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Truly Madly Guilty
Goodreads Choice Award
Winner for Readers' Favorite Fiction (2016)Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?
Sam and Clementine have a wonderful, albeit, busy life: they have two little girls, Sam has just started a new dream job, and Clementine, a cellist, is busy preparing for the audition of a lifetime. If there’s anything they can count on, it’s each other.
Clementine and Erika are each other’s oldest friends. A single look between them can convey an entire conversation. But theirs is a complicated relationship, so when Erika mentions a last minute invitation to a barbecue with her neighbors, Tiffany and Vid, Clementine and Sam don’t hesitate. Having Tiffany and Vid’s larger than life personalities there will be a welcome respite.
Two months later, it won’t stop raining, and Clementine and Sam can’t stop asking themselves the question: What if we hadn’t gone?
In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty takes on the foundations of our lives: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. She shows how guilt can expose the fault lines in the most seemingly strong relationships, how what we don’t say can be more powerful than what we do, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm.
Sam and Clementine have a wonderful, albeit, busy life: they have two little girls, Sam has just started a new dream job, and Clementine, a cellist, is busy preparing for the audition of a lifetime. If there’s anything they can count on, it’s each other.
Clementine and Erika are each other’s oldest friends. A single look between them can convey an entire conversation. But theirs is a complicated relationship, so when Erika mentions a last minute invitation to a barbecue with her neighbors, Tiffany and Vid, Clementine and Sam don’t hesitate. Having Tiffany and Vid’s larger than life personalities there will be a welcome respite.
Two months later, it won’t stop raining, and Clementine and Sam can’t stop asking themselves the question: What if we hadn’t gone?
In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty takes on the foundations of our lives: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. She shows how guilt can expose the fault lines in the most seemingly strong relationships, how what we don’t say can be more powerful than what we do, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2016
23.7k people are currently reading
254k people want to read
About the author
Liane Moriarty
57 books72.7k followersLiane Moriarty is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, and Truly Madly Guilty; the New York Times bestsellers Apples Never Fall, Nine Perfect Strangers, What Alice Forgot, and The Last Anniversary; The Hypnotist’s Love Story; and Three Wishes. She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 23,061 reviews
March 31, 2023
Maybe I'm just spoiled by domestic thriller authors like Gillian Flynn and Megan Abbott, maybe I want all the wrong things from Moriarty, but whatever the reason, her books never pull me in. This is the third of her books that I've tried and once again I’m overcome by the slowness, the lack of pull… the sheer dullness of the characters.
Perhaps I do expect the wrong things, but I don't think that's completely my fault. I'm starting to realize that Moriarty's novels are given titles and descriptions that make them sound so much more dramatic and mysterious than they really are. The Husband's Secret, Big Little Lies, Truly Madly Guilty - secrets, lies and guilt, you say? Bring it on!
Except her stories rarely venture outside of middle class soirées. The secrets are anticlimactic, leaving a "meh" sensation in their wake. I'm almost always left thinking “seriously, is that it?"
I have to give credit where it's due - Moriarty seems in tune with human nature. She knows her characters well and they feel convincing. It was easy to imagine them as real people. But Truly Madly Guilty lacks some grit; some drama.
It opens being deliberately coy about the events of a barbecue that took place several months previously. Clearly something important happened between Erika and Clementine's families, but the snoozeworthy-pacing, as the novel jumps between the day of the barbecue and the present, killed off most of my curiosity. Which, as it turned out, was just as well, because the answers are disappointing and the ending feels too neat.
I'm sorry. I genuinely want to get on the Moriarty fanwagon, but I think it's time I admit her style is not one that draws me in, even if her titles and premises do. There are very few authors that can infuse everyday, mundane activities with tension (Megan Abbott, for one) but Liane Moriarty, for me, is not one of them. I feel like I’m reading a flier advertising dish soap.
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Perhaps I do expect the wrong things, but I don't think that's completely my fault. I'm starting to realize that Moriarty's novels are given titles and descriptions that make them sound so much more dramatic and mysterious than they really are. The Husband's Secret, Big Little Lies, Truly Madly Guilty - secrets, lies and guilt, you say? Bring it on!
Except her stories rarely venture outside of middle class soirées. The secrets are anticlimactic, leaving a "meh" sensation in their wake. I'm almost always left thinking “seriously, is that it?"
I have to give credit where it's due - Moriarty seems in tune with human nature. She knows her characters well and they feel convincing. It was easy to imagine them as real people. But Truly Madly Guilty lacks some grit; some drama.
It opens being deliberately coy about the events of a barbecue that took place several months previously. Clearly something important happened between Erika and Clementine's families, but the snoozeworthy-pacing, as the novel jumps between the day of the barbecue and the present, killed off most of my curiosity. Which, as it turned out, was just as well, because the answers are disappointing and the ending feels too neat.
I'm sorry. I genuinely want to get on the Moriarty fanwagon, but I think it's time I admit her style is not one that draws me in, even if her titles and premises do. There are very few authors that can infuse everyday, mundane activities with tension (Megan Abbott, for one) but Liane Moriarty, for me, is not one of them. I feel like I’m reading a flier advertising dish soap.
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May 24, 2016
Oh geez, don't shoot the messenger here but this one left me flat. I'm a big fan of Liane Moriarty, but not only was this book about 200 pages too long, the storyline was weak, I didn't like any of the characters, and the "big reveal/secret" Moriarty usually puts in her books was a big letdown. Once it came out, and believe me, the almost 300 pages leading up to it was hard enough, all I could think was "that's what all of these people are going on about?" I think the main issue is that they just aren't very likable or particularly interesting people. That's part of the point of many of her stories I know..bad things happen to normal people living in the burbs...but this group is more blah than usual. The rest is a back and forth between the characters that was still very slow to unfold and pretty predictable. Only my love for her past books got me to finish this - almost any other author, and I'd have stopped less than halfway through.
I'll still read anything else Moriarty puts out, but this one sadly for me was not a good one at all.
I'll still read anything else Moriarty puts out, but this one sadly for me was not a good one at all.
August 3, 2016
This SLOW building character-driven story of a disastrous BBQ truly tested my intestinal fortitude, but I stuck it out, and once I made it to the half-way point (whew!) when the (ho hum) proposal is finally made, the first shocking twist occurred tempting me to stay with it and discover what would happen next.
TRULY MADLY GUILTY is a story that entices the reader in Chapter 1 to find out what really happened at an innocent neighborhood BBQ, but when Chapter 2 begins, a SLOW progression detailing the inside scoop on three couples and their everyday, repetitive family lives left me feeling somewhat frustrated, but..... then the second heartbreaking twist occurs pulling me back in yet again convincing me I surely now had all the 'BBQ Day' answers; but nope, there was yet another (somewhat predictable) piece to the puzzle still to uncover.
Overall, an ok read, with ok characters, and an ok story with surprises, tense moments and even a bit of humor, but it does take a long time to get there.
September 15, 2016
Did you ever hear this old joke?
Worried that their son was too optimistic, the parents of a little boy took him to a psychiatrist. In an attempt to dampen the boy’s spirits, the psychiatrist showed him into a room piled high with nothing but horse manure. Instead of displaying disgust, the little boy climbed to the top of the pile and began digging.
“What are you doing?” the psychiatrist asked.
“With all this s**t” the little boy replied, beaming, “there must be a pony in here somewhere!”
That’s how I felt about reading this latest from Moriarty. I’m not comparing the book to a pile of manure, I’m just saying I ‘dug’ through a lot of pages and never found the pony. And I should point out I really, really like her books, I’ve read four out of the last six. I wouldn’t describe her books as literary, but for sheer entertainment and wickedly good fun Liane is my go to guilty pleasure, but this one was a long, torturous road to dullsville. I should have listened to the critics.
Moriarty’s usual bag of tricks is on full display here, she serves up a steamer trunk worth of baggage from infertility to alcoholism to hoarding and beyond, but as opposed to her previous books, it is lacking in humor and the characters are just not that interesting. The most exasperating factor for me, however, was the foreshadowing that felt artificial and forced for the first 200+ pages. By the time I reached the pivotal reveal my irritation had multiplied, yet I slogged on because surely NOW we would get to the Moriarty formula I’ve come to love, but it was not to be. No pony for me.
Worried that their son was too optimistic, the parents of a little boy took him to a psychiatrist. In an attempt to dampen the boy’s spirits, the psychiatrist showed him into a room piled high with nothing but horse manure. Instead of displaying disgust, the little boy climbed to the top of the pile and began digging.
“What are you doing?” the psychiatrist asked.
“With all this s**t” the little boy replied, beaming, “there must be a pony in here somewhere!”
That’s how I felt about reading this latest from Moriarty. I’m not comparing the book to a pile of manure, I’m just saying I ‘dug’ through a lot of pages and never found the pony. And I should point out I really, really like her books, I’ve read four out of the last six. I wouldn’t describe her books as literary, but for sheer entertainment and wickedly good fun Liane is my go to guilty pleasure, but this one was a long, torturous road to dullsville. I should have listened to the critics.
Moriarty’s usual bag of tricks is on full display here, she serves up a steamer trunk worth of baggage from infertility to alcoholism to hoarding and beyond, but as opposed to her previous books, it is lacking in humor and the characters are just not that interesting. The most exasperating factor for me, however, was the foreshadowing that felt artificial and forced for the first 200+ pages. By the time I reached the pivotal reveal my irritation had multiplied, yet I slogged on because surely NOW we would get to the Moriarty formula I’ve come to love, but it was not to be. No pony for me.
May 27, 2016
Something terrible happened at a BBQ, a BBQ that three couples plus three young children attended. Whether this book works for the reader depends on patience, patience because it takes quite awhile before, we find out what happened. Not that a great deal, back stories of the characters, their thoughts, doesn't happen in alternating chapters, so it depends on how interesting you find their stories. Obviously it worked for me.
So much is happening here, a troubled marriage, a cellist with a big upcoming audition, IVF, hoarding, pole dancing, a resentful friendship etc. How this author puts this story together and makes it work is like a magic trick. So easy to read, flows right along, the two little girls providing a great deal of humor and the observations of people and marriages that can only be described as insightful. Easy to relate to because I know people like some of these in this book. The ending was a little pat for my taste but I so enjoyed getting there that I decided to leave my rating as it is.
I haven't liked all her books as much as her last two but she has the knack of taking and exaggerating human foibles to put together amazing stories. Lighter fiction, because of the tone, but with a little bite.
ARC from publisher.
So much is happening here, a troubled marriage, a cellist with a big upcoming audition, IVF, hoarding, pole dancing, a resentful friendship etc. How this author puts this story together and makes it work is like a magic trick. So easy to read, flows right along, the two little girls providing a great deal of humor and the observations of people and marriages that can only be described as insightful. Easy to relate to because I know people like some of these in this book. The ending was a little pat for my taste but I so enjoyed getting there that I decided to leave my rating as it is.
I haven't liked all her books as much as her last two but she has the knack of taking and exaggerating human foibles to put together amazing stories. Lighter fiction, because of the tone, but with a little bite.
ARC from publisher.
August 25, 2016
At one point, I was sure that I was going to give this two stars. And then I read a little farther and was certain that it had redeemed itself enough that I might give it four. I have so many mixed feelings about this book. Ultimately, I think I landed somewhere right in the middle of loving it and hating it. Three stars doesn't necessarily mean this is an average book; it just reflects my complicated feelings about it.
Because there’s some things that Liane Moriarty does extremely well here. She paints amazingly complex portraits of realistic, flawed people. Their relationships to each other, the inner lives kept secret from even their spouses, the paths of their psychologies—all so well-drawn. These are characters that are so real that it’s almost uncomfortable to read about them.
She draws things out way too much, though. In doing so, Moriarty violates one of my biggest reading pet peeves (and this is totally subjective so it may not be a big deal to you): she builds suspense not by writing about suspenseful action or by showing us characters trying to solve a mystery but by simply withholding information from the reader. Which is a tactic that makes me kind of want to:
The basic thrust of this story is that three couples get together for a barbecue and SOMETHING BAD happens at the barbecue that creates new fault lines in their relationships. We spend 250 pages reading characters saying to themselves and to each other, “If only I hadn’t gone to that barbecue” or “Nothing’s been the same since that barbecue.” She’d cut the alternating chapters off at odd points in an attempt to build in mini-cliffhangers, so you never knew what chapter would eventually reveal the big secret. Invariably, whatever happens at that barbecue is going to pale in comparison to the hand-wringing that’s led up to it. The actual event turns out to be a great hook to build a story around, but I was weirdly let down by its reveal because Moriarty’s storytelling style had led me to believe that it would be so much more salacious that it was.
And she uses this tactic on too many separate threads. Not only is there a big secret about the event at the barbecue, but each of the six adults have their own baggage that’s gotta be teased out to some extent. Why does Erika avoid dinner with her mother so much? Why is Tiffany so afraid of running into the guy from her daughter’s school? Why isn’t Sam talking to his wife about his new job? Yeah, this stuff helps develop the characters, but it also just adds extra pages to an already stuffed-full narrative. Some of these threads easily could have been spun off into their own novel and Moriarty would've had two much stronger novels instead of one that left me with so many mixed feelings.
And yet, as frustrated as I was, I enjoyed the book quite a bit. Moriarty's goal here seems to have been to examine how guilt drives us: feeling guilty about the decisions we've made that maybe didn't pan out the way we'd hoped, the weight of expectations and the fear that we might not live up to them, the regret we feel over actions we might not have even meant to take. She examines these ideas from many different facets and never seems to forget this goal, but, aside from the title, she doesn't pound you over the head with reminders that "Sam feels guilty."
Something else that Moriarty does exceptionally well here is shifting points of view. The chapters bounce back and forth between characters in the before-and-after of the barbecue, examining how each of the adults feel about the main plot twist and the psychodynamic reasons for their responses. She points out the different ways that characters feel about the same things as a way of demonstrating that we might not really know the people in our lives we claim to be closest to. It's interesting and it definitely helps develop her characters into such realistic people. But I did sometimes find myself wondering if any of them were ever at all even the least bit up-front and honest with each other.
I think that this could have been a four- or five-star read for me if Moriarty had just reined herself in a bit. Focus more on a single event instead of six characters' little secrets and a central event, and definitely cut down on the phony build-up. Her attempt to bring everything full circle at the end feels a bit forced, primarily just because she's given herself so much to wrap up, but she still manages to drop a few last-minute twists into the mix in a way that actually feels surprising. Even if you're feeling fatigued by all the "what-ifs" peppered in along the way, you'll be glad you hung in until the bitter end.
Because there’s some things that Liane Moriarty does extremely well here. She paints amazingly complex portraits of realistic, flawed people. Their relationships to each other, the inner lives kept secret from even their spouses, the paths of their psychologies—all so well-drawn. These are characters that are so real that it’s almost uncomfortable to read about them.
She draws things out way too much, though. In doing so, Moriarty violates one of my biggest reading pet peeves (and this is totally subjective so it may not be a big deal to you): she builds suspense not by writing about suspenseful action or by showing us characters trying to solve a mystery but by simply withholding information from the reader. Which is a tactic that makes me kind of want to:
The basic thrust of this story is that three couples get together for a barbecue and SOMETHING BAD happens at the barbecue that creates new fault lines in their relationships. We spend 250 pages reading characters saying to themselves and to each other, “If only I hadn’t gone to that barbecue” or “Nothing’s been the same since that barbecue.” She’d cut the alternating chapters off at odd points in an attempt to build in mini-cliffhangers, so you never knew what chapter would eventually reveal the big secret. Invariably, whatever happens at that barbecue is going to pale in comparison to the hand-wringing that’s led up to it. The actual event turns out to be a great hook to build a story around, but I was weirdly let down by its reveal because Moriarty’s storytelling style had led me to believe that it would be so much more salacious that it was.
And she uses this tactic on too many separate threads. Not only is there a big secret about the event at the barbecue, but each of the six adults have their own baggage that’s gotta be teased out to some extent. Why does Erika avoid dinner with her mother so much? Why is Tiffany so afraid of running into the guy from her daughter’s school? Why isn’t Sam talking to his wife about his new job? Yeah, this stuff helps develop the characters, but it also just adds extra pages to an already stuffed-full narrative. Some of these threads easily could have been spun off into their own novel and Moriarty would've had two much stronger novels instead of one that left me with so many mixed feelings.
And yet, as frustrated as I was, I enjoyed the book quite a bit. Moriarty's goal here seems to have been to examine how guilt drives us: feeling guilty about the decisions we've made that maybe didn't pan out the way we'd hoped, the weight of expectations and the fear that we might not live up to them, the regret we feel over actions we might not have even meant to take. She examines these ideas from many different facets and never seems to forget this goal, but, aside from the title, she doesn't pound you over the head with reminders that "Sam feels guilty."
Something else that Moriarty does exceptionally well here is shifting points of view. The chapters bounce back and forth between characters in the before-and-after of the barbecue, examining how each of the adults feel about the main plot twist and the psychodynamic reasons for their responses. She points out the different ways that characters feel about the same things as a way of demonstrating that we might not really know the people in our lives we claim to be closest to. It's interesting and it definitely helps develop her characters into such realistic people. But I did sometimes find myself wondering if any of them were ever at all even the least bit up-front and honest with each other.
I think that this could have been a four- or five-star read for me if Moriarty had just reined herself in a bit. Focus more on a single event instead of six characters' little secrets and a central event, and definitely cut down on the phony build-up. Her attempt to bring everything full circle at the end feels a bit forced, primarily just because she's given herself so much to wrap up, but she still manages to drop a few last-minute twists into the mix in a way that actually feels surprising. Even if you're feeling fatigued by all the "what-ifs" peppered in along the way, you'll be glad you hung in until the bitter end.
March 25, 2023
Why I chose to read this book:
1. I found a copy at my library's book sale;
2. I enjoyed the TV mini-series Big Little Lies, also written by this author; and,
3. March 2023 is my "Realistic Fiction" Month.
Praises:
1. I liked the different POV of various characters portrayed in this dual-timeline story, which takes place roughly two months apart;
2. I was successfully kept in suspense as to the inevitable incident that occurred at the barbecue, leaving characters processing it in different ways;
3. mental health issues, such as hoarding, were tastefully shown using appropriate research; and,
4. short, quick chapters left me wanting to read "just one more", "just one more" ...
Niggle:
A reference was made to Erika's psychologist prescribing anti-anxiety medication. Nope! Psychologists DO NOT prescribe meds, but psychiatrists can! Too bad author Liane Moriarty didn't use this type of medical professional instead to make this part more accurate. NOTE: A GR friend clarified that some jurisdictions allow psychologists to prescribe meds, depending on if they received extra training in pharmacology. Thanks, Jaidee! (Doh! I should have consulted my daughters who are pharmacists! 😳)
Overall Thoughts:
Some of my suspicions were confirmed about the secrets that were slowly unraveled in this story. Three stars means I liked it, but it wasn't as intense or as memorable as Big Little Lies.
1. I found a copy at my library's book sale;
2. I enjoyed the TV mini-series Big Little Lies, also written by this author; and,
3. March 2023 is my "Realistic Fiction" Month.
Praises:
1. I liked the different POV of various characters portrayed in this dual-timeline story, which takes place roughly two months apart;
2. I was successfully kept in suspense as to the inevitable incident that occurred at the barbecue, leaving characters processing it in different ways;
3. mental health issues, such as hoarding, were tastefully shown using appropriate research; and,
4. short, quick chapters left me wanting to read "just one more", "just one more" ...
Niggle:
A reference was made to Erika's psychologist prescribing anti-anxiety medication. Nope! Psychologists DO NOT prescribe meds, but psychiatrists can! Too bad author Liane Moriarty didn't use this type of medical professional instead to make this part more accurate. NOTE: A GR friend clarified that some jurisdictions allow psychologists to prescribe meds, depending on if they received extra training in pharmacology. Thanks, Jaidee! (Doh! I should have consulted my daughters who are pharmacists! 😳)
Overall Thoughts:
Some of my suspicions were confirmed about the secrets that were slowly unraveled in this story. Three stars means I liked it, but it wasn't as intense or as memorable as Big Little Lies.
October 20, 2016
Well, shoot. This was a strangely unsatisfying read for me. The long tease about what happened at that dang backyard barbecue just wasn't quite worth the wait. Looked good, smelled good, but upon tasting it, I wanted more salt and pepper.
June 15, 2017
Obviously I loved this. I read it all in one day. Her books are so addictive—that's the best word to describe them. The epitome of a page turner.
Like I said in my review of Big Little Lies, Moriarty is great at crafting complex characters. The 6 adults, and even the 3 children, in this story or so well developed and interesting. They have flaws and personalities that will make you love them and hate them. It's that complexity that takes this book from 'soap opera'-esque to engaging and compelling. She ups the ante by devoting the time to creating interesting humans at the center of an interesting story.
Plus, her writing is on point. I love the little nuggets of wisdom she drops here and there. They stick out like little gems that you want to collect and treasure. Another reason this isn't your regular dollar store thriller.
I can't wait to read everything else she's written. I have a feeling she's going to become one of my favorite authors and a go-to recommendation for people who don't know what to read next. You won't be able to put this down.
Like I said in my review of Big Little Lies, Moriarty is great at crafting complex characters. The 6 adults, and even the 3 children, in this story or so well developed and interesting. They have flaws and personalities that will make you love them and hate them. It's that complexity that takes this book from 'soap opera'-esque to engaging and compelling. She ups the ante by devoting the time to creating interesting humans at the center of an interesting story.
Plus, her writing is on point. I love the little nuggets of wisdom she drops here and there. They stick out like little gems that you want to collect and treasure. Another reason this isn't your regular dollar store thriller.
I can't wait to read everything else she's written. I have a feeling she's going to become one of my favorite authors and a go-to recommendation for people who don't know what to read next. You won't be able to put this down.
July 18, 2016
Alright, before I begin my review of this book I need to admit something. A secret shame. This is my very first Liane Moriarty book! Yes I know, I know! I can hear you SHARPLY GASP! Her books seem right up my alley, how could I have not read Big Little Lies, or The Husband's Secret? "SHAME ON YOU MELISSA!" I hear you yell! "She is one of Australia's most loved authors!!" I have heard such good things, but guiltily have never had the chance or inclination to read them before. However, this means that I came into reading Truly Madly Guilty with an unbiased perspective, and will hopefully give you a run down about what I liked and didn't like about it as a Moriarty novice!
Something happened at the BBQ that day. Clementine didn't even want to go, and a major life-changing event occurred. Something that will change all of their lives. This is the story of three marriages, friendship, and the fateful events of one seemingly ordinary afternoon that will become extraordinary in their memories.
Now, if you are after a light, feel good read then look elsewhere. This story is gritty, raw and deep.
Moriarty creates an amazingly charged atmosphere in the first half of the book without actually revealing what happened at the BBQ! I found this SO FRUSTRATING! But not in a bad way! I was DESPERATE to know what happened. So desperate that when it did happen I felt slightly let down, as it went in a different direction than I was expecting. But I assume that's the point.
I enjoyed the way it switched back and forth in time and from each different characters perspective. It was an extremely character driven novel which I can only assume is a Moriarty trademark by reading reviews of her other work. It was done masterfully. Each character was so inherently unique and imperfect. I was quickly sucked into their lives and relationships.
It touched on SO MANY themes! Friendship, love, lust, family, parenting, childlessness, IVF, marriage, and mental illness just to name a few. However, with so much going on I found it dragged on a little bit for me. I was willing it at times to just get to the BBQ. However once it did get to the BBQ, I found the pace improved, even if it went in a direction I was not entirely anticipating. And there were a few excellent twists that I never saw coming, and that's always a big plus for me!
Would I recommend Truly Madly Guilty?
Absolutely worth the read! I will be definitely checking out her other books! I can't believe I have waited so long!
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for an advanced copy of Truly Madly Guilty in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews check out my
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Something happened at the BBQ that day. Clementine didn't even want to go, and a major life-changing event occurred. Something that will change all of their lives. This is the story of three marriages, friendship, and the fateful events of one seemingly ordinary afternoon that will become extraordinary in their memories.
Now, if you are after a light, feel good read then look elsewhere. This story is gritty, raw and deep.
Moriarty creates an amazingly charged atmosphere in the first half of the book without actually revealing what happened at the BBQ! I found this SO FRUSTRATING! But not in a bad way! I was DESPERATE to know what happened. So desperate that when it did happen I felt slightly let down, as it went in a different direction than I was expecting. But I assume that's the point.
I enjoyed the way it switched back and forth in time and from each different characters perspective. It was an extremely character driven novel which I can only assume is a Moriarty trademark by reading reviews of her other work. It was done masterfully. Each character was so inherently unique and imperfect. I was quickly sucked into their lives and relationships.
It touched on SO MANY themes! Friendship, love, lust, family, parenting, childlessness, IVF, marriage, and mental illness just to name a few. However, with so much going on I found it dragged on a little bit for me. I was willing it at times to just get to the BBQ. However once it did get to the BBQ, I found the pace improved, even if it went in a direction I was not entirely anticipating. And there were a few excellent twists that I never saw coming, and that's always a big plus for me!
Would I recommend Truly Madly Guilty?
Absolutely worth the read! I will be definitely checking out her other books! I can't believe I have waited so long!
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for an advanced copy of Truly Madly Guilty in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews check out my
BLOG
July 28, 2019
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
3.5 Stars!!
I really enjoy Liane Moriarty’s novels. “Big Little Lies” is one of my favorite books. I’ve had this audiobook for quite a while. I’m surprised it took me so long to get to it.
“Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?”
This novel had a lot of characters but I thought they were all very well-developed. I especially loved the children, Ruby and Holly. They were sweet and funny, even when they were being naughty. I honestly did laugh out loud a few times.
The story is told from multiple points of view. It did take a little while to get everyone straight, but once I figured out who was who, it was easy enough to follow along. It could possibly have been a little shorter as it did drag on at times.
We hear from the characters in the present and back to the day of the barbeque. Right from the start, we are aware that something big happened at this barbecue.
It was to be an ordinary neighborhood barbeque in an ordinary backyard with ordinary people.
I really wanted to know what happened on that “ ordinary day ”.
I would never have guessed.
The story deals with a lot of issues. I really liked how the author portrayed the relationships between husbands and wives, friends, parents, and children, etc. Most of the interactions felt very real and honest.
This novel was a nice change of pace after some of the thrillers I’ve read lately. It wasn’t an intense read, although there were some emotional moments. The story kept me engaged.
Overall, I thought this was a very interesting character-driven novel.
I really liked the narrator, Caroline Lee. She’s narrated quite a few of Liane Moriarty’s novels.
As usual, I’m excited to see what Liane Moriarty comes up with next!
3.5 Stars!!
I really enjoy Liane Moriarty’s novels. “Big Little Lies” is one of my favorite books. I’ve had this audiobook for quite a while. I’m surprised it took me so long to get to it.
“Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?”
This novel had a lot of characters but I thought they were all very well-developed. I especially loved the children, Ruby and Holly. They were sweet and funny, even when they were being naughty. I honestly did laugh out loud a few times.
The story is told from multiple points of view. It did take a little while to get everyone straight, but once I figured out who was who, it was easy enough to follow along. It could possibly have been a little shorter as it did drag on at times.
We hear from the characters in the present and back to the day of the barbeque. Right from the start, we are aware that something big happened at this barbecue.
It was to be an ordinary neighborhood barbeque in an ordinary backyard with ordinary people.
I really wanted to know what happened on that “ ordinary day ”.
I would never have guessed.
The story deals with a lot of issues. I really liked how the author portrayed the relationships between husbands and wives, friends, parents, and children, etc. Most of the interactions felt very real and honest.
This novel was a nice change of pace after some of the thrillers I’ve read lately. It wasn’t an intense read, although there were some emotional moments. The story kept me engaged.
Overall, I thought this was a very interesting character-driven novel.
I really liked the narrator, Caroline Lee. She’s narrated quite a few of Liane Moriarty’s novels.
As usual, I’m excited to see what Liane Moriarty comes up with next!
February 7, 2017
4 1/2 stars
This is one of those long, drawn-out stories that's more about character assessment and the hardships of life than it is a story based on its plot.
This is about 3 couples and how they react and cope with something that happens at a BBQ one afternoon. By the time Liane Moriarty unveils the secret, you'll be just over halfway done with the book.
I feel I should warn you though: Please don't expect the twist to be overly shocking, twisted or scandalous. I did have that expectation, merely because the topic was built up so much and was cleverly avoided. It kept me turning the page in anticipation, only to feel anti-climactic.
That's ok, all is forgiven because the writing is superb. Liane Moriarty is quite skillful at weaving deep epiphanies, innermost feelings, etc. into her books, and yet you won't get confused or lost in the shuffle. She manages to do this while fluidly whipping back and forth from past to present.
That requires great skill as a writer, and is something I personally admire, because it allows me to trust her blindly enough to sit back and soak in her story.
This is one of those long, drawn-out stories that's more about character assessment and the hardships of life than it is a story based on its plot.
This is about 3 couples and how they react and cope with something that happens at a BBQ one afternoon. By the time Liane Moriarty unveils the secret, you'll be just over halfway done with the book.
I feel I should warn you though: Please don't expect the twist to be overly shocking, twisted or scandalous. I did have that expectation, merely because the topic was built up so much and was cleverly avoided. It kept me turning the page in anticipation, only to feel anti-climactic.
That's ok, all is forgiven because the writing is superb. Liane Moriarty is quite skillful at weaving deep epiphanies, innermost feelings, etc. into her books, and yet you won't get confused or lost in the shuffle. She manages to do this while fluidly whipping back and forth from past to present.
That requires great skill as a writer, and is something I personally admire, because it allows me to trust her blindly enough to sit back and soak in her story.
December 13, 2016
Truly Madly Guilty is the telling of a BBQ event where things go wrong. The book focuses on 6 adults and 3 kids so that every aspect of a family can be brought to the table. The first half of the book is slow as molasses and sometimes I had to refrain myself from reading ahead and skimming to the juicy parts.
We get to know of the characters' past while the book is building up to this big reveal. To be honest I've already forgotten a lot about the early segments of the book. I thought the book was so austere, strict in its format, and sometimes bland that I couldn't see myself give it 4 stars or write an interesting review (the bane of the review writer).
I had read Big Little Lies recently and thought that I would enjoy this one just as much, but it was not to be. I can't put my finger on why it was so. The author displays her mercurial talent here, just as in Big Little Lies. But something was off about Truly Madly Guilty. Maybe the ordinary halves of the characters was shoved in our faces too much, I don't know. I give this book 3 stars, and do recommend it to fans of the author.
We get to know of the characters' past while the book is building up to this big reveal. To be honest I've already forgotten a lot about the early segments of the book. I thought the book was so austere, strict in its format, and sometimes bland that I couldn't see myself give it 4 stars or write an interesting review (the bane of the review writer).
I had read Big Little Lies recently and thought that I would enjoy this one just as much, but it was not to be. I can't put my finger on why it was so. The author displays her mercurial talent here, just as in Big Little Lies. But something was off about Truly Madly Guilty. Maybe the ordinary halves of the characters was shoved in our faces too much, I don't know. I give this book 3 stars, and do recommend it to fans of the author.
January 1, 2017
4 stars! I enjoyed this book! Liane Moriarty does a great job of grabbing your attention from chapter one. She throws multiple characters' perspectives of an "unknown dramatic event" at you throughout the first half of the book. She pulls the reader along, feeding their curiosity with just enough detail to keep them reading "one more chapter" to find out more. Even when you do find out what the "event" was (at about the halfway point), you need to continue reading to the end of the novel to find out the full outcome of this event on each character involved.
August 24, 2016
★★★½
If you have read any reviews for Liane Moriarty's Truly Madly Guilty, you already know that it all seems to be about something that happened at a barbecue. Be forewarned, it's much too easy to get sucked into the mystery of what happened...afterall, the hush hush event is brought up over and over and over again and appears to be something horrendously taboo based on how the characters continue to refer to it. But I beg you, for your own enjoyment, ignore these traps. Instead, meet the characters, learn about their relationships and most importantly, learn from them.
Ms. Moriarty's strength is in her characters. I have written the following statement in every single review I've written for her: It's as if she has personally lived her characters' lives. The issues are real, the reactions are believable, and the emotions are palpable. In my opinion, her continued reminders of the mysterious barbecue incident were incredibly distracting and did a horrendous disservice to her story. Based on my own personal reading experience, the incident isn't shocking at all because once it's laid out for you, you'll realize it isn't anything you didn't already know about. Yes, there are some mild twists and one particular revelation saved for the end that gives a sad little jolt but the infamous barbecue incident does not warrant your focus. Focus on the characters, ignore the barbecue, and you'll be fine.
Note: This book is long and it felt long, likely because the content dragged a bit. The first half is pretty slow. I listened via audio and although the narration was incredibly well-done, I was tempted to just skip to the end several times. I mean, it's 17 hours! But I hung in there and after all is said and done I don't regret it. Keep listening after the book is over because a few minutes at the very end features an interview between the audiobook narrator Caroline Lee and Ms. Moriarty. It wasn't a must-listen but it was a nice addition.
My favorite quote:
“Everybody wants the babies...The cute little babies. But what they really need is foster parents for the older kids. The angry ones. The broken ones.”
If you have read any reviews for Liane Moriarty's Truly Madly Guilty, you already know that it all seems to be about something that happened at a barbecue. Be forewarned, it's much too easy to get sucked into the mystery of what happened...afterall, the hush hush event is brought up over and over and over again and appears to be something horrendously taboo based on how the characters continue to refer to it. But I beg you, for your own enjoyment, ignore these traps. Instead, meet the characters, learn about their relationships and most importantly, learn from them.
Ms. Moriarty's strength is in her characters. I have written the following statement in every single review I've written for her: It's as if she has personally lived her characters' lives. The issues are real, the reactions are believable, and the emotions are palpable. In my opinion, her continued reminders of the mysterious barbecue incident were incredibly distracting and did a horrendous disservice to her story. Based on my own personal reading experience, the incident isn't shocking at all because once it's laid out for you, you'll realize it isn't anything you didn't already know about. Yes, there are some mild twists and one particular revelation saved for the end that gives a sad little jolt but the infamous barbecue incident does not warrant your focus. Focus on the characters, ignore the barbecue, and you'll be fine.
Note: This book is long and it felt long, likely because the content dragged a bit. The first half is pretty slow. I listened via audio and although the narration was incredibly well-done, I was tempted to just skip to the end several times. I mean, it's 17 hours! But I hung in there and after all is said and done I don't regret it. Keep listening after the book is over because a few minutes at the very end features an interview between the audiobook narrator Caroline Lee and Ms. Moriarty. It wasn't a must-listen but it was a nice addition.
My favorite quote:
“Everybody wants the babies...The cute little babies. But what they really need is foster parents for the older kids. The angry ones. The broken ones.”
January 27, 2022
EXCERPT: As she reached the back of the room, Clementine said, 'I remember there was a moment when my friend screamed my name. Really loud. I'll never forget the sound.'
Erika stopped with her hand on the door, her back to the room. Clementine must have leaned towards the microphone because her voice suddenly filled the room: 'She shouted, Clementine!'
Clementine had always been an excellent mimic; as a musician she had an ear for precise intonations in people's voices. Erika could hear raw terror and shrill urgency in just that one word, 'Clementine!'
She knew she was the friend who'd shouted Clementine's name that night but she had no memory of it. There was nothing but a pure white space where that memory should have been and if she couldn't remember a moment like that, well, that indicated a problem, an anomaly, a discrepancy; an extremely concerning and significant discrepancy. The wave of panic peaked and nearly swept her off her feet. She pushed down the handle of the door and staggered out into the relentless rain.
ABOUT 'TRULY MADLY GUILTY': If only they'd said no...
What if they hadn't gone? That's the question Clementine can't stop asking herself. It was just an ordinary backyard barbeque on a Sunday afternoon. They didn't know their hosts that well. They were friends of friends. They could so easily have said no.
But she and her husband Sam said yes, and now they can never change what they did and didn't do that beautiful winter's day.
Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One yapping dog. It's a normal weekend in the suburbs. What could possibly go wrong?
MY THOUGHTS: Unusually, I didn't immediately connect with Truly Madly Guilty, but when I did - and it didn't take long - I became totally engrossed to the point that I neglected all my other reads.
Moriarty has a way of portraying her characters that makes me feel like I know them. As I'm reading, I think 'Oh, yes, such-and-such does that', and 'that is just so (insert name)', and 'oh, lord, she's been spying on me!'
The story is told from the points view of the adults who were present on that fateful afternoon: Clementine and Sam, the parents of Holly and two-year-old Ruby; their best friends Erika and Oliver; and Erika's and Oliver's neighbours, Vid and Tiffany, who have a teenage daughter Dakota, and at whose home the barbeque is held.
Reading Truly Madly Guilty is rather like putting a jigsaw puzzle together with no picture to guide us. We know something dire has happened, but we have no clues, and I am certainty not going to give any. We do know that whatever it is, it's putting unprecedented strain on everyone's relationships - marital, parental and friendships. Moriarty has cleverly crafted the plot to make the reader curious, as I was, and keep them curious. The denouement is certainly worth waiting for and very unexpected.
Thank you Liane for another superbly crafted read. I'm waiting with baited breath for your next.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TrulyMadlyGuilty
I: @macmillanaus
T: @MacmillanAus
#contemporaryfiction #domesticdram #mystery #womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: She lives in Sydney with her husband, son and daughter. When she’s not writing she can be found reading, demanding coffee, being taken for a brisk walk by her Labrador, skiing like she’s thirty years younger than she is, recovering from skiing injuries, talking to old friends about getting old, and begging her children for help with technology.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Erika stopped with her hand on the door, her back to the room. Clementine must have leaned towards the microphone because her voice suddenly filled the room: 'She shouted, Clementine!'
Clementine had always been an excellent mimic; as a musician she had an ear for precise intonations in people's voices. Erika could hear raw terror and shrill urgency in just that one word, 'Clementine!'
She knew she was the friend who'd shouted Clementine's name that night but she had no memory of it. There was nothing but a pure white space where that memory should have been and if she couldn't remember a moment like that, well, that indicated a problem, an anomaly, a discrepancy; an extremely concerning and significant discrepancy. The wave of panic peaked and nearly swept her off her feet. She pushed down the handle of the door and staggered out into the relentless rain.
ABOUT 'TRULY MADLY GUILTY': If only they'd said no...
What if they hadn't gone? That's the question Clementine can't stop asking herself. It was just an ordinary backyard barbeque on a Sunday afternoon. They didn't know their hosts that well. They were friends of friends. They could so easily have said no.
But she and her husband Sam said yes, and now they can never change what they did and didn't do that beautiful winter's day.
Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One yapping dog. It's a normal weekend in the suburbs. What could possibly go wrong?
MY THOUGHTS: Unusually, I didn't immediately connect with Truly Madly Guilty, but when I did - and it didn't take long - I became totally engrossed to the point that I neglected all my other reads.
Moriarty has a way of portraying her characters that makes me feel like I know them. As I'm reading, I think 'Oh, yes, such-and-such does that', and 'that is just so (insert name)', and 'oh, lord, she's been spying on me!'
The story is told from the points view of the adults who were present on that fateful afternoon: Clementine and Sam, the parents of Holly and two-year-old Ruby; their best friends Erika and Oliver; and Erika's and Oliver's neighbours, Vid and Tiffany, who have a teenage daughter Dakota, and at whose home the barbeque is held.
Reading Truly Madly Guilty is rather like putting a jigsaw puzzle together with no picture to guide us. We know something dire has happened, but we have no clues, and I am certainty not going to give any. We do know that whatever it is, it's putting unprecedented strain on everyone's relationships - marital, parental and friendships. Moriarty has cleverly crafted the plot to make the reader curious, as I was, and keep them curious. The denouement is certainly worth waiting for and very unexpected.
Thank you Liane for another superbly crafted read. I'm waiting with baited breath for your next.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TrulyMadlyGuilty
I: @macmillanaus
T: @MacmillanAus
#contemporaryfiction #domesticdram #mystery #womensfiction
THE AUTHOR: She lives in Sydney with her husband, son and daughter. When she’s not writing she can be found reading, demanding coffee, being taken for a brisk walk by her Labrador, skiing like she’s thirty years younger than she is, recovering from skiing injuries, talking to old friends about getting old, and begging her children for help with technology.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 9, 2017
Another enjoyable read but I found it a little slow getting to what actually happened at the barbecue. I do have to confess though that I was getting a little bit impatient at what transpired at the barbecue so I did read ahead. It didn't really spoil anything for me as I guessed that it had to be something like that. It was a fast and easy read. I really do like this author.
November 12, 2017
3 stars
Hmm. I was originally going to give this 3.5 stars, but thinking about it, I can’t find enough positives to warrant the extra half star.
This was my first Liane Moriarty novel and while I found it engaging enough, it didn’t blow me away.
It definitely could have done with being shorter - 180 pages in and there were still no clues as to what happened at this mysterious barbecue, only the fall out from it.
I only really liked a handful of the characters, I particularly couldn’t warm up to Clementine for whatever reason. But I did love Oliver and Erika’s relationship.
The twists themselves were good, I think I expected more of a thriller than a family drama - which I guess is my fault for not doing my research before reading.
Decent enough read - but not one I’d go back to I don’t think.
Hmm. I was originally going to give this 3.5 stars, but thinking about it, I can’t find enough positives to warrant the extra half star.
This was my first Liane Moriarty novel and while I found it engaging enough, it didn’t blow me away.
It definitely could have done with being shorter - 180 pages in and there were still no clues as to what happened at this mysterious barbecue, only the fall out from it.
I only really liked a handful of the characters, I particularly couldn’t warm up to Clementine for whatever reason. But I did love Oliver and Erika’s relationship.
The twists themselves were good, I think I expected more of a thriller than a family drama - which I guess is my fault for not doing my research before reading.
Decent enough read - but not one I’d go back to I don’t think.
May 13, 2017
Shame on me. I find myself rather shocked to have been so bowled over by a novel written by an author who I've pre-judged as a purveyor of chick-lit for the masses. I'm guilty of thinking myself too high brow, too science-y to succumb to the charms of a 'woman's writer'. Such a snob.
I was wrong. Liane Moriarty has got it going on, and I will read anything else she publishes from this point forward. For those female readers out there who also regard themselves as more selective than the average woman, don't dismiss Moriarty like I did.
The quick assessment? Six beautiful and deep character studies. Frequent dabs of humor. Relatable to anyone who has had a long term friendship since childhood. The destination is not the goal, but the journey is. If you cannot handle intentionally being made to wait, this will aggravate you. If you can handle the patent agreement with the author that she is not going to tie the bow and add the gift card until the very end, then this may thrill you. The audio version is outstanding!
Background. The only - and I mean ONLY - reason her books are on my shelves is that two of them have been chosen by one of my book clubs (the one made up of only women). Just the very title of The Husband's Secret had me rolling my eyes, and while it was a little far fetched and too relationship-oriented for me to take seriously, I didn't hate it. Big Little Liesactually surprised me - it had a touch of that shallowness I had anticipated, but knowing that the big reveal about the murder mystery would not come until the end, I suspended my expectations and ended up really enjoying the book despite myself. My kids are still in school, so the mommy-wars aspect tickled me, and since I worked as a background actor in the movie BAD MOMS (along with my then-12 yr old son), it was even more fun - and yet had some very deep issues within it. She explored those serious topics exceptionally well.
When the seven episode series for Big Little Lies came out on HBO, two of the gals from said book club invited me to meet with them over lunch every other week to binge-watch a couple of episodes each time. The series was incredibly well done - better than the book, even - and we ended up getting the husbands to watch the whole series and closed the season with a finale dinner-party (in costume). Awesome!
I was intrigued with the backstory of how Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman came to option BLL into this seven hour series and started reading up on how it came to be. A few of the various articles said that they had also optioned Truly Madly Guilty because the writing bowled them over.
That was all I needed to read. Witherspoon and Kidman were right. THIS book? Wow.
It is a character study, no doubt about it, so for those who need action to keep them interested, TMG may not work well. The book length is a bit hefty, but as in Big Little Lies, I knew that the various revelations would not come until the very end. I'm okay with that and in fact enjoy a drawn out lead up when the writing is great. And this is.
There are six characters whose perspectives are played out in the story, and they pop around a bit in their timelines. As mentioned above, I listened to this via audio and found myself charmed by and drawn into every one of their interior voices. The peripheral characters - beyond the primary six - are drawn with depth and humor and feeling.
Was I guilty of snotty prejudice towards Moriarty's writing? Truly. Am I also mad for her work? Guilty. Five stars and (incredibly!) on my Favorites Shelf.
I was wrong. Liane Moriarty has got it going on, and I will read anything else she publishes from this point forward. For those female readers out there who also regard themselves as more selective than the average woman, don't dismiss Moriarty like I did.
The quick assessment? Six beautiful and deep character studies. Frequent dabs of humor. Relatable to anyone who has had a long term friendship since childhood. The destination is not the goal, but the journey is. If you cannot handle intentionally being made to wait, this will aggravate you. If you can handle the patent agreement with the author that she is not going to tie the bow and add the gift card until the very end, then this may thrill you. The audio version is outstanding!
Background. The only - and I mean ONLY - reason her books are on my shelves is that two of them have been chosen by one of my book clubs (the one made up of only women). Just the very title of The Husband's Secret had me rolling my eyes, and while it was a little far fetched and too relationship-oriented for me to take seriously, I didn't hate it. Big Little Liesactually surprised me - it had a touch of that shallowness I had anticipated, but knowing that the big reveal about the murder mystery would not come until the end, I suspended my expectations and ended up really enjoying the book despite myself. My kids are still in school, so the mommy-wars aspect tickled me, and since I worked as a background actor in the movie BAD MOMS (along with my then-12 yr old son), it was even more fun - and yet had some very deep issues within it. She explored those serious topics exceptionally well.
When the seven episode series for Big Little Lies came out on HBO, two of the gals from said book club invited me to meet with them over lunch every other week to binge-watch a couple of episodes each time. The series was incredibly well done - better than the book, even - and we ended up getting the husbands to watch the whole series and closed the season with a finale dinner-party (in costume). Awesome!
I was intrigued with the backstory of how Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman came to option BLL into this seven hour series and started reading up on how it came to be. A few of the various articles said that they had also optioned Truly Madly Guilty because the writing bowled them over.
That was all I needed to read. Witherspoon and Kidman were right. THIS book? Wow.
It is a character study, no doubt about it, so for those who need action to keep them interested, TMG may not work well. The book length is a bit hefty, but as in Big Little Lies, I knew that the various revelations would not come until the very end. I'm okay with that and in fact enjoy a drawn out lead up when the writing is great. And this is.
There are six characters whose perspectives are played out in the story, and they pop around a bit in their timelines. As mentioned above, I listened to this via audio and found myself charmed by and drawn into every one of their interior voices. The peripheral characters - beyond the primary six - are drawn with depth and humor and feeling.
Was I guilty of snotty prejudice towards Moriarty's writing? Truly. Am I also mad for her work? Guilty. Five stars and (incredibly!) on my Favorites Shelf.
September 20, 2016
You could jump so much higher when you had somewhere safe to fall.
March 29, 2023
Liane Moriarty is a popular best-selling author and her latest book, Truly Madly Guilty, garnered a lot of hype and many good reviews. That said, the book was just okay for me.
Set in Sydney, Australia, the story is about an unfortunate incident that occurs during a backyard barbeque. The cookout's hosts are Vid and Tiffany - a rich sociable couple that live in a luxurious home.....
.....with their 10-year-old daughter Dakota.
The guests include the hosts' next-door neighbors Erika and Oliver and their friends Clementine and Sam......
.....who bring their two little girls Holly (5) and Ruby (2).
The story skips back and forth in time, depicting events before the barbeque, on the day of the barbeque, and after the barbeque.
As the story unfolds we learn the backstories of some of the characters. Erika had a difficult shame-filled childhood with her mother Sylvia, a narcissistic and delusional hoarder.
Feeling bad for Erika, Clementine's mother Pam took the girl under her wing and pushed Clementine to be friends with her - which Clementine resented.
Erika's husband Oliver also had a dysfunctional childhood, with two alcoholic parents.
Thus Erika and Oliver - both damaged - understand each other and have a quiet successful marriage.
Clementine, by contrast, had a happy childhood.....aside from being irritated by Erika's constant presence. Clementine had loving parents, a nice home, and musical talent that was nurtured by her family.
Clementine is now a professional cellist, happily married to public relations honcho Sam. Though Clementine and Sam's lives are somewhat fraught - with two small kids, two careers, and Clementine's constant fretting about auditions - the couple meanders along quite happily.
Vid is an electrician who resembles 'Tony Soprano' and Tiffany is a successful property developer with an eye-catching sexy figure. Tiffany unashamedly admits she once worked as a pole dancer to make money for school. The couple enjoy throwing parties and Vid loves to cook - so he serves tasty dishes from recipes he finds on the internet. (I got a yen to try some of his dishes....ha ha ha.)
On the day of the barbeque tension arises early because Erika and Oliver make a request of Clementine and Sam that throws the couple off-kilter. So it's not surprising that there's a little too much drinking and hilarity at the cookout, leading to an unfortunate occurrence.
A good part of the book drops hints about the incident at the barbeque, details the emotions and actions of the characters, and relates consequences after the cookout. I have to say - after the HUGE build-up - I found the 'barbeque incident' rather predictable and mundane, and the consequences overblown and unrealistic.
That said there are things I like about the story. It has some clever surprises and twists, and some memorable characters and scenes. For example, Sylvia the hoarder (Erika's mom) is sly, phony, funny....and VERY irritating.
And social worker Pam (Clementine's mom) is overly self-righteous in her do-gooding, interfering zeal. At one point Pam gives a dinner party speech that made me (and the book's characters) quite uncomfortable.
These behaviors - though squirm inducing - add interest to the story. On the other hand, 5-year-old Holly is a hoot when she sprinkles her conversation with "air quotes" on random words.
The first two-thirds of the book held my attention, after which I was slightly bored. And the story's final scenes didn't ring true to me. I would mildly recommend this book to fans of Liane Moriarty but it's not as good as her earlier work (IMO).
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
April 29, 2023
The book blurb:
Back to business.
Liane Moriarty was one of the first (new for me) authors I encountered when I joined GR and has since become one of my all-time favorite authors of mysteries.
Social realism. Family dramas. Community tales. Modern challenges. It's all in her books and it is so well presented and mystified.
Authors such as Liane Moriarty can take ordinary lives, and shoot them up into literary brilliance. Of course, most authors do that, but Liane Moriarty does it like I would have done it if I ever had her ability of observation and creative writing. The remark, "Don't let the truth interfere with a good story" is so relevant in this instance. She changes the ordinary into the extraordinary and does it brilliantly without trying to harm the truth.
This book reminded me of how I enjoyed taking a different view of my own, as well as the people around me's lives. In this book, she took three couples in suburbia and threw them together at a barbecue that would change their course in life forever. They came from different social backgrounds and approached life from different angles, based on their experiences. They could have been my neighbors and friends. All of them. I loved them all for who they were and the values they brought to the table. The only one who had my hackles raised was the hoarder mom. Good lordie! No! Not on my radar for friendship! Never. Even good ole curmudgeon Harry had me crying in the end. He was actually the only one in the book who got me rolling out the tissues on a conveyor belt.
The issues are real. The emotions around them are true. The people involved - vulnerable and human. The suspense is excellent.
However, the first ± 250 pages almost had me giving up on the book. It was that boring and tedious. And to be honest, I probably would have preferred a thorough editing out of at least 150 pages all over the book. But since I knew the best was yet to come, I persisted and yes, my time and energy invested in this tale was rewarded. The plot was perhaps too formulaic. Perhaps the author will consider new surprises and new approaches to her next stories. This formula is getting old. There's nothing really earth-shattering about the book. But it is real. Relatable. Goodness is packaged as ordinary people. Respect.
For the actual book itself, the boring part included and relevant (after all it almost had my good intentions and excitement to read another book of this author go belly-up), it must be three-star rated. But for the way it made me feel, five stars. Look at the reaction it got out of me! So, four beautiful and happy stars it is. For now, Liane Moriarty remains one of my favorite contemporary storytellers. And that's it!
RECOMMENDED.
Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?I was honorably, and humbly opening Goodreads this morning to write a review for this book and made the mistake to read a few comments on my other reviews first. Not only did the comments fascinate me endlessly, but they also enticed me into other book reviews and discussions, where I read heartfelt, amazing life stories thrown in as part of the reviews, and about four hours later I remembered that I actually wanted to write a review, first and foremost! So to everyone adding so much spice and endless color to my day, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Sam and Clementine have a wonderful, albeit, busy life: they have two little girls, Sam has just started a new dream job, and Clementine, a cellist, is busy preparing for the audition of a lifetime. If there’s anything they can count on, it’s each other.
Clementine and Erika are each other’s oldest friends. A single look between them can convey an entire conversation. But theirs is a complicated relationship, so when Erika mentions a last-minute invitation to a barbecue with her neighbors, Tiffany and Vid, Clementine and Sam don’t hesitate. Having Tiffany and Vid’s larger-than-life personalities there will be a welcome respite.
Two months later, it won’t stop raining, and Clementine and Sam can’t stop asking themselves the question: What if we hadn’t gone?
In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty takes on the foundations of our lives: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. She shows how guilt can expose the fault lines in the most seemingly strong relationships, how what we don’t say can be more powerful than what we do, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm.
Back to business.
Liane Moriarty was one of the first (new for me) authors I encountered when I joined GR and has since become one of my all-time favorite authors of mysteries.
Social realism. Family dramas. Community tales. Modern challenges. It's all in her books and it is so well presented and mystified.
Authors such as Liane Moriarty can take ordinary lives, and shoot them up into literary brilliance. Of course, most authors do that, but Liane Moriarty does it like I would have done it if I ever had her ability of observation and creative writing. The remark, "Don't let the truth interfere with a good story" is so relevant in this instance. She changes the ordinary into the extraordinary and does it brilliantly without trying to harm the truth.
This book reminded me of how I enjoyed taking a different view of my own, as well as the people around me's lives. In this book, she took three couples in suburbia and threw them together at a barbecue that would change their course in life forever. They came from different social backgrounds and approached life from different angles, based on their experiences. They could have been my neighbors and friends. All of them. I loved them all for who they were and the values they brought to the table. The only one who had my hackles raised was the hoarder mom. Good lordie! No! Not on my radar for friendship! Never. Even good ole curmudgeon Harry had me crying in the end. He was actually the only one in the book who got me rolling out the tissues on a conveyor belt.
The issues are real. The emotions around them are true. The people involved - vulnerable and human. The suspense is excellent.
However, the first ± 250 pages almost had me giving up on the book. It was that boring and tedious. And to be honest, I probably would have preferred a thorough editing out of at least 150 pages all over the book. But since I knew the best was yet to come, I persisted and yes, my time and energy invested in this tale was rewarded. The plot was perhaps too formulaic. Perhaps the author will consider new surprises and new approaches to her next stories. This formula is getting old. There's nothing really earth-shattering about the book. But it is real. Relatable. Goodness is packaged as ordinary people. Respect.
For the actual book itself, the boring part included and relevant (after all it almost had my good intentions and excitement to read another book of this author go belly-up), it must be three-star rated. But for the way it made me feel, five stars. Look at the reaction it got out of me! So, four beautiful and happy stars it is. For now, Liane Moriarty remains one of my favorite contemporary storytellers. And that's it!
RECOMMENDED.
August 1, 2016
What I've enjoy most about Moriartys novels is how easy it is for me to relate to her characters. They're perfectly imperfect, yet always redeemable. Enjoyed this a lot...
February 5, 2018
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
I arrived late to the Liane Moriarty party, but after reading both What Alice Forgot and Big Little Lies this year I’ve been declaring to anyone who would listen . . . .
Moriarty took the artistform formerly known as “Chick Lit” to a whole new level with likeable bitches as main characters and stories where skeletons fall out of pert near everyone’s closets. I put myself on the waiting list for Truly Madly Guilty at both libraries as soon as I finished my first Moriarty book, and I’m still 71st in line at the main branch if that is any indication on how popular this author has become. Unfortunately, my reaction upon finishing wasn’t quite on par with the others . . . . .
From the three books I’ve now read, Moriarty seems to have developed a nearly trademarked formula when it comes to her storytelling. Something bad happened at a certain time/place and the reader must follow the wibbly wobbly timey wimey until said something bad is revealed. This time around????
“This is a story that begins with a barbecue.”
Over the course of the show and tell which is the plot reveal, we once again find out everything about the characters they might want to keep under wraps. Some of the “a-ha” moments were pretty obvious (Tiffany’s former life, for example) and some I completely missed the mark at first (I initially thought the “proposal” might be of the swinging variety which shows just why books that use dark or pervy sex storylines don’t put me off at all). Unlike the other selections, this one was . . . .
The superbadawful that was revealed was, although traumatic, a fairly common occurrence and the characters just weren’t up to snuff compared to Moriarty’s others. Bottom line, while I still managed to keep turning pages I didn’t feel invested at all in any of these people’s lives and when the already used “memory lapse” trope was drug out for a second book, I couldn’t help but feel . . . .
2.5 Stars because it was perfectly mediocre.
I arrived late to the Liane Moriarty party, but after reading both What Alice Forgot and Big Little Lies this year I’ve been declaring to anyone who would listen . . . .
Moriarty took the art
From the three books I’ve now read, Moriarty seems to have developed a nearly trademarked formula when it comes to her storytelling. Something bad happened at a certain time/place and the reader must follow the wibbly wobbly timey wimey until said something bad is revealed. This time around????
“This is a story that begins with a barbecue.”
Over the course of the show and tell which is the plot reveal, we once again find out everything about the characters they might want to keep under wraps. Some of the “a-ha” moments were pretty obvious (Tiffany’s former life, for example) and some I completely missed the mark at first (I initially thought the “proposal” might be of the swinging variety which shows just why books that use dark or pervy sex storylines don’t put me off at all). Unlike the other selections, this one was . . . .
The superbadawful that was revealed was, although traumatic, a fairly common occurrence and the characters just weren’t up to snuff compared to Moriarty’s others. Bottom line, while I still managed to keep turning pages I didn’t feel invested at all in any of these people’s lives and when the already used “memory lapse” trope was drug out for a second book, I couldn’t help but feel . . . .
2.5 Stars because it was perfectly mediocre.
August 11, 2016
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I once saw one of my favourite authors state how much she enjoys the writing of Liane Moriarty which peaked my interest considerably and was the driving factor in me reading TRULY, MADLY, GUILTY, my first story by this author.
The suspenseful and mysterious story arc centers around a fateful BBQ and three contrasting couples who each grow in stature as the trajectory of the story develops. The BBQ is a day that rocks their lives and the catalyst for the suspenseful element and feel of the story. The exploration of split second decisions, themes of guilt, negligence, culpability, responsibility and the human psyche pertaining to how different people deal with guilt, how they resolve it, the way some do not feel it is all absolutely fascinating.
The style of Liane Moriarty took me a moment to settle into, initially I felt like the story would miss the rush of feeling I seek when reading but the slow burn of the story had my complete attention by two thirds of the way in and the beauty and thought provoking nature of the feelings ultimately shone through. The time frames jump around unexpectedly which caused me on occasion to have to read back a little to ascertain where and with whom I was currently with, making the transitions appear somewhat jarring. However, by 30% I became accustomed to the unusual style of this author finding that I enjoyed the way the writing made me think a little more, adding to the suspenseful nature and I became completely engaged and intuitive to the writing clues that established the time frame. The third person narrative toggles between the present and the past event of the BBQ providing a full all round perspective and visual of each character’s thoughts, feelings and actions ensuring every element of the story is revealed by the end of the novel providing a very satisfying feeling to the reader.
I found myself falling in love with the writing of this author. The drops of intrigue she intelligently layers, her rich visual descriptions and faultless characterisations showcasing perfect development throughout the story arc. Their individual agenda's and histories are revealed to the reader depicting the complicated relationships of friends, spouses and good people who make mistakes. The interlacing of the past, the present and the individual stories of each character is brilliant. The plot thickened as I deduced certain aspects and tried to work out others, I think many readers will enjoy being able to solve certain aspects of the puzzle, I certainly did. The last 10% of the novel ties everything together brilliantly and secured this story as a five star read for me. A mysterious tale of how the seemingly ordinary lives of three couples are spiked with extra ordinary events showing how split second decisions can have catastrophic results. TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY is a compelling read that made me think and to me that makes for an incredible reading experience.
Note: TRULY, MADLY, GUILTY is a STANDALONE story
Genre: Thriller & Suspense, Mystery, Women's Fiction
★ Graphic created by me with a free stock photo from Pexels ★
** Advanced copy provided from the publisher, via NetGalley, for my honest review thoughts **
I once saw one of my favourite authors state how much she enjoys the writing of Liane Moriarty which peaked my interest considerably and was the driving factor in me reading TRULY, MADLY, GUILTY, my first story by this author.
The suspenseful and mysterious story arc centers around a fateful BBQ and three contrasting couples who each grow in stature as the trajectory of the story develops. The BBQ is a day that rocks their lives and the catalyst for the suspenseful element and feel of the story. The exploration of split second decisions, themes of guilt, negligence, culpability, responsibility and the human psyche pertaining to how different people deal with guilt, how they resolve it, the way some do not feel it is all absolutely fascinating.
The style of Liane Moriarty took me a moment to settle into, initially I felt like the story would miss the rush of feeling I seek when reading but the slow burn of the story had my complete attention by two thirds of the way in and the beauty and thought provoking nature of the feelings ultimately shone through. The time frames jump around unexpectedly which caused me on occasion to have to read back a little to ascertain where and with whom I was currently with, making the transitions appear somewhat jarring. However, by 30% I became accustomed to the unusual style of this author finding that I enjoyed the way the writing made me think a little more, adding to the suspenseful nature and I became completely engaged and intuitive to the writing clues that established the time frame. The third person narrative toggles between the present and the past event of the BBQ providing a full all round perspective and visual of each character’s thoughts, feelings and actions ensuring every element of the story is revealed by the end of the novel providing a very satisfying feeling to the reader.
I found myself falling in love with the writing of this author. The drops of intrigue she intelligently layers, her rich visual descriptions and faultless characterisations showcasing perfect development throughout the story arc. Their individual agenda's and histories are revealed to the reader depicting the complicated relationships of friends, spouses and good people who make mistakes. The interlacing of the past, the present and the individual stories of each character is brilliant. The plot thickened as I deduced certain aspects and tried to work out others, I think many readers will enjoy being able to solve certain aspects of the puzzle, I certainly did. The last 10% of the novel ties everything together brilliantly and secured this story as a five star read for me. A mysterious tale of how the seemingly ordinary lives of three couples are spiked with extra ordinary events showing how split second decisions can have catastrophic results. TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY is a compelling read that made me think and to me that makes for an incredible reading experience.
Note: TRULY, MADLY, GUILTY is a STANDALONE story
Genre: Thriller & Suspense, Mystery, Women's Fiction
★ Graphic created by me with a free stock photo from Pexels ★
** Advanced copy provided from the publisher, via NetGalley, for my honest review thoughts **
March 6, 2018
This is the third Liane Moriarty novel I've read in less than a month, and even I'm surprised at how quickly I've become one of her biggest fans.
I'm also a bit disappointed in myself that it took me so long to check out her books. They're delightful works of contemporary fiction! I had made some (totally wrong) assumptions that I wouldn't like the books, that I wouldn't relate to them because I had heard it was a lot of motherhood stuff and I'm not a mom, that modern novels were somehow less valuable than classic novels.* All baloney.
I love the psychology in Moriarty’s books - her character studies are fascinating and complex. Each novel has its own quirks.
Another thing I like about Moriarty's writing is how the plots will go in unexpected ways — I have constantly been surprised at how a storyline will zig when I thought it was going to zag — and I love the way she wraps up a story, sometimes giving the reader who makes it to the end a juicy bit of info that ties the whole novel together.
I will admit that Truly Madly Guilty did test my patience a bit, because the structure builds up to a dramatic incident at a barbecue, and it takes us half the book to learn what happened that day. But I am so glad I stayed with this book, because there were themes that really resonated with me, and I learned to love these characters, flaws and all.
I'll also make a plug for the marvelous audiobook narrator Caroline Lee, who has beautifully performed the three Moriarty books I've read, and I love her work so much I plan to download her other audiobooks just because she's the narrator.
Three cheers for Liane Moriarty and Caroline Lee!
*Note: This experience gave me some uncomfortable insight into my own reading biases. I hadn’t realized how I had been subconsciously diminishing the works of some contemporary novelists, when the reality is that some of the “classic” authors who I love were writing contemporary novels of their own time!
Favorite Quotes
"Clementine learned to feel bad about her white middle-class privilege long before it became fashionable."
"She quite liked this aspect of her personality, the way her mood could change from melancholy to euphoric because of a breeze or a flavor or a beautiful chord progression. It meant she never had to feel too down about feeling down."
"The cycles of dysfunction and mental illness did not have to carry over from generation to generation. You just had to educate yourself."
"No one warned you that having children reduced you right down to some smaller, rudimentary, primitive version of yourself, where your talents and your education and your achievements meant nothing."
"It was interesting how a marriage instantly became public property as soon as it looked shaky."
"You shouldn't only be nice to nice people."
"She thought everyone had friends who felt like obligations."
"You could jump so much higher when you had somewhere safe to fall."
I'm also a bit disappointed in myself that it took me so long to check out her books. They're delightful works of contemporary fiction! I had made some (totally wrong) assumptions that I wouldn't like the books, that I wouldn't relate to them because I had heard it was a lot of motherhood stuff and I'm not a mom, that modern novels were somehow less valuable than classic novels.* All baloney.
I love the psychology in Moriarty’s books - her character studies are fascinating and complex. Each novel has its own quirks.
Another thing I like about Moriarty's writing is how the plots will go in unexpected ways — I have constantly been surprised at how a storyline will zig when I thought it was going to zag — and I love the way she wraps up a story, sometimes giving the reader who makes it to the end a juicy bit of info that ties the whole novel together.
I will admit that Truly Madly Guilty did test my patience a bit, because the structure builds up to a dramatic incident at a barbecue, and it takes us half the book to learn what happened that day. But I am so glad I stayed with this book, because there were themes that really resonated with me, and I learned to love these characters, flaws and all.
I'll also make a plug for the marvelous audiobook narrator Caroline Lee, who has beautifully performed the three Moriarty books I've read, and I love her work so much I plan to download her other audiobooks just because she's the narrator.
Three cheers for Liane Moriarty and Caroline Lee!
*Note: This experience gave me some uncomfortable insight into my own reading biases. I hadn’t realized how I had been subconsciously diminishing the works of some contemporary novelists, when the reality is that some of the “classic” authors who I love were writing contemporary novels of their own time!
Favorite Quotes
"Clementine learned to feel bad about her white middle-class privilege long before it became fashionable."
"She quite liked this aspect of her personality, the way her mood could change from melancholy to euphoric because of a breeze or a flavor or a beautiful chord progression. It meant she never had to feel too down about feeling down."
"The cycles of dysfunction and mental illness did not have to carry over from generation to generation. You just had to educate yourself."
"No one warned you that having children reduced you right down to some smaller, rudimentary, primitive version of yourself, where your talents and your education and your achievements meant nothing."
"It was interesting how a marriage instantly became public property as soon as it looked shaky."
"You shouldn't only be nice to nice people."
"She thought everyone had friends who felt like obligations."
"You could jump so much higher when you had somewhere safe to fall."
August 31, 2020
Podría haber sido una muy buena novela si no se hiciese tan pesada. Como siempre, la autora describe muy bien todos los personajes implicados en la barbacoa. Pero para llegar al meollo de la trama da vueltas y más vueltas, conjugando entre “el día en que ocurrió” y las reacciones posteriores. Pero lo peor es que realmente confías en que la espera valga la pena, y, finalmente, cuando lees sobre lo que ocurrió ese día, te quedas como “¿y eso era todo?”.
No sé, me parece que le faltan ingredientes para haber convertido a este producto en otro “Big Little lies”, porque, aunque se le parece bastante, no cuenta ni con sus giros ni con sus revelaciones, aunque sí con el mismo sentido del humor y la misma acritud de la anterior. Pero me faltó un mayor interés en la historia, y me sobraron páginas. Bastantes.
¿Por qué le pongo tres estrellas y no lo bajo a dos? Porque está bien escrito, aunque aburra.
No sé, me parece que le faltan ingredientes para haber convertido a este producto en otro “Big Little lies”, porque, aunque se le parece bastante, no cuenta ni con sus giros ni con sus revelaciones, aunque sí con el mismo sentido del humor y la misma acritud de la anterior. Pero me faltó un mayor interés en la historia, y me sobraron páginas. Bastantes.
¿Por qué le pongo tres estrellas y no lo bajo a dos? Porque está bien escrito, aunque aburra.
December 2, 2016
A wonderfully written story. You care about each character as their lives mingle. I don't think I want to
go to a backyard barbecue for a while. Much enjoyed!
go to a backyard barbecue for a while. Much enjoyed!
December 5, 2016
Going into this book I had no expectations. I knew that it had been nominated for best fiction of 2016 on Goodreads (which is why I bought it), but I did not know the author and I did not know much about the story.
Having now finished it I'm so thrilled that I stumbled across this novel on Goodreads. Already from the very first pages I could sense that these characters were lively and the descriptions on point. At several points I was amazed at the authors' sense of details and how these details really brought the story to life. When I gradually realized that this was a story revolving around a focal point - a fatal day - I was hooked, and even though we are told the big twist towards the middle I was hooked throughout.
This is a story about family, responsibility and guilt and that is all I can really say. It is beautifully written and structured, and it was such a delight to have these characters in my life for a couple of days - characters that I'm most definitely going to miss and reflect back on in the upcoming weeks.
Having now finished it I'm so thrilled that I stumbled across this novel on Goodreads. Already from the very first pages I could sense that these characters were lively and the descriptions on point. At several points I was amazed at the authors' sense of details and how these details really brought the story to life. When I gradually realized that this was a story revolving around a focal point - a fatal day - I was hooked, and even though we are told the big twist towards the middle I was hooked throughout.
This is a story about family, responsibility and guilt and that is all I can really say. It is beautifully written and structured, and it was such a delight to have these characters in my life for a couple of days - characters that I'm most definitely going to miss and reflect back on in the upcoming weeks.
February 6, 2017
Big mistake. I listened to the audio. The narrator had a grating voice that was not pleasant. I am a big fan of Moriarty's Big Little Lies - best chic lit I ever read and I don't read many. This one wasn't as good.
3 out of 5 stars
3 out of 5 stars
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