A review by ada_henry
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
dark
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Little Fires Everywhere, or Bad Things Happening to Pregnant People for Three Hundred and Thirty-Six Pages.
I would have LOVED this book if it had just been about the boring lives of the Richardsons. Reading three hundred pages of Lexie or Trip or Moody or Izzy or Mr. or Mrs. Richardson's everyday existence would've been so nice. The first few chapters were somewhat like that, but then the plot got plot-y-er, and I didn't really like that.
First of all, there are like four hundred million different storylines happening in this novel. Pearl, Mia, all of the Richardson children, the Richardson parents, and random other people from the ensemble of characters all narrate bits and pieces of this story, starting off when it's convenient and dropping out when their personal stories are over for the moment. There were bits I liked, but I really, strongly did NOT enjoy Mia's whole backstory.
Honestly, I kind of hated Mia.
While I tolerated her character in the beginning, her struggling artist thing was not winning her any pity points by the second half of the story. Also, potential hot take, but I think
And what was up with Lexie using Pearl for everything? Although Lexie was probably my favorite character, I did not support the ways in which she used Pearl. Not v. nice. Come to think of it, Moody was the only one who was even remotely respectful of Pearl. Yes, she a Lexie were 'friends,' but what kind of friend
What the heck was up with Izzy? Was she just a very angsty teenager, or did she need some sort of therapy? What kind of sane person burns down their own house? I have many questions. Love the fact that she plays the violin dramatically and stomps around in (I assume) Doc Martens, because I can relate to both of these things.
Anyway, as I've already mentioned, like, 90% of the bad things that happened in this book was because somebody got pregnant and didn't want to have a baby or wanted to have a baby but couldn't get pregnant. Almost all of the various plots involve babies and/or the lack of them in some way.
A final thought: What is Moody's real name? I'm pretty sure Trip can be a name, but I really don't think anybody in their right mind would name their child Moody. Especially when their other children have normal names like Alexandra (Lexie) and Isabelle (Izzy). Alas.
While Little Fires Everywhere refers to the 'little fires everywhere' Izzy started in her house, I think it mostly refers to the small ripples of destruction a single person can cause. 4.25/5 stars.
I would have LOVED this book if it had just been about the boring lives of the Richardsons. Reading three hundred pages of Lexie or Trip or Moody or Izzy or Mr. or Mrs. Richardson's everyday existence would've been so nice. The first few chapters were somewhat like that, but then the plot got plot-y-er, and I didn't really like that.
First of all, there are like four hundred million different storylines happening in this novel. Pearl, Mia, all of the Richardson children, the Richardson parents, and random other people from the ensemble of characters all narrate bits and pieces of this story, starting off when it's convenient and dropping out when their personal stories are over for the moment. There were bits I liked, but I really, strongly did NOT enjoy Mia's whole backstory.
Honestly, I kind of hated Mia.
Spoiler
A surrogate who essentially steals the child is somehow the best mother in the world because she calls her kid 'my darling' a lot? Yeah, I don't buy it.While I tolerated her character in the beginning, her struggling artist thing was not winning her any pity points by the second half of the story. Also, potential hot take, but I think
Spoiler
Mrs. Richardson was right and Pearl would've been better off with the Ryans. No offense to Mia, but I don't think what she did was right at all.And what was up with Lexie using Pearl for everything? Although Lexie was probably my favorite character, I did not support the ways in which she used Pearl. Not v. nice. Come to think of it, Moody was the only one who was even remotely respectful of Pearl. Yes, she a Lexie were 'friends,' but what kind of friend
Spoiler
makes you write their college essay and books an abortion appointment under your name?What the heck was up with Izzy? Was she just a very angsty teenager, or did she need some sort of therapy? What kind of sane person burns down their own house? I have many questions. Love the fact that she plays the violin dramatically and stomps around in (I assume) Doc Martens, because I can relate to both of these things.
Anyway, as I've already mentioned, like, 90% of the bad things that happened in this book was because somebody got pregnant and didn't want to have a baby or wanted to have a baby but couldn't get pregnant. Almost all of the various plots involve babies and/or the lack of them in some way.
A final thought: What is Moody's real name? I'm pretty sure Trip can be a name, but I really don't think anybody in their right mind would name their child Moody. Especially when their other children have normal names like Alexandra (Lexie) and Isabelle (Izzy). Alas.
While Little Fires Everywhere refers to the 'little fires everywhere' Izzy started in her house, I think it mostly refers to the small ripples of destruction a single person can cause. 4.25/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death