Ugh. I can’t believe I’m writing a DNF review of a Liane Moriarty book…
But, I am. I totally am. **face palm*
What’s Apples Never Fall about?
Apples Never Fall is the newest release from this highly talented writer, who is usually one of my favorite authors. I will read anything she puts out. Generally, I’ve liked all of Moriarty’s books, and I’ve absolutely loved some of them (see below).
As with most Moriarty novels, Apples Never Fall contains family drama and secrets, with someone possibly concealing a murder. The Delaney family is full of sibling rivalry, a perhaps not-so-perfect marriage, and a lot of money that clearly doesn’t buy happiness.
And, tennis. A surprising amount of tennis.
Why I DNF’d Apples Never Fall
I was invested in the entire Delaney family from the beginning, and I was intrigued by the premise of the novel – their beloved mother and wife has disappeared without a trace, and her husband may be to blame.
However, about 100 pages in, my enthusiasm for everyone and everything started to wane. There’s a lot of tension in Apples Never Fall between the four siblings. I’m an only child, so maybe I just don’t get all the petty one-upsmanship and bickering that goes on between brothers and sisters, but…there’s a lot of it in this book. It got annoying.
There’s also clearly some kind of con going on between the parents and a stray waif they randomly take in. Said waif may or may not have something to do with the mom/wife’s disappearance. (Note: this is not a spoiler; the siblings are all thinking this from the get-go.) I quickly formed my own theories about what was going on with this sitch and continued reading, eager for when the truth would come out.
After about 200 pages of wondering where the heck the mother/wife is and whether or not the father/husband actually killed her… I flipped to the back of the book to find out what happens.
When I read it, my first reaction wasn’t “OMG! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!”
It was “Do I really need to read 200 more pages to find this out?”
After a few minutes of waffling, I closed Apples Never Fall and placed it on my library return pile for the next day.
As I like to say, not everything can be a winner, especially when you’ve churned out as many hits as Moriarty. Similar to my feelings about my reader-relationship with Jane Green, and particularly after my so-so take on Nine Perfect Strangers, I can’t help wondering if I’ve just out-grown my proclivity for Moriarty’s books.
Should you read Apples Never Fall?
If you’re a Liane Moriarty fan, Apples Never Fall is probably worth reading. There’s nothing wrong with the story, per se; it just takes too long to get where it’s going. I know plenty of people who enjoyed this one, so you may, too. I mean, Peacock is making a movie/miniseries of Apples Never Fall. So, obviously, someone liked it.
If you’ve never read Liane Moriarty book, please do not let Apples Never Fall be your first foray into this author’s works. I don’t think it does her justice. If you’re looking for great domestic suspense, I recommend Big Little Lies or The Husband’s Secret, and if you’re looking for women’s fiction, I can’t say enough good things about The Hypnotist’s Love Story, What Alice Forgot, and The Last Anniversary.
Will I watch the series of Apples Never Fall?
2024 update: I just found out a miniseries is being made of Apples Never Fall. After the success of Big Little Lies on HBO and Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu, I guess I’m not surprised. But, I would have thought a different (read: better) Moriarty book would have been adapted for screen.
That being said, I’ll probably watch an episode or two of Apples Never Fall when it comes on Peacock. I DNF’d reading Saint X, which was also made into a miniseries, and I ended up enjoying the show much more than the book. So maybe I’ll like the screen adaptation of Apples Never Fall better, too.
My thoughts on Apples Never Fall miniseries
I’ve now watched the Peacock miniseries of Apples Never Fall, and I really enjoyed it! Annette Benning plays Joy Delaney, and I’ve loved watching her in anything since I saw The American President back in middle school. She’s great in the show, as are all the other actors. The series really sucked me into the family and sibling drama, which didn’t come across as petty on screen as it did in the book. I’m not sure how much was changed from the book to the TV show, but it was enough for me to get totally engrossed in the show.
The ending of Apples Never Fall still isn’t as shocking as what I was hoping for. But, watching the show made me realize the story’s not really about what happens to Joy. It’s about what happens to her family when they think she’s missing and was murdered by her husband/their father. It’s about how they all fall apart and turn on one another. Dramatic, indeed.
I may not recommend reading Apples Never Fall, but I definitely recommend watching the show!
Totally agree with you on everything you have written including the recommendations for other Lianne Moriarty novels.
Felt the same way as you with Nine Perfect Strangers too.
Hoping the same doesn’t happen with Jodi Picoult as have her most recent on my TBR pile!
Hi, Katie! I’ve never read Jodi Picoult (well, maybe one, a long time ago!), but I could imagine the same thing happening with her books! After awhile and after so many books, how can every single one be fantastic? I hope her newest lives up to your expectations, though!