Review: The Lies We Told

The Lies We Told by Camilla Way
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This novel is a perfect example of a good author, with an interesting idea, losing her way. There are plenty of other reviews with succinct synopsis of plot, so I won’t reinvent the wheel. What I will say, however, is that the story held great promise—until it didn’t. In an effort to wrap things up, author Camilla Way takes the easy way out and has a character “tell” the backstory that led to current circumstances. This is a tool often utilized by writers who get stuck and still need to impart information either to further the plot or to tie things up. Instead of allowing the story itself to unfold naturally through the action, the narrative takes a passive approach, and the reader is audience to a character monologue that reveals events of the past. While this certainly works to bring closure, it feels like a betrayal of trust, especially so late in the game, when the reader has already invested so much time and effort.

Overall, a unique storyline that came apart at the seams when the tension was at its pinnacle.

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