Scan barcode
A review by soobooksalot
Would I Lie To You? by Aliya Ali-Afzal
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Would I Lie To You? is an entertaining web of lies in book form.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy for review!
I went into this one incorrectly thinking it was a thriller. Instead it's the portrait of a woman caught up in her own deceit - I read the second half in less than a day!
Faiza has been dipping into the family's emergency fund savings in order to "keep up appearances". As a mum to three children in an exclusive private school and wife of a banker, she has an image to uphold.
Until her husband loses his job to cutbacks and they need the emergency fund to pay for necessities.
Faiza's lies and coverups are frustrating to read, but the elements of her Muslim-Pakistani culture and upbringing add depth. Her motivations are interesting, as is her return to the workforce and struggles to reclaim the money and her self-respect. Racism, sexism and societal pressures are elements throughout, as are family/marital relationships in tense times.
I'll be interested to see future releases from debut author Aliya Ali-Afzal. Recommended!
Released on Feb. 22.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy for review!
I went into this one incorrectly thinking it was a thriller. Instead it's the portrait of a woman caught up in her own deceit - I read the second half in less than a day!
Faiza has been dipping into the family's emergency fund savings in order to "keep up appearances". As a mum to three children in an exclusive private school and wife of a banker, she has an image to uphold.
Until her husband loses his job to cutbacks and they need the emergency fund to pay for necessities.
Faiza's lies and coverups are frustrating to read, but the elements of her Muslim-Pakistani culture and upbringing add depth. Her motivations are interesting, as is her return to the workforce and struggles to reclaim the money and her self-respect. Racism, sexism and societal pressures are elements throughout, as are family/marital relationships in tense times.
I'll be interested to see future releases from debut author Aliya Ali-Afzal. Recommended!
Released on Feb. 22.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Islamophobia, Medical content, and Sexual harassment