FlumeAward – We Were Liars
FlumeAward – We Were Liars We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
SORT OF SPOILERY: I listened to the audio of this book, which was very well done. I thought the structure of the mystery was great. The clues were placed nicely, so as things were revealed you thought back to them with an "Oh Yeah!" feeling. I did not see the big twist coming as some claim to – but I also came to the book without having much knowledge of it. Some people found the family unsympathetic because of a "poor little rich kids" feeling. But what made it NOT feel that way to me was 1. How much the grandchildren cared for each other 2. How we had a non-rich, non-white point of view in Gat, and 3. How this rich privilege ruined their grandfather and how he in turn ruined his family. I found Cady and her cousins very sympathetic, and the rest of her family deplorable. One big issue I had was how long it took to wrap things up after the twist. Usually I find teen books rush the denouement. But this one could have used some tightening. I think it’s a great addition for the list. – Liz G, Merrimack PL
I have not read this book, but it was a recent selection for our public library’s teen book club. The kids hated it with a passion. I was surprised because it has been on all of the "best" lists. It made me wonder if it’s one of those that appeals to adults, but not to teens.
Kathy Pearce, Oyster River HS
I loved the audio version of this book. I agree with Liz, not knowing anything about the book I had no idea what I was getting into. The mystery is well crafted but does drag on a little too long. I found the teens’ way of dealing with dysfunctional adults and their expectations realistic as well. It’s been well received by the students who read it. The tragic elements in this book are similar to the psychological tensions in Kiss of Broken Glass and Black Box. – Etienne Vallée, Moultonborough Academy.
Full disclosure, I love E. Lockhart, and while this isn’t my favorite of hers I still really enjoyed it. I appreciated the complexity of this book and the careful development of such an unreliable narrator. A lot happens in a fairly short book, which is a selling point in my mind. Too often a good, complicated, well developed story like this will take 500+ pages, but this is a much more approachable size to offer a teen who’s looking for a book. The one teen who I recommended it to really enjoyed it. -Sophie Smith, Nashua PL
Unique.Lies.Painful.Lies.Prose.Lies.Mysterious.Honest.Lies.Insightful.Lies.Deep.Powerful.
This is a love/hate book. I think you’ll go one way or the other. I was held by the lies and the haunting way the story was told. I was intrigued by Cadence, Gat, Mirren, and Johnny. During their fifteenth summer, Cadence suffers a mysterious accident and she spends the next two years—and the course of the book—in a haze trying to discover the truth.
I will recommend this for teen book discussion for sure. I can’t tell you that it’s adult appeal only–will poll some teen readers and edit this. ~Kathy Watson, Kimball Library, Atkinson
I grabbed this title to read on a flight last spring when it was just released and savored the time reading it on the plane! Love the title – very intriguing. Like the school story narrative, I’m also a sucker for a summer/island story. I was fascinated by the characters, plot, and sad family dynamics, thought the writing was very good, and found the ending quite surprising; I didn’t see it coming, and that made me open the book again and re-read parts to fully appreciate the intricacies of the plot. Like Liz, I also had that "Oh Yeah!" feeling. Definitely one for the list, though, it sounds like teens aren’t loving it?
Lisa Houde, Rye Public Library
I really loved this book. I thought the characters were very believable, the story was great (including the surprise ending), and it was a fairly quick read. I think it would appeal to teens. Please keep it on the list.
-Pat Adams
Allenstown Public Library
I liked the book a lot, and students (and staff) who have read it like it as well.
-Kelly Budd, Keene High
While it had an initially interesting premise, it was quick and easy read, and has a twist ending overall the book was poorly constructed, the ending was not believable and discredited all of the events prior to the end. 1/5
Emily Croot–Oyster River HS student library intern
Wow, not sure what I can add. Certainly seems to be a book that you either love or hate. I did enjoy this book. Was completely caught off guard by the twist. Not sure if teens will really relate to the rich lifestyle led by the majority of characters in this book. And I do think that teens want to be able to relate to a book of realistic fiction. My teen book club would not read it solely because of the romance element. I think this book would appeal more to girls than to boys. I am on the fence about it being on the list. Barb Ballou, Whipple Free Library, New Boston
Cadence is a girl from a 1% family that lends new meaning to the term WASP. She spends summers at her family’s private island within view of Marthas Vineyard, dealing with First World problems.
There is only one person on the island who isn’t a member of her family, or their staff of anonymous folks who handle all domestic chores. His name is Gat, a friend of her cousin and (can you guess?) her love interest.
Oh, let’s not forget that two summers ago, she experienced a near-drowning incident. From this arise headaches and amnesia. Generally, nothing good comes from that combination… and this book is no exception.
The author seems averse to allowing action of any sort to sully her exceedingly introspective book. At one point Cadence has the opportunity to extensively tour Europe, a trip described in terms of the weird food and her time spent on bathroom floors.
Much like being on a torture rack, there are twists to the plot; but they appeared much too late to sustain my interest. If you love looking at the inner side of your eyelids, while contemplating your guilt over being an adolescent, then this book is just your thing. After pushing myself through the whole story, I agree with the students of Oyster River, and view it as one of the worst YA books I have read in years. Wally Keniston.