One Sentence Summary
We Were Liars is a gripping and heartbreaking story of secrets, deception, and betrayal unfolding within a wealthy family.
Book Genre
We Were Liars is a young adult, psychological and suspense novel.
Main Topic
The main focus of We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is the complex relationships between four distant cousins, known collectively as the Liars, who are revisiting their shared home on a private island.
Key Ideas
The key ideas in We Were Liars centre upon the effects of family trauma, the struggles of mental illness and the power of privilege.
Main Parts and Summary
The novel is broken up into three distinct parts.
Part 1: The first part of We Were Liars introduces the Liars – Cadence Sinclair, Johnny Sinclair, Mirren Sinclair and Gat Patil – as they reunite for summer vacation at the Sinclair family’s private island. The Liars spend their days swimming, scheming and delving into the past of Cadence’s grandmother, their larger-than-life ‘Grammy’.
Part 2: In the second part, a mysterious accident from two summers before is starting to come to light. As secrets are revealed and tensions among the Liars become ever more palpable, Cadence struggles with her deteriorating mental state and deepening suspicions about the family’s past.
Part 3: In the third part, the consequences of the Liars secrets are fully revealed and Cadence begins to understand the meaning behind the Liars’ struggles. In a dramatic and tragic conclusion, the truth about the accident and the relationships between the Liars is finally laid bare.
Key Takeaways
The key takeaways from We Were Liars include:
- Family Secrets and Trauma: The truth about family secrets can often have a devastating effect on relationships.
- Mental Illness: Mental illness can be a powerful force in terms of relationships and behaviour.
- Power of Privilege: Wealth and privilege can be instrumental in shielding secrets and falsifying emotions and identities.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
We Were Liars was written by E. Lockhart, a bestselling author of young adult fiction. Lockhart has authored numerous books for both young adults and middle schoolers, and is a two-time winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, an American Library Association award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature.
Target Audience
We Were Liars is targeted at young adults and teenagers aged between 13-18.
Publisher and First Publication Date
We Were Liars was first published in 2014 by Delacorte Press.