
17 Jan Book Review: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
I recently picked up Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, intrigued by its exploration of family dynamics and societal expectations in suburban America. Ng, known for her keen insights into complex relationships, sets this novel in the meticulously planned community of Shaker Heights, Ohio, where she herself grew up.
What’s it about?
The novel opens with the Richardson family’s home engulfed in flames, with the youngest daughter, Izzy, suspected of arson. From this dramatic beginning, the narrative rewinds to explore the events leading up to the fire, focusing on two families: the affluent Richardsons and their tenants, the Warrens.
Elena Richardson, a journalist and mother of four, embodies the orderly principles of Shaker Heights. Her husband, Bill, is a successful lawyer, and their children—Lexie, Trip, Moody, and Izzy—each navigate the pressures of their privileged upbringing. The family’s structured life is disrupted when Mia Warren, an enigmatic artist with a transient lifestyle, moves into their rental property with her teenage daughter, Pearl.
Pearl becomes close to the Richardson children, particularly Moody, who develops feelings for her. As Pearl is drawn into the Richardson’s world, she also becomes a confidante to Lexie and Trip, leading to complex relationships and hidden tensions. Meanwhile, Mia, who works part-time for the Richardsons, becomes a mentor to the rebellious Izzy, fostering her artistic inclinations and challenging her to think independently.
The story delves deeper into the characters’ pasts, revealing Mia’s secretive history and the sacrifices she made for her art and daughter. A significant subplot involves a custody battle over a Chinese-American baby, May Ling Chow, who was abandoned at a fire station and later adopted by the McCulloughs, friends of the Richardsons. Mia sides with the baby’s biological mother, Bebe, igniting a community-wide controversy that forces the characters to confront their beliefs about race, privilege, and motherhood.
As tensions escalate, secrets unravel, leading to irrevocable decisions and the eventual conflagration that destroys the Richardson home. The novel concludes with the family grappling with the aftermath, each member reflecting on their choices and the impact of their actions.
What This Chick Thinks
Reading Little Fires Everywhere was like peeling back the layers of a seemingly perfect community to uncover the complexities and contradictions beneath. Ng’s portrayal of Shaker Heights is both affectionate and critical, highlighting the tensions between individuality and conformity. The characters are richly drawn, each grappling with personal dilemmas that reflect broader societal issues.
However, some plot developments felt a bit contrived, and certain resolutions seemed too neatly tied up. Despite these minor critiques, the novel’s exploration of themes like identity, belonging, and the consequences of secrets was both thought-provoking and engaging.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Little Fires Everywhere is a compelling read that delves into the intricacies of family life and the impact of societal expectations. While it has its imperfections, the novel’s depth and Ng’s insightful writing make it a worthwhile read. I’d rate it an 8.5 out of 10.
Try it if you like:
- Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng – Ng’s debut novel explores family dynamics and the weight of expectations in a Chinese-American family in the 1970s.
- The Dutch House by Ann Patchett – A story about a brother and sister navigating their complex family history and the legacy of their childhood home.
- Commonwealth by Ann Patchett – An exploration of the intertwining lives of two families over five decades, beginning with an unexpected kiss at a christening party.
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