Liars: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains depictions of emotional and physical abuse, illness, and gender discrimination.

The child starts teething, and Jane’s hands and feet tingle, potentially signaling another relapse of her autoimmune disease. Jane has a cold when she leaves for a work trip to Pennsylvania. She meets a woman who gives her a card with a short prayer, and her talk and book signing go well; however, afterward she develops pink eye, and her cough intensifies. Shortly after arriving home, Jane’s autoimmune disease flares, and she is admitted to the hospital. She experiences numbness and paralysis and is treated with an infusion. Jane is released home after five days, where she tends to the child as best she can while John looks “terrible.” Although she feels depressed, she pushes those feelings aside. The nanny loses her car, and John goes to Calgary, leaving a healing Jane alone with her domestic responsibilities. She takes the child to the park, and her hands go numb.

While writing her fifth book, Jane sought John’s advice; subsequently, it was her worst-selling book. He often criticizes Jane’s writing, and she is aware that he does it intentionally.