Compelling and edgy

We Were Liars
By E Lockhart (Allen & Unwin, RRP $23)

E Lockhart’s novel We Were Liars has been making waves on the book blogosphere for some time and has been recommended to listeners of all the book podcasts I listen to.

It promised to be original and thrilling which is always exciting to lay your hands on. I couldn’t wait to read it.

We Were Liars is the story of Cady, a member of the wealthy Sullivan family who spend their summers on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts. On the island the family leave behind their everyday lives and settle into their holiday period isolated from the rest of the world. However, when Cady has an accident, their tranquillity and idealistic lives are thrown into turmoil.

If Lockhart’s creation is ever made into a film I would want to see Sofia Coppola direct. The melancholy of The Virgin Suicides and the hypnotic feeling of Somewhere is captured perfectly by Lockhart’s strong narrative and wonderful use of language.

There’s no denying that this story is all it promises to be. The story is compelling and edgy. It is a brilliant coming-of-age story with mystery, love and tragedy. It is one of the young adult novels I’ve read this year.

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