Helpful Score: 3
Heartbreaking story that takes place in a model suburb, with competing models of motherhood and many explosive secrets. Emotionally rich, a fast read.
Helpful Score: 2
Engaging from the start, you don't know how to feel as you become involved in the lives and lies of the characters. Sad, funny, misunderstood and hopeful. A story that will stay with you.
Helpful Score: 1
I must be in the minority on this one, but I really felt most of this book was slow and painful to read. The writing was excellent, but the story line never really captured me. I skimmed the last few chapters just to finish.
Helpful Score: 1
Book Description:
From the bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You, a riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives.
In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned â from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors 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 â an enigmatic artist and single mother â who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.
When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town--and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs.
Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood â and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.
My Review:
I listened to this on audio and it really held my attention. This book touches on a lot of issues: motherhood, abortion, adoption, life choices, friendship and secrets. Although I don't agree with the author's views on some of these issues, I found the book most interesting. The characters were fascinating and the storylines weaving throughout made the book into a real family drama. I think Celeste Ng is a talented writer and I have read her first novel and enjoyed that too. Even though the book started out slow and a lot of characters were introduced, it finally took off and really held my interest. One complaint I have is that the ending was a little abrupt and left me hanging a bit. I look forward to reading her next book and hope it's another winner. I would recommend this book to those who love family dramas and other issues dealing with family.
From the bestselling author of Everything I Never Told You, a riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives.
In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned â from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors 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 â an enigmatic artist and single mother â who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.
When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town--and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs.
Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood â and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.
My Review:
I listened to this on audio and it really held my attention. This book touches on a lot of issues: motherhood, abortion, adoption, life choices, friendship and secrets. Although I don't agree with the author's views on some of these issues, I found the book most interesting. The characters were fascinating and the storylines weaving throughout made the book into a real family drama. I think Celeste Ng is a talented writer and I have read her first novel and enjoyed that too. Even though the book started out slow and a lot of characters were introduced, it finally took off and really held my interest. One complaint I have is that the ending was a little abrupt and left me hanging a bit. I look forward to reading her next book and hope it's another winner. I would recommend this book to those who love family dramas and other issues dealing with family.
Helpful Score: 1
Great, fast read!!!
