I was finally able to finish Little Fires Everywhere! It was an impromptu inclusion to my To Be Read pile because I hadn’t planned on reading it until sometime later this year. But I’m glad I made that small shift because this novel lives up to the hype. Ingrid Nilsen, a Youtuber, recommended the book several months ago and I’ve been seeing the cover all over bookstagram lately. I loved Celeste Ng’s writing style and the way she displayed small glimpses into the future of the characters without diverting from the main story. Not to mention, it will be turned into a small series starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, so I wanted to read it before the show gets released.
For those who haven’t read it yet, Little Fires Everywhere takes place in Shaker Heights, a role model community whose residents thrive for perfection, the neighborhoods have matching houses and everything seems straight out of a magazine. But Mrs. Richardson’s new tenant, Mia Warren, doesn’t fit the status quo. Mia is a single mother, an artist for a living, and has been living as a ‘nomad’ –moving from place to place –accompanied by her daughter Pearl, who is now fifteen. The Richardson kids soon become enthralled by these outsiders. But the fire really sparks when the town becomes divided over a local couple who adopt a Chinese baby, making Mia and Mrs. Richardson take opposing sides.
The story mainly focuses on motherhood from different perspectives, being Mrs. Richardson and Mia the main characters, though there is also some drama surrounding the teenagers. Celeste Ng explores delicate subjects, such as inter-racial adoption and abortion, in such a fluent way that keeps the reader engaged.
This is the type of book that I’ll most likely find myself rereading sometime from now. I am not a mother, but I feel that if one day I do become one, I’ll be able see the story from a new point of view.
Overall rating: 5/5.
If you haven’t picked up this book yet, I highly recommend you do!
Olivine Books 