The Lying Life of Adults

Aunt Vittoria’s bracelet has many origin stories in the novel. It appears as a motif throughout, much like the necklace of Harmonia that Giovanna likens it to. The necklace of Harmonia is a bewitched charm in Greek mythology that spells doom for whomever wears it or even owns it. Giovanna initially takes comfort in thinking that the bracelet being enchanted means that she is not at fault for the bad things that happen. She wants to leave life to fate and live life like she did before knowing her aunt or inheriting the bracelet. Ultimately, the bracelet symbolizes restriction, greed, jealousy, and someone else’s story. Giovanna leaves the bracelet behind in the same place she has sex for the first time, thus rendering the bracelet powerless to follow Giovanna into her future as an adult who makes her own choices.

Physical faces play an important role in revelation and deception for many characters. Giovanna’s quest to meet her aunt begins when her father says she’s beginning to resemble his cruel sister. Giovanna believes her changing features, a self-described ugliness, symbolize a growing darkness within her. If her face looks just like her aunt, then Giovanna will become mean-spirited and hurtful like