While this book is billed as a mystery/thriller, it’s really the social satire and dark suburban humor that takes Big Little Lies into the stratosphere for me.
On the surface, this seems like a tale I've read a thousand times before. A neighborhood of women keeping secrets. An accidental death, or could it possibly be murder? And an investigation into what really happened beneath the calm, placid exterior of small town Pirriwee. And yet, this was so much more, and I'm still reeling from just how hard it hit me.
From the very first page, this book held me in its thralls. I couldn't put it down, I couldn't look away. Every scene, every character, every conflict, they were all so vividly drawn. There was a sharpness to the writing and an astuteness to the observations that felt so searing, it would almost be painful if not for the humor.
And this book was definitely funny. I often found myself grinning and chuckling along, trying to savor all the witty lines. If I were the sort to wield highlighters and freely desecrate books (I would never!), I'm pretty sure I would've marked up the whole thing.
I can't get enough of social satire. Of course Jane Austen was the OG, using her keen wit and droll sense of humor to shine a light on the absurdity of human nature and human interactions. And so Liane Moriarty follows in these footsteps, focusing on suburban life and all of its ensuing drama and friction and stress, both real and imagined.
Mothers took their mothering so seriously now. Their frantic little faces. Their busy little bottoms strutting into the school in their tight gym gear. Ponytails swinging. Eyes fixed on the mobile phones held in the palms of their hands like compasses.
With satire, my preference is always for the subtle. Is the author actually being serious or is she poking gentle fun at the characters and thus us in turn? That fine line between truth and exaggeration is where all the best social satirists thrive. Sure, when you exaggerate, it's outrageous. But when you're pretty much just telling the unadorned truth? That's when it's really painful and funny in equal measure.
The narrative follows three different perspectives. Now usually when that happens, it would inevitably lead to one or the other being more scintillating, while the rest are relegated to being the dull stepchildren. But no such fears here. Every single character arc was just as interesting and compelling as the next, and I couldn't gobble them up fast enough.
If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be Madeline. She's so feisty, it's possible I might've been in awe of her the entire time. She says all the things I wish I could say—propriety and civility be damned—if only I had the courage and wit to do so. Yes, I was cringing at the stuff coming out of her mouth, but I was also cheering her on every step of the way.
Let's talk about one of the core themes in here and a big reason why this story hit so hard. Domestic violence has always felt like a somewhat nebulous concept, at least to those of us lucky enough to never have experienced it. Of course we sympathize with the victims, but underlying that is always the vague puzzle—Why do they stay? Why don't they just leave? This story sketched out with vivid clarity the exact reasons why. And in the process, it gives a voice to domestic violence victims and brings them to life.
A little violence was a bargain price for a life that would otherwise be just too sickeningly, lavishly, moonlit perfect.
Before wrapping up my thoughts, let me touch upon the screen adaptation. Just a warning though, this is going to turn into a little bit of a rant, so avert thy eyes if you're a fan. Truthfully, the adaptation was a huge disappointment for me. It stripped out everything I loved most about this book—the satire, the humor, the fun—and made it into some dark and gritty doppelgänger I hardly even recognized. So I wasn't a fan. And I urge everyone who's seen the show to still read the book, because the book is a million times better. Okay, that's the end of my rant.
So there you have it, this is one of my all time favorite books. I've read it multiple times now, and it still remains fresh and biting every single time. My most recent go at it, I feel like I related to it even more because I'm a mom to a preschooler now. All that commentary about suburban life and mothering, it's so accurate, I was wincing along in between all those chuckles.
Through some special alchemy, Liane Moriarty has managed to pack into a single book everything I could ever want—it's light and dark, funny and scary, entertaining and insightful. I remain as in awe of this story now as I was the first time I read it.
Readaroo Rating: 5 stars!
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