Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

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“Parents, she thought, learned to survive touching their children less and less...Now, as a teenager, Pearl’s caresses had become rare—a peck on the cheek, a one-armed, half-hearted hug—and all the more precious because of that. It was the way of things, Mia thought to herself, but how hard it was. The occasional embrace, a head leaned for just a moment on your shoulder, when what you really wanted more than anything was to press them to you and hold them so tight you fused together and could never be taken apart. It was like training yourself to live on the smell of an apple alone, when what you really wanted was to devour it, to sink your teeth into it and consume it, seeds, core, and all.”

So, I committed the ultimate sin and watched the Amazon TV series before reading the book. I know, sue me! I was very happy that I read the book however, as the language and character development though well done in the show, was much different in the book.

Little Fires Everywhere follows the intertwining lives of Mia Warren, single mother, artist, and vagabond; and Elena Richardson, mother of four, married, and a journalist who has always followed the rules. In its masterful and quiet unfolding Ng explores the dynamics and differences between both families, while highlighting the ugly truths we tell ourselves and hide from others.

I found this read immensely refreshing. The narrative was like someone was telling me a story by a fire. It flowed like a calming voice reading you a bedtime story, while discussing very complex and complicated matters. The ending was much different from the TV show and I actually found it much more uplifting and really quite beautiful.

If you wanted to read the book and watch the show, I would view them as completely separate entities. The story outline is generally the same and the ultimate overall message is too, but the underlying themes and political messages are much different in the book as in the tv series. I found that I learned from both and found both deeply enriching and satisfying. So I say -- absorb and digest both! I know I’ve had to for a significant period of time and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.

This easy to read, poetic and beautiful book is one to add to your list “to read” list ASAP!

What’s Next: I’ll be reading and reviewing Octavia E. Butler’s Lilith’s Brood...stay tuned!