FAQ
Q: What happened with the US cover of Liar?
A: You can find the whole story here and here. I strongly recommend you read the comments as well.
Q: Can you tell me what really happens at the end of Liar?
A: No. I deliberately wrote the book to be read in at least two different ways, which means that there is no one ending, and thus no way I can tell you what really happens. You’re on your own.
Q: Is writing an unreliable narrator hard?
A: Yes.
SPOILER WARNING: Some of the questions that follow in the comments are Very Spoilery Indeed. Do not read them unless you’ve already read Liar.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Brian Says:
Hi Justine, love your writing (even though I’m probably a bit old for your typical target market)
I realize this is probably a publisher thing, not an author thing, but do you have any idea if/when Liar or HTDYF will be available from Amazon to download on the Kindle?
I’d like to say it’s because I want to save trees (and I do!) but mostly it’s because I can’t fit any more books in my house!
Cheers.
October 8th, 2009 at 11:01 am
QuestionQuestion Says:
Hi. I live in the US and i was wondering when the book will be out so us americans can buy? Didn’t you say you could only buy it in australia? or are youa a LIAR?
haha.
I know. Corny joke. Please answer when you can.
-Question Question
October 20th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
12 year old obsessd reader Says:
Hi,
I have just finished reading liar read it in 3 days and it is the best book i have ever read. it was so hard to predict what comes next. And realy confusing about jordan How did he die.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
4. Justine Says:
Brian: You’re right, it is a publisher thing. I know there are discussions about electronic editions of How To Ditch Your Fairy and Liar. As soon as something comes of them I’ll announce it on the blog.
QuestionQuestion: Liar has been out in the US since 29 Sept.
12 year old obssessed reader: I’m so pleased you liked Liar. As for Jordan’s death I think there are a number of different possibilities. Could be his death was an accident. Could have been murder. Depends on what you think Micah was capable of. Or whether you believe Jordan was a figment of Micah’s imagination.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
julie Says:
Loved “Liar”! will there be a sequel?
October 30th, 2009 at 1:21 am
6. Justine Says:
Julie: Nope. Sorry. It’s a one off.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Sarah Says:
Hi Justine!
It was great getting to chat with you (albeit all too briefly) in Austin last Saturday. Unfortunately, I hadn’t finished reading Liar yet, so I didn’t want to talk about it at all for fear of unearthing a spoiler (something you definitely don’t want to do with that book). If you have a spare moment, I have 2 questions for you:
1. Since Yayeko has no idea werewolves existed before Micah changes in her apartment, what makes Yayeko think of saying Micah’s name repeatedly to help her regain control?
2. What is the terrible word that British guys good-naturedly call each other but that becomes offensive when applied to a woman, both in England and America?
Thanks, Justine, for writing what truly is one of the absolute best books I’ve ever read!
Best,
Sarah (Friend-of-Rebecca)
October 30th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
8. Justine Says:
Sarah: Lovely to meet you too.
1. Micah tels Yayeko that she is a werewolf and sets out to prove it to her before she changes in Yayeko’s apartment. So Yayeko does, in fact, know of the existence of werewolves. She just doesn’t believe it. I don’t think it’s a stretch that when confronted with a wolf in her home she would think it was Micah.
Of course, don’t forget that this is just Micah’s version of events.
2. Too many readers of this blog would be offended by that word for me to write it here. But if you must know here is a pointer: the writer in question is Scottish. Have a look at Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. The word is used as the male vocative in the first few pages and throughout the book. In the movie also.
October 31st, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Sarah Says:
Justine,
Thanks for the prompt response! I looked up quotes from Trainspotting–the word was the one I’d guessed it was. Wow, does that make me look sharp, or just dirty? Haha.
With regard to the Yayeko question: I didn’t doubt that Yayeko knows that the wolf is Micah. I was wondering how she knows to use that *technique* of saying her name to snap her out of her carnal mindset. I guess she just thinks quickly on her feet and comes up with the idea that Micah might respond to her human name with some reversion to her human self?
October 31st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
10. Justine Says:
Sarah: That’s definitely one explanation. It depends on whether Micah really has turned into a wolf or not, doesn’t it? I.e. there are lots of different reasons Yayeko would be saying Micah’s name.
October 31st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Sarah Says:
Whoa. You just blew my mind a little more–”whether” Micah has really turned into a wolf? By the end of the book she absolutely had me convinced that that part wasn’t a lie, despite my doubt about that throughout most of the story. And that’s why the book is such a masterpiece.
Thanks, Justine.
November 1st, 2009 at 1:03 am
Alyssa Says:
Hi Justine,
I just finished your book not 30 minutes ago(in about 26 hours too!) and loved it. I got really irritated in the middle because i thought it was realistic fiction and I was going to use it for a language arts project but then, MICAH IS A WOLF! It was still really good. Now the questions:
1have you written any realistic fiction books? I love your writing style and really need a book for my project.
2What is wrong with Pete?
3Are you writing anymore books right now?
Thats all!
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Summer Says:
Wow,I actually can’t think of any questions at the moment. But, um, I love the book!
November 5th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Ashleigh (from Brisbane) Says:
Dear Justine, I finished your book a few minutes ago and I just wanted to let you know that it’s one of those things that I’m going to be trying to work out for the rest of my life. When it comes to puzzles, I need to find the solution and I already have plans to re-read the novel with pen and paper and try to create some sort of a timeline in the hope that may help me unravel some of my questions. I agree with Alyssa in saying that I thought it was realistic fiction and then I was quite surprised to find Micah as a wolf. I understand after reading the previous questions you will never tell me the ending you yourself believe to be the correct one or the truth behind Micah’s wolfishenss or even extra information about Jordan but I would like you to know that the way you write is very powerful. Through the book I found myself grieving for Zach, wishing I was Sarah, hating Jordan and being absolutely crushed when Micah’s parents left her without even a goodbye. All I can say is that your book has had a lasting impact on me and I know for certain I will be pondering it for quite a time. But please, if you ever decide to reveal any of the truths behind Micah’s lies or the obvious lies that were in fact truth I would sincerely love to know.
Forever a grateful reader,
Ashleigh O’Brien.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:29 am
15. Justine Says:
Sarah: Thanks. I’m so glad you liked it.
Alyssa: You could argue that Liar is realistic fiction. If Micah’s insistence that she’s a wolf is a lie or a delusion than the book is a realist novel.
I’m not sure what you’re asking when you say “What is wrong with Pete?”
Summer: So pleased you liked it.
Ashleigh: Thank you so much your response. It means a lot to me. I will say this: I worked very hard to convey the emotional truth of the novel. Micah is in a great deal of pain and her pain is real. Whether or not her claims about her condition and her ancestry are true a great deal of what she says about herself and her feelings are absolutely real.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Cassie Says:
Dear Justine,
I love your other books. How To Ditch Your Fairy is very amusing and creative, and the Magic or Madness trilogy was an enjoyable read. But my first words after finishing Liar were: Oh My God. It has such incredible aspects. 1) Micah is a liar, and you don’t know whether her words are lies or truths. 2) The whole werewolf thing. It is hard to believe Micah, but she is so convincing. 3) The fact that Micah’s parents lost their love for her I just find that whole loss so sad, that Micah’s condition would change her life like that. 4) Her obvious deep emotion and love for Zach, and the whole mystery of his death. I just wanted to say that Liar has been an emotional journey for me, but I imagine it must have been a rollercoaster for you, being the writer. I find it amazing that you had the nerve to take on a project so difficult and bone-chilling, and your writing in Liar is very inspirational to me, a hopeful future writer myself. I have a lot of feelings on each of your characters, so much that it couldn’t possibly fit in this comment, but I just wanted to say that Liar was a stunning read that will probably stick in my mind until I read it again and again, hunting for clues and hints about Micah’s lies. I also just thought it would be fair to ask this question: Which part in Liar do you consider to be the most emotional/revealing/incredible? I only hope you can answer it before I start reading your wonderful novel again.
Your Avid Reader,
Cassie
November 14th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Cassie Says:
Hi, Justine,
I just wanted to add this question, which I forgot to add to my last comment. I love your writing style, and am looking forward to your next novel: Could you possibly give us (your faithful readers) a hint about your next book? You can trust me when I say I’ll be rushing to the bookstores to buy it when it comes out, and a small hint would probably flare my imagination.
Thanks,
Cassie.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
18. Justine Says:
Cassie: I’m so pleased you liked Liar so much.
It’s very hard for me to answer your question. But I can say that probably the hardest part for me to write was Micah’s reaction to finding out that her parents had abandoned her and left her behind with the Greats.
I’ll be writing on my blog about what I’m working on fairly soon.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Summer Says:
*jumps up and down* Oh! Oh! Question! (I can’t BELIVE I forgot to ask this because it almost killed me wondering about it while reading.)
What’s up with the ‘punishing inconstant heart’ on page 70? Did Micah make it up? I must knooooow!
November 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
20. Justine Says:
Summer: You’re going to hate me but I’m going to do what I always hated teachers doing when I asked them questions: “What do you think that was about?”
November 30th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Mel Says:
Just picked this up in the library right before leaving and accidentally sat down and read the whole thing. I had my coat and scarf on to go home and didn’t even take them off until I was done with the book. Wow. Gripping.
My question is this: how much do you know that the reader doesn’t? I mean, I know you’re not going to tell us whether Jordan was real, or whether Micah is really a wolf, or where she ends up at the end — but are all the answers clear to you?
December 1st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Jaya Lakshmi Says:
Just finished Liar this weekend. Grwa
I don’t care if other people hate Micah; I love her, lies and all. Maybe it was sleep deprivation or the creative writing hobbies, but the fact that she lied about her brother and Zach didn’t bother me. And I feel she was telling the truth about the wolf part because:
1) She puts in so many details (which we just learned in Creative Writing is a powerful tool when you’re writing)
2) It makes sense within the context of the story, if you think about it.
I hope your 1930s novel is coming along well, and keep on writing these great novels.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:46 am
ClareSnow Says:
I read the Aussie version of Liar and was intrigued by the design of the section breaks. Are they the same in the US version? I wanted them to be a part of the story, but I’m guessing they were the work of the book designer and Justine, you didn’t have input in them?
December 16th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Jen Says:
Hi there,
Some fellow librarians and I were debating as to how to pronounce Micah’s name. Is it pronounced “Mike-ah” or “Mah-kai.” Thanks!
December 17th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Cassie Says:
Happy holidays! I have two questions.
1)Are there any books that you feel are similar to your AMAZING and pretty shocking novel?
2)Did you base any of your characters off of real people you know?
December 18th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
26. Justine Says:
Mel: How much do you know that the reader doesn’t? I mean, I know you’re not going to tell us whether Jordan was real, or whether Micah is really a wolf, or where she ends up at the end — but are all the answers clear to you?
You know even if I did know I would not tell you because admitting that I do know is just an invitation for people to bug me to tell them the truth. Thus I will tell you that I have no idea. Which I don’t. Trust me!
Jaya: So pleased you love Micah. Me too!
ClareSnow: Are the [section breaks] the same in the US version? I wanted them to be a part of the story, but I’m guessing they were the work of the book designer and Justine, you didn’t have input in them?
You mean the vein-y things? No, the design is different in the US version. They were, indeed, the work of the designer Bruno Herfst. I was shown them pretty early on and loved them. But, no, they weren’t my idea.
Jen: Micah’s name is pronounced “Mike-ah”.
Cassie: 1) Are there any books that you feel are similar to your AMAZING and pretty shocking novel?
2) Did you base any of your characters off of real people you know?
1) Thank you! Since I am the author I think Liar is a precious snowflake and like no other books. So this is a question you should be asking other readers. In fact, I
maywill blog your question and ask them. However, many people have mentioned that Liar reminds them of Jacqueline Woodson’s brilliant If You Come Softly. Here are my thoughts on that.2) No. I never do that.
December 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Dana Says:
Hey, Justine!
Happy holidays. Liar was suspenseful, stunning, and, in a way, sad. What was the most difficult part of the writing process? How would you describe Micah (other than complex or complicated)?
I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!
December 25th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Patrice Says:
It is thanks to Locus Magazine that I became aware of Liar. Although I do love YA books, I am not the target audience, being far too old. My sincere compliments on the book! I loved its ambiguity and its twists and turns. For me, the incident of Micah’s teacher substituting sugar pills for her birth control pills gave me what I feel is the answer as to whether Micah writes the truth or continues her sad lies. Thank you for writing a wonderful book that deserves readers of all ages.
December 25th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
29. Justine Says:
Dana: So pleased you enjoyed the book. It is very sad. I think loss and grief are two of the main things the book is about.
The hardest part was writing a book with all New Yorker and USian characters when I’m Australian.
Don’t you think I spent the whole book describing Micah? How would you describe her? That’s much more interesting.
Patrice: Thank you for letting me know you liked it. I really appreciate it.
I don’t write for a target audience. When I write I’m not thinking about audience, but about writing the best books I can. I write about adolescence, absolutely. But I think that’s a subject of interest for those who are about to be adolescents, for those who are adolescents, and for those, like you and me, who were adolescents. From the fan mail I see that my books are read by all three of those groups. Makes me very happy.
December 25th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Megan Says:
Justine,
First off, let me state that you novel Liar was probably, no was, the best novel that I think I have ever read. Note, I did not say favorite for it was not- it made me pull my hair out in frustration and think until my head pounded. That being said, I think you are a wonderful author and I think this novel was a true master piece, so I applaud you for that.
I’m not going to ask you about the ending of the possible secret plot in the book for I predict that you will not answer, but I will stretch to ask you an opened ended question. If you fear that your answer may change the minds of readers or give away your true intentions, than please, do not answer it directly, I will not be offended. However, please do reply to some degree.
My question is this:
If you were to pick up a copy of Lier and read it (not being the author, just a curious reader) how would you interpret the ending? Would you believe Micha or not?
Thanks for your time, I look forward to hearing from you! (Hopefully)
–Megan (15, Philadelphia)
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:00 am
31. Justine Says:
Megan: Thank you so much. Though I apologise for your head pain. Does it help that writing Liar hurt my head too? I’m certainly in no hurry to write anything else like it.
I’m really not sure how I would read the book if I hadn’t written it. I guess I’d hope that things worked out for Micah because I like her and worry about her. But I’d also be afraid that things weren’t so great as she says they are.
January 2nd, 2010 at 4:15 am
Isis Says:
hi,justine i’ve recently finished your book Liar and it was unlike any other book i have ever read before.The cover really brought me to read it i must say,very mysterious.I loved it.I really want to read it again maybe three times,so maybe i can read between the lines like she says at the end,but maybe i’ll just end up being more confused than i am right now.oh well.
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:08 am
Victoria Says:
I must start off by saying that you are an amazing writer. I picked up a copy of Liar while in Sydney, mostly drawn to it because it was signed, and I do have a thing for signed books… I read it in one sitting, and all I can really say is wow.
Anyway! I just thought I’d ask, is there really supposed to be any definite truth in Liar? Is it possible that Micah is an extremely average girl who’s boyfriend dies, for example, in a car crash, and being a completely compulsive liar, she exaggerates the story to the point of including werewolves? Is it possible that Jordan’s reappearance was caused by Micah deciding he was a flaw in the lie, then later deciding he added drama, and clumsily deciding to put him back into the story?
Maybe Liar is just a book very open to interpretation, but I thought I’d just ask your opinion.
P.S. Thankyou for signing those books, definitely adds a personal touch.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Megan Says:
Justine,
Thank you for the quick reply. I too hope that Micah does end up happy, but somewhere deep inside of me I fear that she doesn’t.
Another question I have: My Midterm is a repot on this novel (we have to write an esay and do an oral presenation on a novel of our own choice, and it’s 10 precent on my final grade in the class.) My question is, how much am I allowed to reveal to my fellow classmates? i have to cover the entire novel and the struggles of the character, and thatwould be hard to do with out giving away the wolf apect. Any suggestions?
–megan
January 4th, 2010 at 9:55 am
35. Justine Says:
Isis: I hope you don’t wind up too confused. Thanks for letting me know that you liked Liar!
Victoria: Thanks for the kind words! Did you buy it at Kinokuniya? I’m so pleased you were happy that I scribbled my signature on Liar. (I’m always faintly worried people will think I’ve vandalised their book.)
Yes, Liar is a book that’s very open to interpretation. Though I must say I hadn’t thought of that possibility. And I certainly wasn’t thinking of it when I was writing the book. I do think Micah is trying very hard to tell the truth and that there’s a lot of truth in the book.
I think the clue to Jordan’s existence or not is in the ways he is doubled by Peter. Or maybe Jordan is doubling Peter? Put this way, I’m pretty sure only one of the two exists.
Megan: I’ve seen people talking about Micah’s struggles without mentioning the wolf. Some have talked about werewolfism as “the family illness” which I think works quite well. It allows you to talk about whether the mysterious family illness is real or not without going into too many details.
Good luck with your report!
January 7th, 2010 at 3:18 am
Rhiannon Says:
Not really a question, but spoilery if anyone knows what I’m talking about: you might like the short story “Boobs” by Suzy McKee Charnas.
January 23rd, 2010 at 8:23 pm
37. Justine Says:
Rhiannon: I not only like it, I love it. Is one of my favourite short stories and was definitely a big influence on Liar. I don’t think Charnas can write a bad sentence.
January 24th, 2010 at 4:08 am
Josette Says:
i got the book from the library. omq. i loved it so much. but the way it ended just confused me soooo much. it nevers talks about how jordan died. it was an accident. i geddit it but. i wanted more. and theres no sequel?! i looved the book and was hooting and hollering at every lie revealed but then it ended and i felt blank. ? love the cover though… i actually found this site when i googled ‘how did jordan die liar’. i loved the book doh, i picked it up because of the cover, but umm idk why i was drawn to it, probably because i read HTDYF . nd i loved that too, didnt understand somethings in that book, but iwasnt left as blank as i am now. write a sequel or at least more books like this. and lol. i was shocked when she said werewolf too, i was like hmmm regular book. then BAM lol
January 28th, 2010 at 3:09 am
39. Justine Says:
Josette: You’re going to hate me but I do not have any answers for you. It’s up to you the reader to decide! I will, however, tell you some of the theories peeople have. Some think Jordan never existed. That he is kind of a shadow for Peter. Something the same thing only in reverse. Pete never existed and is Jordan’s shadow. Some think Jordan’s death was accidental. Some that Micah murdered him. Another theory I heard was that their parents abused Micah keeping her in a cage and killed Jordan.
I think there are some other theories but I can’t remember them right now. You can find more theories about the book in general over at the spoiler thread.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:36 am
A.M. Says:
Justine, I want there to be both a Jordan AND a Pete. Because I could see Micah letting Jordan die in a preventable accident, but don’t get her killing Zach. How’s that? And I did see someone say this in the spoiler thread, but I wanted to see if you had read/thought about it: The book this most reminds me of is “We need to talk about Kevin” by Lionel Shriver, because of the horror and the gotcha.
-Read Liar in one 3.5 hour sitting
February 21st, 2010 at 2:33 pm
41. Justine Says:
A.M.: I love We Need to Talk About Kevin and I talked about its influence on Liar here. It was one of those things I was not conscious of until after I had written the book. And here’s where I talk about the book after I’d just read it.
March 20th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Lisa Says:
I just finished Liar tonight, and like many others immediately started looking online for reviews. One thing that I’m curious about (and, honestly, was bugged by) is the apparent intertwining of Micah’s gender identity with mental illness/violence. In the “Micah is a killer and institutionalized” reading, her sexuality is clearly meant to play a major role. Were you concerned that readers might interpret Micah’s gender identity exploration as her “illness?” That crossing outside of the bounds and rejecting her “femaleness” was what caused her lying and/or delusions and/or violence? In case a conclusion could be made: act like your biological gender = good. Don’t act like your biological gender = pathological liar at best, crazy murdering maniac at worst. (Or werewolf. Maybe.)
Another interesting idea (and again, to me, troubling) is that Micah is “lying” when she attempts to express herself as a boy. Is someone’s gender identity a lie if it doesn’t match others’ perceptions of how that person “should” act or identify?
Then I just now started to think that maybe the “werewolf” concept is just one huge metaphor about gender identity shift, and that the “liar” concept is a commentary on how people view and judge those who don’t express an “acceptable” gender identity– for example, accusing transsexuals of “lying” or “attempting to fool” people. So when Micah tries to tell Yayeko who she is and is rebuffed with “it’s okay to be a girl,” what were seeing is the psychological violence/trauma that causes in Micah rather than literal violence. And then my head kind of hurts.
I know I might get a “can’t tell you! Decide for yourself!” answer. (And I kind of like my crazy new theory, so that’s okay.) I really would like to know if you had concerns about the conflation of sexual identity with violence in Micah, though.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
43. Justine Says:
Lisa: To be honest I’ve been completely shocked by that reductive reading of Liar. Explorations of gender and sexuality—especially when you’re a teen—are absolutely normal. Many of the people I knew growing up—including myself—came up against the rigid wall of gender expectations and we all resisted and continue to resist. But there are effects of those resistances because we live in our world that continues to expect girls to fit into a narrow range of behaviours and boys into a different narrow range. That’s one of the many things I tried to explore in Liar.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:19 pm