We Were Liars Character Analysis

Cadence “Cady” Eastman

The narrator and protagonist of We Were Liars, Cady Eastman is the oldest grandchild of the wealthy and ostensibly perfect Sinclair family. She lives in Burlington, Vermont, with her mother, Penny. Cady’s father… read analysis of Cadence “Cady” Eastman

Gatwick “Gat” Patil

Ed’s nephew and Cady’s love interest. Although he is not related to the Sinclairs by blood, Gat begins spending his summers at Beechwood when he is eleven. His uncle Ed is in a… read analysis of Gatwick “Gat” Patil

Harris Sinclair

The patriarch of the Sinclair family, Harris and his late wife, Tipper, have amassed a considerable fortune. They use their wealth to buy a private island that they call Beechwood, where they build… read analysis of Harris Sinclair

Penny Sinclair Eastman

Cady’s mother, Penny, is the oldest of the Sinclair sisters. She lives in Burlington, Vermont, with Cady and spends her summers with the rest of the Sinclair family on their private island near Martha’s… read analysis of Penny Sinclair Eastman

Johnny

The second-oldest Sinclair grandchild and one of the Liars. His mother, Carrie, is divorced and began dating Gat’s uncle Ed when the boys were eleven years old. Because of this, Johnny and Gat… read analysis of Johnny

Mirren

One of the older Sinclair grandchildren, Mirren is Cady’s closest female cousin and her good friend. Cady describes Mirren as irritable and bossy. Mirren, in turn, is deeply jealous of Gat and Cady’s relationship… read analysis of Mirren

Ed

Carrie’s long-term boyfriend and Gat’s uncle. Ed is of South Asian descent, which is secretly an issue for Harris Sinclair, the family patriarch. Harris has threatened to take away Carrie’s share of… read analysis of Ed

Tipper Sinclair

Harris Sinclair’s wife, and mother of Carrie, Bess, and Penny. Tipper is the glue holding the family together; after her death, the sisters argue bitterly over her possessions and their shares… read analysis of Tipper Sinclair

Mr. Eastman / Cady’s Father

Penny’s ex-husband, Cady’s father, and a professor of military history. He abandons his wife and child for another woman, which Cady considers a major betrayal of her family. She spends one summer with… read analysis of Mr. Eastman / Cady’s Father

Minor Characters

Carrie

One of the Sinclair daughters, she had Johnny and his younger brother Will with her ex-husband and is currently dating Ed. Ed asked her to marry him, but she refused because Harris threatened to withhold her inheritance.

Bess

One of the Sinclair daughters, and the mother to Mirren, Liberty, Bonnie, and Taft. Bess relies heavily on Harris’s money, as she is a stay-at-home mom and thus doesn’t have a steady income of her own to rely on.

Will

One of the younger Sinclair grandchildren. He is Carrie’s son and Johnny’s younger brother.

Taft

One of the younger Sinclair grandchildren. He is Bess’s son and Bonnie, Liberty, and Mirren’s brother.

Bonnie

One of the younger Sinclair grandchildren. She is Bess’s daughter and Liberty’s twin sister.

Liberty

One of the younger Sinclair grandchildren. She is Bess’s daughter and Bonnie’s twin sister.

Raquel

Gat’s girlfriend in New York City. Gat is torn between his feelings for Cady and his desire to be faithful to his girlfriend back home. Despite Raquel’s existence, however, Gat and Cady continue their summer romance in their fifteenth summer at Beechwood.

We Were Liars

E. Lockhart

We Were Liars Characters