59 pages • 1 hour read
Society of Lies: A Novel
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
Society of Lies (2024) is a murder mystery and thriller by Lauren Ling Brown. Brown’s debut novel, Society of Lies revolves around two sisters, Maya and Naomi, and their experiences with an inimical secret society at Princeton. Like her characters Maya and Naomi, Brown is a Black Chinese American. Brown also went to Princeton, where she studied English, and the less sensational aspects of the book partly derive from her personal experiences at the Ivy League school. A Reese’s Book Club selection, Society of Lies centers on themes like The Compulsion to Deceive, The Danger of Truth, and The Pressure to Preserve Elite Status.
Citations refer to the 2024 Bantam Books e-book edition.
Content Warning: The source text features depictions of sexism, racism, and grooming.
Plot Summary
The book features two narrators: working-class sisters Maya and Naomi. The sisters are Black Chinese Americans, and Maya is 10 years older than Naomi. The chapter titles indicate the narrator’s identity while the chapter subtitles help the reader navigate the movement of time. Naomi’s narrative centers on her junior year at Princeton (2022-2023) and the events that lead to her death.
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