Necessary Lies - Diane Chamberlain

Necessary Lies

By Diane Chamberlain

  • Release Date: 2013-09-03
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 618 Ratings)

Book Synopsis

Bestselling author Diane Chamberlain delivers a breakout book about a small southern town fifty years ago, and the darkest—and most hopeful—places in the human heart

After losing her parents, fifteen-year-old Ivy Hart is left to care for her grandmother, older sister and nephew as tenants on a small tobacco farm. As she struggles with her grandmother's aging, her sister's mental illness and her own epilepsy, she realizes they might need more than she can give.
When Jane Forrester takes a position as Grace County's newest social worker, she doesn't realize just how much her help is needed. She quickly becomes emotionally invested in her clients' lives, causing tension with her boss and her new husband. But as Jane is drawn in by the Hart women, she begins to discover the secrets of the small farm—secrets much darker than she would have guessed. Soon, she must decide whether to take drastic action to help them, or risk losing the battle against everything she believes is wrong.
Set in rural Grace County, North Carolina in a time of state-mandated sterilizations and racial tension, Necessary Lies tells the story of these two young women, seemingly worlds apart, but both haunted by tragedy. Jane and Ivy are thrown together and must ask themselves: how can you know what you believe is right, when everyone is telling you it's wrong?

Tags in Fiction & Literature : Necessary Lies Diane Chamberlain ebook , Necessary Lies Diane Chamberlain epub , Necessary Lies Diane Chamberlain AUDIOBOOK , Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain ePub (.epub) , Necessary Lies book review , Fiction & Literature

Latest Impressions

  • Gripping story touches both heart and mind

    5
    By NanettaNick
    Chamberlain makes each character so vivid as they deal with complex circumstances in their lives. I could feel Jane’s anguish as she tried to do the right thing for her clients, but was thwarted by rigid rules and harsh social class restrictions. I felt like I was immersed in a real place and time, as each compelling scene unfolded. Bravo!
  • Necessary Lies

    5
    By Bitty3Babies
    AMAZING book -- I loved the time period of the book, early 1960's -- and the characters and main theme of the book made it hard to put down. GREAT STORY -- especially since it is NOT FICTION!!
  • Loved this book!

    5
    By abearcub
    I honestly did not expect to love this story as much as I did. I’ve read a ton from the author and liked almost everything she’s written, but this one was definitely my favorite! I wish it had a different title though because “Necessary Lies” does not encapsulate the beautiful and complicated relationships found in this book. But it’s a five star in my opinion, nonetheless.
  • An absolute must read

    5
    By tremone12
    This book.. Gosh this book. The author does such an incredible job of tackling such a taboo period in NC history by taking you through the different perspectives of each person involved in the eugenics program. It made me laugh, cry, hope and hate and I loved every second of it. I would love it if they made a TV series for this story!!
  • Mesmerizing

    5
    By Erin Broussard
    Beautiful story! I could not put it down!! One of the best books I've read in awhile!
  • Necessary Lies

    5
    By Cubsmilk
    I enjoyed this book because it captured the characters and I am a contemporary of this era. I could identify with Jane's with holding of her desire to work from her new husband. Women were expected to play a “role” and not be true to who they were. I would like to read her novel on women living out the role and their struggle to do that!!!
  • I didn't want to put it down

    5
    By K.B.13
    I almost missed my train stop while reading this book because I got so into it that I didn't hear the conductor announce my stop! I absolutely did not want to put it down. There is a character for everyone to relate to. LOVED this book.
  • Good read

    5
    By Losangel
    Good story, kept me interested throughout. I'm going to check out some of her other books.
  • Necessary reading!!

    5
    By tracylynn0715
    What a great book by one of my all-time favorite authors! I loved the characters in this book & through the fictional characters learned about a real historical tragedy. It breaks my heart that so many people had to go through something so blatantly wrong! Thank you, Ms. Chamberlain, for shedding light on this "program." And please, please, please keep writing! You are such a talented writer & I eagerly await all your future novels!
  • Another Great One by DC

    5
    By MygiftsA&L
    This book is amazing! If you like thought provoking books with a great storyline then this book is for you! All the emotions are covered from happiness to sadness to happiness again....This is one of her best! Keep them coming Dianne, your writing is a gift!