One of the most fascinating aspects of the novel for me is Faith’s relationship with her mother, Myrtle: a pretty, coquettish and ruthlessly flirtatious creature. Every description and piece of action reveals her true character and inner thoughts, so that we quickly understand and empathise with her. What interests me above all (as an aspiring writer) is Hardinge’s skilful characterisation, especially with regard to Faith. I knew from the very first page that I would love this book!Īlthough there are dark elements to this book: murder, ghosts and anger, there are also moments of wit and acute sensitivity.
The first chapter tempts you with deliciously moreish prose, before delighting you with a neverending banquet of colourful characters and exciting events. Every sentence is beautifully crafted and paints a clear picture of the unfolding scene. There’s so much I want to say about this book, that it’s difficult to know where to start. So what did I think? A gothic whodunnit, written with wit and superlative story telling. But as her tales spiral out of control, she discovers that where lies seduce, truths shatter. The girl realizes that she is good at lying and that the tree might hold the key to her father’s murder, so she begins to spread untruths far and wide across her small island community. The bigger the lie, the more people who believe it, the bigger the truth that is uncovered. The fruit of the tree, when eaten, will deliver a hidden truth to the person who consumes it. The tree only grows healthy and bears fruit if you whisper a lie to it. The Lie Tree is a wonderfully evocative and atmospheric novel by Frances Hardinge, award-winning author of Cuckoo Song and Fly By Night.įaith’s father has been found dead under mysterious circumstances, and as she is searching through his belongings for clues she discovers a strange tree. See Frances Hardinge’s acceptance speech here! Synopsis from the Pan MacMillan website: Cover design by James Fraser Pan MacMillan £6.99
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