Reviewed by Leigha on
It is so hard for me to write this review. I want to give justice to the story, to sell you on why you should read this novel or to fangirl with you if you have read it. I never would have picked up this novel without the HBO series. I decided to watch the show on a whim when it released last year and it stole my heart. The cast is phenomenal, nailing the complexity and vulnerability of the characters.
Big Little Lies may market itself as a murder mystery, but, at its heart, it’s a love story about women. It tackles topics affecting women, including the complexity of female friendships, the perils of motherhood, and the toxicity of domestic violence. Our core three narrators – Madeline, Celeste, and Jane – are complex characters dealing with the challenges of motherhood and relationships. Madeline is struggling with a teenage daughter and her ex-husband’s family. Celeste is struggling with her seemingly “perfect” relationship with her husband and the directionless motivations brought about by her wealth. Jane is struggling with being a young mother to a potentially troubled boy. These challenges are explored with nuance and compassion as the women change and grow from their experiences.
The story unfolds in short chapters featuring one (or all) of the three main characters. Interspersed at the beginning and/or the end of each chapter are testimonials from people attending the trivia night where a murder occurs. You don’t know who or why the person is murdered until almost the end of the book. Suffice it to say it keeps you turning the page faster and faster in order to sate your curiosity. While I enjoyed the format of the book, the constant push and pull between the past and present, the audiobook didn’t really provide anything to the experience. I recommend reading it instead of listening to it.
tl;dr A well-written novel focused on female relationships, domestic violence, and motherhood.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 28 June, 2018: Finished reading
- 28 June, 2018: Reviewed