logo

43 pages 1 hour read

Truly Madly Guilty

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Liane Moriarty

Truly Madly Guilty

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Sydney • 2010s

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty, three couples—Erika and Oliver, Clementine and Sam, and Tiffany and Vid—attend a seemingly mundane backyard barbecue, which triggers deep emotional and psychological repercussions. Using non-linear timelines, the novel explores themes of friendship, marriage, and parenthood, revealing how each character grapples with guilt, secrets, and the complexities of their relationships. Issues faced by people with mental health conditions and children nearly drowning appear in this book.

Suspenseful

Emotional

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

3.8

365,041 ratings

58%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Liane Moriarty's Truly Madly Guilty impresses with its intricate exploration of relationships and suspense, though it occasionally suffers from a slow pace and excessive detail. Characters are well-developed, and the narrative's structure keeps readers engaged, but some found the climax underwhelming. Overall, it offers a compelling but uneven reading experience.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Truly Madly Guilty?

Fans of domestic dramas and psychological suspense will relish Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. Ideal for readers who enjoyed Big Little Lies or The Girl on the Train, this book delves into the complexities of friendships, secrets, and the hidden truths that shape our lives. Engrossing and emotionally charged, it's perfect for those who crave intricate character studies and unforeseen twists.

3.8

365,041 ratings

58%

Loved it

32%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Character List

Clementine

A cellist and one of the two central characters, Clementine experiences stress balancing her music career with family life and navigates complex feelings of guilt and responsibility.

The other central character, an accountant who had a difficult childhood, Erika deals with her complex friendship with Clementine and her ambivalence toward becoming a parent.

Clementine’s husband, who struggles with PTSD after a traumatic event, works to support his wife and family while grappling with traditional expectations of masculinity.

Erika’s husband, an athletic accountant, who is supportive of his wife but also confronts personal issues stemming from a difficult family history.

Clementine and Sam’s young daughters, who play a crucial role in the narrative’s central event that impacts family relationships.

Vid’s wife, who deals with the challenges of her past profession resurfacing during a social event and prioritizes resolving her family's distress.

An affable and extroverted electrician, whose love for hosting and connection with Clementine overlays deeper narrative developments.

Vid and Tiffany’s daughter, a young book-lover, who inadvertently carries guilt from the family event that alters her behavior.

Clementine’s mother, a former social worker who has well-meaning but often misguided influences on her daughter’s relationships.

Erika’s mother, a nurse with a hoarding disorder, whose relationship with Erika adds tension and complexity to the narrative.

An antisocial elderly neighbor, whose past tragedy eventually sheds light on his tough exterior and connections to the story's events.

Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Sydney • 2010s

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.