We Were Liars

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2014

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Study Guide

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart follows nearly 18-year-old Cady Sinclair as she recounts her summers with her wealthy family on their private Beechwood Island. Cady spends her time with her cousins Johnny and Mirren, and family friend Gat, who becomes her love interest. After a traumatic accident at 15 leaves Cady with memory loss, she returns to the island, gradually uncovering the mystery of what happened and the dark family secrets buried there. The story includes topics of memory loss and trauma.

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

E. Lockhart's We Were Liars captivates with its lyrical prose and gripping plot, centered around a wealthy family's secrets. Reviewers praise its emotional depth and unexpected twists. Some readers criticize its pacing and find the narrative style disorienting, but many agree that the haunting conclusion leaves a lasting impact.

Who Should Read We Were Liars?

A reader who would enjoy We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is typically a young adult interested in psychological thrillers and contemporary fiction. Fans of E. Lockhart’s other works or novels like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, which blend mystery with emotional depth, will likely find this book captivating.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

600L

Book Details

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness

Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Genre

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Realistic Fiction

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