Review: "We Were Liars" by E Lockhart
What It's All About
We Were Liars is a coming of age story unlike any other in the YA universe. It involves a group of teens and their demanding families. The subject matter revolves around three mother who are vying for their fathers love. A love that seems to only be measured by money and success. The mothers pit their children into the act of manipulation by training themon how to behave and what to say to prove their mothers worht. But no matter what, the mothers can never measure up to what their father expects of them.
The events take place on the family estate off the coast of Marthas Vineyard. Every summer since childhood the cousins make their way up to the summer home and spend their days on the beach, and their evenings in conversation. One summer during their childhood, a new addition is added to the mix. He is an outsider in every way and his presence is welcomed by the children and questioned by the adults.
During the Summer of 15, (when the teens are 15 years old) a dramtic and tragic event takes place that throws everyones world into a whirlwind of pain. It is up to the main character, Cadeance, to figure out what happened though her memory seems to be gone. No matter how much she tries to figure it out, no matter how much she seeks answers from those around her, cadence is left to shift through the hints that surround her in order to get to the troubling truth. A truth too painful to face, and a tragedy that is too intense to reveal in a review.
Major Players
Cadence- The only child of a recently divorced mother, Cadence is the oldest of The Liars, but only by a few months. She is the Protagonist of the story who wants to see a change in the way her mother and Grandfather get along. She is seen as her Grandfathers favorite because of her independence and outspoken nature. Her mother an father are recently divorced. She suffers from a case of memory loss and is left to try to pick up the peices of a summer that changed the life of everyone in her family.
Gat- Johnnys best friend, they are to be future cousins. One summer when he is 8 years, he joins Johnny on the island much to the Grandparents chagrin. He is Indian and has a different view on power than the rest of the family. His thrist for knowledge costantly challenges those of the other teens on the island. Gat wants to make the world a better place. He and Cadence fall in love when they are 14 years old and this creates friction between Himself and Grandpa.
Johnny- The stud, the jock, the true Blue Bloodd American Male, Johnny is the sweet and loveable cousin who has a light heart and just wants everyone to get along. He cracks jokes and keeps the mood from getting too intense when things seem to be spiriling out of control. His mother is engaged to an Indian man. Gat is his future Father-in-Laws nephew.
Mirren- The goody-good book worm of the bunch. Mirren tries desperately to fit in with her friends though she is a sweet girl at heart. She has younger brothers and tries to raise them with her mother who is struggling to raise her children alone while caring for her ailing parents.
Minor Players
Harris Sinclair- The Patriarch of the family, Harris is a wealthy man who holds his family name and lineage in high regard. image and reputation are extremely iportant to him. For this, he is very particular with how his family money will be spent. When it comes to deciding which of his three daughters will inhert the mansion and the rest of his inheritance.
The Mothers- All of the mothers in the story are seen as an embarrasment to their father. Being either divorced or unemployeed, they do not represent the image of The Sinclairs strong history. They are at ends with one another over their family estate and use their children in an attempt to butter up their father.
Why Read This Book
If you want a mystery hidden in a beautifully woven story about finding yourself. If you want a story that will make you think and weep.
Application in Classroom
There is a direct parallel with Wurthering Heights.
Students can participate in group assignment where they each assume the role of one of the Liars. In a discussion, they will discuss each characters motives and reason why they would act the way they did in that situation. Afterwards, they will discuss other ways of handling parental conflict, and how the liars should have avoided the deadly outcome of their actions.
Application outside of Classroom
Self-acceptance and learning to deal with the consequences of our actions.
Students are encouraged to have a conversation with their parents about the pressures they feel as a teen.
Students are to read articles about teens committing crimes. They need to decide if their empathy for others their age outweigh their reasoning for crime.
Study/Essay Questions
How is the relationship the parents have with their children any different than the relationship the parents have with their father?
What is the significance of fairy tales in the novel?
