12 books about betrayal within families

Family is often seen as the ultimate source of love, comfort, and support. But when betrayal creeps into the heart of these relationships, the reverberations can shake the very foundation of everything once believed to be unbreakable. These 12 books dive deep into the emotional and psychological turmoil that arises when betrayal emerges within the confines of family. From secretive actions to hidden motives, the stories explore the intricate dynamics of trust, loyalty, and the devastating consequences when they are shattered.

1. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

In Big Little Lies, Moriarty explores the complex web of family dynamics, where betrayal is woven through seemingly perfect lives. At its core, the novel examines how secrets and lies within families create a powder keg of tension, waiting to explode. From the betrayals of marital infidelity to the deep-rooted insecurities and misunderstandings between mothers and their children, Moriarty’s sharp prose uncovers how every family has skeletons in its closet.

2. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

In The Poisonwood Bible, betrayal within the Price family is not just an emotional wound, but a catalyst for transformation. When the fiery and stubborn patriarch, Nathan, drags his family to the Congo with his missionary zeal, their lives are irrevocably changed. His blind arrogance and disregard for their well-being lead to fractures in their relationships, particularly between him and his daughters. As each daughter navigates her own path through the complexities of survival, betrayal takes on many forms, from personal disappointments to the collapse of familial unity.

3. The Godfather by Mario Puzo

At the heart of The Godfather lies a family whose bonds are strengthened by power and loyalty, yet ultimately destroyed by betrayal. Don Vito Corleone’s empire is built on trust within his family, but as his children are pulled deeper into the world of organized crime, betrayals begin to unravel their unity. Michael Corleone, in particular, must grapple with the tension between loyalty to his family and the darker path of revenge and power. This gripping narrative explores the price of loyalty and how even the strongest family ties can be poisoned by betrayal.

4. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

In We Were Liars, the Sinclair family’s idyllic life is shattered by a web of lies and secrets. The story follows Cadence, a young woman struggling with the trauma of a family betrayal that she can’t quite piece together. As she uncovers the buried truth about what happened one fateful summer, readers are led through a maze of emotional manipulation and shocking revelations. The novel’s clever structure builds suspense, slowly unraveling the betrayal at the heart of the family’s seemingly perfect existence.

5. Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

In Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn creates a dark, brooding atmosphere where familial ties are strained to their breaking point. Camille Preaker returns to her hometown to report on a series of disturbing murders, only to find herself submerged in a toxic environment with her emotionally abusive mother and manipulative half-sister. The story explores how betrayal manifests in small, insidious ways within a family, from cruel words to the devastating toll of unspoken family secrets. Flynn’s chilling narrative reveals how betrayal can come in the most intimate, familial forms.

6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Though The Great Gatsby isn’t entirely about family, its exploration of betrayal within relationships offers poignant insight into the fragility of trust. Tom Buchanan’s marriage to Daisy is marred by his repeated infidelities and disregard for her emotional needs. Meanwhile, Daisy’s betrayal of her husband with Gatsby stirs the tragic events that follow. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of wealth, desire, and deceit illustrates how deeply betrayal within families can affect not just individuals, but entire communities.

7. The Sisters by Claire Douglas

In The Sisters, family betrayal takes center stage in the complex relationship between two sisters, Rose and Bel. The narrative shifts between past and present, revealing how a tragic accident and years of secrets have shaped their relationship. Rose’s overwhelming guilt and Bel’s simmering anger highlight the wounds that betrayal leaves behind. The novel explores the fragility of trust between siblings and how even the closest relationships can fracture when deceit lingers in the shadows.

8. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Everything I Never Told You explores the depths of family secrets and the betrayal of unspoken expectations. Lydia Lee, the favored child of a Chinese-American family, is found dead under mysterious circumstances, and the story unravels the hidden truths behind her life and death. As the Lee family struggles to cope with their grief, the narrative reveals how each family member’s own desires, expectations, and betrayals have shaped Lydia’s tragic fate. It’s a haunting meditation on identity, familial pressure, and the devastating consequences of silence.

9. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing is a generational saga that spans across continents and centuries, exploring the ripple effects of betrayal within the family. At the heart of the story is the split between two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, whose descendants experience betrayal in different forms, from slavery to colonialism. The novel traces how betrayal shapes not only individual lives but entire bloodlines, leaving scars that transcend time and geography. Gyasi’s masterful storytelling shows how the sins of one generation can affect the next, and how deeply betrayal runs within the veins of a family.

10. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

In The Nightingale, the betrayal of family is felt most acutely during the brutal backdrop of World War II. Two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, find themselves caught in the tangled web of love, survival, and betrayal. The wartime choices they make—whether to risk their lives for others or protect their own—create lasting rifts between them. The family’s fractured loyalties are exposed under the pressure of occupation and violence, and the novel’s exploration of sacrifice and guilt reflects the deeply painful cost of betrayal within families.

11. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth is a brilliant exploration of how betrayal within family and society can lead to tragic downfall. Lily Bart, a young woman caught in the webs of New York’s high society, finds herself abandoned by the very family members who should have supported her. As Lily’s pursuit of a marriage that will secure her position collides with the betrayal of her trust by those closest to her, Wharton crafts a searing commentary on social expectations, family loyalty, and the precariousness of trust.

12. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

In The Thirteenth Tale, family betrayal takes on a gothic tone, with long-hidden secrets and dark truths at the center of the story. Vida Winter, a reclusive author, invites Margaret Lea to write her biography, but as Margaret delves deeper into Vida’s past, she uncovers a story of family betrayal that spans generations. The novel weaves a haunting tale about how betrayal can infect even the most cherished familial bonds and how discovering the truth can either heal or destroy.

Final Thoughts

From the deep wounds caused by deceit to the quiet, lingering damage of unspoken secrets, these 12 books highlight the devastating impact of betrayal within families. Whether it’s the consequences of infidelity, the weight of societal pressures, or the betrayal of personal expectations, each story offers a unique lens through which to examine the fragility of trust. Through complex characters and intricate plots, these books remind us of the profound, often heartbreaking consequences that come when betrayal enters the family dynamic.