What do you think?
Rate this book
The Liars of Mariposa Island
From the author of Moxie comes a stunning novel told in three voices about the lies families tell to survive.
Every year, summer begins when the Callahans arrive on Mariposa Island. That’s when Elena Finney gets to escape her unstable, controlling mother by babysitting for their two children. And the summer of 1986 promises to be extra special when she meets J.C., the new boy in town, whose kisses make Elena feel like she’s been transported to a new world.
Joaquin Finney can’t imagine why anyone would want to come to Mariposa Island. He just graduated from high school and dreams about going to California to find his father and escape his mother’s manipulation.
The Liars of Mariposa Island follows siblings Elena and Joaquin, with flashbacks to their mother's experience as a teenage refugee fleeing the Cuban revolution.
Jennifer Mathieu’s multilayered novel explores the nature of secrets, lies, and fierce, destructive love.
Every year, summer begins when the Callahans arrive on Mariposa Island. That’s when Elena Finney gets to escape her unstable, controlling mother by babysitting for their two children. And the summer of 1986 promises to be extra special when she meets J.C., the new boy in town, whose kisses make Elena feel like she’s been transported to a new world.
Joaquin Finney can’t imagine why anyone would want to come to Mariposa Island. He just graduated from high school and dreams about going to California to find his father and escape his mother’s manipulation.
The Liars of Mariposa Island follows siblings Elena and Joaquin, with flashbacks to their mother's experience as a teenage refugee fleeing the Cuban revolution.
Jennifer Mathieu’s multilayered novel explores the nature of secrets, lies, and fierce, destructive love.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2019
36 people are currently reading
3968 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Mathieu
10 books1,520 followersI'm a high school English teacher and writer. My novels for young people include MOXIE, THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE, DOWN CAME THE RAIN, and more.
My fourth novel MOXIE is a film on Netflix, directed by Amy Poehler. :-)
All my YA novels are published by Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan.
In July 2024, I'll be introducing my first novel for adults, THE FACULTY LOUNGE. It's being published by Dutton and follows a sweeping cast of characters who all work at a big public high school in Texas.
I live in Texas with my husband, son, dog, and cat.
When it comes to what I read, I love anything that hooks me on the first page. I adore thoughtful memoirs and creative nonfiction about arts and culture. When it comes to fiction, my favorite contemporary writers are Curtis Sittenfeld, Danielle Evans, and J. Courtney Sullivan. If I could travel into the world of a book (but only for a little bit!), I'd choose an Edith Wharton novel.
My fourth novel MOXIE is a film on Netflix, directed by Amy Poehler. :-)
All my YA novels are published by Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan.
In July 2024, I'll be introducing my first novel for adults, THE FACULTY LOUNGE. It's being published by Dutton and follows a sweeping cast of characters who all work at a big public high school in Texas.
I live in Texas with my husband, son, dog, and cat.
When it comes to what I read, I love anything that hooks me on the first page. I adore thoughtful memoirs and creative nonfiction about arts and culture. When it comes to fiction, my favorite contemporary writers are Curtis Sittenfeld, Danielle Evans, and J. Courtney Sullivan. If I could travel into the world of a book (but only for a little bit!), I'd choose an Edith Wharton novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
November 11, 2019
If I'm being totally honest, this book was pretty boring right up until the last like 50 pages when everything finally starts falling into place. This is another one that wasn't necessarily a bad book, but it was just.. meh.
Want to read
July 19, 2019Mariposa Island??? idk about y'all but this title makes me want a dark retelling of the Barbie movies
September 5, 2019
5 Words: Family, friendship, secrets, lies, love.
Content Warning: Alcohol abuse, drug use, child abuse, family separation.
Release Day Review: The Liars by Jennifer Mathieu
The Liars was much more complex than I first expected, and almost like a psychological thriller at times. The story had me hooked, the unreliable narrators had me second guessing everything. And yet, I still didn't see it coming.
I really enjoyed the different narrative perspectives, how it cast a different slant on the story. Each character had their own motivations for the lies they told. And Elena was the most fascinating and it was a little bit chilling how naturally it seemed to come to her.
As much as I loved being inside Elena's head as the story unraveled, I think my favourite character was Joaquin. He is so full of love and anger and frustration and resentment and a desperate need to care for his sister. He's so torn up about wanting to help himself too and I found it so endearing. I loved how much of an excellent big brother he was, even if Elena resented it at times.
Caridad is a wonderfully complex character and my opinion on her switched back and forth with what the story revealed about her life. Sometimes I hated her almost as much as some of the other characters, other times it felt like my heart could break over what happened to her.
The Liars is also known as The Liars of Mariposa Island in the US.
Read my reviews of Jennifer Mathieu's other books:
Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu
Content Warning: Alcohol abuse, drug use, child abuse, family separation.
Release Day Review: The Liars by Jennifer Mathieu
The Liars was much more complex than I first expected, and almost like a psychological thriller at times. The story had me hooked, the unreliable narrators had me second guessing everything. And yet, I still didn't see it coming.
I really enjoyed the different narrative perspectives, how it cast a different slant on the story. Each character had their own motivations for the lies they told. And Elena was the most fascinating and it was a little bit chilling how naturally it seemed to come to her.
As much as I loved being inside Elena's head as the story unraveled, I think my favourite character was Joaquin. He is so full of love and anger and frustration and resentment and a desperate need to care for his sister. He's so torn up about wanting to help himself too and I found it so endearing. I loved how much of an excellent big brother he was, even if Elena resented it at times.
Caridad is a wonderfully complex character and my opinion on her switched back and forth with what the story revealed about her life. Sometimes I hated her almost as much as some of the other characters, other times it felt like my heart could break over what happened to her.
The Liars is also known as The Liars of Mariposa Island in the US.
Read my reviews of Jennifer Mathieu's other books:
Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu
April 1, 2021
La historia es interesante por momentos,alguna sorpresilla por ahí,pero no me emocionó del todo.
July 22, 2020
I’ve only read one other book by this author, but I want to read them all now. This book may not hit the high points for all readers, but for me, it really encompassed growing up in a Latinx household in the eighties.
I like the various POVs and I like that you have a tension that is consistent between the mother and her children. This is a book about not just emigrating, but learning how to adapt in a world that doesn’t mirror where you began.
The ending definitely left open the door to possibilities.
I like the various POVs and I like that you have a tension that is consistent between the mother and her children. This is a book about not just emigrating, but learning how to adapt in a world that doesn’t mirror where you began.
The ending definitely left open the door to possibilities.
November 10, 2019
I was so excited when I got my hands on a review copy of this book because I loved Moxie but this was nothing like that book. To put it nicely, this just didn't work for me. This was a character-driven story centered around lost and hopeless characters stuck in an unhealthy home environment and the effects that situation has on their lives outside the home as well as their hopes, or lack thereof, for their futures and potential happiness. It's a book that deals with lots of disappointments and addictions and abuse and sadness. It's a hard book to read in places and readers should go in knowing it's dark and unhappy and difficult to read.
I thought I was going to be reading a book about family drama and lies and dysfunctional families. And that I got. But what I was really hoping for was something that was different from other books I've read about dysfunctional families. (Similar to how Moxie brought a different feeling to YA feminist characters.) Something that had more to say about the lies we tell each other and ourselves and how one lie can have such a huge impact on so many people. But this really was a just a book about all of the lies this family tells each other. (There was one big lie I didn't see coming and another that I did and was kind of disappointed in how it was found out.) We get to read from both Elena and Joaquin's POVs and also get chapters about their mother's past. It was interesting reading about how they ended up where they are but I'm just not a fan of books where people just avoid and lie and hate each other and then the book ends. There is no conclusion, no happy ending (though I wasn't really expecting that) and what seems like no way out for Elena. And I'm not even sure she'd want one. But I like books to have a bit of closure. And this one just didn't have that for me.
If you like books that leave a lot of questions open and provide no resolutions for almost anything, this one might be for you. If you like books that talk about messed up families and drunk mothers and unhappy children and pretty much everything depressing, you might like this one more than I did. If you don't mind reading books with unlikeable characters and constant lies but nothing really happens, this might be one for you. If not, I'd stay away. I know it's worked for a lot of people, so you might enjoy it too, but it just didn't work for me. Also, it's historical fiction, not contemporary.
Also, I know this is weird to put in a review, but the Callahan's kids' names are Jennifer and Matthew and every time I saw that, I was so distracted by it. But I think that's just me.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I thought I was going to be reading a book about family drama and lies and dysfunctional families. And that I got. But what I was really hoping for was something that was different from other books I've read about dysfunctional families. (Similar to how Moxie brought a different feeling to YA feminist characters.) Something that had more to say about the lies we tell each other and ourselves and how one lie can have such a huge impact on so many people. But this really was a just a book about all of the lies this family tells each other. (There was one big lie I didn't see coming and another that I did and was kind of disappointed in how it was found out.) We get to read from both Elena and Joaquin's POVs and also get chapters about their mother's past. It was interesting reading about how they ended up where they are but I'm just not a fan of books where people just avoid and lie and hate each other and then the book ends. There is no conclusion, no happy ending (though I wasn't really expecting that) and what seems like no way out for Elena. And I'm not even sure she'd want one. But I like books to have a bit of closure. And this one just didn't have that for me.
If you like books that leave a lot of questions open and provide no resolutions for almost anything, this one might be for you. If you like books that talk about messed up families and drunk mothers and unhappy children and pretty much everything depressing, you might like this one more than I did. If you don't mind reading books with unlikeable characters and constant lies but nothing really happens, this might be one for you. If not, I'd stay away. I know it's worked for a lot of people, so you might enjoy it too, but it just didn't work for me. Also, it's historical fiction, not contemporary.
Also, I know this is weird to put in a review, but the Callahan's kids' names are Jennifer and Matthew and every time I saw that, I was so distracted by it. But I think that's just me.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
August 29, 2019
I mostly wanted to try this because I was such a big fan of Moxie. This is a book in a very different vein and so, unsurprisingly perhaps, it didn't work nearly as well for me.
September 9, 2019
This was a story filled with lies - some they told to others, but many, they told to themselves. The whole time, I wondered, if this family would be able to untangle all the lies and face their realities before it was too late.
• Pro: I adore Mathieu's writing, and once again, she has treated me to a beautifully written story, which was sort of sad, but deeply moving.
• Pro: Three points of view were used to tell this story, and I thought Mathieu used them in an engaging way. It was really important for me to have the mother's flashbacks, because they helped me understand her a little more, and allowed me develop a bit of empathy for her.
• Pro: I have actually been reading a different series, which also features the Cuban Revolution, but this book offered the story of what happened to the children. It was interesting to see how Caridad (the mother) was affected by being a part of Operation Pedro Pan.
• Con: This was a sad portrait of a dysfunctional family led by an alcoholic mother, who was so stuck in her past, that she could not move forward. Though the ending had a glimmer of hope, I could have used a little more, because I did feel invested in Elena and Joaquin's lives, and I wanted MORE for them.
• Pro: I was well aware of all the little lies the characters told during the course of the story, but there were two B I G lies, with one that really surprised me. Well played.
• Pro: Though both Joaquin and Elena had to constantly tread lightly around their mother, they did manage to find some joy. They both found some romance, and they always had each other.
Overall: A beautifully told, but heartbreaking portrait of a family stuck in a life filled with lies and dysfunction.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
• Pro: I adore Mathieu's writing, and once again, she has treated me to a beautifully written story, which was sort of sad, but deeply moving.
• Pro: Three points of view were used to tell this story, and I thought Mathieu used them in an engaging way. It was really important for me to have the mother's flashbacks, because they helped me understand her a little more, and allowed me develop a bit of empathy for her.
• Pro: I have actually been reading a different series, which also features the Cuban Revolution, but this book offered the story of what happened to the children. It was interesting to see how Caridad (the mother) was affected by being a part of Operation Pedro Pan.
• Con: This was a sad portrait of a dysfunctional family led by an alcoholic mother, who was so stuck in her past, that she could not move forward. Though the ending had a glimmer of hope, I could have used a little more, because I did feel invested in Elena and Joaquin's lives, and I wanted MORE for them.
• Pro: I was well aware of all the little lies the characters told during the course of the story, but there were two B I G lies, with one that really surprised me. Well played.
• Pro: Though both Joaquin and Elena had to constantly tread lightly around their mother, they did manage to find some joy. They both found some romance, and they always had each other.
Overall: A beautifully told, but heartbreaking portrait of a family stuck in a life filled with lies and dysfunction.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
December 30, 2020
Tengo muchos sentimientos encontrados, porque la parte de Elena no me ha gustado nada, pero si la de su madre con su pasado en Cuba y por todo por lo que pasa y conocer la operación Pedro pan, y la parte de Joaquin que ha sido muy adictiva, pero escasa. Así que puedo decir que se lee rápido y es una lectura para pasar el rato mayormente, no la destaco mucho, lo bueno es que he tenido a Nai de Locas del romance para acompañarme, hemos comentado mucho y nos lo hemos pasado muy bien.
April 9, 2020
Es un libro demasiado lento y se me ha hecho muy aburrido.
Nos cuenta la historia de una familia disfuncional con ascendencia cubana en Estados Unidos desde tres perspectivas: la madre, el hijo y la hija. Es una familia en la que abundan las mentiras (tanto las que les contamos a los demás como las que nos contamos a nosotros mismos) y en la que se dan casos de adicción y abusos, así que quien lo lea tiene que estar preparado para esas cosas y tener en cuenta que es una novela triste y oscura en algunas partes, plagada de infelicidad y decepciones.
Los personajes están perdidos y desesperadas, y poco a poco vamos viendo como la situación familiar poco saludable afecta a su vida y sus relaciones fuera del entorno familiar, al trabajo, sus esperanzas (o la falta de ellas), etc.
En cuanto a la evolución de los personajes: de la madre sí vemos más evolución porque nos cuenta desde que era pequeña en Cuba hasta su vida actual en un pueblo cualquiera de Texas. A pesar de ello, es una evolución digamos que a peor (porque en ella se basa la mayor parte del drama del libro).
La evolución de los hijos es menos extensa porque de ellos se nos narra un lapso temporal bastante más corto (los meses de verano que dura el libro), y el único con una evolución mínimamente positiva es Joaquín.
Aparte de la lentitud de la narración, no me ha gustado que no haya apenas evolución ni redención en los personajes, que ya de por sí se nos presentas de manera que al principio provocan una mínima empatía, pero esta desaparece a medida que avanza la historia (excepto quizá en el caso de Joaquín, que es el único que planta un poco de cara a su entorno tóxico).
Además de eso, he sentido que el libro no tiene un cierre apropiado, por no decir que no tiene cierre para Elena y la madre, a no ser que asumamos que su situación va a ser siempre así y que nunca va a cambiar, que como mucho solo irá a peor. Se dejan muchas cuestiones abiertas, muchas preguntas sin responder.
En definitiva: un libro lento, aburrido y deprimente con mentiras constantes y familias infelices en el que realmente apenas sucede nada.
YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM / WRAP UP ENERO 2020
Nos cuenta la historia de una familia disfuncional con ascendencia cubana en Estados Unidos desde tres perspectivas: la madre, el hijo y la hija. Es una familia en la que abundan las mentiras (tanto las que les contamos a los demás como las que nos contamos a nosotros mismos) y en la que se dan casos de adicción y abusos, así que quien lo lea tiene que estar preparado para esas cosas y tener en cuenta que es una novela triste y oscura en algunas partes, plagada de infelicidad y decepciones.
Los personajes están perdidos y desesperadas, y poco a poco vamos viendo como la situación familiar poco saludable afecta a su vida y sus relaciones fuera del entorno familiar, al trabajo, sus esperanzas (o la falta de ellas), etc.
En cuanto a la evolución de los personajes: de la madre sí vemos más evolución porque nos cuenta desde que era pequeña en Cuba hasta su vida actual en un pueblo cualquiera de Texas. A pesar de ello, es una evolución digamos que a peor (porque en ella se basa la mayor parte del drama del libro).
La evolución de los hijos es menos extensa porque de ellos se nos narra un lapso temporal bastante más corto (los meses de verano que dura el libro), y el único con una evolución mínimamente positiva es Joaquín.
Aparte de la lentitud de la narración, no me ha gustado que no haya apenas evolución ni redención en los personajes, que ya de por sí se nos presentas de manera que al principio provocan una mínima empatía, pero esta desaparece a medida que avanza la historia (excepto quizá en el caso de Joaquín, que es el único que planta un poco de cara a su entorno tóxico).
Además de eso, he sentido que el libro no tiene un cierre apropiado, por no decir que no tiene cierre para Elena y la madre, a no ser que asumamos que su situación va a ser siempre así y que nunca va a cambiar, que como mucho solo irá a peor. Se dejan muchas cuestiones abiertas, muchas preguntas sin responder.
En definitiva: un libro lento, aburrido y deprimente con mentiras constantes y familias infelices en el que realmente apenas sucede nada.
YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM / WRAP UP ENERO 2020
March 31, 2021
The Liars of Mariposa Island was difficult to get to at first. But the more I read it, the more I appreciate the structure and writing style of the novel. It was slow-paced and intricate. I also realized later that there was some kind of thriller/mystery aspect to it (unreliable narrator).
The book interweaves three different narratives: Elena, Joaquin, and Carriga's (their mother). Carriga's pov was a blast from the past, as she described her experiences in Cuba and how she fled from her home to America during a tumultuous time in her country.
Then Carriga's perspective from the past shifts to the future through the eyes of her children: Elena and Joaquin's pov. Elena tried to hide her 'secret' life from her controlling mother, while Joaquin secretly dreamt of escaping Mariposa Island in search of his father.
The differing goals between siblings plus their relationship with their unstable (slightly toxic) mother droved the plot. I say toxic because she has a way of gaslighting her children, making them sort of feel guilty when they expressed wanting to leave her and/or Mariposa Island.
Overall, this book surprised me. It got better during the last half of the novel. The ending was just a bit meh to me. Trigger warnings includes: abuse and alcoholism.
The book interweaves three different narratives: Elena, Joaquin, and Carriga's (their mother). Carriga's pov was a blast from the past, as she described her experiences in Cuba and how she fled from her home to America during a tumultuous time in her country.
Then Carriga's perspective from the past shifts to the future through the eyes of her children: Elena and Joaquin's pov. Elena tried to hide her 'secret' life from her controlling mother, while Joaquin secretly dreamt of escaping Mariposa Island in search of his father.
The differing goals between siblings plus their relationship with their unstable (slightly toxic) mother droved the plot. I say toxic because she has a way of gaslighting her children, making them sort of feel guilty when they expressed wanting to leave her and/or Mariposa Island.
Overall, this book surprised me. It got better during the last half of the novel. The ending was just a bit meh to me. Trigger warnings includes: abuse and alcoholism.
December 5, 2019
During the nineteen eighties, Mariposa Island is a summer playground for the wealthy and frivolous, for siblings Joaquin and Elena Finney, it's home. Under the vigilant and suspicious scrutiny of their mother, Joaquin is allowed to socialise with friends without a curfew, Elena is only given permission to leave the house accompanied by Joaquin and to work minding children for a wealthy family on the island that visits during summer each year. Her Mami warning Elena of menacing boys who will leave her in ruins. Elena is expected to tend to their small, ramshackle home while her alcoholic mother seethes about her own life, the breakdown of her marriage and her life as a pampered debutante in Havana during the rise of the Communist Party and Fidel Castro.
Caridad de la Guardia was the only child of attentive parents, wealthy socialites of Havana, cherished by her parents, treasured by her housemaid and revered by her island community. As a young woman, Caridad was removed from her home and sent to the United States under the guise of an education during the Cuban Revolution. Fostered by an American family, Caridad despised being abandoned by her parents and learning to communicate in English. Her only means of escapism was to fall in love with an American boy and create a life similar to her opulent lifestyle in Havana. Now living on the Island, Caridad seeks companionship in alcohol and reminding her children of their own father's abandonment.
Mariposa Island thrives on secrets and untruths, of tangled lives and manipulation. Told from the perspectives of Caridad as a child living in Havana and siblings Elena and Joaquin, presently residents of the island, the narrative explores family and tangled lives of deception.
Now a parent with two children on the pinnacle of adulthood, Caridad's nonlinear narrative fluctuates between carefree child and the hostile, vitriolic woman she's become. An alcoholic and an abuser. Her children are a reminder of the life she believes she was cruelly denied, her parents sending her to the United States to escape the Cuban Revolution and unbeknown to Caridad, saving her life. She's hostile towards her foster parents, an American family who care for Caridad despite her growing resentment.
Joaquin and Elena have never known their father, only the distant memory of the man their mother continuously reiterates that abandoned his young family. Elena is a sheltered young woman, suffocating under the judgemental scrutiny of her mother and a peacekeeper, simmering arguments between Joaquin and their mother while yearning for her mother's approval. Joaquin is independent and often challenges their mother, confronting her about her alcoholism and the animosity she holds for her children. Although siblings, Elena and Joaquin live parallel lives. Joaquin is employed in a local family restaurant and Elena is a casual nanny for the Callahan family each summer and her only means of escape from her mother's tyranny. Joaquin is the preferable Finney sibling and although he despises his mother, he's fond of Elena and encourages her to defend herself.
Elena begins sneaking out during her mother's drunken unconsciousness to see her boyfriend, a nineteen year old staying in town for the summer. Manipulated and exploited by an older, experienced man, Elena has become reckless and abandons her best friend. When Elena's and Caridad's lies begin to unravel, it becomes apparent that Joaquin's survival depends on escaping the island. No longer able to live with the lies and deception. He's suffocating.
I was captivated by the intensity of the narrative and their tangled deception. Elena was an unreliable narrator, her untruths had become her reality and I was swept along by her dishonesty. I believed her. Caridad's alcoholism to escape her reality is distressing, disregarding her own children while reminiscing about her life in Havana and regretting the life she's been saddled with. Lies layered upon untruths and manipulation, it was a toxic and vicious cycle that was destroying Elena's, Caridad's and Joaquin's lives.
Jennifer Mathieu is a remarkable storyteller, I was captivated by the Finney family and their entwined deception and betrayal. To put it bluntly, they're fucked, they'll fuck you up and you'll enjoy every fucking moment.
Caridad de la Guardia was the only child of attentive parents, wealthy socialites of Havana, cherished by her parents, treasured by her housemaid and revered by her island community. As a young woman, Caridad was removed from her home and sent to the United States under the guise of an education during the Cuban Revolution. Fostered by an American family, Caridad despised being abandoned by her parents and learning to communicate in English. Her only means of escapism was to fall in love with an American boy and create a life similar to her opulent lifestyle in Havana. Now living on the Island, Caridad seeks companionship in alcohol and reminding her children of their own father's abandonment.
Mariposa Island thrives on secrets and untruths, of tangled lives and manipulation. Told from the perspectives of Caridad as a child living in Havana and siblings Elena and Joaquin, presently residents of the island, the narrative explores family and tangled lives of deception.
Now a parent with two children on the pinnacle of adulthood, Caridad's nonlinear narrative fluctuates between carefree child and the hostile, vitriolic woman she's become. An alcoholic and an abuser. Her children are a reminder of the life she believes she was cruelly denied, her parents sending her to the United States to escape the Cuban Revolution and unbeknown to Caridad, saving her life. She's hostile towards her foster parents, an American family who care for Caridad despite her growing resentment.
Joaquin and Elena have never known their father, only the distant memory of the man their mother continuously reiterates that abandoned his young family. Elena is a sheltered young woman, suffocating under the judgemental scrutiny of her mother and a peacekeeper, simmering arguments between Joaquin and their mother while yearning for her mother's approval. Joaquin is independent and often challenges their mother, confronting her about her alcoholism and the animosity she holds for her children. Although siblings, Elena and Joaquin live parallel lives. Joaquin is employed in a local family restaurant and Elena is a casual nanny for the Callahan family each summer and her only means of escape from her mother's tyranny. Joaquin is the preferable Finney sibling and although he despises his mother, he's fond of Elena and encourages her to defend herself.
Elena begins sneaking out during her mother's drunken unconsciousness to see her boyfriend, a nineteen year old staying in town for the summer. Manipulated and exploited by an older, experienced man, Elena has become reckless and abandons her best friend. When Elena's and Caridad's lies begin to unravel, it becomes apparent that Joaquin's survival depends on escaping the island. No longer able to live with the lies and deception. He's suffocating.
I was captivated by the intensity of the narrative and their tangled deception. Elena was an unreliable narrator, her untruths had become her reality and I was swept along by her dishonesty. I believed her. Caridad's alcoholism to escape her reality is distressing, disregarding her own children while reminiscing about her life in Havana and regretting the life she's been saddled with. Lies layered upon untruths and manipulation, it was a toxic and vicious cycle that was destroying Elena's, Caridad's and Joaquin's lives.
Jennifer Mathieu is a remarkable storyteller, I was captivated by the Finney family and their entwined deception and betrayal. To put it bluntly, they're fucked, they'll fuck you up and you'll enjoy every fucking moment.
July 10, 2019
3.75/5⭐📚 I loved the settings of this book and the flashbacks to Cuba, I also loved the use of Spanish throughout. I've read this during the summer and it is a perfect summer read. I liked the twists and turns but I kind of guessed them a bit before. I was expecting more from the ending i felt like it was building up to something big but it ended quite openly.
The book deals with a lot of mental health issues and Elena one of the main characters suffers abuse at the hands of her mother and her older bf who gives her drugs and I just did not agree with this relationship it was just wrong on so many levels I'm pretty sure she is underage at 16/17 to be having sex with her 19 yr old bf ( I'm not sure of the age of consent in different states I think it may be 17 for Texas) My heart just broke for Elena who I feel will be stuck living with her mother for a long time and taking abuse from people in her life, I feel like Carrie the mother will never overcome her past and will be stuck living it and living with lies. The book is an emotional ride and I wish it would of explored more of a relationship with Carrie's husbands family. Joaquin, Elena's older brother was an interesting character but I just found the whole family dynamic so messy and heartbreaking, I wanted more for this family and for things to start to change. I really liked the character of Amy, Joaquins gf and would of loved to have more of a backstory for her.
Overall The Liars was a quick summer read for me which was written beautifully,I sped through this book as I was so intrigued, and the author kept me hooked all throughout and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me a review copy in exchange of an honest review. A review will follow on my blog.
Trigger warnings, mental abuse, physical abuse, drug use, alcohol abuse, emotional abuse.
The book deals with a lot of mental health issues and Elena one of the main characters suffers abuse at the hands of her mother and her older bf who gives her drugs and I just did not agree with this relationship it was just wrong on so many levels I'm pretty sure she is underage at 16/17 to be having sex with her 19 yr old bf ( I'm not sure of the age of consent in different states I think it may be 17 for Texas) My heart just broke for Elena who I feel will be stuck living with her mother for a long time and taking abuse from people in her life, I feel like Carrie the mother will never overcome her past and will be stuck living it and living with lies. The book is an emotional ride and I wish it would of explored more of a relationship with Carrie's husbands family. Joaquin, Elena's older brother was an interesting character but I just found the whole family dynamic so messy and heartbreaking, I wanted more for this family and for things to start to change. I really liked the character of Amy, Joaquins gf and would of loved to have more of a backstory for her.
Overall The Liars was a quick summer read for me which was written beautifully,I sped through this book as I was so intrigued, and the author kept me hooked all throughout and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me a review copy in exchange of an honest review. A review will follow on my blog.
Trigger warnings, mental abuse, physical abuse, drug use, alcohol abuse, emotional abuse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2020
I don't really know what I expected from this book.
This is more of a character-driven book. There is no plot, and to me it read more like literary fiction- which I'm not a big fan of. Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. The story follows two siblings (Joaquin and Elena) and their mother. It details their lives in Texas in 1986, with flashbacks to their mothers life in the past.
I liked how the story unfolded. We get this account from three different perspectives. Elena is sixteen, and spirals into a weird phase in her life after meeting J.C, who gets her hooked on smoking, drugs and alcohol. Joaquin is eighteen, and is unsure what to do with his life, but unlike Elena, he wants to leave the island and isn't afraid to stand up to their Mami. Finally, we have Mami- an alcoholic- who is going mad, unable to forget her life of riches in Cuba.
I enjoyed the writing style and shift of perspectives. Joaquin's perspective was more enjoyable than Elena's and I liked learning about their mother. Elena to me was just this lost kid and I found myself disliking her more and more- she made a lot of stupid decisions despite being a smart girl. The ending was a bit abrupt. In my opinion the 'stakes' weren't high enough. The most intriguing part of this book was reading about Mami's struggle. I didn't know anything about the history of Cuba. Operation Pedro Pan was a programme that led to many Cuban children being taken to the U.S after Fidel Castro came into power. It was both heart-breaking and made me want to know more.
Overall, an interesting read, but not a 'psychological thriller' as advertised.
This is more of a character-driven book. There is no plot, and to me it read more like literary fiction- which I'm not a big fan of. Nevertheless, it was an interesting read. The story follows two siblings (Joaquin and Elena) and their mother. It details their lives in Texas in 1986, with flashbacks to their mothers life in the past.
I liked how the story unfolded. We get this account from three different perspectives. Elena is sixteen, and spirals into a weird phase in her life after meeting J.C, who gets her hooked on smoking, drugs and alcohol. Joaquin is eighteen, and is unsure what to do with his life, but unlike Elena, he wants to leave the island and isn't afraid to stand up to their Mami. Finally, we have Mami- an alcoholic- who is going mad, unable to forget her life of riches in Cuba.
I enjoyed the writing style and shift of perspectives. Joaquin's perspective was more enjoyable than Elena's and I liked learning about their mother. Elena to me was just this lost kid and I found myself disliking her more and more- she made a lot of stupid decisions despite being a smart girl. The ending was a bit abrupt. In my opinion the 'stakes' weren't high enough. The most intriguing part of this book was reading about Mami's struggle. I didn't know anything about the history of Cuba. Operation Pedro Pan was a programme that led to many Cuban children being taken to the U.S after Fidel Castro came into power. It was both heart-breaking and made me want to know more.
Overall, an interesting read, but not a 'psychological thriller' as advertised.
August 20, 2019
A very different book from Jennifer Mathieu, but I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this prior to publication.
The ARC I received has the simple title ‘The Liars’ and this definitely indicates more characters could be given this title than the family of three we predominantly focus on.
The majority of the story focuses on 17 year old Elena, and her attempts to carve a life for herself away from the controlling behaviour of her mother. Her older brother, Jouqain, is allowed to work and go out at night but he recognises their mother’s behaviour is abusive and does what he can to support Elena in her attempts to develop her own life. With nobody else to support him though, Jouqain doesn’t know what to do to improve their situation.
Alongside the story of these two and the summer that starts to signal change, we get the background to their mother’s life. It is jarring at first, but the details about her wealthy home in Cuba and the change in lifestyle when she’s sent alone to America do explain - at least in part - some of her actions.
Nothing is really resolved by the end of the book for Elena, but the circumstances around Jouqain do give some hope that things might change in time.
The ARC I received has the simple title ‘The Liars’ and this definitely indicates more characters could be given this title than the family of three we predominantly focus on.
The majority of the story focuses on 17 year old Elena, and her attempts to carve a life for herself away from the controlling behaviour of her mother. Her older brother, Jouqain, is allowed to work and go out at night but he recognises their mother’s behaviour is abusive and does what he can to support Elena in her attempts to develop her own life. With nobody else to support him though, Jouqain doesn’t know what to do to improve their situation.
Alongside the story of these two and the summer that starts to signal change, we get the background to their mother’s life. It is jarring at first, but the details about her wealthy home in Cuba and the change in lifestyle when she’s sent alone to America do explain - at least in part - some of her actions.
Nothing is really resolved by the end of the book for Elena, but the circumstances around Jouqain do give some hope that things might change in time.
August 6, 2025
In The Liars of Mariposa Island we follow the points of view of two siblings that grew up in a house ruled by an abusive mother. It tells the story of the summer that is going to change their lives forever.
This book was overall enjoyable, even if the beginning was quite slow and a bit boring. It is a quick beach read that explores important themes and a piece of Latin American history that not a lot of people are aware of. Now, I do believe that the execution of the ideas that the book was trying to convey was a little lackluster. The characters could have been explored in more depth since we're inside their heads for most of the book and the author could have made it more interesting if she decided to alternate between perspectives instead of dividing the book in two. The ending also felt a little rushed and maybe even boring compared to the middle of the book, that in my opinion was the big "climax".
The 3 stars is also partly my fault: I went into it thinking it was a mystery when in reality it's a historical fiction/coming of age story. So if any of the information above does sound interesting to you, I would still give it a try!
This book was overall enjoyable, even if the beginning was quite slow and a bit boring. It is a quick beach read that explores important themes and a piece of Latin American history that not a lot of people are aware of. Now, I do believe that the execution of the ideas that the book was trying to convey was a little lackluster. The characters could have been explored in more depth since we're inside their heads for most of the book and the author could have made it more interesting if she decided to alternate between perspectives instead of dividing the book in two. The ending also felt a little rushed and maybe even boring compared to the middle of the book, that in my opinion was the big "climax".
The 3 stars is also partly my fault: I went into it thinking it was a mystery when in reality it's a historical fiction/coming of age story. So if any of the information above does sound interesting to you, I would still give it a try!
Read
September 22, 2019Not what I was expecting - the title is technically true, but it's sort of convention that "liars" books are twisty thrillers with unreliable narrators, and this is a quiet historical fiction with two timelines: 1986 and 1957. Yes, there are lies, but this isn't that kind of liar book.
Once I adjusted my expectations I was able to appreciate this more for what it was - check out my review on JenRyland.com!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Once I adjusted my expectations I was able to appreciate this more for what it was - check out my review on JenRyland.com!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
May 13, 2021
RESEÑA COMPLETA http://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com/...
“Las mentiras de la isla mariposa” es una novela ambientada en los años 80, una historia con múltiples perspectivas y algún flashback del pasado de la madre en Cuba. Lo cierto es que la ambientación está muy lograda y que tenga diferentes puntos de vista le da mucho más atractivo a la historia, aunque también juega un poco en su contra porque las partes de Elena se hacen tediosas y monótonos.
Es una historia pausada, que se centra en los personajes -siendo estos el eje central de todo- y con algún giro de trama que le da más vidilla al asunto, aunque como ya digo el libro no tiene grandes dosis de acción, sobresaltos o cosas tremendamente impactantes lo disfrutaréis si os gustan las historias complejas y que tocan temas duros. Tampoco quiero explayarme demasiado porque si no perdería toda la gracia, este libro es mejor descubrirlo por uno mismo.
Familia, secretos, amistad y autodescubrimiento en una novela que va de menos a más.
“Las mentiras de la isla mariposa” es una novela ambientada en los años 80, una historia con múltiples perspectivas y algún flashback del pasado de la madre en Cuba. Lo cierto es que la ambientación está muy lograda y que tenga diferentes puntos de vista le da mucho más atractivo a la historia, aunque también juega un poco en su contra porque las partes de Elena se hacen tediosas y monótonos.
Es una historia pausada, que se centra en los personajes -siendo estos el eje central de todo- y con algún giro de trama que le da más vidilla al asunto, aunque como ya digo el libro no tiene grandes dosis de acción, sobresaltos o cosas tremendamente impactantes lo disfrutaréis si os gustan las historias complejas y que tocan temas duros. Tampoco quiero explayarme demasiado porque si no perdería toda la gracia, este libro es mejor descubrirlo por uno mismo.
Familia, secretos, amistad y autodescubrimiento en una novela que va de menos a más.
January 14, 2021
The Liars of Mariposa Island: ★★★.7
*Taylor Swift Readathon Part 5: 1989*
Let me start this review with why I didn't think this book was talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, showstopping, spectacular, completely not ever been done before--yeah, you've seen the meme.
This book was... not eventful, really. At all, HOWEVER, I think that was almost a good thing. This book wasn’t meant to be sweet and cute and dramatic, it's a story that is true for so many people.
My biggest problem, however, was how UN-80s THIS FELT!!!! I WANTED THE FASHION, THE MUSIC, THE FAST FOOD LOGOS THAT WERE SOOOOO MUCH BETTER LIKE, LAST CENTURY!!!!
But all I got was Madonna references???? BLECH
Now onto the good stuff.
Visually? THE COVER??? D E L I C I O U S. THE SNAZZY FONT??? S C R U M P T I O U S.
Now the story: Mathieu can WRITE. That wasn't a problem in the slightest. And the CHARACTERS!!!!!
THEY WERE CONSTRUCTED AS WELL AS THE CALLAHANS!!!!
My most favourite part? THE BROTHER AND SISTER BANTER AND STUFF LIKE THAT REMINDED ME SO MUCH OF MY OWN BROTHER AND IT WAS JUST PHENOMENAL.
So in conclusion, read this, don't expect much, have your standards have their socks blown off, and continue on with your week, tears constantly beading in your eyes (:
Smile through the pain (:
Books that are kinda like this one:
- Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina (ngl this is literally like the same book)
- We Were Liars by E. Lockehart
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
*Taylor Swift Readathon Part 5: 1989*
Let me start this review with why I didn't think this book was talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, showstopping, spectacular, completely not ever been done before--yeah, you've seen the meme.
This book was... not eventful, really. At all, HOWEVER, I think that was almost a good thing. This book wasn’t meant to be sweet and cute and dramatic, it's a story that is true for so many people.
My biggest problem, however, was how UN-80s THIS FELT!!!! I WANTED THE FASHION, THE MUSIC, THE FAST FOOD LOGOS THAT WERE SOOOOO MUCH BETTER LIKE, LAST CENTURY!!!!
But all I got was Madonna references???? BLECH
Now onto the good stuff.
Visually? THE COVER??? D E L I C I O U S. THE SNAZZY FONT??? S C R U M P T I O U S.
Now the story: Mathieu can WRITE. That wasn't a problem in the slightest. And the CHARACTERS!!!!!
THEY WERE CONSTRUCTED AS WELL AS THE CALLAHANS!!!!
My most favourite part? THE BROTHER AND SISTER BANTER AND STUFF LIKE THAT REMINDED ME SO MUCH OF MY OWN BROTHER AND IT WAS JUST PHENOMENAL.
So in conclusion, read this, don't expect much, have your standards have their socks blown off, and continue on with your week, tears constantly beading in your eyes (:
Smile through the pain (:
Books that are kinda like this one:
- Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina (ngl this is literally like the same book)
- We Were Liars by E. Lockehart
- Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
September 9, 2019
The Liars of Mariposa Island is an emotional story of a dysfunctional family that are held together by the lies they tell. Such a beautifully written story that will break your heart. It is narrated mainly from the daughter and sons perspectives as they deal with their mothers alcoholism and unpredictable mood swings. We loved this novel and highly recommend it.
August 12, 2019
I enjoyed it. Weirdly similar to last book I read in places.
January 10, 2021
No ha estado mal, pero me he quedado con la sensación de que me ha faltado mucho más.
Las mentiras de la Isla Mariposa es un libro que se ambienta en los años 80 y que intenta tratar el tema del éxodo masivo de niños y niñas que se vivió en Cuba cuando Fidel Castro tomó el poder. A través de la visión de una de esas niñas, ya adulta y madre de dos personajes que también narrarán sus propias idas y venidas, el libro me ha parecido muy duro en cuanto a esa separación que se produce a causa de una rebelión que dejó a muchas familias vacías. Junto a esto, Las mentiras de la Isla Mariposa es también una historia para buscar la identidad personal y nuestro lugar en el mundo con una trama familiar llena de secretos, mentiras y disputas.
Tengo que reconocer que la primera mitad del libro la he sentido de dos maneras: una principal, en la que lo que estaba leyendo me estaba gustando y entusiasmando, creyendo que iban a pasar ciertas cosas que llevarían la trama hacia recovecos más oscuros, y una secundaria en la que, al ver que no iba a suceder nada lo que esperaba, ya no estaba tan enganchada ni interesada y hasta incluso se me ha hecho algo pesada y larga. Aunque entre medias tenemos esos capítulos narrados por la madre de los dos personajes principales de los que os acabo de hablar arriba de este párrafo, no ha sido suficiente para mí.
No obstante, la segunda mitad del libro mejora y mucho. El cambio de narrador hace que la trama monótona de Elena se despegue finalmente de nuestro lado y, gracias a Joaquín, la lectura vuelve a tener un interés grande. Con un dinamismo mayor, Joaquín es el personaje que nos va acercando poco a poco a la verdad y a ese conflicto familiar con el que se empezará a desvelar absolutamente todo, teniendo giros muy buenos que me han descolocado completamente ya que no los esperaba.
Sin embargo, y bajo mi punto de vista, el final no ha sido muy adecuado. La conclusión que tenemos hace que todas las puertas se queden abiertas y que, en realidad, terminemos la lectura al igual de cómo la empezamos, sin tener soluciones importantes para el arco de nuestros personajes. El viaje se queda un poco sinsentido al ver que el comportamiento de los personajes se queda estático. Esto, además, ha hecho que Elena no sea un personaje con el que poder empatizar, teniendo comportamiento inmaduros en todo momento y siendo cómplice de una madre abusiva y demasiado tóxica que, por Dios, ha sido insoportable y horrible en todo momento.
Aunque es un libro que se puede leer sin problemas, a pesar de ese trozo más monótono y aburrido que te da la sensación de que no está pasando absolutamente nada, también es un libro que podría haber dado mucho más de sí y dejar una historia bien resuelta que dejara un mejor sabor de boca.
February 28, 2021
Este libro nos cuenta la vida de sus tres protagonistas. Caridad, Elena y Joaquín.
Por un lado el libro nos traslada a 1986 en Isla Mariposa, Texas. Allí Elena vuelve a trabajar como todos los veranos para la familia Callahan donde cuida a los dos niños pequeños de esta adinerada familia. Este trabajo le da la libertad que su madre le niega. Caridad es una mujer controladora, no permite que hija salga de casa sin su permiso y, aunque hasta ahora Elena ha seguido sus reglas algo cambiará este verano.
Joaquín es el hermano mayor y acaba de graduarse, no sabe que hacer con su vida, solo tiene claro que quiere salir de Isla Mariposa y huir de las continuas discusiones con su madre.
Por otro lado, el libro nos traslada a Cuba en 1957, antes de la revolución cubana y ahí es donde conoceremos la niñez de Caridad.
·
Con esta premisa comienza una historia dura, llena de rencor, mentiras y engaños. Con unos niños que intentan ser felices dentro de la protección desmedida de su madre.
Con el personaje que más he conectado ha sido con Joaquín, he comprendido sus decisiones y seguramente hubiera hecho lo mismo que él.
Los personajes están muy bien trabajados, y la trama me ha parecido muy original. He disfrutado mucho conociendo el pasado de Caridad y descubriendo como afecta a su día a día.
El final me ha gustado, aunque me ha faltado saber algo más de los protagonistas, como continúan sus vidas.
Por un lado el libro nos traslada a 1986 en Isla Mariposa, Texas. Allí Elena vuelve a trabajar como todos los veranos para la familia Callahan donde cuida a los dos niños pequeños de esta adinerada familia. Este trabajo le da la libertad que su madre le niega. Caridad es una mujer controladora, no permite que hija salga de casa sin su permiso y, aunque hasta ahora Elena ha seguido sus reglas algo cambiará este verano.
Joaquín es el hermano mayor y acaba de graduarse, no sabe que hacer con su vida, solo tiene claro que quiere salir de Isla Mariposa y huir de las continuas discusiones con su madre.
Por otro lado, el libro nos traslada a Cuba en 1957, antes de la revolución cubana y ahí es donde conoceremos la niñez de Caridad.
·
Con esta premisa comienza una historia dura, llena de rencor, mentiras y engaños. Con unos niños que intentan ser felices dentro de la protección desmedida de su madre.
Con el personaje que más he conectado ha sido con Joaquín, he comprendido sus decisiones y seguramente hubiera hecho lo mismo que él.
Los personajes están muy bien trabajados, y la trama me ha parecido muy original. He disfrutado mucho conociendo el pasado de Caridad y descubriendo como afecta a su día a día.
El final me ha gustado, aunque me ha faltado saber algo más de los protagonistas, como continúan sus vidas.
January 19, 2021
Nos situamos en un verano de los años 80 donde conoceremos a los hermanos Elena 👱🏻♀ y Joaquín 🧑🏻 que viven en Isla Mariposa con su madre Caridad, que es Cubana, trabaja en una clínica y tiene grandes problemas con el alcohol. Joaquín ya ha terminado el instituto y está meditando por su futuro, mientras tanto trabaja en un restaurante 🧑🏻🍳 Elena está en el instituto y en verano trabaja como niñera 👩🏼🍼 Ambos temen a su madre, pero sobre todo Elena, que es incapaz de enfrentarse a ella pese a lo estricta e injusta que es con ellos 🥺 Paralelamente, viajaremos al pasado donde conoceremos la historia de Caridad y qué es lo que le hizo acabar siendo así 🤯 En este verano, donde se sitúa la historia principal, veremos como Elena conocerá a su primer amor 💗 y sucumbirá a algunos excesos y como Joaquín desenmascarará a su madre y decidirá su inmediato futuro 🧐
Sin duda alguna es un libro cuya lectura me ha atrapado y emocionado tanto, que la podría categorizar como real y sobrecogedora 🥺 Es una novela donde no faltan las mentiras, que tienen como resultado que una familia se desintegre y, cuyo desengaño, provoca que cada miembro de la familia tome sus propias decisiones en función de sus vivencias. La verdad es que ha sido una lectura muy profunda y emotiva. Tenéis la reseña completa en el blog ✏️
Sin duda alguna es un libro cuya lectura me ha atrapado y emocionado tanto, que la podría categorizar como real y sobrecogedora 🥺 Es una novela donde no faltan las mentiras, que tienen como resultado que una familia se desintegre y, cuyo desengaño, provoca que cada miembro de la familia tome sus propias decisiones en función de sus vivencias. La verdad es que ha sido una lectura muy profunda y emotiva. Tenéis la reseña completa en el blog ✏️
Read
October 13, 2019This was a really solid read, about the children of a Cuban immigrant who struggles with alcoholism as a means of dealing with grief. I wasn't super taken with the structure of the book -- the voice changing didn't have a consistency to it and the chapter dividers were odd (may be more clear in the final version, as I read an ARC). I did love the exploration of lying in a way that was less about deceit and more about protection.
April 23, 2020
3.5 stars
I was a huge fan of the book Moxie and was really looking forward to this book. Once again Mathieu created characters that felt real, her teenage characters don’t fall into tropes or stereotype. The title alludes to liars and as the story progresses Mathieu reveals more the reader. The premise was interesting but I felt like I never got hooked. The story felt like it lacked a resolution which maybe more realistic but also less interesting
I was a huge fan of the book Moxie and was really looking forward to this book. Once again Mathieu created characters that felt real, her teenage characters don’t fall into tropes or stereotype. The title alludes to liars and as the story progresses Mathieu reveals more the reader. The premise was interesting but I felt like I never got hooked. The story felt like it lacked a resolution which maybe more realistic but also less interesting
June 28, 2019
I was given an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This review contains BIG spoilers so please skip it until you've had the opportunity to read this wonderful book!
The sign of a great novel (for me) is that it lingers in my mind long after the last page. LIARS is one of those stories. It's told through three POVs--Caridad, Elena and Joaquin. Caridad (the mother) is damaged by her previous life as a spoiled, wealthy Cuban child who became a lonely US refugee during the Cuban revolution. Her children, Elena and Joaquin, are damaged by their mother's bitterness, alcoholism and selfishness. Each member of this family has their coping mechanisms and the children use lies and co-dependence to survive Caridad and their dismal lives. By allowing every character a voice, JM gives the reader insights and the opportunity to develop sympathy, if not empathy for all of them.
This story is a snapshot of one summer ... but it's also a crossroads where Caridad's children choose their own paths, either actively or passively. Through multi-layered, gorgeous prose, JM reminds the reader that each of us has a private story, a different version of the truth, and that ultimately we are all attempting to thrive. Sadly, in this story and in real life, not everyone has the strength to escape the darkness of their youth. If they do, it can mean cutting off the past, including family, and moving far away for the chance of a better life.
SPOILER!!!
When I finished LIARS, my heart was full of hope for Joaquin. He did the nearly impossible and broke free. He will walk a tightrope for some time, but the longer he stays away from Mariposa Island, the less inclined he'll be to return. Alternately, my heart aches for Elena. I don’t think she will ever get out of that house, away from the unhealthy relationship with her mother, and the lies she has come to tell so easily, as well as the alcohol and drugs she'll increasingly abuse, will be another form of imprisonment.
In the end, I'm left unsettled by LIARS but the better for reading such a beautifully nuanced novel.
The sign of a great novel (for me) is that it lingers in my mind long after the last page. LIARS is one of those stories. It's told through three POVs--Caridad, Elena and Joaquin. Caridad (the mother) is damaged by her previous life as a spoiled, wealthy Cuban child who became a lonely US refugee during the Cuban revolution. Her children, Elena and Joaquin, are damaged by their mother's bitterness, alcoholism and selfishness. Each member of this family has their coping mechanisms and the children use lies and co-dependence to survive Caridad and their dismal lives. By allowing every character a voice, JM gives the reader insights and the opportunity to develop sympathy, if not empathy for all of them.
This story is a snapshot of one summer ... but it's also a crossroads where Caridad's children choose their own paths, either actively or passively. Through multi-layered, gorgeous prose, JM reminds the reader that each of us has a private story, a different version of the truth, and that ultimately we are all attempting to thrive. Sadly, in this story and in real life, not everyone has the strength to escape the darkness of their youth. If they do, it can mean cutting off the past, including family, and moving far away for the chance of a better life.
SPOILER!!!
When I finished LIARS, my heart was full of hope for Joaquin. He did the nearly impossible and broke free. He will walk a tightrope for some time, but the longer he stays away from Mariposa Island, the less inclined he'll be to return. Alternately, my heart aches for Elena. I don’t think she will ever get out of that house, away from the unhealthy relationship with her mother, and the lies she has come to tell so easily, as well as the alcohol and drugs she'll increasingly abuse, will be another form of imprisonment.
In the end, I'm left unsettled by LIARS but the better for reading such a beautifully nuanced novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2019
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
More like 3.5
The Liars of Mariposa Island is one of those books that makes you examine the power of words. It is an emotional story that asks us what we are willing to sacrifice for our family, and when is enough, enough? The Liars of Mariposa Island is a story about summer, freedom, parties and boys. Narrated from the perspective of a girl and her older brother, The Liars of Mariposa Island is a story that revolves around family. It features a relationship between the main character, who is 16, and an older teen, 19 years of age. A book that is stewing with secrets, lies, and proving there's a bit of a liar in us all. We are asked what we will do to continue our lies, to protect ourselves, and our family.
But what drew me to The Liars of Mariposa Island were the exploration of truth and lies, the memories of Elena's mother as a refugee from Cuba, and the question of whether we have the strength to break free of our family's hold. Throughout the book we witness scenes of Elena's mother as she flees Cuba, assimilates to life in the US, and her own vulnerabilities, fears, and lies. Every character in this book is a liar. Whether that be a white lie, Mathieu explores their motivations and fears.
Unfortunately, a place where The Liars of Mariposa Island fell short for me was in the ending. I appreciated that half of the book is narrated from Elena's perspective and the other half Joaquin's (besides the chapters from their mother), but I didn't feel much resolution from the ending. I wasn't expecting there to be a very happy ending, because the book is a full of family drama and tension, but I was looking for more closure.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
More like 3.5
The Liars of Mariposa Island is one of those books that makes you examine the power of words. It is an emotional story that asks us what we are willing to sacrifice for our family, and when is enough, enough? The Liars of Mariposa Island is a story about summer, freedom, parties and boys. Narrated from the perspective of a girl and her older brother, The Liars of Mariposa Island is a story that revolves around family. It features a relationship between the main character, who is 16, and an older teen, 19 years of age. A book that is stewing with secrets, lies, and proving there's a bit of a liar in us all. We are asked what we will do to continue our lies, to protect ourselves, and our family.
But what drew me to The Liars of Mariposa Island were the exploration of truth and lies, the memories of Elena's mother as a refugee from Cuba, and the question of whether we have the strength to break free of our family's hold. Throughout the book we witness scenes of Elena's mother as she flees Cuba, assimilates to life in the US, and her own vulnerabilities, fears, and lies. Every character in this book is a liar. Whether that be a white lie, Mathieu explores their motivations and fears.
Unfortunately, a place where The Liars of Mariposa Island fell short for me was in the ending. I appreciated that half of the book is narrated from Elena's perspective and the other half Joaquin's (besides the chapters from their mother), but I didn't feel much resolution from the ending. I wasn't expecting there to be a very happy ending, because the book is a full of family drama and tension, but I was looking for more closure.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews