Because in truth, the further removed we are in time, the more history sounds fantastical to us. Because if we look at the realist aspects of the story, which describe events that really did happen, thoughts that people did believe, it is easy to be struck by how surreal they read. The most obvious fantasy elements of the plot don’t come into play well into the second half of the novel and even by them, the story remains a murder mystery with a character-driven arc. What’s most striking about The Lie Tree is that, at face value, this is perhaps Frances Hardinge’s least fantastical book. And deep in her heart she knows she must avenge the death of her dearest one.Īnd Faith knows exactly what do to, for hidden deep in a cave by the sea, there is a tree that if fed lies, gives out fruits of truth.

Ruled an accident but under suspicion of suicide, Faith suspects his death is something else altogether: murder. All of a sudden, no one wants to talk to the family. At first greeted with the fanfare an honourable guest deserves, things turn sour very soon when whispers of her father’s possible fraudulent actions reach their retreat. But in the nicest way possible.Īs the story starts, Faith’s family is moving to a small island, away from everything they know, so that Faith’s father can work at a new fossil excavation. That sort of beauty that comes from things that are so real they make you feel like your heart has been pierced. In fact, I’d say this is Hardinge’s most beautiful book to date.

Just like all of Frances Hardinge’s books before this, The Lie Tree is a complex narrative of subtle interwoven storylines that are surprising, dark, sad and incredibly beautiful. But they are partial truths because this book is not one thing or another. As a look at the ways that women have been made invisible throughout history?.As a book about lies and truths and the things that are obvious and the things that are not?.I’ve made several false starts with this review because I don’t know what to write.

The lie tree series in order