THE LIES THAT BIND by Emily Giffin
For the first time in my career as a book reviewer I am asking you, potential readers of Emily Giffin’s new novel THE LIES THAT BIND, not to read the description of the plot contained in the book jacket. It gives too much away. There is a plot development mentioned there that doesn’t occur until the last two thirds of the story. Luckily I did not read the book jacket and got to enjoy the plot as it evolved.
Now what do you need to know about the basic plot for this story. Well you immediately meet Cecily Gardner, a twenty-four year old woman living in New York City. She is coming off a bad breakup with a guy named Matthew. They have been together for about three years and he is still harboring a fear of commitment.
Shortly after breaking up wth Matthew, Cecily meets a new guy named Grant. They meet cute in a bar and immediately are drawn to each other. He seems just about perfect, but is he? That is the premise upon which the novel is based. And most of the way, for me all the way, you just don’t know where exactly Giffin is going with her characters and her story.
That unknown element is one of Giffin’s greatest gifts as a writer. She creates plot developments that are logical but not expected. That being logical is the killer element for it makes the reader question over and over why he or she did not see that change coming. It is a great way to keep a reader reading and a reader enjoying.
Giffin is also a pro at creating characters who are flawed but appealing. In this story I kept telling the main character Cecily not to do this or that, but she never listens. She makes mistakes but she is willing to live with her mistakes. Who can’t appreciate someone who does that?
I remember “discovering” Emily Giffin with her first novel SOMETHING BORROWED. She fascinated me as a writer then and she fascinates me as a writer now. Her talent has not waned. So dive into THE TIES THAT BIND but do not read that jacket cover. Then you will enjoy this very readable book in all the ways possible.
THE LIES THAT BIND is published by Ballantine Books. It contains 352 pages and sells for $28.00.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com
