Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
(Format used for this read: Audiobook)
My book club read this novel long before I was part of the group and I’ve had it on my list for awhile.
A friend told me I would enjoy it…and she was correct.
This book had all kinds of things in it which I’ll fill you in about in a sec.
Here is the official summary:
“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—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—an enigmatic artist and single mother—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—and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster.”
This authors storytelling style is similar to Liane Moriarty…an author I have also really enjoyed.
This book tells the stories of many members of different families, all intertwined thru this “picture perfect” community.
Appearances are always deceiving as this story proves.
There is always more to a person’s life and experience than what we assume.
The characters wrestle with the definition of what is considered “normal” in relationships, society, and self identity…
what is it that forms ideals in our heads and hearts?
And how do those expectations and biases we form affect the people around us…from our family members to our neighbors to our society as a whole.
There was a lot of issues and emotions tapped into in this story….layers upon layers….
but I think the bottom line of all it is to never think that YOUR individual life experience and perspective is the ONLY one that is correct…and also how crucial it is not to force your expectations on others.
Having empathy and not just sympathy for others experiences is also a huge part of this story…
and that severe harm and trauma can come when we do not display this.
Definitely recommend this book…but be prepared to zip right thru it because you will not want to stop reading!