Sarah Manguso's acclaimed audiobook Liars delivers a powerful and claustrophobic exploration of a marriage rapidly disintegrating, brought to life through Rebecca Lowman's seething narration.
A Relationship Unravelling
The story follows Jane, a writer and academic whose career is flourishing, and her husband John, a visual artist and aspiring film-maker who has hit a professional wall. John proves to be chaotic, lazy, and resentful, consistently lying about his feelings, financial status, and whereabouts. He exhibits entitlement, frequently gets drunk, and spends money they do not have.
Time and again, John insists they move cities for what he claims are better work opportunities, a pattern that severely disrupts Jane's professional life. The situation deteriorates further after the birth of their son, with Jane left to shoulder the parenting responsibilities alone as her husband absents himself from his familial duties.
Superb Narration and Quiet Fury
Voice actor Rebecca Lowman narrates the audiobook, her staccato and seething delivery providing a perfect match for Manguso's quietly livid prose. The narration masterfully captures the growing tension and resentment within the relationship.
A pivotal moment occurs when Jane reflects, "My husband asked me why I was so much angrier than other women. It always made me smile. I was exactly as angry as every other woman I knew." This line encapsulates the simmering fury that defines her experience.
The Complicity of Liars
As Jane meticulously chronicles each slight from her husband, she simultaneously makes excuses for both of them. This leads the listener to question her own role in the unhappy dynamic. Is John solely to blame? Manguso skillfully prompts us to consider Jane's collusion and self-deception.
The ultimate message of Liars is profound: despite the best intentions, marriage can make liars of us all. The audiobook is a superb, claustrophobia-inducing plunge into the complexities of a relationship gone awry.
The audiobook, with a runtime of 6 hours and 7 minutes, is available via Picador.
