Review: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I almost exclusively read fantasy books nowadays. Fantasy is my favorite genre and between school and work, I don't have much time to read so I naturally tend to only read my favorites. But occasionally I feel like picking up something a bit different and nothing it more out-there for me than a contemporary novel. However, Little Fires Everywhere surprised me in the best way and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. 

the story 

The plot of Little Fires Everywhere is difficult to describe. It follows to families, the wealthy and picture-perfect Richardson clan and the mother-daughter duo of Mia and Pearl, who are renting a house from the Richardson's in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Mia is an artist and has moved her small family around the country in search of inspiration. The Richardson family could not be more different from the pair and these differences come into focus as Pearl is drawn into the Richardson's world and the youngest Richardson daughter, Izzy, is fixated on Mia. 

The novel opens with the ending: a fire burning down the Richardson house and a distinct hint that Izzy was the culprit. The story then wraps you up in all the threads leading to the dramatic ending, exploring the weight of lies, the hardships of life and love, and the meaning of motherhood. I was fully immersed in this story and the setting, so much so that I didn't want to put the book down. 

the characters

Above all, the characters shined. I rarely read such vibrant, realistic characters as these. I felt like I could meet each one of them walking down the street as if they were actual living, breathing people who could wander into my life just as I wandered into their fictional ones. You may not always agree with all of their actions or emotions, but you understand them. They make real decisions, some of which end in disaster and some of which lead to great success. I especially enjoyed the characters of Mrs. Richardson and Mia, who are so often at odds but both offer up legitimate and impactful narratives. I will say though that the writing clearly pointed favor towards Mia and I wish that I had been allowed to choose which one to agree with rather than being told who was in the right. 

the gist 

Little Fires Everywhere was rich and evocative storytelling. Like I said before, I am not typically one for contemporary books but I do appreciate a good mystery or conflict. Celeste Ng crafts a compelling story with versatile characters. She weaves the different plot-lines and perspectives together seamlessly. I also enjoyed the detailed exploration of art and identity. Celeste Ng possesses a great writing ability and I for one cannot wait to see what she does next. 

rating

Publication Date: September 12, 2017
Publisher: Penguin Press
Pages: 338
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned – from the layout of the winding roads, to the colours of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules. Enter Mia Warren – an enigmatic artist and single mother – who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenage daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than just tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the alluring mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past, and a disregard for the rules that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community. When the Richardsons' friends attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town and puts Mia and Mrs. Richardson on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Mrs. Richardson becomes determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs to her own family – and Mia's.

Have you read Little Fires Everywhere? What did you think?