In Here One Moment , Moriarty’s 10th novel, the Australian author once again sends her characters into existential chaos. A lot of pop culture talk these days revolves around the idea of world-building and those distinctively initialled fantasy authors who do it so well (J.R.
R. Tolkien, George R.R.
Martin, N.K. Jemisin).
But really, every novelist is a god, constructing universes and, on occasion, destroying them, too. We have our Old Testament types, ruthless with their creations, and the more benevolent deities, who ordain that no man is dealt more than he can handle. The Hestias of this pantheon - tenderhearted romance authors - delight in delivering their mortals to ecstasy.
So, then, what kind of Maker is Liane Moriarty? After 10 novels in 20 years, including her latest, Here One Moment , a picture emerges of an author who never shies from unleashing disasters but whose resolutions create a sense of cosmic symmetry. Her characters live in a world where their loved ones die in sudden, freakish ways (amusement park ride accident; lightning strike; falling tree). They suffer other gutting losses, too, including repeated miscarriages, cheating spouses and the deaths of their children.
But they survive and rise from rock bottom, clear-eyed and less burdened. Some of them, anyway. If Moriarty writes by one commandment, it’s this: Thou Shalt Not Abuse Women.
In this lone regard, she kicks it old-school: The punishment is death. Unlike in her blockbuster Big Little Lies (and.