When it comes to genre, I rarely stray from historical fiction. There are a few exceptions, like specific sci-fi or fantasy or mystery-involving-horseracing authors, but gripping must be that which is contemporary.
TooYoungToTeach introduced me to Liane Moriarty's work with What Alice Forgot. After I woozily, dreamily, joyfully savored it, she mentioned Three Wishes, which I checked out and gobbled up. Following that, I decided to go chronological with The Last Anniversary, The Hypnotist's Love Story, and The Husband's Secret.
You know when an author is reliably awesome when you can't wait to go to bed just so you can read.
Moriarty is Australian, and her books take place there. Somehow, the conversation there is more . . . real, I guess. I usually prefer historical fiction because back then no one had time for self-made problems, and most modern-day stories seem contrived regarding difficulty. Moriarty cannily grasps in simple, unaffected language, valid millenial drama.
Perhaps because she might gather her material from her own personal experiences, there are a number of repetitive themes: infertility, marriages in crisis, old love rekindling, the sadness of singlehood. I find that I can't read her absorbing books back-to-back because there will always be an echo to a previous novel, and sometimes I get irritated. But then I apologize to Liane in my head.
Three Wishes: Adult triplets Lyn, Cat, and Gemma have turned 33, and what an eventful year it will be. For all their closeness, and accepted "roles," there is still more to them than the others know.
What Alice Forgot: Alice wakes up to find herself a decade older—amnesia after a head injury. To her shock, she finds herself vastly different, even unlikeable. Can she be saved?
The Hypnotist's Love Story: Eileen, a hypnotist, has finally found the man of her dreams. The problem is that he's being stalked by his ex. Eileen—and the reader will too—feels for her.
The Husband's Secret: Very, very dark. A modern Pandora's box alter the lives of three women—and their families.
The Last Anniversary: On a family-owned island marked by sinister mystery, a love-seeking newcomer arrives, entangling herself in the various lives that live there.
The Husband's Secret: Very, very dark. A modern Pandora's box alter the lives of three women—and their families.
The Last Anniversary: On a family-owned island marked by sinister mystery, a love-seeking newcomer arrives, entangling herself in the various lives that live there.
Loved, loved, loved What Alice Forgot. I liked her others, but not to the same degree. Have you ever read The Brightest Star in the Sky, by Marian Keyes? If you like LM books, I think you'd like that as well, PL.
ReplyDeleteI have not! And I am thirsty for book recommendations; THANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteLM's other books take dark turns which, well, frighten me. But her writing still draws me in.