Like most planned communities, Shaker Heights from “Little Fires Everywhere” have rules and regulations. Homes and lawns must be maintained to the standards set, garbage is collected from behind the homes, so not as to spoil the illusion of the perfect life. Paint color on houses must be approved, and within the parameters of choices for the style of the home.
Meet the Richardsons
The Richardson family, an important, prominent family in Shaker Heights, have four teenage children who arrived in the world one year apart; Isabelle, or Izzy, the youngest, a freshman in high school, is the one the rest of the family always seems to be shaking their heads about; Moody, a sophomore, is quiet, bright and very introspective; Trip, a junior is a girl magnet who plays sports, and is good at it; and Lexie, a senior, who is well-liked at school, and has plans for her future.
The Richardson family also owns another home that they rent out, the top floor separately from the lower floor. Mrs. Richardson, has an image she likes to maintain, and part of that is helping people who she feels are deserving.
The Encounter with Mia and Pearl
“Most of the time, everyone deserves more than one chance. We all do things we regret now and then. You just have to carry them with you.”
So when Mrs. Richardson, Elena, meets Mia Warren and Mia’s daughter Pearl, a very shy fifteen-year-old girl, she feels they will be the perfect choice for her new tenants, clearly they could use a healthy wave of her help. Mia doesn’t feel she needs her help, or really, anyone else’s for that matter, clearly Mrs. Richardson and Mia Warren are two very different women with two very different sets of priorities.
Contrasting Lives
Mrs. Richardson had planned her future out when she was her children’s age, or perhaps even younger. She’s succeeded in most of the ways that are apparent to an outsider looking in – providing they don’t look too closely. Her husband is an attorney, and they live in her designated neighborhood, in an appropriate house and drive nice cars, but tastefully nice.
Mia, on the other hand, has wanted to be an artist her whole life, but life had more or less just happened to her and she went along for the ride. Not that it was entirely without planning, but sometimes plans need adjusting somewhere along the way, and the choices you make need to change, as well. Her life has been lived flying by the seat of her pants, navigating with the wind.
A Budding Friendship
“Rules existed for a reason: if you followed them, you would succeed; if you didn’t, you might burn the world to the ground.”
It doesn’t take long for young Moody who is riding his bike over to make Pearl’s acquaintance, and they strike up a friendship at once. Despite their home and income differences, or maybe because of them, Moody is drawn to their home over and over again. It isn’t long before he brings Pearl to his home to meet everyone in his family.
Intertwining Stories
Another storyline weaves throughout their stories, a young Chinese woman who, unable to care for herself, let alone her infant, leaves her baby at a firehouse. A husband and wife, who have been praying for a baby to adopt, are asked if they are interested in adopting her.
Engaging Narratives
Told through the eyes of multiple characters, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste NG is a slow burn read with fluid changes of POV. While one of the main events occurs in the first chapter, it isn’t until the end that one can fully understand the implications of “the little fires everywhere.” It didn’t take very long for me to become fully engaged in this story, in the lives of these people, to become so familiar with who they were, to see each of their flaws as Celeste Ng slowly revealed more and more about these perfectly imperfect characters. The more I learned about them, the more immersed I became in this story.
Motherhood and Truths
“It came, over and over, down to this: What made someone a mother? Was it biology alone, or was it love?”
Celeste Ng has an uncanny talent for picking deftly at the sore wounds between mothers, daughters, and others. She seems to know just when to bring to the surface those truths, those thorny-edged truths that emerge unexpectedly to the surface. The undeniable, can-no-longer-hide truths and the profound consequences that force one to finally take the reigns and deal. Little Fires Everywhere was my first book by Celeste Ng. I loved storytelling in Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste NG, her gift of drawing me into these lives slowly, but always adding just enough to pull me in just a little more and then suddenly I realized I couldn’t imagine not having had this experience. She’s one of the best female authors of contemporary times.
A Multi-Leveled Undertaking
In Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste NG, author takes on quite a multi-leveled undertaking with so many prongs in the fire pit. You’ll be the judge of that. But this storyline will grab your attention and have you, unintentionally, taking sides in many arguments that crosses these pages.
Adaptation on Screen
This amazing book, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, is now adapted by Witherspoon and Washington’s Hulu and the series is streaming on the platform. Though I’ve not watched it yet but surely planning to watch by this weekend (I checked the trailer and it looks promising thankfully. I am still not happy about Big Little Lies’ adaptation.)
Recommendation
If you enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, you might appreciate the following book recommendations, which explore similar themes of family dynamics, secrets, and societal issues:
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
This novel follows the lives of twin sisters who choose different paths—one embracing her racial identity and the other passing as white. It intertwines their family secrets, identity, and the legacy of trauma.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Also by Celeste Ng, this novel delves into the inner workings of a Chinese-American family grappling with the mysterious death of their eldest daughter. It’s a poignant exploration of race, family, and expectations.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
This book addresses issues of race, privilege, and relationships through the story of a young African-American babysitter accused of kidnapping a white child, and the ensuing complications with her employer.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Spanning five decades, this novel follows two siblings and their complex relationship with their family’s past and their house. It’s a captivating story about family bonds and the impact of loss.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
This novel combines elements of mystery and coming-of-age story with a deep connection to nature. It explores themes of isolation, resilience, and the search for belonging.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
While different in style, this novel offers a compelling look at loneliness, trauma, and the power of friendship and love in healing.
These books capture the intricate interplay of personal struggles, societal norms, and family secrets, much like Little Fires Everywhere. Enjoy your reading!
