Big Little Lies

by Liane Moriarty

What if I was a bit overweight and not especially pretty? Why is that so terrible? So disgusting? Why is that the end of the world?’

‘It’s because a woman’s entire self-worth rests on her looks,’ said Jane. ‘That’s why. It’s because we live in a beauty-obsessed society where the most important thing a woman can do is make herself attractive to men.’

‘No!’ said Jane angrily. ‘I’m not! And it’s OK that I’m not. We’re not all beautiful, just like we’re not all musical, and that’s fine. And don’t give me that inner beauty shining through crap either.’