Dirty Liar

by Brian James

A heartbreaking breakthrough novel about coming to grips with a tortured past from acclaimed PUSH novelist Brian James

Benji has to escape his home. His mother's boyfriend has crossed the line, and Benji can't deal with it anymore. So he leaves behind everything he knows to go live with his father and stepmother in Portland. His stepmother is nice, but he doesn't trust her. His father is testy, refusing to trust Benji. And Benji ... he's just trying not to self-destruct.

In this spellbinding novel, Brian James surpasses his previous work to take his place among Adam Rapp, Melvin Burgess, and Kevin Brooks on the razor's edge of teen literature.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Teen, Abuse

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2006

About the author

I've written numerous children's books, including the Pirate School series and the Catkid series. I'm also the author of several novels: Pure Sunshine; Tomorrow, Maybe; Perfect World; Dirty Liar; Thief; Zombie Blondes; The Heights.

Reviews

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for years to write a review of this book because I wanted to get the wording just right and this feels like the best time. This book is the best book I have ever read. Now, I've read a lot of books in my short 17 years and no other book has impacted me to the extent that this work has. I've read this book two or three times since my first read simply because I have such an incredible experience reading it time and time again.

The story is a companion novel to James's previous work "Perfect World", (which I personally disliked and didn't connect with) that tells the story of Benji, a depressed and abused teen who runs away from the toxic environment he's been stuck in, from the day his parents divorced and his mother moved them into a trailer park. Benji's been abused not only by his mother but her numerous boyfriends and dealers. In PW, Benji is minor romantic interest for the character and you're given a glimpse of how bad Benji's life is but Dirty Liar, you get the full glimpse of just how much Benji deals with behind closed doors. The novel depicts Benji's life after uprooting to his father's home where he lives with his new family. Benji is withdrawn and spends the majority of his time with misfits and druggies trying to get away from his traumatic past and hide from the "demons" who haunt him until he overcomes his depression and seeks help for his abuse.

This book is gritty and honest and shys away from very few things. It is a slow read and it's not for those who want action in every chapter but it is a book for those who want to read about a victim of abuse and a sufferer of depression who discovers that there is hope for recovery and that things get better if you tell people what you're going through and let them help. That message is honestly why i think the book resonated with me so much because while I haven't been abused and i'm not depressed, I have been bullied and I have thought negatively about my self and my worth. I have had similar thoughts as Benji does and once you get to the climax of this novel and the last few pages of the book itself, it makes you realize just how important and special you are and it doesn't matter how badly people mistreat you or make you feel bad about yourself because "there is nothing wrong with being me".

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit that I have a weakness for books that make me cry. And even a stronger weakness for books that make me cringe at the level of vulnerability that an author is willing to allow themselves to feel in order to write a book.

So Dirty Liar, which I tripped over while looking for something else at the library floored me. I have a rule. If I take something out of the library and dog-ear more than 5 pages, I usually buy the book (sorry Nashville library system). Let's just say that I've already ordered this one (and that the library might charge me for the copy I took out anyhow, given how many pages are now bent).

I don't need to go into the story much. That exists elsewhere. I'll just say that what made this book special wasn't the story, which has been told before, about a boy who doesn't feel like he fits in anywhere, but with the writing which was honest, and exposed, and full of painful beauty. Dirty Liar is a book that demands that you allow yourself to feel every difficult word. And I couldn't have asked for more.

[Tenaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was actually given this book as a gift from someone. It's really good. It's kinda emo but you know me, the emo person hahaha. Anyway, the main character deals with his family that is falling apart and he is on a thin line with love, life, and staying sane. I think this book is the kinda book you read as a guilty pleasure on like a rainy day or something. I recommend it.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book..wow. I just didn't think anyone or anything could be so like me..
I loved it.
Breathtaking.

[Jaemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benji sees the world in shades of angel and demon, which makes it, more often than not, a rather scary place. While his father may be less trouble than his mother, less abusive, less of a demon-magnet, in order to live with him Benji had to leave his personal angel, Lacie, behind.

Being in a new school suits him, though, as it's easier to disappear when no one knew you were there to begin with. Being labeled a freak is fine with him. As long as no one takes any notice. As long as no one tries to get close. As long as he can hide inside Dogboy.

But when Benji takes a liking to Rianna Moore, things get a little more complex. She isn't like them, but she travles with the in crowd. They don't really see her, but they certainly know she's there. Which makes Benji a bit less of a shadow. And his feelings make him a bit less dead. And wanting to be near her makes it all a bit less safe.

Eventually, the demons start to show themselves. It turns out they're everywhere, and when you've got your own too...well, they travel with you. No matter how much you might want to leave them behind.

But just because they can follow you, and get inside you, and affect you, doesn't make them you. And this is what Benji has to discover. This is the only real path out.

Of all of James' books, I liked this one the best. Most likely because every time he writes one, they just keep getting better. And while they all come with a bit of a harsh face, there is always a light shining through.

[Olivia Panzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dirty Liar is written by Brian James and is an intriguing novel written for sad or depressed teenagers. It is more focused for teens and since this is based on the author’s childhood, it could be relatable to kids in the same situations. The story is about a boy named Benji, that has had a rough childhood with his mother and stepfather. When his stepfather crosses the line for one last time, Bengi has had enough and moves away to live with his father, stepmother, and stepsister in their sleepy small rainy town. While there he meets two boys that get him in a lot of trouble, and he uses them to numb his pain. He also works on his rocky relationship with his father and a new relationship with a special girl, Rianna. I thought the book was good, but it wasn’t my favorite. The text style of the author was bleak not descriptive, and didn’t make you feel like you were part of the story. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really disliked this book. I don't know how to describe it other than it was all just words. I never got into the story and I never felt a connection with any of the characters. I could see Brian James trying to write from a deeply troubled, abused boy's perspective, but he just missed the mark. There's no action in the book... just the main character keeping a secret and then telling the secret and then moving on... all interspersed with some strange dreams and imagery. Waste of my time.

[Felicia Burriss · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is basically a teenage read. but parts of it are really profound.
in the beginning of the book, it reads:

"i am nothing to them.
i'm only a list of differences....a list of adjectives to describe what they see when they look at me...
a collection of words to define themselves as whatever i am not.
strange because they say so.
weird because they say so."

[Amee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brian James has a unique writing style that's very character driven, so much that I find myself immersed in the dark ramblings of his MC's.
If you are looking for a story packed with plot Dirty Liar is not for you, but if you want a disturbing peek inside the head of a teenage boy who has probably seen more bad things in his short life than most do in a lifetime, check this out.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. It seems so real, as if the author knew EXACTLY how the character felt.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's great, but be prepared. it hits you.

[Katelyn Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book ! I felt like I was right there watching it all happen as I was reading ! Breathtaking book , just absolutely fantastic !

[Susane Colasanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful story packed with raw, unfiltered emotion.

[Hailey Yem · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book "Dirty Liar", by Brian James, was a captivating and emotional story explaining the struggles of a sixteen year old boy named Benji. He believes that there are angels and demons in this world, but he's surrounded by demons. His mother is an alcoholic, while her boyfriend, Roy, drinks and abuses him. His father, on the other hand, is married to a kind woman named Janet. Benji's father and Janet have a daughter named Pollyanna, or Polly for short. Benji used to live with his mother, but after what Roy does to him, he knows he can't live there anymore. He moves to Portland to live with his father and Janet, moving away from his mother, Roy, and his girlfriend Lacie. At Benji's new school, he's still quiet and avoids confrontation. He finds a girl named Rianna, who he believes is an angel. There's something special about her that captivates Benji. This story is an emotional roller coaster, bringing you both moments where you feel how Benji would, and some parts where you'd smile and feel like you're a part of the book.

[trinity williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way it was setup, and I enjoyed getting a look into Benji's mind and being able to understand why he was the way he was. But I wish the author would have included more information about his friend back home. The one he considered his "guardian angel." With more information about her I feel that the reader could have established a better understanding of why she was so important to Benji. Good book over all.

[Mia Valdivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was honestly my favorite book (probably ever, sorry orbiting jupiter). it was really sad and dealt with a lot of tough topics really well. i feel like the whole plot moved along pretty well and it had a good amount of background to know how the character is actually feeling. you're able to sympathize with the main character even tho you know and can see all their flaws. i really really liked this book.

[jude · Rating 3 out of 5]

had to "borrow" this from an online library cause I couldn't find it anywhere (why?), but I've had it on my tbr for long so I didn't really want to give up on it. I liked it but not as much as I wanted, I guess it didn't really meet my expectations.
however, I love characters named Benji with a tragic past

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tough read that has an honest and raw depiction of being a teenager with depression and less than ideal upbringing.

Overall the book is bit of a slower read and left me feeling very melancholy, but I did enjoy the style of writing.

[Ronnie Clarkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. Read it so fast. Very emotional and reminded me of how frustrating it was to be a teenager and all those very serious feelings . Well written and I loved the story and the ending.

[SHIKHAR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first English book that I ever read and I remember liking this experience. The writing style was fun and easy to comprehend for a person to whom English isn't the first language. The story was captivating. The ending was satisfactory.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really badly written, boring, and repetitive l.

[Ren · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a high schooler who has past traumatic experiences this book was very well written. This is one of the few books that my school has offered to me that I have connected to quite a bit. Having read many books from my middle school and a bit from my high school this is definitely at the top of my list for best books. It may have certain paragraphs that were triggering for me personally but i think this book was written beautifully. I loved it!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay. Benji has a group of "friends" if you could call them that, and they're a poor influence on him. He gets involved in some toxic habits, but it appears he never really lets them get out of hand. Benji always carries a notebook around and doodles/writes conversations down that he hears going on around him. He left his alcoholic mother to move in with his dad in Oregon. Benji has a really hard time adapting and getting along with his father, who left him when he was little. His father has since remarried, and had a daughter with his new wife. Benji quickly falls for a girl who is in a couple of classes. She's in the popular crowd but she's not like the rest of them. They connect on a personal level that none of their own friends would understand. I didn't really connect with any of the characters. There were times where I would oscillate between sympathizing with Benji, and being irritated with him. I really didn't like his bad attitude but given what he went through, it's understandable. You definitely had moments where you felt really bad for the guy. The book does a good job of showing how abuse can affect someone's ability to form relationships with others.

Sidenote: For some weird reason I kept picturing his dad as Brendan Frasier.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple story of brokenness and healing. While it sounds like something I'd write, there are also aspects of it that I can learn from both as a writer and a reader. Through letting it out and learning to be himself, Benji learns how to get rid of the "demons" and resolve his past. I really enjoyed the ending. Some books like this have endings that are very cliche and are way too short and sweet for their genre. I think Brian James does a wonderful job at making the theme and what Benji learned clear. His ending was pretty smooth and wasn't too happy go-lucky for a book like this. I appreciated that about it.

[Madeline Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult topics discussed in this book...definitely for a more mature reader who can handle a more mature, YA novel.

Language 8 (Intermittent swearing, but when it happens, it's a lot of swearing at once)
Sexual content 4 (No sex scenes, but sexual abuse is discussed throughout the novel)

This YA novel was just okay for me. While some of the writing is rather poetic and beautiful to read, the novel has a dark and depressing feel. I think some young readers would really appreciate the feelings that the narrator shares though, so this book could be a good one for the dark and brooding types.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a tale of an understandably angry young man. It is a journal of his life after escaping from his abusive mother and boyfriend and it's proof that damage done long ago can still reap repercussions in the present moment. The raw anger that jumped out of the pages was so vibrant and loud that I got the feeling the author was not just describing some random character but himself. The self-destructive tone in the beginning of the book definitely sets a pace. I liked the book but I didn't love it necessarily.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

so far i can already tell that this book is going to be filled with a lot of drugs,alcohol, and swearing but so far i have learned that Benji is not normal to his friends at school. They all think he is some weird freak but on the inside he is a nice kid just in with the wrong people. Right now he is smoking like every day with his dad and friend but its not cigarettes it like crystal meth and stuff like that so this book should be very interesting to keep reading.

[Winy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My ultimate favorite book. I read the physical book when I was in my teenage year. Bought it in a local thrift bookshop. I'm 18 that time and I'm in the dark phase of my life. I love Dirty Liar because I feel like there's a part of me like Benji and somehow it help me cope and accept things. Sadly, I lost the physical book (someone stole it) and I'm still sad about it. Thank you so much for writing this book<3

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for work, otherwise I wouldn't have picked it up on my own because it is a very rough realistic novel. Teenage Benji was abused by his mother and her boyfriend, and his story is told with flashbacks to his horrible experiences with his mother, and with his current, uncomfortable life with his father and stepmother. Good story.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benji is a young teen boy who has fled from his alcoholic mother's home to live with his father and stepmother outside Portland, OR. He was happy to leave his mother's home, but sad about leaving his girlfriend. He has a hard time fitting in at school and adjusting to life with his dad. This is a good story about overcoming difficult obstacles and learning how to depend on other people.