We Were Liars: Book Review

Jessie Liang

As a student who read the whole thriller and mystery section of my middle school library, I recommend you my favorite book, We Were Liars. The novel written by E. Lockhart (Emily Jenkins) has unexpected plot twists and beautiful writing incorporated with the story. This is a perfect read for middle and high schoolers who love plot twists and enjoy meaningful fairy tales.

The novel tells the story of Cady (Cadence)’s life before she was 18. Cady is a member of the wealthy Sinclair family, of which Tipper and Harris are the elders and heads of the family. The Sinclairs are so rich they own an island in Massachusetts named Beechwood with 4 houses, named Cuddledown, Clairmont, Windemere, and Red Gate.

The story is all about, Cady, her cousins Mirren and Johnny, and her friend Gat, called “the liars” by the adults due to their mischievous personalities and the trouble that they got into when they were kids. After an accident happened, Cady lost her memory and tries to ask for help, but nobody, not even the liars, is allowed to tell her what happened for fear that she would break down. At the end of the book is the final plot twist, where she finally realizes that Mirren, Johnny, and her beautiful Gat all perished in the accident, leaving only one liar left.

The novel also has elements of fairy tales, revealing the dark and realistic aspect they could have meant, as Cady casts Beechwood, her isolation, wealth, her family and herself, into the tales. Take the “King” story as an example, which shows Cady telling the story of how her father is the king and her sisters are the princesses fighting for his love for his wealth, but it eventually leads to destruction and jealousy of each other. While wealth can provide luxury, it also has a price that comes with it. The elements of fractured fairy tales might also be a little bit unnerving for younger children, since they hint at topics like the darkness of reality versus the perfect worlds in books with happy endings.

If you are a teen looking for a good, exciting, winter read, here’s your chance! It is a mix of mystery, casual friendships, and a real page turner. What are you waiting for? Go read it now!