Liar (Caulien Cockley)

Title: Liar
Author: Justine Larbalestier
Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books
Pages: 371

There is no real reason why I decided to read this book. One day I was browsing the library for books to read because I had just finished a book I had found a week before there. The library seemed like reliable source for good books and that’s where I found Liar. I read the back and the insides of the cover and it seemed like a good story, so I chose it.
The story starts off with talking about the main character Micah Wilkins who has the problem of being a compulsive liar. Starting off the book she promises she will not lie while telling her story. The story is told from her perspective. There is a family sickness that Micah talks about in the beginning, but does not explain what it is until the middle of the story. She first explains that she was born with a layer of fur all over her body, but what does that mean? One day at school she is informed that her boyfriend, Zach Rubin, is brutally murdered, his body being ripped to shreds by some sort of creature. Through the story she tries to deal with the fact that her love is now gone forever and tries to figure out who or what killed Zach. But while reading, it is very hard to tell whether what Micah says is real or a lie.
The audience I would recommend for this book is people ranging from young adults like high school students and college students. The writing is very simple and informal, but the lay out of the story can seem very confusing at the start. Also if anyone enjoys reading about teenage life and problem books, this is a really good one. Those who like reading about mystical creatures and mystery would be fond of it too.
When reading Liar, you are taken through the story by a teenagers perspective. It is very informal and casual with shorter sentences, and the story and plot is very easy to understand. You read everything Micah is thinking when things happen in the book which helps let the reader understand her character a little better. In this passage she explains the strategy of lying and telling details, “Not piled on one after another after another- don’t tell too much. Ever. Too many details, that’s to many things that can be checked.” (pg 243).
“Your lies get stranger and weirder and denser, get bigger than words, turn into worlds, become real. You feel powerful, invincible.” (pg 217). This quote makes me wonder, is there really people that just tell lies like it’s nothing and soon begin to believe themselves? As Micah explains that it makes her feel powerful and invincible and since she was not a very popular girl in her school, maybe lying was a protective coat that she used to have a bit of self confidence. This is maybe a technique that some teenagers use for that reason.
“I am a werewolf. There, I’ve said it. The heart of all my lies. Of the family’s lies.” (pg 171). This quote definitely struck me the hardest. I was expecting a simple teenagers story about the problems in her life, but no, she turns out to be a werewolf! With her being a liar, it was completely unbelievable at first but as the story continues it becomes a bit more sensible.
“That is my life. The beginning and end of it. Would I lie to you?” (pg 371). The thoughts circulating in my mind , as I try to conclude this book, are never satisfied after reading this last remark. I think, of course she would lie, she wouldn’t be able to help it. It gets my mind thinking about the book over, reviewing all I’ve read, and wondering, was it all true, or was it all a lie?
There may be multiple themes encountered throughout the story but here is my theory on what the main theme is. The main theme of Liar is to show the reader that this world is a very untrustworthy place to be living in. No one can ever really tell whether another is lying. Lies are processed in this world and some are so strong that many begin to believe everything and nothing at all, and that people must always be ready for the unexpected and the unanticipated.
In my eyes, this novel would get an A as a letter grade. It was one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read, while reading, I never wanted to put it down. The feelings the story and plot provoked in me were immense surprise and disbelief. I would have never guessed how the story would have continued and ended. The author easily made the story seem from a teenagers perspective. The layout, dialogue, and with a bit of foreshadowing in it, the comprehension of what was happening in the story was easy to figure out.