Customer Reviews

Real Life & Liars

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I am very happy to say that REAL LIFE AND LIARS was a fantastic book. I always seem to enjoy books that are heavy on character development and deal with intense family dynamics, so it wasn't a big surprise to me how much I appreciated this novel. I became absorbed in the story and the characters from the start and had a hard time putting this book down. I was also extremely touched by this story because it pointed out to me how difficult it can be for families to just get along with each other -- an all too real situation for many families. The parts of the book that dealt with resentment and sibling rivalry were very honest looks at dysfunctional families as well as terrific material for a story about family dynamics. I think many readers will relate in some way to this story.

I absolutely love how Ms. Riggle chose to tell this story. The book consisted of many brief chapters from Mira and her children's points-of-view. For some reason, this format really kept me reading because it seemed like each short chapter left me wanting for more. I thought it was so creative how even though the chapters told each person's part of the story, only Mira's chapters were written in first person narrative. I thought this was crucial to my enjoyment of the novel because I didn't always relate to Mira. Being able to get into Mira's head and "hear" all her thoughts really helped me to not only understand Mira, but also to better understand the entire family.

I also enjoyed all of the characters in this story, and I thought Ms. Riggle developed them so well. That's not to say that I would want to be friends with all of them, but I thought each character was very real and made the book very interesting. When I was first introduced to the characters, I wasn't quite sure that I was going to "like" any of them. Every character in the family had their fair share of issues; and I often times found myself wanting to knock some sense into them. It seemed to me that each member of the Zielinkski family was extremely self-absorbed and unappreciative. However, as I read their stories and learned more about them, I realized why they were like this and I was hopeful that they could change. I was saddened that it took a family crisis to make these characters aware of what's important in life; but if that's what it took to wake them up, then I guess something good came out of the bad.

It's almost hard to believe that REAL LIFE AND LIARS is Ms. Riggles' debut novel because it is just so good. I loved her writing style and how she told this story; and I think she did a marvelous job of developing the characters. If you'd like to learn more about Ms. Riggle and her book, you can listen to the BlogTalk Radio show that was taped a few months ago. In addition, there is a great section in the back of the book called A+ Author Insights, Extra, & More which includes discussion questions and an author Q&A. I was so excited to read that Ms. Riggle is already busy at work with another book that deals with complex family relationships -- I can't wait to read it.

REAL LIFE AND LIARS would make a marvelous book club discussion book! I would find it hard to believe that anyone would not enjoy this novel, and I can only imagine how much fun it would be to discuss this family and all their mixed-up dynamics. As I mentioned earlier, there are
discussion questions located in the back of the book (if you feel like you need them.) Of course since I'm a sucker for books that deal with complicated family relationships, I appreciate the questions that focus on Mira and her dealing with her children. I also like the question that delves into what effect (if any) does birth order have on each of the three kids. Having said that, all of the questions are really very thought-provoking and sure to create a great deal of conversation.

I came at this book with a bias -- I went to college with the author and we worked at the school paper together. That is part of the reason I held off on reading it for so long -- what if I hated it? Fortunately, I didn't hate the book. At the start, I felt like the characters were too stereotypical -- the hippie professor, the distracted writer, the Type A first born, the unloved middle child (imagine "Jan" from The Brady Bunch) and the free-spirited youngest. It bothered me until I realized that by presenting these stereotypical characters, Riggle made it easier for all of us to relate to them. I particularly liked her dual use of the first person and third person narratives - something that took me a bit to get used to but worked really well. Like other reviewers, it was nice to see the book not end neatly tied up. Lately it seems like most new novels want to end with a neatly tied bow. And as Riggle points out that is not "real life" and those who pretend it is are just "liars".

I adored this first novel by [...] fiction coeditor, Kristina Riggle. The novel takes place over the course of a weekend, when Mira Zielinski's three grown children come home to celebrate their parents' wedding anniversary. I loved all the characters, from the knowing but flawed Mira, her distracted novelist husband Max, and then their three kids: Katya, a suburban mother of three who, as Mira puts it, "drags [her younger siblings] along under the wheels of her train"; Ivan, a struggling songwriter who can't see the love that's right in front of him; and Irina, who is accidentally (reluctantly) pregnant and married to a man who isn't going to let her screw it up. They are vivid and engaging, and the writing is terrific; I kept stopping to reread sentences, letting the images sink in, and to wonder, with pleasure and admiration, "How did she think of that!?"

I just finished REAL LIFE & LIARS and now I want more of this fantastic book. It surprised me in so many ways, from the way it was told, to the characters and ethereal, but warm, family setting, to the weaving of one family's turmoils into a quilt of joy and revelation. The author did an excellent job of creating each character's story and then leading me through the maze of conflicts and resolutions. I loved the writing. Loved each character for different reasons, and laughed many times. Do yourself a favor and read this novel. I think I may just reread it again!

Real Life & Liars (Avon Books) is Kristina Riggle's debut novel and it is, in one word, amazing! It is the kind of book you want to curl into on a rainy Sunday and finish in one sitting. Riggle's clear and honest writing pulls you into the emotional story of one family, gathered together for an anniversary party. Each member of the family has a secret that is pulling at them and begging to be revealed, but at the same time they are all striving for an ultimately unattainable image of "perfection."

The story is told in alternating third person narratives from each member of the Zielinski family, except for one, Mirabelle. Mirabelle Zielinski tells her own story because it is ultimately her story to tell. As the matriarch of this unusual clan, Mirabelle loves them all fiercely but lives a life entirely by her own rules. As each character struggles with secrets of pain, betrayal, love and success, the truth ultimately reveals itself. Real Life & Liars has an underlying theme of sadness and struggle, but it is really a story of hope and survival and the mistakes we all make in trying to live life the best way we know how. I whole-heartedly recommend this book for anyone looking for a story that will help them see life in a more hopeful and optimistic way. Real Life & Liars proves that we really are in this together and family is certainly one of the strongest ties that bind. I can't wait for Riggle's next novel!

I enjoy reading books about family dynamics. Each family member has his/her own role that allows the family to function. In Real Life and Liars, Ms. Riggle explores the depth of family relationships.

The story is told by the four main characters in alternating chapters. There's Mirabelle, the hippie, nonconformist mother; Katya, the oldest, materialistic daughter; Ivan, the insecure, middle son; and Irina, the youngest daughter without a sense of direction. The children come home for a weekend visit to celebrate their parents' wedding anniversary. As each child arrives, with his and her personal problems, Mira is also keeping a secret of her own. She's made her decision about her fate, and now she hopes her family can accept it.

Ms. Riggle did a fantastic job of writing each character and allowing him/her to have his/her own voice. Only Mira's point of view is written in first person and I thought that only added to the richness of the story. Readers will feel compassion for this family when Mira finally shares her secret with her children.

Real Life and Liars is an honest look into what makes a family a family. The Zielinskis are far from perfect. They may not see eye to eye on things, however when it's time to come together, they show up ready to support each other. I liked the uniqueness of each child and how he/she played a significant part to the family dynamic. As I read each scene, I could vividly picture each character in my mind and thought this would make a great movie.

Real Life and Liars is Ms. Riggle's debut novel which I highly recommend. The next time you're at a book store or your local library, pick it up. You won't be disappointed...it's that good!

Every reader will see some of themselves and their own family dysfunction in the Zielinski's, a troupe of troubled Michiganders who come together to celebrate Max and Mira's 35th wedding anniversary. Mira has breast cancer and has secretly decided to not fight it. But when each of her children--Ivan, a struggling love-starved artist; Irina, a whorish young girl whose arrival into womanhood is none too graceful; and Katya, a selfish high strung perfectionist--arrive for the party, Mira realizes that her mothering still very much matters. But will her children's respective crises be enough to change her mind and go under the scalpel?

The world Ms. Riggle creates is charming and vivid in its detail, and the pop-off-the-page characters become so three-dimensional, you could almost swear you know them personally. The book conveys real wit and wisdom when confronting some serious issues such as abortion, infidelity and domestic abuse, with just enough humor to lighten the tone. Ms. Riggle strikes a wonderful balance between 4 incredibly-crafted points-of-view to create a compelling page-turner I heartily recommend. Bravo!

I read this book in two evenings - which is not unusual for me. What is unusual is that I am so not done. I feel the characters deeply and want to know about Mira's decisions, Irina's baby, Katya's marital future and whether Jenny keeps her man. So very well written. The characters are full and vivid and the author tackles difficult subjects with absolute dignity, creeativity and class. Whoever Ms. Riggles is, I hope she is working on her next novel. Seriously excellent writing!

LOVED it. Funny, suspenseful, affecting and just downright wonderful. It's amazing this is a debut book. Don't let the cancer thing put you off; this novel is about much more than illness. This is a novel about the wonderful foilbles of family life. Reminded me a little of Anne Tyler, only with more plot. Don't miss it.