Big Little Lies in Around the World in 80 Books

May 02, 2020 Lindsey Z rated it liked it

2.75 🌟

I don't know why I think I will like these domestic dramas. I rarely ever do. The message about domestic violence in this book is an important one but the many descriptions of that violence were unnecessary and felt like they were meant for entertainment. Reading about a man abusing his wife over and over is not entertaining in my book and not necessary for delivering the message to readers about the secrets some people keep behind closed doors and how "silent" domestic violence can often ...more

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Mar 09, 2017 AmyAmy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: finished-reading

I don't give many 5 stars, and I usually skip those why write 5-star reviews.

The thing I liked the best about this book was its humor. I don't think I ever laughed as loud or as much in any other book I've read, not even Richard Russo’s books. I split a gut when a group of little five-year-old boys were compared to a police line up. And we can’t forget that to be on the PTA, you have to have your hair bobbed and your child has to have a slight nut allergy. Priceless. Her humor is introspective, I don't give many 5 stars, and I usually skip those why write 5-star reviews.

The thing I liked the best about this book was its humor. I don't think I ever laughed as loud or as much in any other book I've read, not even Richard Russo’s books. I split a gut when a group of little five-year-old boys were compared to a police line up. And we can’t forget that to be on the PTA, you have to have your hair bobbed and your child has to have a slight nut allergy. Priceless. Her humor is introspective, non-cliché, and brilliant. You know those little immature selfish thoughts we all (yes, even as adults) have? Moriarty spills it all out. More like DUMPS it all out, flat in our laps. And yes, many moms don’t simply care for their kids, they’re *obsessed* with them. Moriarty drills this point home. Some find this superficial. I find it hilarious mainly because of the way Moriarty shows us this, in countless examples. You can roll your eyes, or you can laugh.

I also loved the character development. Each person was distinct. I pictured Celeste as Julia Roberts, moving nervously and hap-hazardly, not totally aware of how beautiful she is. I saw Jane’s awkwardness and Madeline’s comical brashness. Ed was sarcastically supportive. Nathan blossomed from jerk to self-aware. Ziggy was a smart little intense kid. I will not forget these characters like I do in too many novels.

The "who murdered who" question made me read at light-speed, zipping through the pages like an over-caffeinated readaholic.

My only complaint was that there were too many characters. I had to take notes. Literally. That, and the point-of-view changed a couple of times. Minor points compared to the extreme strengths of this novel.

To those who thought this book was too superficial because being female or a mommy is not as important as being male or a top executive – Moriarty uproots some rather deep questions. Would you go to the police if it would harshly penalize a well-intended innocent person? Could you forgive someone who walked out on you and your baby, leaving you alone to care for this infant? Can you tell your best friend something horrible that is happening to you, or happened to you in the past? Do you lie to yourself? Have you ever been wrongly accused of something, or have you ever wrongly accused someone of something? Is it sometimes right to do the wrong thing?

While her other books are good, ‘Big Little Lies’, in my humble opinion, is Moriarty’s best novel because she can address something as serious as spouse brutality while getting to the bone marrow of human behavior. ...more

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