A Hauntingly Beautiful Duology: Review of We Were Liars Boxed Set by E. Lockhart

Introduction: A Story That Stays With You

There are books you read, and then there are books that consume you—stories that linger in your mind long after the final page. E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars and its prequel, Family of Liars, are precisely that kind of experience. This boxed set (available on Amazon) delivers two gripping, emotionally charged novels that explore privilege, memory, love, and the lies we tell ourselves to survive.

If you love psychological thrillers with lyrical prose, unreliable narrators, and devastating twists, this set is a must-read. But be warned: these books will wreck you in the best possible way.

Plot Summary: Secrets, Lies, and a Perfect Summer Gone Wrong

We Were Liars

The Sinclair family is wealthy, beautiful, and seemingly perfect. Every summer, they gather on their private island, Beechwood, where the golden grandchildren—Cadence (Cady), Johnny, Mirren, and Gat (the outsider)—form an inseparable group called “the Liars.” But one summer, everything changes. Cady suffers a mysterious accident, leaving her with debilitating migraines and fragmented memories. Two years later, she returns to Beechwood, desperate to uncover the truth about what really happened—a truth her family refuses to discuss.

Lockhart masterfully builds tension, weaving a narrative that feels like a dream and a nightmare at once. The twist, when it comes, is brutal and unforgettable.

Family of Liars (Prequel)

Set decades before We Were Liars, this novel follows Carrie Sinclair, Cady’s mother, during her own turbulent teenage summer on Beechwood. The Sinclair family’s legacy of deception runs deep, and Carrie’s story mirrors Cady’s in haunting ways. A drowned boy, a secret romance, and buried guilt unravel in this equally tragic and mesmerizing prequel.

Both books are standalone but deeply interconnected, enriching each other when read together.

Character Analysis: The Liars and Their Broken Hearts

Cadence Sinclair Eastman (Cady)

Cady is the fragile, introspective narrator of We Were Liars. Her voice is poetic yet fractured, reflecting her trauma. She’s deeply loyal to her cousins and Gat, but her privilege blinds her to certain truths until it’s too late. Her journey is one of painful self-discovery.

Gat Patil

Gat, the only non-Sinclair in the Liars, is thoughtful and politically aware, contrasting sharply with the family’s elitism. His relationship with Cady is tender but fraught with unspoken tensions.

Carrie Sinclair (Family of Liars)

Young Carrie is rebellious, artistic, and suffocated by her family’s expectations. Her story reveals how cycles of grief and denial shape the Sinclairs’ future.

Each character is flawed, real, and heartbreakingly human. Lockhart doesn’t shy away from their ugliness, making their arcs all the more compelling.

Writing Style & Narrative Technique: Lyrical, Unreliable, and Devastating

Lockhart’s prose is sparse yet poetic, with short, punchy sentences that amplify the emotional weight. We Were Liars uses fairy-tale metaphors to distance Cady from her pain, while Family of Liars employs a more introspective, confessional tone.

The unreliable narration is masterful—readers must piece together the truth alongside Cady, making the reveals all the more shocking. The non-linear storytelling in We Were Liars adds to the disorientation, mimicking memory loss.

Themes: Privilege, Memory, and the Cost of Lies

Wealth and Its Consequences

The Sinclairs’ privilege isolates them, breeding entitlement and denial. Their refusal to confront pain leads to tragedy.

Memory and Self-Deception

Both books explore how memory distorts truth. Cady and Carrie rewrite their pasts to cope, raising questions: How much of our identity is built on lies?

Love and Loss

The Liars’ bond is beautiful yet destructive. Their love for each other is fierce, but so is their capacity for betrayal.

Personal Reading Experience: A Punch to the Gut

I devoured We Were Liars in one sitting, then sat in stunned silence. The twist gutted me. Family of Liars deepened the tragedy, showing how family sins echo through generations. These books are emotionally brutal but impossible to put down.

Comparison to Other Works

Fans of Gone Girl (unreliable narrators) or The Secret History (dark academia, wealthy elites) will love this. Lockhart’s style is reminiscent of Laurie Halse Anderson’s rawness but with a thriller’s pacing.

Strengths & Minor Weaknesses

âś… Strengths:

  • Unforgettable twists
  • Gorgeous, haunting prose
  • Complex, flawed characters
  • Themes that linger

⚠️ Minor Weaknesses:

  • Some may find the pacing slow before the climax
  • The privileged setting might frustrate readers

Who Should Read This?

  • Lovers of psychological thrillers
  • Fans of unreliable narrators
  • Readers who enjoy lyrical, emotional prose
  • Anyone who wants a book that hurts (in a good way)

Memorable Quotes

“Do not accept an evil you can change.” — We Were Liars

“I am a cracked vessel. I am a broken thing.” — Family of Liars

Final Thoughts: A Masterpiece of Deception and Heartbreak

The We Were Liars boxed set is a stunning, devastating exploration of love, lies, and legacy. E. Lockhart crafts a story so immersive, you’ll forget to breathe. If you’re ready for a book that will haunt you, this is it.

đź”— Get the Book: Amazon

Discussion Questions for Readers:

  • How does privilege shape the Sinclair family’s tragedies?
  • Were the Liars’ lies justified, or did they cause more harm?
  • Which twist shocked you more—We Were Liars or Family of Liars?

Have you read these books? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear how they wrecked you too. 💔

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