#80 Little Fires Everywhere

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere is a fiercely character driven novel, if you aren't into that then this might not be for you. I used to be one of those people that was more of a plot reader but i don't mind character driven novels occasionally if they are executed well and this was.

The book follows the story of the Richardson's, in the beginning chapter their house burns to the ground. The fire department immediately rule out an accidental fire and rule the tragedy as arson due to multiple accelerant points or 'little fires everywhere'. The book follows the stories of the characters involved in the run up to the fire.

The Richardson's are a well to do upper class family in suburban Ohio. Mrs Richardson is a reporter for a local Shaker Heights newspaper and Mr Richardson is a partner at a law firm. Together they have four children, Trip the lacrosse star, Lexie the potential ivy league attendee, Moody the quiet one and Izzy the unpredictable black sheep. When Mia Warren and her young daughter Pearl move into the Richardson's rental property the story begins to unfold and takes the reader in directions i did not see coming.

There is a few side plots in this novel, it felt like the story of the fire was firmly on the back burner (excuse the pun!) but i promise it all comes together in the end. We have the addition of Mrs Richardson (lets refer to her as Elena from now on as that's her name :P) best friend and her husband as they attempt to adopt an abandoned Chinese baby, when the babies mother who also happens to be Mia's work colleague a custody battle ensues which divides the community. Another side plot that is explored is Mia's back story, she is a travelling artist and never stays in the same city twice, her mother embarks on an artistic mission and when she finishes they typically move on but this time Mia has vowed to Pearl that they will make Shaker Heights their permanent residence, will she uphold this promise? will her past come back to bite her in the ass?

The Richardson kids are a particularly important and interesting part of this story. Mainly the two girls Lexie and Izzy, Lexie is the popular pretty girl at school whereas Izzy is misunderstood and sticks to her guns. Izzy develops a friendship with Mia when she offers to be her assistant. Through this friendship it solidifies Izzys idea that she needs to break away from her family as soon as she is able.

All is all i thoroughly enjoyed this story, fantastic plot twists and side story lines that all came together in the end.  I enjoyed this book more that Celeste Ng's fire novel 'Everything i Never Told You' but it was also very good. Cant fault her writing and the characters have a real feel to them. Oh and a final note i must admit i much prefer the US cover which is not a statement i can say very often!