Liar

by Sean Hogan, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

As a child you see the world through innocent eyes. You enjoy your childhood because you’re not aware of the dangers the world around you hold. The drunk man sitting by the side of the road is just a drunk man, he’s not an alcoholic who’s wasted his life because you don’t know what an alcoholic is. The men who knock on the door all the time to see your mum are just her friends who like to give her money. There’s nothing wrong with that. As time passes that innocence is stripped away, for some it happens quicker than others. Forced to grow up in a world where the actions of your own mother shapes how people see you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a bright, intelligent child, they don’t see you, they only see her. Innocence turns into resentment and anger at the rest of the world who call you names and can’t see beyond their own prejudices. You’d do anything for your mother, even though she’s the cause of all your problems. You dream of helping her get out of the mess she’s made of her life, that one day you’ll be able to take her somewhere far away so she can start again and she’ll be just the normal mum you’ve always wanted. It’s not like that though, life isn’t a dream or a movie or a novel with a happy ending. In a world where drugs are fetishized, Liar tells the brutal realities of addiction. How it affects not only the addict but the people around them. How society struggles to see beyond the labels it imposes on people and one boy’s fight to break free from them.

Audible Audio

Published May 20, 2025

Reviews

[Lynne maluszycki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

Such a heartbreaking story of one young child battling survival living with his junkie mother. I read this in one sitting I needed to get to a happy conclusion for young Jay. A thought provoking book which portrays aspects of our society that are not only very raw and gritty but compassionate.

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gritty and raw tale of Jay a nine year old living with his junkie mother. Told from all sides this shows the nature of addiction and the stigma it places on the whole family. Very well written.

[Yasmin Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!!

A powerful story. Well written. True and honest. Enjoyed this so much. Read it in one go on three hour train journey!!

[may campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liar

Thoroughly enjoyed this book even shed a tear. Poor boy what an upbringing..but he pulled himself up and got his act together.