Review: We Were Liars

We Were Liars
by E. Lockhart

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: May 13, 2014

When my friends ask me for book recommendations, I’ll often direct them to WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart—it’s one of my favorite YA books because of its combination of suspense, character development, and lyrical writing. The premise is simple: an extremely wealthy family spends its summers on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts. However, the relationships between the characters (specifically, the four teenagers on the island) make the story unforgettable. Lockhart’s writing style is metaphorical, but she maintains a matter-of-fact tone that is genuinely fun to read. Anyone who likes novels with unreliable narrators (think A CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME ) and hasn’t read this book definitely should.

Review: We Were Liars

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Publisher: Delacorte
Publishing date: May 13, 2014

WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart is an astonishingly simple, yet sophisticated story about a wealthy family and their dire attempts to keep the prestigious title their family name holds. Behind the abundant wealth, the private islands, and the perfect blond-haired, square-chinned heirs, life is nowhere near so simple. Despite “living the dream,” not everyone in the Sinclair family is satisfied with all the world’s riches and money, including Cadence Sinclair. In fact, when a traumatic accident sends Cadence into a world of medical disaster and lost identity, it is up to her cousins, and a summer romance to help her heal the physical and emotional wounds, and find out what really happened the night of the accident.

The novel, WE WERE LIARS, is a well written, suspenseful story that is simple in context, but packs a meaning greater than the sum of its parts. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that will keep them at the edge of their seat, always wanting more. Not only is the story an easy read due to the simple text, but it is a book you will want to sit and think about after you have finished. Constantly the plot line changes, venturing to new and exciting places, full of anticipation. E. Lockhart’s novel teaches the reader that sometimes perfect images can be corrupt, and love and strong bonds overthrow the value of wealth. I would recommend this book for ages thirteen and up due some brutalities, and a certain age is required to understand the larger meanings.