A Thought-Provoking Tale of Destiny: Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
A Fiction Review by Shannon MacLeod
Here One Moment tells the story of a woman who, during an inter-city flight in Australia, predicts the time and cause of death for each passenger on the plane. People quickly dismiss her—until one of her predictions comes true.
The book's theme makes you reflect on how you’d respond if you knew when and how your life would end. Would you change anything to prevent it? Could you even, if you tried? Or are our futures predetermined by destiny?
At first, I struggled with the number of characters I had to follow—many points of view from the passengers who received their death date and cause. But in the end, each of their storylines became clear, and I found myself truly invested in them.
I cared about the characters, I was rooting for them, and they felt genuine. Even now, three days after finishing the book, I find myself thinking about them and wondering how they’re doing. The only other book that’s had a similar effect on me was The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (which I highly recommend), which I read a couple of years ago.
Before Here One Moment, I had read Moriarty’s Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret, and Nine Perfect Strangers. Familiar with her style, I had high expectations as I dove into Here One Moment, and they were exceeded.
Where Moriarty excels is in her character development. As I followed along with their musings, I found myself considering my future, fears, and regrets in parallel to theirs. However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom—I found myself laughing out loud a few times, too.
Moriarty is an excellent storyteller. Her prose is engaging and thought-provoking, and her narrative is expertly woven, with the tension building as you realize that every prediction, no matter how far-fetched, could potentially come true.
Through my investment in the characters and the suspense of how their lives would unfold, I was eager to see what would happen next. The emotional depth of the characters added an extra layer of complexity to the story, making it not just a thriller but also a deep exploration of human nature and the choices we make when faced with the unknown.
About the Author
Liane Moriarty is the author of the #1 New York Times bestsellers Big Little Lies, Apples Never Fall, The Husband’s Secret, and Truly Madly Guilty; the New York Times bestsellers Nine Perfect Strangers, What Alice Forgot, and The Last Anniversary; The Hypnotist’s Love Story; and Three Wishes. She lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and two children.
About the Reviewer
A former newspaper editor, Shannon MacLeod is passionate about Canadian Press Style and typography (she gets twitchy when she is forced to read certain fonts). Shannon enjoys music (singing, playing, and listening), gardening, cooking, baking, reading, and being active in her community. She loves spending time with her husband DJ, and her dogs, Moe (a pug) and Bronson (a border collie). Professionally, Shannon is a Senior Community Engagement Advisor for Horizon Health Network. Originally from Sussex Corner, Shannon has called Miramichi home since 2012.
Book Details
Publisher : Doubleday Canada (Sept. 10 2024)
Language : English
Hardcover : 512 pages
ISBN-10 : 0385699794
ISBN-13 : 978-0385699792