Big Little LiesBig Little Lies
Score Modern
What it's about
On a beautiful Australian peninsula, a school trivia night ends with someone dead. Who it was, and how they died, isn't revealed until the end. The novel goes back to the start of the school year, to three mothers of kindergarteners: Madeline, funny and fierce; Celeste, beautiful and rich, with a marriage that looks perfect; and Jane, a young single mother new to town. Small slights, playground politics and secrets lead to the night of the party.
Why it's worth reading
It was a #1 New York Times bestseller and became an Emmy-winning HBO series. It's funny and gripping, and serious about domestic violence.
You'll love it if you liked
The God of the Woods
Gone Girl
The Silent PatientGood to know
It includes domestic violence and sexual assault. It's a satire of school politics as much as a mystery.
By the numbers
- Readers91 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller80 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #13 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #24 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #97 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #182 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
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Quick answers
Is Big Little Lies worth reading?
Yes. It was a #1 New York Times bestseller and became an Emmy-winning HBO series. It ranks #182 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 83.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Big Little Lies about?
On a beautiful Australian peninsula, a school trivia night ends with someone dead. Who it was, and how they died, isn't revealed until the end. The novel goes back to the start of the school year, to three mothers of kindergarteners: Madeline, funny and fierce; Celeste, beautiful and rich, with a marriage that looks perfect; and Jane, a young single mother new to town. Small slights, playground politics and secrets lead to the night of the party.
How long does it take to read Big Little Lies?
About 12 hours (478 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Big Little Lies?
If you liked it, try The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides.