What I Saw And How I Lied (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I was definitely intrigued during the whole book, as the anticipation to "what she saw and what she lied about" was very well set up by the author. With hints of post-war troubles with the Jewish, infidelity and female sexuality in the background, the finale wasn't as juicy as I had hoped. I think if this book was written in the present day rather than 2008, there would have been less of a hold back for scandalous incidents. I think this is because more adults and 'new adults' are reading YAs then YAs are. I'm glad I read it but I guess I was expecting more than what it gave. I didn't know what to expect with this book, and it surprised me, even up to the end, although I thought the ending was a little hard to believe. But, overall, it is an interesting portrait of a 15-year-old girl living through a bizarre family vacation in post-WW II America. Evie is pretty desperate to grow up, like a lot of 15-year-olds, and she falls in the shadow of her especially beautiful mother. But her stepfather is the one who makes everything more complicated, with his war secrets. The book is very strongly set in the 40s, with contemporary language making it a fun read. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this one. The reason I didn't go for 4 is because the mystery felt a tiny bit weak (a little disappointing in the end). Probably more like 3.4 stars.
What do You think about What I Saw And How I Lied (2008)?
It was ok. The imagery is the best thing about the book. The story is nothing special.
—bookreader93
This is a good book. But also crazy at the same time.
—EvanescentDevil
