Three Wishes Summary & Key Insights

Liane Moriarty's "Three Wishes" isn't a single, unified narrative but rather an interconnected exploration of three distinct yet overlapping storylines focused on the lives of three women – and their intertwined wishes – revolving around a prestigious Sydney girls' school. The novel doesn't explicitly feature three literal wishes granted, but rather the themes of longing, aspiration, and the unexpected consequences of pursuing desires.

The central character is Catherine, a teacher struggling with infertility and a complicated marriage. Her desire for a child becomes a powerful, underlying current throughout the story. Her longing manifests in different ways, including a near-obsessive focus on her students and a somewhat unhealthy attachment to one particularly troubled girl. Catherine’s storyline explores themes of motherhood, societal pressure, and the complexities of female relationships.

The second significant character is Lyn, a recently widowed mother and former high school acquaintance of Catherine. Lyn's life is thrown into disarray following her husband's death, leaving her grappling with grief, financial instability, and the need to rebuild her life. She represents the struggle for self-discovery and the challenge of forging a new path after loss. Her "wish," implicitly, is for healing and a sense of renewed purpose.

The third key player is Tess, the enigmatic and manipulative mother of one of the school’s students. She harbors secrets and wields significant influence within the school community. Tess's storyline explores themes of ambition, power dynamics, and the lengths people go to protect their carefully constructed image. Her complex motives and manipulations drive much of the plot forward, intertwining with the lives of Catherine and Lyn.

The narratives of these three women converge through their shared connection to the school and the interwoven complexities of their relationships. Their lives become increasingly entangled as the novel progresses, leading to unexpected revelations and confrontations. A central mystery involving the school and a series of seemingly unrelated events unfolds, forcing each woman to confront their deepest desires and the consequences of their actions.

Ultimately, "Three Wishes" isn't about the fulfillment of literal wishes but rather the journey of self-discovery and the transformative power of facing challenges and confronting one’s own limitations. The overarching theme is the complicated nature of female relationships, the pressures of societal expectations, and the often unpredictable paths we take in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. Moriarty explores these themes through a blend of suspense, emotional depth, and compelling characters who grapple with their ambitions, regrets, and the unexpected consequences of their choices.