Review: The First Lie by Diane Chamberlain

Prequel to Chamberlain's forthcoming novel Necessary Lies

Pub. Date: June 4th, 2013

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

ebook

35 pages

The First Lie is a short story prequel to Diane Chamberlain’s new novel Necessary Lies. In The First Lie we are briefly introduced to thirteen-year-old Ivy Hart’s world.  Even though the short story is just that, short, the world that Chamberlain is able to create is vivid, round and extremely compelling. In just a few pages the reader learns a great deal about the Hart family dynamic through allusions to the many secrets that could potentially be revealed in Necessary Lies, as well as through the way that the Hart’s speak to and about each other. The voice of Ivy in this character driven short story is so clear and specific instantly. Before instances of racism and class dynamics are even introduced – major themes from the synopsis of Necessary Lies as well as in this short story - the language and the way that Ivy’s character is presented gives the reader a very clear idea what kind of character we are investing in, as well as the
atmosphere the character has to deal with in their time and their place. The First Lie is filled with a surprising amount of suspense in its few pages, centering on Ivy’s fifteen-year-old sister Mary Ella’s labor. As a reader you know that there is a lot not being said about the conception and the dangerous labor Mary Ella faces than even Ivy is aware of. ‘The first lie’ is never explicitly stated, but most readers should be able to pick up what part of Ivy’s understanding of the events in The First Lie, isn’t the reality of the situation. If Necessary Lies is as character driven and thoughtfully crafted as The First Lie, than readers are definitely going to be in for a treat. I can’t wait to see how the unraveling of the first lie affects Ivy and the other characters from this short story in Necessary Lies.

Rating 10/10 - An extremely compelling short story that will definitely inspire you to pick up the forthcoming novel. 

** I received a copy of this ebook from the publisher to read and honestly review. I was in no way compensated.