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Liar: A confused YA book review
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When picking up a book entitled Liar, one should expect to feel a bit confused at the end. One could even imagine he or she would be unclear about what was true and what was not in the book, but Justine Larbalestier's Liar goes way beyond confusing. Writing a review for this book is nearly impossible. Upon finishing it, I still do not really know what it is about. In addition, there are two distinctly different storylines, each of which appeals to a very different spectrum of readers. Finally, explaining the plot, the book's strengths and weaknesses, or the questions the reader is left with at the end would ultimately spoil the book itself. Therefore, this is one of the most challenging books I have come across to review.The plot, according to the promotional materials available for the book, revolves around Micah Wilkins, a 17-year-old girl who also happens to be a compulsive liar. Throughout the book, when the reader thinks Micah is coming clean, the story changes. About halfway through the book, the story takes a turn that made me almost drop the book. I thought I was reading one book, and suddenly I was reading something very different. I think this will be a major problem for the book, because the audience that the first half of the book appeals to will be annoyed by the change, and the audience that the second half would appeal to will likely be bored by the first half. Therefore, determining the audience can be difficult.
Told in a nonlinear style, Liar breaks into three sections, each supposedly more truthful than the last. In addition, the story is divided into various subheadings rather than chapters. The most common of these are "Before," "After," and "History of Me." The "Before" and "After" sections allude to the conflict of the novel. Micah's boyfriend Zach is dead. He has died under very mysterious circumstances and the police believe there was foul play. Now, Micah, whose life has always been one big lie, must convince the reader, as well as those around her, of what is true and what is not.
The biggest problem with the book is that, at the end, as soon as the reader has begun to believe Micah, she changes everything. The last page leaves the reader wondering what was true, what was not, and what was the point. Although this is incredibly frustrating, it is also likely to trigger great book discussions when more people read this book. The reader alone can decide whether he or she wants to tackle a book that leaves more questions unanswered than answered, and to determine how much he or she wants to discuss a book rather than enjoy and understand it.
To be fair, the writing is solid and the characterization is excellent. It certainly says something about a book's quality to leave a reader thinking about it and feeling obligated to discuss it. However, be forewarned that you will feel overwhelmed, somewhat annoyed, and, most likely, totally lost upon completion. If all of that does not bother you, this is definitely a recommended read.
Score: 8/10 (but PLEASE look over the previously stated caveats!)
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