2021/comm...

Was a good book a bit predictable towards the end though..

Megan caddick

Lila R E

Madilyn Taylor

Melissa Palmer

Book #62 Read in 2014
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

This book is an excellent follow up to Moriarty's bestseller The Husband's Secret. In Big Little Lies, the book begins with a death at a trivia night fundraiser at a private school. The identification of the victim is not revealed. Then the book flashes back to six months before the trivia night fundraiser and details all the happenings of the characters...bullying children at the private school, seemingly perfect marriages that are not so perfect etc....leading up to the trivia night. There are good twists and turns that will keep readers guessing who will be the victim and who will be the killer. In addition to a good mystery, there is also humor and interesting and engaging characters. Moriarty's writing flows so nicely...this almost 500 page book was one that I could not put down. 

I highly recommend this book. I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review from the Amazon Vine program.

Megan During

Patricia Nelson

Lamia Hajani

I watched the limited series first and very much enjoyed it. The book is just as good if not better. It's easy-to-read and finishes quickly. Great story, wonderful characters that you both love and hate.

Briar's Reviews

I will be totally honest with you: I only read this book because I watched the television show and was morbidly curious about the book. I have picked up another book by Liane Moriarty (The Hyponotist's Love Story) which was okay so I wanted to pick up another book by her. Big Little Lies was the perfect fit since I thoroughly enjoyed the television adaptation. 

That being said, I actually prefer the t.v. show. Here's why:

This book carries a lot of heavy material: sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse in general, bullying, and rich people problems. In one moment it feels really deep and real and in the next it feels like rich, white women complaining about rich, white women problems. If you read into the book, it's supposed to be that way. It's not only low and middle class people who have hard lives. Domestic abuse and sexual assault happens in all forms of human life these days. But this book still didn't sit well with me.

I really wish I would have found this book before the television show. I know I shouldn't be comparing the two genres because they are wildly different, but I liked how the television show handled these issues more. Maybe it's the visuals, maybe it's the music and the tone - all of the things a book can't do - but it's still my opinion.

That being said, this book is still an excellent read if you want a dramatic thriller set around school problems. The ending isn't totally obvious (which is nice) but you can totally pick it up if you pay enough attention. It's like a mystery story that's full of gossip. Throw all of that in with some real fast paced antics and you've got yourself one excellent novel.

The way the book is set up is really cool, which is why it stood out to me in the beginning. There's little police interviews scattered throughout the book that hint at what is going to come. If you're smart and read into it a bit, you can totally guess the ending and have a good idea what is going to happen. In the same breath, if you just want to enjoy the ride you can do that too. The structure of this book is so well planned out, and that's what impresses me. Liane Moriarty has some real talent and I want to see that talent in other novels.

I can totally see why this book is a best seller. It's a wild book that's also filled with some deep content. Most people can relate to something in this book, whether it be the white people problems, the struggles of parenthood, broken families or the really dark stuff. At the same time, it's all packaged so well that it's also enjoyable. Most books with this harsh of content lose me when it gets too dark, but I just kept trekking along and enjoying the ride. Bonus points for Liane.

My biggest little flaw in this book was that I wanted to see more of these police interviews. I'd like to see the incorrect, unreliable narrators tell more about what they thought happened. Those comments alone could be their own story. Honestly, they impressed me more than the story half the time. I was giggling and sneering at these comments, unable to help myself. I also knew the ending though (the joys of watching the television series first) so it was highly amusing to me.

Personally, I found a lot of the women to be awful. I know a lot of mothers are like that these days, but they definitely aren't all like that in my neighbourhood. They all fought constantly, seemed to have little communication and listened to their kids more than other adults. Or, you know, didn't listen when their kids were telling them something really important. It just seemed way over the top at times and I just couldn't handle their bitchiness. On top of that, the book did seem a pinch too long. There was some content that could have been left out and the story wouldn't have changed. That's my inner student calling out to the world though - edit, revise, shorten, and meet the word count!

I think this might be one of those books you can jump back into once you know the ending. It definitely would have been a more interesting experience if I didn't know what was coming. I could see how Liane set it up along the way, but I didn't pick up on all of it. 

Overall, this book is a cool take on a tough story. All of the connections that are woven throughout this book and the unique style has me intrigued. If you haven't watched the television show, do it. Maybe read the book first though, because quality wise I think the television show is AMAZE-BALLS.

Three out of five stars.

Teresa

** spoiler alert **
           I loved the book. It was wayyy better at depicting dv than “This Ends With Us” such an easy read in terms of writing. The show did do the book justice in my opinion but as always the book is wayyyy better.

claire law

Hot take and people might not like this one but Liane Moriarty should be more famous than Taylor Swift.

heleen de boever

Probably more like 3.75*, but still so engrossing it made me cancel three social engagements so I could continue reading.

Jerilynn Hallett 

A page turner

A who done it/ who's the victim, right to the end kind of book. A dark but very well written story.

The no 1. New York Times bestseller from the author of The Husband's Secret and new novel Nine Perfect Strangers.NOW AN EMMY AWARD WINNING HBO TELEVISION SERIES STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON & NICOLE KIDMAN. SEASON TWO PREMIERES JUNE 10.Parents behaving badly ... a tragic accident ... or murder? What isn't in doubt is that someone is dead. Madeline is a force to be reckoned with: witty, noisy and passionate. She remembers everything and forgives no one. Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. But perfection is often an illusion. Jane is a single mum with a mysterious past who carries a sadness beyond her years. These three women, all with children starting at the same school, are about to tell the little lies that can turn lethal ...WINNER OF THE ABIA GENERAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR PRAISE FOR BIG LITTLE LIES"Irresistible ... Moriarty's sly humor and razor-sharp insights will keep you turning the pages to find out." People Magazine "Liane Moriarty produces novels that are miracles of structure as well as human insight" Sydney Morning Herald"Ms. Moriarty's long-parched fans have something new to dig into....in ways that may give Big Little Lies even more staying power than The Husband's Secret." The New York Times"A novel that will turn you into a compulsive book-finisher ... Moriarty has produced another gripping, satirical hit." Huffington Post"She is the mistress of the razor-sharp observation ... my favourite so far" Kate Morton

Jamieson

“All conflict can be traced back to someone’s feelings getting hurt, don’t you think?”


Big Little Lies is one of my favourite mini series (yes I watched it before I read the book WHAT ABOUT IT). Back when the mini-series for this book aired, I sat down and watched the first episode with my mum - she then went to work, and I kept watching until I finished the series. I was so enthralled by this story. I was just as enthralled by the book. While the tone, and the aesthetic, of the book and the show do differ, I liked them both quite a lot and I couldn't choose a favourite. 

Set in the idyllic beachside community of Pirrawee, Big Little Lies follows three mothers who's five year olds are starting at the same kindy class. Jane, a young single mother haunted by her past and what it means for her son Ziggy. Madeline, a once single and now remarried mum dealing with the complexities of having an ex-husband who's child with his new wife is attending the same school and Celeste, an ex lawyer now stuck in an abusive relationship. The Incident at Orientation Day, (the choking of a girl called Amabella, is blamed on Ziggy, a series of events), sparks a series of events that all lead up to Trivia Night - where one of the parents has been found dead. 



The highlight of Big Little Lies is how deftly Moriarty navigates so many different themes and topics. She easily mashes together chick lit, domestic drama, mystery thriller and literary fiction. I loved the blending of genre and the complex web of issues tackled. While this book is laugh out loud funny, it's also emotional and heartbreaking, and driven by the mystery of the murder at trivia night. Moriarty's ability to link the characters, their struggles, and wrap it all up in entertaining, light, childhood drama reading is remarkable. And it definitely made this book feel unique, and also special. 

I loved how seriously this book took five year old drama, and the complexity of mothering. It was funny how this book jumped from serious topics to not so serious ones, like who's going to Amabella's party, but it all worked together so well. I feel like this book could have so easily been a MESS but it's actually the complete opposite.

Moriarty is just a really good writer, who imbues her books with humour, intelligence and thoughtfulness. Her developed craft really shone through here. 


  'I guess it started with the mothers.'


'It was all just a terrible misunderstanding.'


'I'll tell you exactly why it happened.'


'Let me be clear. This is not a circus. This is a murder investigation.'


But by far the highlight of this book, the driving force, is the central main characters. Jane, Celeste and Madeline were extremely well written, and the slow exploration of their mindset and situation was a highlight. I thoroughly enjoyed the character growth, it was slow but ultimately came together so well at the end. 

I also loved how clever Moriarty was with point of view here. Although we see the events from only Madeline, Celeste or Jane's perspective, you can so easily understand why every character acts and thinks as they do. Although Renata is the "villain", it's easy to understand her perspective on the situation. All the characters are incredibly motivated, and it really helps to drive the conflict throughout the book. 

The strong focus on female friendship and solidarity was also such a beautiful thing and that ending ... that climax .. oh my it truly goes down in history ... ICONIC. 


  “They say it's good to let your grudges go, but I don't know, I'm quite fond of my grudge. I tend it like a little pet.”


I really, really liked this, as I expected. I never thought a book about mothers and five year olds would be so well loved by me but here we are. This is such an excellent story and you SHOULD watch or read this asap because it's SO GOOD.

Sade A

"Quite seriously, it's a very lovely school and everyone is very lovely and we're all going to have a lovely, lovely time and make lovely, lovely new friends"
  

Welcome to Pirriwee, Australia, where the author takes on a fantastic journey of 3 women navigating marriage, school politics, friendship, ex husbands , bitchy mums and ungrateful children. Have to say if this book didn't get made into a TV series that everyone and their mother is currently raving about probably won't have picked it up cos i've had it since 2015 and not once was i tempted to delve into this book. That said i'm super glad i gave this book a chance. 

I absolutely loved the narrative of the book. Liane Moriarty writes a fine line between humour and the whole mystery of the whole book. I have to commend her for her take on (view spoiler)[domestic violence. (hide spoiler)] It wasn't pretty and that's what most writers fail to understand. That when tackling characters in that kind of situation, it's not meant to be pretty.

Also as you all know contemporary novels aren't really genres i tend to read simply because for the most part, they tend to get a little too real for me. In this instance following all the dynamics of aging,marriage and family, the author i think touches on how some women probably feel on this Celeste in one part after reminiscing on the girl she used to be when she was single says "Marriage and Motherhood had made her a soft spongy version of the girl she used to be". How mother's have to essentially deal with guilt of choosing careers or full time motherhoods or look for flexible options to be there for their kids so they don't feel like failures. Jane's character says "she'd originally decided to become a book-keeper so she could be flexible for Ziggy and balance motherhood and career" and still "she felt foolish and fraudulent when she said things like that as if she weren't really a mother"
 

This book is the whole stay at home mums - career mums passive aggressive fight. With career moms going more or less like 
and stay at home mums being all like 


It's women out there basically trying to figure out to manage every facet of their life and it's just crazy. Of cos these themes are less visible to the whole mystery of what happened in the book and there is the tendency to just look at that and forget all else, but essentially for me at least, i feel it makes you think really, as you get older, the choices you make for children and family.

Rachel Kanyid

Honestly, I feel like I love each Moriarty book I read more than the last, but I think this is my favorite so far!

Jessica Ford

I loved this book. The characters were so interesting. I wish I were friends with Madeline, Jane and Celeste. There were so many plot lines, but they all worked together nicely. I liked how the story was told chronologically, but interspersed with the journalist's interview questions from after the murder. 

I love Liane Moriarty's books. I can't wait for the next one!

'I guess it started with the mothers.''It was all just a terrible misunderstanding.''I'll tell you exactly why it happened.'Pirriwee Public's annual school Trivia Night has ended in a shocking riot. A parent is dead. Was it murder, a tragic accident... or something else entirely?Big Little Lies is a funny, heartbreaking, challenging story of ex-husbands and second wives, new friendships, old betrayals and schoolyard politics. No. 1 New York Times bestselling author turns her unique gaze on the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves every day and what really goes on behind closed suburban doors.'Let me be clear. This is not a circus. This is a murder investigation.'Praise for The Husband's Secret 'Intelligent and funny' SATURDAY AGE'A staggeringly brilliant novel' Sophie Hannah, DAILY MAIL'A nuanced and moving portrait of the meaning of love, both marital and familial' USA TODAY'Would more rightly be classified as psychological suspense, beautifully rendered, with a structure that sustains and builds interest from beginning to end' Sue GraftonKOBO CHOICES - Best Fiction Title of 2014

Trish

I believe Liane Moriarty has found a recipe for success, so I can't fault her for sticking to the same general genre and formula in writing her novels. This is the fourth book of hers that I've read (Three Wishes, What Alice Forgot, The Husband's Secret) and her voice is distinct and recognizable in my mind now. Her books usually open in thrust of chaos, a scene that is so outlandish, captivating, and intriguing that you can't help but keep reading to find out how the hell did these people get here??? 

By the first few paragraphs I'm transported to an Australian suburb, or in this case, beach town, where the residents have small problems and big problems alike. Moriarty excels at writing everyday women - wives, mothers, daughters - in a way that makes them so real, you can't help but feel personally involved and invested in the most trivial details of their lives. Half way through the book it was like I had a personal stake in how this drama would unfold and resolve itself. Somehow, I, a 25 year old law student in New York, for three short days, was completely immersed in these "kindy mums" lives. 

So, there are essentially three questions posed at the beginning of the book: (1) Who is the five-year-old bully terrorizing Pirriwee Public's kindy class, (2) Who died on Trivia Night, and (3) Who did it??? I'll be honest, half way through the book, okay maybe 75% through, I was one hundred percent sure about the first two mysteries (and I was right!) but, in classic Moriarty fashion, there were still a couple plot twists and *GASP-out-loud* moments in the final chapters of the book that had even her more seasoned readers going, I NEVER WOULD HAVE GUESSED IT! 

I haven't seen the HBO series inspired by this book, but I'm so thrilled Moriarty is getting the recognition she deserves. She is the queen of beach reads, plane reads, train reads, whatever you want to call the genre... If you have some time to kill, you can bet it will pass by faster if you're reading one of her books.

kesha

i would do literally anything for these women

Katie Siegle

Very quick read. Characters you fall in love with. A surprise ending I didn’t see coming (but liked regardless) Would recommend for any book club/discussion group. Great book!

Big Little Lies

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