Protip: Wear waterproof mascara as you read We Were Liars by E. Lockhart. You are going to need it, my friend, you are going to need it. I went into We Were Liars not really knowing what to expect except that John Green had blurbed it and I do trust his blurbs, take that as you will. I finished the book curled in on myself, a ball of heightened emotions and just really needing to take a breather. Lockhart’s latest is an affecting book that honestly will wreck you, at least, I hope that it wrecks you as much as it did me, because sometimes we all are in need of deeply intense books that afterwards we want to discuss with all our friends and tell the world about.
The Sinclair family is beautiful and brilliant and blonde. They are a legacy. They are among America’s finest. Cady is the hope of the family, she is the oldest grandchild and thus the heir to the Sinclair legacy. The Sinclairs are loyal. They act normal. Together, Cady, her cousins Johnny and Mirren and outsider-Johnny’s mom’s boyfriend’s son Gat comprise a group called the Liars. They spend every summer together on a private island. This is a story of privilege, family, first love, and golden retrievers. We Were Liars is a story of bad life choices. I do not want to detail the plot because there would spoilers and you guys it is the best going in to this book knowing absolutely nothing about what to expect. It will impact you so much more if each part is a surprise. Trust, I read E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars and felt as though the wind was knocked out of me. I felt all kinds of cliches — the book was unputdownable, the book gave me all the feels, the book was unpredictable, etc etc etc. Just, when you get the chance, pre-order this book.
What I can tell you is that from time to time, I felt like the book was filled with White People Problems. You know, rich people fighting over stupid rich people things like trust funds and inheritances. Things that I will never know or understand because you know, I work for everything I have. HOWEVER. Before you go all social justice warrior when you read this, just note, Lockhart addresses the privilege. We don’t read the book and think why yes, this is normal, everyone has a life like this. Oh heck no. And you know what’s cool? One character constantly challenges and calls out the privilege. I love that. I really love that this book made me think and made me feel not annoyed. I love that as a reader, I was conscious of just how much the Sinclairs have been afforded in life. I won’t go all super analysis on you, just suffice to say that privilege and race and even gender is addressed. Lockhart does an amazing job writing We Were Liars, a book that is more than surface.
I just want you know that when you read We Were Liars, you will feel things, deeply. If you love animals, get prepared for FEELINGS. If you get attached to characters, be prepared for FEELINGS. If you are someone who cares about words and how they come together to form perfect images, be prepared for FEELINGS. If you are into romance, be prepared for FEELINGS. Honestly, after I finished this book I was gross and emoting all over the place and in need of some chocolate, a hug, and a support group. This book wrecked me and I am okay with that. In fact, I thought I would show you guys how I felt using some GIFs:
As I am reading and feeling
I had to actually take a break while reading to collect myself.
Anne Hathaway knows my feelings.
Oh, and here are my goodreads notes upon finishing the book:
I need a bandaid for my heart because it is broken.
Also, my body is too small for all the feels inside after finishing this book.
And my face is gross from my sniffles and sobs, I EVEN MOISTURIZED TODAY and it is still gross.
Disclosure: Review Copy Provided By Publisher
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Ruh roh, I cry at the slightest thing and have been saving this until closer to the release date, so now I know I’m going to read it and cry, a lot! I love E’s books, so I’m not surprised that it’s good
Thank you for the pro tip.
Also for using the phrase pro tip.
oxo
Oh I can’t wait to read this!! It sounds SO emotional which I wouldn’t expect from an E. Lockhart books… but I am so looking forward to it! LOL to White People Problems. A very common problem in YA… I guess I’m used to it now 🙁
Ok you sold me. I have been really into dysfunctional family themed books lately this may need to be my next book.
Ahhhhhhhhh, I want to read this book IMMEDIATELY!!! I’m a sucker for books that bring the feels, and literally EVERY review of WWL I’ve read so far, has mentioned the unbearable feels, and I just. I need to feel those feels.
No but really, this book sounds incredible. I love that you mentioned that it addresses the privilege issues instead of assuming “privileged” is the norm. I’m so excited for the romance, and the great characters, and the WORDS. Gah.
Wonderful review! (Despite having to stay vague about the plot…;) )
Yes, I too, was left drowning in a puddle of feelings at 1:00a.m. when I finished this. 🙂
I totally get what you mean. I don’t normally cry when I read books, and I don’t think I did this time either, but it was definitely in my head for a long time afterward. I was definitely upset by it.
I must read this immediately. As in, now. As in, I have my waterproof mascara on RIGHT NOW and I’m waiting to be approved for early review.
I’m really looking forward to reading WE WERE LIARS! I’m intrigued by what quite a few people have had to say about it so far, as it’s elicited a lot of huge emotional responses. I do love that you pointed out that Lockhart manages to handle a lot of issues – like privilege, and race – in the novel, and handles it well at that.
I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK LIKE YOU CANNOT BELIEVE.
I read the chapter sampler for this book and it was the first three chapters and I was SO hooked. It was almost physically painful when the chapter sampler was over.
Ugh. Need this book in my life immediately.