Society of Lies: A Novel

Content Warning: The source text features sexism, racism, grooming, and emotional trauma.

“He leans down to whisper in my ear, and what he says makes me freeze: ‘You’ve been tapped for Greystone Society.’ I look at him, goosebumps rising over my skin. Greystone Society is so covert that most people at Princeton don’t know they exist.”

The diction—words like “goosebumps” and “freeze”—highlights the mix of excitement and fear. Naomi is thrilled to be a part of the secret society. At the same time, she’s already scared or nervous.

“Ms. Banks, how much did you know about your sister’s life?”

Detective Simmons’s pointed question allude to Maya and Naomi’s somewhat distant relationship. Though Maya cares deeply about Naomi and moves her to the East Coast, Naomi doesn’t tell Maya about her research into Lila and Greystone, and Maya doesn’t tell Naomi about what happened with Lila and Greystone. The sisters have secrets. At this early point in the novel, this question acts as a hook for the suspense narrative, as the detective voices what the reader would also like to know.

“Sophomore year was the year most students’ fates were solidified—either you ended up in an eating club or you didn’t. And something like eighty percent of students…did.”

The ellipsis here is an example of the colloquial diction of Maya’s narrative voice, making her character more engaging and sympathetic. This is important because of her moral ambivalence throughout much of the novel. This passage also sets up the important explanation for how and why Maya gets drawn into the life of Sterling.