Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard is a deceptive book. On first glance it looks like one of a million Gossip Girl followers with its shiny, attractive girls on the cover and its high society setting. When I picked it up during a lunch break at work, I was expecting something light and commercialistic, what I found instead was a Twin Peaks-esque story line where instead of trying to figure out who killed Laura Palmer I was left wondering if Alison DiLaurentis was even dead.
Emily Fields, Aria Montgomery, Spencer Hastings, Hanna Marin and Alison DiLaurentis are the best of friends. Having bonded originally during charity work at Rosewood Day School, their link to one another solidifies after the Jenna incident (a mysterious event alluded to with mentions of ambulances and police officers). It is through their connection to Alison—the brightest and most beautiful of the Rosewood girls—that they become popular, but it is due to her domineering personality that they live in doubt. Alison is the Queen Bee, the girl in charge, and should anyone step out of line she let’s them know.
But then one evening, during a botched slumber party, Alison disappears.
Fast forward several years, with Emily, Aria, Spencer and Hanna all going their separate ways; no longer friends and no longer even really on speaking terms. Emily’s still swimming, but doubting her commitment and still missing Alison, the one love of her life; Aria’s just moved back from Iceland where she’s lived quite happily, and is thrust back into memories that she’d rather forget along with a forbidden relationship with her teacher; Spencer’s walking the tight rope of perfectionism with increasingly imperfect balance as she competes against a sister who will always win; and Hanna’s perfect façade, relationship and control are cracking as she spirals back into the binging and purging that allowed her to achieve her so-called perfection in the first place. And helping each character get her comeuppance is the mysterious A, who texts and tattles their deepest secrets and fears.
Is A, Alison, the only person who could conceivably know of their many perceived flaws and mistakes? Is their long, lost friend exerting her influence to once again to control their lives or is A someone else entirely, someone bent on revenge for the Jenna incident that these girls caused back in middle school? What happens when someone tries to take down the popular girls one at a time?
Sara Shepard does not attempt to answers all these questions in Pretty Little Liars, but instead lays the groundwork for the downfall of these “perfect” Rosewood girls in this novel (the first in a series of four). Nor does she try to convince us that these girls live lives that anyone should emulate, showing that each perfect façade is built on a rotten foundation. Emily, Aria, Spencer and Hanna aren’t bad girls, so much as girls who’ve each gone out of control in their own way. With no safety nets like close friends or family to fall back on, A is able to pull them all apart piece by piece, even causing them to doubt one another, the only people that dould understand their situations and constraints. In the end, Shepard leaves them with a chance to band together and help one another, but it is clear that A is not done with them yet.
Pretty Little Liars defies the definition of being a guilty pleasure (a label often applied to Gossip Girls and others) through a combination of smart writing and an interesting plot, but it is not without its flaws. Emily’s forays into lesbianism with Maya, while they may fall under the label “forbidden,” ranks low on the list of crimes—moral or legal—the other girls have committed (Hanna’s thievery, Aria’s relationship with her teacher, and Spencer’s relationship with her sister’s boyfriend). Her fumbling and heart-felt conclusion that she doesn’t want to live a lie anymore seems to counter any reason A has for her persecution. Emily, of all the girls, seemed to truly love Alison the most (and feel the most regret for the Jenna incident) and comes to some serious realizations about herself as the others self-destruct. The introduction at the end of her parents’ racist thoughts as a further barrier to her growth seemed almost a tag on, as if to reaffirm the overarching theme of parental pressure and disapproval that all the girls are operating under, destroying the story’s one possibility at a semi-healthy family.
In fact, I take issue with the portrayal of all the parents within the novel. Not one girl seems to have a supportive or cohesive parental unit that is there for them: Hanna’s mother seems to be in a subversive competition with her daughter, urging her on even as she tears her down; Spencer’s parents are so focused on perfectionism that they can’t see her self-destruction or recognize any aberrant behavior for what it is—a way to escape her sister’s shadow; and Aria is forced by her parents into an adult role through her knowledge of her father’s affair and her practically limitless freedom in Europe, only to have that yanked away when they arrive back in the United States. With parents like these, it is no wonder that each girl acts out in destructive ways and has no one to lean on. I know that this is meant to cause the girls to rely on one another, and these parental relationships are realistic in their portrayal, but the overall smear against parental authority is overkill.
Still, there are the only sour notes in this otherwise engrossing society girl who-done-it, appropriate for older teens and adults alike. Alison’s fate—revealed at the end of the novel—only causes more questions than answers, and Jenna’s arrival on the scene does not bode well. A is utterly faceless and remorseless, relentlessly picking away at the each girl and cackling over their downfall. It’s clear that s/he is not done with Hanna, Emily, Aria or Spencer, nor is s/he prepared to reveal the reasons for her/his revenge. Poised for their complete social downfall, these girls only have each other, and their own abilities to cope with the situations they have caused.
If you’re interesting in checking out Pretty Little Liars and following the mysterious of what happened to Alison DiLaurentis, you can find it here and here. If you’re interesting in learning more about Sara Shepard and her next book Flawless, you can find her here.
Comments (34)
I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT THE THE JENNA THING IS IN THE BOOK??!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!
Posted by Lisa Dailey | March 23, 2007 6:24 PM
Posted on March 23, 2007 18:24
the jenna thing is:
Toby watched the 5 girls change so ali decided to get him back by taking a firwork but accidently hitting jenna in the face causing her to go blind.
Posted by E | April 13, 2007 8:56 PM
Posted on April 13, 2007 20:56
The reason Jenna was in the tree house was because he was "touching" Jenna. She had a freaked out look on her face. Alison saw Toby do it and told Spencer. Spencer eventually tells the others. Toby and Emily like each other 3 years later but Emily thinks she is a lesbian. Toby commits suicide because Emily thinks he is A and told him he knew his secret, which he thought was him and Jenna, not him being A. That's all I know so far.
Posted by C | May 1, 2007 2:50 PM
Posted on May 1, 2007 14:50
I love this "omg" book it freakin rocks & oh yeah I think that mysteriously A is Melissa and that Spencer killed Alison
Posted by Shelly | July 2, 2007 5:04 PM
Posted on July 2, 2007 17:04
Hi I would love to know who is who? Who's the one wearing the glittery greenish tank and the jeans on Flawless and the other three girls? Just want to say I adore this book... I can't wait for Perfect to be published? I quite suspect A is Maya... Thanks anyway!
Posted by Ralene | August 13, 2007 1:05 AM
Posted on August 13, 2007 01:05
i think that a is mayaa
like, that she like knows everyone's secrets from something ali left in her room?!
something like that?
or that ali's still alive (well..in the first book)
and lke left the messagess
Posted by samalam | August 17, 2007 12:55 PM
Posted on August 17, 2007 12:55
this book is so gudd
iluved so much
Posted by emily | August 19, 2007 3:37 PM
Posted on August 19, 2007 15:37
hi,
can anyone tell me if there is a second book issued which continues the storyyy
gosh i wanna know how it all turned out !!!! so basically is there like pretty little liars 2 hehe???
Posted by kathrin | August 23, 2007 5:06 AM
Posted on August 23, 2007 05:06
Ralene, Spencer is on the first book, Hanna the second, Aria the third and Emily the forth. + does anyone know when the fourthh book is comin out??? i cant wait.
and in case ya didnt know spence does kill Ali but someone else might have finished her off. see 3rd book. and like emily's mom sends her away because her and maya go public!!! but of course A still finds her lol I totally heart these books!!!
Posted by katie | August 26, 2007 5:46 PM
Posted on August 26, 2007 17:46
AH! what book does the jenna thing happen?
Posted by Hannah | September 5, 2007 6:39 PM
Posted on September 5, 2007 18:39
I dont noe but its not in the 1st book
Posted by Katie | September 13, 2007 12:31 PM
Posted on September 13, 2007 12:31
actually, it's going to be an eight book series :)
Posted by kristen | October 8, 2007 9:29 AM
Posted on October 8, 2007 09:29
I cant wait for the lst book!!!! the jenna thing is in book 2, i think A- is all of them. ali might have told them each others secrets and spencer killed her. bwhaha... i dont know, but its a good book!!
Posted by Kayla | November 5, 2007 10:10 AM
Posted on November 5, 2007 10:10
OMG I love this book do anyone know when Perfect is coming out!? How many books are in the series?Sara Shepard you rock you are a very talented author.
Posted by Rianne | November 8, 2007 6:42 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 18:42
OMG!!!!! i love these books, and i think that spencer killed ali, but another girl finished her off by buring her in ali's backyard. i dunno, just a guess. i also think maya is A but i don't understand the letter A to sign her letters. can't wait for unbelievable! btw, kristen, it is only a 4 book series, not 8
Posted by Lizzie | December 10, 2007 1:31 PM
Posted on December 10, 2007 13:31
OMG!!!! I cant wait for the 4th book to come out!! I never thought that it could actually be maya. When i read this i feel like everything in my life revolves around these books. haha (:
Posted by megan | December 13, 2007 4:44 PM
Posted on December 13, 2007 16:44
OMG i didnt even know the third book came out!! what is the name of it?
Posted by Meagann | December 15, 2007 4:50 AM
Posted on December 15, 2007 04:50
okay A is NOT maya because hannah reconized the number of the text she got how would she knows mayas number and i think mellise helped spencer take care of alis body.
Posted by Meagann | December 16, 2007 4:52 PM
Posted on December 16, 2007 16:52
I think maya is A because she probably found ali's diary in her house and all of the secrets with it!
Posted by Lindsay | January 6, 2008 9:26 AM
Posted on January 6, 2008 09:26
FYI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ALI was the only one who knew toby molested jenna and when she saw him doin it in the tree house she fired it but it hit jenna in the face/eyes
Posted by <3er | January 8, 2008 6:54 PM
Posted on January 8, 2008 18:54
Hey ppl,
im rly mad that the next book is coming out in may :(. here is a bit about each charecter.
Hanna: she is bulimic and spencer ran over her because she found out who killed ali(perfect #3)
Aria: Her dad is having an affair with a teacher and ali was the only 1 who knew. She dated Sean (hannas Ex) and was sleeping with her teacher.
Emily: The only girl out of the 5 who has red hair. She is gay and dated jennas brother.
Spencer: the only "still living" blonde of the group. She slept with her sisters Bf and stole her geography paper which was going to win an award 4. She killed allison and dident know it until the third book.
thats all i know so far and im pretty sure Allison is either Merrisa (spencers sister) or Jenna. the only person who would really make sense in Jenna.
Email me or add my msn to talk about the book or just talk: lululemonade14@hotmail.com
Posted by Talia | January 13, 2008 12:34 PM
Posted on January 13, 2008 12:34
"the jenna thing" was about ali seeing toby feeling on jenna so ali accendently shot the firework in the wrong position. toby said that he saw ali and that he was going to tell, so ali said that if he did, she would tell them that he was feeling on her.
Posted by Lea Vang | January 13, 2008 3:48 PM
Posted on January 13, 2008 15:48
ali did tell spencer about toby feeling up jenna ...(in intro book 3) also i think a could be kate, mellisa, maya, jenna any of them but we must remember in the first book spencer saw blond hair in maya's room and also that hanna recognized the number on the text messages and she never remembered phone numbers...i think the blond girl running away from the accident is A not spencer..-allie
Posted by allie | January 23, 2008 4:37 PM
Posted on January 23, 2008 16:37
Hmmm actully i think that A Might be maya but also she might be mona you know ( i mean hannah recognized her number ) But im pretty sure that spencer killed ali and merissa helped her bury the body .... haha a true detecitves work ;)
Posted by Pwetty Pwincess | February 9, 2008 9:28 AM
Posted on February 9, 2008 09:28
Dude, I know this may seem a little "Unbelievable", but A is Jenna. She's not blind I know it's her because I have seen too many shows and movies to not figure out who it is.
Posted by Kiera | March 3, 2008 8:21 PM
Posted on March 3, 2008 20:21
"Dude, I know this may seem a little "Unbelievable", but A is Jenna. She's not blind I know it's her because I have seen too many shows and movies to not figure out who it is."
omgosh! i was thinking that same thing!
Posted by Lilly | March 11, 2008 7:44 PM
Posted on March 11, 2008 19:44
OMG... i luv this book. this may seem wierd, but i think A is Andrew. cuz they say in the second book " Spencer may hav a 4.0 but i hav as to my name as well". spencer and andrew were named # 1 and 2 in the class so he would have a 4.0 also. and they say some of you know their backyard so well, well andrew is spencers neighbor so she would know. and he always spied on them, prank called him ( so hanna may remember the #) and , of course, his name begins with an A.
Posted by Haley | March 15, 2008 10:04 AM
Posted on March 15, 2008 10:04
The ppl on the book covers:
Pretty little liars - Spencer
Flawless - Hanna
Perfect - Aria
Unbelievable - Emily
It's such a good book!!
I finished the third book...
waiting for the last one...
CAN'T WAIT!!
i don't really like the suspense though. haha.
Posted by michelle | March 23, 2008 2:41 AM
Posted on March 23, 2008 02:41
Lizzie, it IS an 8 book series, the author has CONFIRMED that on her myspace. I heard that the 5th one is to be titled "Wicked." I cannot WAIT for "Unbelievable." This series is SO good.
Awesome.
Posted by Steffani | April 24, 2008 11:22 AM
Posted on April 24, 2008 11:22
Jenna Thing :
Alison Toby 'touching' (basically raping her with his hands!) Jenna, so Ali promised Toby she wouldn't tell anyone about his secret, if he didn't tell anyone hers. Ali told Spencer.
Who Killed Ali :
Spencer killed Ali on accident. They got in a fight, and Spencer pushed Ali. Ali fell backwards into a hole and hit her head on a rock. Ali died, but Spencer has something wrong woth her brain, so she can't remember anything.
Who Is A :
no clue !!!
Does Hanna Die :
I'm not sure but I think so.
How many books in the series :
8
1. Pretty Little Liars
2. Flawless
3. Perfect
4. Unbelievable
5. Wicked
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
hope I helped!
Posted by Addie | April 26, 2008 6:20 PM
Posted on April 26, 2008 18:20
A is Mona. A killed Hanna, after her party, cuz she sent a new text giving away her identity. SHE (not spencer- spencer was invited to come when they saw her in the woods), followed hannah there and had to kill her bc she knew who she was. (quote- "she knew too much."- see 3rd book). Spencer unconsciously killed Ali, or at least injured her badly, but then erased that from her memory. meanwhile, melissa found out ali was dating ian, so she wanted to kill her. it was easy for her bc she knew her house and property well, so she was able to carry her to the hole and either leave her there, or if she wasnt dead yet, finish her off.
Posted by aria | April 28, 2008 1:01 PM
Posted on April 28, 2008 13:01
btw for those of u who think A is jenna- um idn if uve noticed but jenna is blind, and A does do some spying which involves seeing...
and whoever wrote A is andrew, ur theory sounds cool, but hes not mean enough, even if his character is supposed to trick u, trust me, he would have to have more proof than that. plus, he helped spencer (with the blanket in book 2).
and A cant be melissa bc she was sent to the hospital, and A later killed hannah and sent new texts while she was still in the hospital.
Posted by aria | April 28, 2008 1:09 PM
Posted on April 28, 2008 13:09
I LOVE THESE BOOKS!!!!!
and 4 all u people who keep saying toby was "feeling" jenna, u could just say molesting...
neway i think aria is gonna bcome friends with jenna because at the end of perfect A was talking abt aria and said even if ur new friend is blind to your identity i've got 20/20 vision, so A cant be jenna because she's blind
i think when spencer pushed ali she porbably left her unconscious with a broken neck or something. then someone else, (possibly melissa because ali was dating ian bhind melissa's back and if u read the xcerpt of unbelievable it said ali insulted melissa and then melissa stared at the hole where ali would later be found) moved ali's body to the hole
i dont think hanna is dead at least i hope she's not. she figured out who A was so i dont think sara shepherd would kill her off, i mean without her how they gonna find out who A is
emily is moving to iowa...how is A still gonna bother her from like a different state
i cant wait till MAY 27 when the book comes out!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by kaitlyn | May 3, 2008 9:47 AM
Posted on May 3, 2008 09:47
I think that A must be Kate (Hanna's evil step sister, she became friends with Ali, and maybe she wished that she could have been in a group like Ali's.)
Posted by Jimbo | May 4, 2008 4:03 PM
Posted on May 4, 2008 16:03