One Line Summary

Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies slices through the polite laughter and latte froth of suburban Australia to expose the power struggles simmering beneath.

Opening Impression

What begins as a bright comedy of manners soon darkens into a study of control, complicity and female solidarity. Moriarty writes with sharp wit and emotional precision, turning domestic routine into something quietly dangerous.

Synopsis

Three women bound by their children’s school navigate rivalries, secrets and unspoken trauma in an affluent coastal community. As minor slights escalate into social warfare, a fatal night looms, forcing the town to confront what it has chosen not to see.

Analysis

Structure: A dual timeline blends satire with suspense, revealing consequences before causes.

Characterisation: Complex, flawed women rendered with empathy and restraint.

Themes: Domestic abuse, appearance versus reality, and the silences that protect violence.

Verdict

Big Little Lies transforms everyday anxiety into a moral thriller, balancing humour, empathy and menace. Quietly devastating and enduringly relevant.