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 story. Genius writing

I've never experienced a book quite like this one. I'm exhausted from listening to it. I was on the edge of my seat through the entire story. As each new fact was revealed I was impatient to see what happened next.
I laughed and laughed dozens of times. And I cried once, standing in the grocery store holding my breath waiting to see what happened. I was totally invested in the character and story development.
What makes the writing truly genius was that all of the reactions I listed above came from small, simple things that happened in the story. There weren't big, unbelievable action scenes or sweeping romances, just daily, simple, life-happenings that added up in just the right (or wrong) way.
And the ending...perfect. It was worthy of the rest of the story. The ending was long and satisfying.
I loved the narrator. I think she really added to it. Her voice squeaked and cracked and felt very real.
I loved, loved, and enthusiastically recommend this book.

Oh, Calamity!

Kindergarten Politics. I never had children, but I imagine that those two words strike heart-stopping fear in any parent with a child entering elementary school. Liane Moriarty took me through the experience with all the irony, hilarity, fear and poignancy possible. I loved the format of the story-telling. It was clear who was talking at each point of the story, but the story was written to allow each witness to say a paragraph or so about how they saw the event. As you can imagine, lots of differing viewpoints. For the main characters, Madeline, Celeste and Jane, their stories alternated from chapter to chapter. I would love to meet them for coffee anytime.

The narrator was outstanding in every way. I always knew who was talking, but the emotions generated by these stories were clear to the listener. I have no complaints with this narrator.

There is a death and an investigation, but it is actually minor to the rest of the story. Just the setting for the death, a Kindergarten Trivia Night in which everyone dressed as Elvis or Audry Hepburn, makes it funny to me.

If this book sounds like something you would never want to hear, let me tell you, I resisted my many friends begging me to read this story. Boy, am I glad I got away from my comfort zone to listen to this excellent story. I will go to Liane Moriarty again!!

A Tremendous Accomplishment, A Must Listen

Many, many thanks to the audible reviewers of this book for leading me to the promised land. Big Little Lies is a work of genius, brilliantly performed. I have been extremely fortunate to have enjoyed many 5 star books. This one has to rank among the best.

Liane Moriarity's gift of creating characters and weaving an entirely unique story into a remarkably complex mystery is, well, genius. The setting is something I could never imagine being caught up in. Yet I was so caught up in the characters and every aspect of their lives I never once thought of them as fictional.

Caroline Lee, cracked voice and all, was equally great.

Do yourself a favor, buy this book!

Torture...

This book had a combination of things that really made it impossible to finish...things like the little details that ran over and over and reading like this ....(gwen to another) ..."time to find another tennis partner" BIG PAUSE, wait for it, wait for it...."said Gwen". I found this book extremely irritating for some reason and although I have listened and listened to the same parts over and over I still don't get it.

I purchased this book solely on the five star ratings...what a mistake. This book was shear torture to listen to. I even skipped a few chapters hoping it would pick up; nope, never did. The book just ran so slow and the plot seemed to get lost in all the detailed descriptions of the many characters and their day to day lives. Snore. I honestly do NOT understand how so many people could have rated this book so high. I really, honestly don't. I even went back and read all the reviews in hopes that I missed something, or, maybe I had not hit the "good part" of the book, but, after listening to (and re-listening and re-listening) I just can't take it any more. I'm returning the book. I guess you can't really go on what other folks like, but, there were so many of them that simply raved about this book, I don't understand it. I thought the narrator was ok, but, maybe subconsciencely her voice was what was boring me to tears. I really can't honestly say, but, to each his own. I'm really sorry to have to rate it so low, in fact, I rarely do ratings since people have different tastes, but, I could not let this one slip by.

LOVED this book!

What did you love best about Big Little Lies?

This book kept me wanting to listen, kept me awake to listen, until the very end.

Any additional comments?

I rarely write a review even thought I have listened to at least two books a week for the last two years. I don't want to give anything away. I think it is best to listen to this book knowing nothing about the story. You will NOT regret the credit!!

Little Lies Always Turn Into Big Lies

I find Liane Moriarty's books to be incredibly moving. The way she weaves her characters in and out and then entangles them in the guts of the story is masterful. She certainly nailed life in a rich town. You get the good, the bad, and the ugly. This book is about abuse of all kinds: verbal, emotional, and physical. I think it certainly is pertinent to the times. It is set in Australia so the narrator and accent are a bit irritating, but the story overrides all. Definitely a must read for any woman who has ever been controlled by a male, her kids, her schedule, her job, etc.

'Murder' Mystery?

This book's description sounds like an exciting murder mystery. However, after 11 out of the 16 hour total for its reading, no murder has yet been committed; let alone the search for the murderer. Instead, it consists of a very long, tedious, soap opera. It is full of the concerns, antagonisms, agonies and politicking of mothers in a small town in Australia. For people addicted to daytime soaps, it might be a great listen. For others, it's a real bore.

You Must Buy This Book!!

I love Liane Moriarty, her books keep you guessing from beginning to end. She has the rare talent of combining humor with serious topics without being insensitive. In this wonderful mystery/comedy/commentary on modern life and helicopter parents she is at the top of her game. To give any hints would give away the story. Other reviewers have done a great job, so I can only add that this book will resonate with any parent or educator. It will keep you listening and the ending will not disappoint! MUST LISTEN!!!

WOW- what a wicked web we weave!

I generally don't take the time to write reviews but am taking the time now. If you have enjoyed all of Liane Moriarty's other books, then you will enjoy this one too! It will definitely not be rated the "feel good" story of the year but very brilliantly crafted and inter-woven. I found the narrator very likable and believable and enjoyed listening to her accent. I was concerned a bit based on another review I had read as I cherish my credits and am very careful what I use them on, but am delighted to report that this book was very credit worthy!

New Liane Moriarty fans!

My husband and I listened to this book while driving to (and from) a vacation destination, and were thoroughly engrossed throughout. A very interesting presentation of events, EXCELLENT narration, and a satisfying ending all worked to make this a 5 star book.