Big Little Lies in Aussie Readers

Jul 27, 2015 Mish rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: australian-authors

What an outrageously crazy book – and I’m saying that in a good way. Hot tempered Mother’s who become too involved in their child’s disputes (and I’m talking about children aged 4-5yrs), to the point of seeking out revenge; threatening other parents, twisting the truth and even signing partitions to have a child expelled. It’s complete madness! But while it all may seem like madness, it’s really not far from the truth. Parents do over react. They take their child’s disputes personally. I have se What an outrageously crazy book – and I’m saying that in a good way. Hot tempered Mother’s who become too involved in their child’s disputes (and I’m talking about children aged 4-5yrs), to the point of seeking out revenge; threatening other parents, twisting the truth and even signing partitions to have a child expelled. It’s complete madness! But while it all may seem like madness, it’s really not far from the truth. Parents do over react. They take their child’s disputes personally. I have seen, and I have heard parents at my girl’s school become verbally and physically abusive. And the sad part about it, in most cases the children forget their quarrels the next day, and its parents who become undone. And I’m sure if I brought up this topic with other parents they would be nodding in agreement. This is one small part why I like this book. It does bring out the honest truth of our irrational behavior to the forefront.

The other reason why I enjoyed the book was the mystery surrounding the death. The book starts off with a death on trivia night, but the reader will not know who died until the end. It backtracks 6 months prior to when the parents and children met on school orientation day. We get to know these parents, see their different personality, how they interact with one another, and get an insight into their little circle of friendships. The parents are known to one other through kindergarten, and living in a small seaside community, so they’ve already had formed their own little groups. They are civil to one other but a lot of backstabbing goes on behind their back. However, when a bully incident happens with the children on orientation day, tempers flare and grudges are formed. Which divides the adult further apart and makes life a living hell for one new, single mother of Pirriwee Pubic School for the next 6 months.

In Big Little Lies we follow the lives of the mothers of Pirriwee Public School. Initally they seem confident, beautiful and stylish mothers with a stable and well balanced home/work life. But that’s on the surface. It’s all a great big lie. As we read on, we do start to see some serious cracks showing. The book tackles a range of family and personal problems; growing older and body image, rebellious teenagers, ex-spouses, infidelity and spousal abuse. Liane is a very skilled and clear storyteller, and while it may seem a lot to take in, at no stage did I feel overwhelmed or lose focus. Each character is given their own chapter - and voice, where the reader gets to see and feel their suffering and confusion. Meanwhile giving us snippet of witness testimonies at the beginning and end of each chapter, just to remind us that we are getter nearer to discovering who died. And if it was murderer? Hoping it’s not the one of the people I have grown to really care for.

I listened to this book on Audio. Caroline Lee narrated 2 Liane Moriarty books I’ve read so far and she is so versatile. This book, in particular, would’ve been challenging with the large, mixed cast, all with distinctive personalities, varying ages and genders. Without the character being introduced - by ‘He said’ or ‘She said’ - I was able to distinguish who’s talking by the volume and tone. Madeline was loud and over the top - Celeste had poised and controlled voice - Jane was hesitant and quieter - and Renata the scarier one of all had a firm, ‘don’t mess with me’ voice. Lee was exceptional and really made it enjoyable to hear.

I love Liane books, and wouldn't hesitate to read anything written by her. They are a mix of highs and low and deal with real life issues.
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Sep 08, 2015 Kira rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: funny, mystery, aussie-author, drama, contemporary

This is the first book I've read by this author and won't be the last. Reviewing this book is difficult without giving elements of the plot away (having an element of mystery), but I'll do my best.

The Pirriwee public school trivia night ended in the death of a parent. But who is the victim and who is the murderer?

Big Little Lies is told through three main points of view, with snippets from secondary characters and the investigating police officer. Liane Moriarty spins an incredible story surroun ...more

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Apr 01, 2015 Nicola Marsh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: women-s-fiction, aussie-authors, read-in-2015

An addictive page turner, just like The Husband's Secret (which is the book I read to 'discover' Liane Moriarty.)

She has a way of creating real, believable characters, putting them in everyday situations, and making them do the unexpected!

Thoroughly enjoyed, devoured in a day. ...more

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Apr 20, 2017 Tanya rated it it was amazing

I love the fact that a school mum actually lent me this book. She read it, loved it and insisted I do the same, and we can now giggle and compare the mums in this book to the ones we encounter each afternoon.

Because that's the thing I love about this book - it is so relatable! We all know a Renata, or have our own version of the blonde bobs. Liane Moriarty so perfectly captures the school yard politics and bitchiness!

Such a fun, entertaining, light easy read. ...more

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Feb 22, 2015 Melinda rated it really liked it

Really enjoyed his book. On the face of it - it's a crazy, superficial, school yard politics, humorous, darkly comedic book about murder, school mums Andy consequences. But yet there Are also many other layers to this book and we learn a lot of the back story about the three main characters...and its here this author tells us about school mums, competition, bullying, divorce, domestic violence, parenthood and rape. It's a strangely fascinating mix of light and dark, depth and breadth, humour and ...more

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