LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE - Celeste Ng

LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE, was first on my radar after it was selected by Book of the Month Club back in January and it has since won a multitude of awards (Amazon’s best novel of 2017 and Goodreads readers’ choice award 2017 to name a few). Currently listed in Richard and Judy’s Book Club as part of their Summer 2018 picks, I definitely think it’s popularity with UK readers will grow. The novel itself is the first I’ve read by the author Celeste Ng- and whilst I wasn’t blown away by the book I wouldn’t rule out reading more written by her.

Set in an American suburb, Shaker Heights, Ohio, Ng starts the story with a bang where the Richardson house is ablaze after a series of ‘little fires’ in the bedrooms of the house. However, you should not enter into this book expecting this level of action throughout. The novel is a compelling yet slow-moving story based around a multitude of characters, primarily two families: the wealthy Richardson’s who live in a seemingly perfect world, and the Warren’s, a nomadic mother daughter duo who avoid settling in one place for too long. With themes of race, class and privilege woven throughout the story it becomes a more engrossing read as you progress through the chapters whereby the characters personal stories unfold and play a large part in how the story unravels. 

The arrival of Mia and Pearl Warren I feel is what initially sparks a series of ‘little fires’ amongst the many parallel-running stories that cleverly impact the next. Although a somewhat slower-paced read to my most recent reads, I thought Ng did a fantastic job of developing meaningful storylines that helped build the story slowly to its natural height. It was captivating and though-provoking and Ng cleverly writes characters that entice you to know more about their complex lives that require you to keep reading. I personally was largely sidetracked by the adoption and court battle of the abandoned Chinese baby- Mirabelle- the part of the story that pulls all the characters together and reveals the
depths of the characters in their own individual stories whether that be past or present.

 Overall, whilst I wasn’t wowed by the book (I largely blame awards and reviews for setting high expectations), I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional and all-consuming read that Ng presents, and enjoyed her style of writing especially how she develops such meaning behind her characters actions showcasing the complexity of life in both families. 

Rating: 4/5