Big Little Lies

By: Liane Moriarty

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

DON’T MISS SEASON 2 OF THE GOLDEN GLOBE AND EMMY AWARD-WINNING HBO® SERIES STARRING REESE WITHERSPOON, NICOLE KIDMAN, SHAILENE WOODLEY, LAURA DERN, ZOË KRAVITZ, AND MERYL STREEP

From the author of Nine Perfect Strangers, Truly Madly Guilty, and The Husband’s Secret comes the number-one New York Times best-selling novel about the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.

A murder.... A tragic accident.... Or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead.

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny, biting, and passionate; she remembers everything and forgives no one. Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare, but she is paying a price for the illusion of perfection. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for a nanny. She comes with a mysterious past and a sadness beyond her years. These three women are at different crossroads, but they will all wind up in the same shocking place.

Big Little Lies is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, schoolyard scandal, and the little lies that can turn lethal.

©2014 Liane Moriarty (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Ms. Moriarty’s long-parched fans have something new to dig into...Big Little Lies [may have] even more staying power than The Husband’s Secret.” (The New York Times)

“Funny and thrilling, page-turning but with emotional depth, Big Little Lies is a terrific follow-up to The Husband’s Secret.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Moriarty demonstrates an excellent talent for exposing the dark, seedy side of the otherwise “perfect” family unit... Highly recommended.” (Library Journal, starred review)

Great!

Full of expression, I felt like I was there eavesdropping on the conversations. The narrator performed the children’s voices very well
The story kept me guessing the entire time

Still good.

I have read this book, then watched the show, and just finished listening in audible. I found the listening to be wonderful, which picturing the characters from the show. The narrator had a sweet voice, although it didn’t love the way certain characters sounded. It was nice to get a little surprise laugh from a book. Love it.

everything she writes!

Wow. Ehat a writer. how entertaining an thoughtful and funny and moving- as is ALL of her work. now I just have to wait for her to write more. ( I did not listenin chronological order .)

I really enjoyed this, did not expect to at all.

What did you love best about Big Little Lies?

I go through a lot of audiobooks and podcasts. I usually listen to them when i drive so will often make last minute purchases before i leave for a long journey, and don't always do a lot of research on a book before i purchase it.

I am so glad i did that with this book. I had it in my head when i started the book that it was a murder mystery, (i normally read SF so thought i could stretch to this genre), and in a way it kind of was, but mostly it was just about likeable characters going about their everyday lives. I am surprised at just how much i enjoyed the book and felt it was consistently strong throughout with a solid ending.

I really enjoyed the narrator, although others i have recommended the book to have said they found her to be annoying so i guess not for everyone,

Actually just wish the book was longer.

Any additional comments?

It is very good. considering I normally consume only scifi and fantasy I was surprised at how much i did enjoy this book. Get it, you will enjoy it.

Great narrator and fun plot

This is one of those books I couldn't wait to keep listening to. Unfortunately it often kept me up late at night! Once again Moriarty has written an enjoyable, plot-twisting, suspenseful story. And the narrator is super -- great voices/accents....expressive.

Moving from start to finish

I’ll amend my review title by saying the first 5 minutes were a bit slow to get started but once I realized that “slow start” is a theme throughout the book, I fully appreciated the way this book began. It’s relatable and charming. You’re enveloped into the characters sorry. inner thoughts, and friendship circle as though you yourself are one of the characters. The narrator paints a beautiful picture of each character, setting, and mood as she speaks. It kept me on my toes in a delightful way! I highly recommend this audiobook.

Wonderfully crafted and narrated

Where does Big Little Lies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the most enjoyable audiobooks I have read.

What about Caroline Lee’s performance did you like?

Caroline Lee delivered the lines perfectly for the characters. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed this book to the same degree if anyone else had narrated. In fact, while I tend to gush about this book to friends, I'm a little concerned they will not like it to the extreme that I did if they read it instead of listening to Ms. Lee read it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book is very funny, but it manages to also cover some very serious issues.

Any additional comments?

Clearly, Big Little Lies is one of the very best books I read in 2014.

I loved this book!

I love this author and the Australian accent of the narrator. You won't be sorry!

Better than the TV show

I loved it, and I could not put it down. I highly recommend this book.

Great feminist novel

Where does Big Little Lies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top of my list. Thought this was a superficial book at the beginning, however Moriarty ends up telling a beautiful story of female friendships. Definitely a "page turner" !