Sarah Manguso's newest novel has the intensity of one of those stories that you cannot wait for it to end so you can feel some relief from the nearly unbearable tension. An intimate look at the inside of a devastating marriage that read as terrifyingly realistic.

Jane marries John who, from the beginning, no one is playing hide the ball here, really sounds like the worst. “If I had the energy I would leave him.” So there’s that.”

But instead she has a baby with him. A man asks “‘Why are you still with him?’ That’s what most people would ask if I told the story to them like that, in one sentence.” Well, sister, I’m about halfway through the book and I’m asking too.

Then she has cancerous cells. “I thought he became a sociopath but he hadn’t become anything.” Truer words never spoken, my friend.

This is the story of a woman, a marriage, a life. It’s so dark. And I’m afraid more women live it than we know.

Swallowed by motherhood and marriage, Jane juggles life as a wife, mother and writer. The novel focuses on her life with John and their son, and the downfall of her relationship with John, delivered though through almost diary-like entries of reflections of her days. It made for an interesting way to view their relationship, but took a little adjusting to when I first picked up the book.

Overall it was a tough but good read - uncomfortable content at times, but artfully written. It was pretty fast paced, mostly powered by Jane's palpable rage. The first half of the book or so had me hating everyone and internally shouting DIVORCE HIM every other paragraph, but that's sometimes how it is when you're painted a such a painful story about the burden of invisible labour and traditional gender roles in the home and hetero relationships in general. The Afterword section was cathartic.

The title of the novel and certain passages left me wondering whether how much the title was directed at John, and how much was shared by Jane, and I'm not sure exactly how to feel about that.

Best read when you're in the mood for something that will fire you up, if you can deal with the pity and sadness you feel at the same time. You for sure won't walk away without feeling something from this.

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, it is not working for me right now. It is nothing against the story or the author, but I couldn't get into the story/characters. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

I didn't want this book to end. I loved the way Sarah told the story of her family. I related a lot to what she said about marriage and motherhood. She's an excellent writer and I would devour more of her work if given the chance. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

I have long admired Manguso's work and this book is no exception. It is a wonderful portrait of marriage and family and a close look at the gender binaries that still rule heterosexual marriage so often. I also appreciated and admired the narrator's unflinching self examination.

Sharp, witty, funny, and devastating on top. I felt propelled by this story of a woman artist and her artist husband, both laughing out loud and visibly wincing.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hogarth for the advanced reader copy of LIARS.

Well! This was an uncomfortable read, to say the least. I had a hard time adjusting to the tone and writing style at first. I found it a bit stilted and abrasive in the first section. There's next to no description of the surroundings, nor are there any true scenes. More just moments strung together, so it's a bit hard to get grounded as you read. But I think that was kind of the point. The MC was just going through the motions of marriage and motherhood and 'normal' life, moving from one thing to the next under a cloud of general apathy and existential dread. The reader was meant to feel a little alienated and hit over the head with misery.

For obvious reasons, I found the 'Afterword' section of the book a lot more palatable. Even the writing had a bit more depth and sparkle to it, with lines such as, "A wedding vow is a mind game. You have to guess whether the person currently on his best behavior will someday value your physical, emotional, and financial health above the convenience of being able to just break the contract."

This is not a book that is meant to be enjoyed, but as a single, childfree woman it made me very glad that I hadn't married any of the Johns of my past. I could easily see my life having gone in a very similar direction, so it was a relatable read on different levels.

Near the end, there were little beads of wisdom that I did really enjoy, such as, "There were so many perspectives on those fourteen years, and each one was newly, separately instructive. Once I could stand looking at it from one direction, I discovered another and had to figure everything out all over again."

Overall, I would say this book was interesting, but the writing style and lack of structure just didn't create enough of an immersive experience for me.

Sarah Manguso has done it again with LIARS. I finished this in a day--it was difficult to put down, the brisk pace being the culprit. Also, I was simply kept on my toes, wanting to know what would happen to Jane and John's relationship, if anything. The novel charts their marriage, with its many ebbs and flows. Though this isn't a romance (John has few redeeming qualities). The novel is largely more concerned with the way Jane becomes trapped, the many times they move due to John's job, then getting stuck with no child care. Though Jane still manages some successes in her writing career. This book got under my skin; i was so often so frustrated on Jane's behalf. I wanted to scream. Which points to Manguso's success. Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!

"Liars" by Sarah Manguso is a powerful novel that explores the complexities of marriage, motherhood, and the pursuit of an artistic life. The story follows Jane, an aspiring writer, who meets filmmaker John Bridges. Initially, they share common dreams of love, a successful creative life, and happiness. However, as they marry and navigate the challenges of family life, Jane finds herself subsumed by John's ambitions, leading to a faltering marriage.

The novel delves into the impact of a nuclear family on a woman artist and examines how the pursuit of personal and creative fulfillment can be overshadowed by the dynamics of marriage and motherhood. The narrative is described as a searing exploration of the compromises, struggles, and transformations that occur within the context of a marriage, especially when one's individual aspirations clash with the demands of family life.

Comparisons to works by Elena Ferrante and Jenny Offill suggest a blend of emotional intensity and insightful observations on the complexities of relationships. "Liars" promises to be a compelling and thought-provoking read, offering a nuanced exploration of the sacrifices and resilience required when one's personal and artistic ambitions collide with the realities of domestic life.