Frances Hardinge, The Lie Tree (2016)
I think that Frances Hardinge is destined to become one of my new favorite authors. I loved The Lie Tree (as well as her previous novel, Cuckoo Song) for the interesting things she does with ideas and relationships and history and myth. Hardinge’s prose is vivid and distinctive without being overly stylized, and her concepts spring out of real imaginative power rather than gimmicky formulas. Her young-adult characters are striving toward selfhood in a complex, nuanced way that can be appreciated by readers on both sides of the child/adult divide. With so many ingredients that are very much to my taste, the result was a delicious treat for me.
In The Lie Tree, we are introduced to Faith Sunderly, a bright, talented girl on the threshold of Victorian womanhood. Neither her father, an renowned paleontologist, nor her social-butterfly mother have the least idea of what is going on inside her head, or that she might want to break out of the bounds of what society has decreed for her. But when the family suddenly moves to a remote island for a research project, Faith finds that the surface veneer of her family’s safe, conventional life is beginning to crack. What was the true motivation for this abrupt dislocation? Why have none of their servants been brought along? What is her father hiding in the summerhouse? And what is the inner and outer menace that threatens him? As she begins to investigate, danger comes close to her as well, and cannot be escaped without demanding a dark sacrifice.
The theme of lying and deception is intricately woven into the plot and embodied in the image of the Lie Tree. This is a fantastical creation that yet is plausible within the world of the story, which takes place during a time when science was opening up undreamed-of wonders and shaking the foundations of human knowledge. Theories and notions about the relationship between the physical and spiritual world proliferated wildly, and the notion of a plant that feeds on human mendacity would fit right in. Hardinge’s slow build-up of the insidious Tree made for a narrative that was both thrilling and psychologically astute.
Though I enjoyed much of the book immensely, I admit to feeling somewhat disappointed in the ending, which left me wishing for more development of certain characters. Friends turned into villains, villains into friends, but then the rising action culminated in a frantic chase that cut off any opportunity to explore these surprising developments further. I wouldn’t have minded another chapter or two in that direction.
That’s not going to stop me from reading Hardinge’s next book, though, and seeking out as much of her earlier work as I can. For thoughtful, emotionally satisfying, imaginative entertainment, she’s one author that I will treasure.
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The Emerald City Book Review Archive 
Wow, I’m not familiar with this author but I really love your description of her writing. When is it set?
Meaghan @ mwgerard.com
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It is set in the Victorian era, not long after the publication of The Origin of Species. Highly recommended!
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I hadn’t heard of Frances Hardinge before – I love the sound of this novel though. I will have to keep her in mind for future reading.
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She’s not as well known as she should be. I think this book will change that.
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Sounds good. I’ve never read Hardinge before, but if she writes as well as you say she does then she’s an author I need to check out. (The cover art is really cool, too.) Have a good one! š
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Abrams did a nice job on the design, which is always a plus.
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I’m a sucker for great writing. Unfortunately, not every author can be raved about the way you esteemed this one. I look forward to checking out some of her work! Thanks for the recommendations š
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I think she’s pretty special. I hope you enjoy her too, and thanks for stopping by.
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Sounds like a really interesting story–I like the theme as you described it. Endings can be so tricky–there are so many books that I loved until I got to what I consider a botched ending, and I just couldn’t get over it.
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I wouldn’t call this ending botched at all, just not the strongest part of the book. But in general I notice that endings seem difficult for many authors. They are great at building up a story and creating a world but bringing it to a close is not so easy. That’s part of the reason for long-running series, I’m sure…
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It seems to me that she just gets better and better — though I say that having read only two of her books. I’ve read two but I’ve heard SO MUCH about The Lie Tree and its greatness that I am waiting with bated breath to get my greedy hands on it. š
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And I can’t wait to know what you think about it. My guess is you will not be disappointed!
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My mom picked this book up at BEA and I thought I’d just be leaving it for her to read, but the more I’ve seen about it, the more excited I’ve gotten to read it myself. It sounds fabulous!
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You and your mom should both read it, then you can have some great discussions!
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