The Big Lie
No. of pages 368
Published: 2015
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This book has been graded for interest at 16-18 years.
There are 368 pages in this book.
It is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed.
This book was published in 2015 by Hot Key Books .
Julie Mayhew is the author of Red Ink (shortlisted for the 2014 Branford Boase Award), The Big Lie (winner of the 2016 Sidewise Award for Alternate History) and the critically acclaimed Mother Tongue. She also writes for the stage and for film, and has been twice nominated for Best Original Drama at the BBC Audio Drama Awards for her radio plays -including a 2016 recognition for the The Electrical Venus, the drama on which this book is based. Julie grew up in Peterborough and originally trained as a journalist, then as an actress, before turning to writing because she couldn't find enough brilliant roles for girls. www. juliemayhew. co. uk Twitter: @juliemayhew Instagram: JulieMayhew
A genius idea, executed flawlessly. * Red *
This high concept novel is intriguing, engrossing, and frighteningly plausible. I think we're going to see The Big Lie shortlisted for a great number of awards next year. * Louise O'Neill, author of ONLY EVER YOURS *
Brilliantly realised . . . this unputdownable book is also a powerful and moving exploration of friendship, family, sexuality and what it really means to be "good" * Irish Times *
The Big Lie is a chilling, beautifully written, minutely observed 'what if' novel that messes with your head and stays with you long, long after you've turned the final page. * Sarra Manning *
A very special book * James Dawson, author of THIS BOOK IS GAY *
Brave, beautiful and devastating...Like all the best speculative fiction it echoes not only the past but what is happening NOW. Amazing. * Rae Earl, author of MY MAD FAT DIARY *
One book that everybody will be talking about... a thought-provoking and chilling coming-of-age novel exploring loyalty, love and morals. * The Bookseller (Children's Previews) *
Devastating, thought-provoking alternate history -- Claire Allfree * Metro *
The Big Lie is a powerful, uncompromising, uncomfortable, thought provoking, challenging and chilling read [...] frighteningly realistic -- Tanja Jennings * School Library Association *
A powerful coming-of-age story, The Big Lie deftly takes on the big guns of dystopia, including sexism, feminism, sexuality, loyalty, propaganda, freedom and protest. Make sure you get a copy on your bookshelf, stat. * Stylist Online *
Mayhew manages two feats, both crucial: she creates a believable modern-day Nazi society built on rules, silence, and surveillance, and a compelling depiction of a girl caught between what she has always been taught and what she is coming to suspect is true. As Jessika discovers, the truth is both dangerous and liberating * Publishers Weekly *
Readers who know their World War II history and enjoy extremely unreliable narrators will find great satisfaction in puzzling out the truth behind the horrors Jess leaves unspoken * Kirkus *
Beyond its alternate history premise, the book deftly examines the ways in which gender roles and sexuality play out under a society that strictly delineates them. There are surprises for both Jess and the reader in the ending, making this a timely piece for teens to consider what pacifism and/or protest looks like and the costs each entail * Bulletin For The Center of Children's Books *
This is a story that paints the dangers of totalitarianism in vivid language * The Conversation *