They Were Liars
Family of Liars
We Were Liars
Contemporary Fiction
Delacorte Press
May 3, 2002
Kindle, Hardcover
256
The prequel to We Were Liars takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come. A windswept private island off the coast of Massachusetts. A hungry ocean, churning with secrets and sorrow. A fiery, addicted heiress. An irresistible, unpredictable boy. A summer of unforgivable betrayal and terrible mistakes. Welcome back to the Sinclair family. They were always liars.
Family of Liars is the first book in recent memory that I have been unable to put down. The plot is full of sharp twists and turns, sprinkled with lies that keep a reader guessing, and gasping out loud, when truths are revealed. There are ghosts and murder, along with romances and rendezvous, and heart-achingly relatable coming of age moments as Carrie Sinclair seeks her place in the world, while also striving for parental approval. In short, there is something for everyone.
The action takes place on the private island owned by the Sinclair family, the summer after the youngest member of the family lost her life by drowning while unsupervised. Much of the emotional friction stems from the fact that Carrie is the only member of the family that is outwardly grieving, leading her to believe that the memory of her sister has easily been cast aside by everyone. Carrie paints a picture of herself as kind and sensitive, the good sister. The sister who is always looking out for everyone else, and who is willing to put their interests before her own. But is that a lie, or the truth? Carrie paints a particular picture of everyone on the island, from her parents, sisters, and cousins to their unexpected summer guests. In the final fifty pages of the book, all of those characterizations are thrown into question: what was a lie and what was the truth? Who is a murder, who is a victim, and who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Most importantly, how will the consequences of that summer affect the current residents of the island, and future generations?
E. Lockhart’s writing is simple, and to the point; the story unfolds as if it really is Carrie relating the events of her life to someone who knows her well. The words flow easily, with rich descriptions of the feel of a first kiss, or the rage over a romantic betrayal, punctuating the overall simplicity. The flow of her writing, and pacing of the plot, makes the story fly by, making it an easy one to read all in one sitting…just like I did, even though I had to miss my bedtime by a few hours. But, it was worth it!
** This book is considered to be a prequel to the popular We Were Liars, but easily stands alone. I had not read the other book and had no issues with understanding this one. And while I now plan on reading the original story, Family of Liars comes with a warning that it does contain spoilers.**
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