From the Bookshelf of EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club…

Little Fires Everywhere

Celeste Ng

Start date: April 1, 2018

Finish date: April 30, 2018

Discussion: MODERN / POPULAR READS

Why we're reading this: Group Pick for Apr '18 - Modern Classic/Popular…more
[close] Group Pick for Apr '18 - Modern Classic/Popular

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MODERN / POPULAR READS

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What Members Thought

Feb 07, 2020 Elya rated it did not like it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Let me start by saying I really really hated this book. If you loved it, just stop reading.
This is the first book picked for a book club that I just joined and I had heard good things about it. I knew that it was being made into a show, starring Reese Witherspoon, so I mistakenly though it would be great because I love her.

Anyway. Other reviewers will say it better, but this book was a mess. The stream of consciousness narrating was really annoying to follow. One minute you’re hearing about on Let me start by saying I really really hated this book. If you loved it, just stop reading.
This is the first book picked for a book club that I just joined and I had heard good things about it. I knew that it was being made into a show, starring Reese Witherspoon, so I mistakenly though it would be great because I love her.

Anyway. Other reviewers will say it better, but this book was a mess. The stream of consciousness narrating was really annoying to follow. One minute you’re hearing about one character, maybe even a whole chapter has been about her, then in the next sentence it’s randomly about some other person.
So much was unbelievable in the story. From Mia steaming the baby she carries as a surrogate, to the ending where there are zero consequences for anyone.
Mia is supposed to be the heroine or as others say “moral compass” of the story. She’s supposed to be this edgy artist that moves into a planned community and “shakes things up.” I found her to be selfish and completely flat as a character. I don’t know if it’s because of the kidnapping or because she then makes her daughter, Pearl, drift with her for her whole life. Then when she promises Pearl that after 16 years of nomadic living they will stay in this stuffy town and put down roots- she abruptly makes Pearl pack her things and just go.
Pearl was probably the best part of the story, because she had a little more depth. However- when she lets Lexi use her name at the abortion clinic, I knew right away that there would be some kind of miscommunication amongst everyone. If people would have just talked to each other, Pearl might not have been the one to be “found out.” Honestly, I’m surprised she didn’t get pregnant too with all her time spent with Tripp on some random kids basement couch. Ew.
Let’s move on the subplot (?). Bebe. She left her baby at a fire station. Baby was found and given to a couple who had been trying for YEARS to have a baby and they took her in and were almost going to adopt her when OH NO! Mia figures out that her coworker (Bebe) is actually the mother and tells her. Bebe, who can barely take care of herself, decides she wants her baby back and therefore disrupts the adoption. Eventually the judge rules in favor of the adoptive parents (which I agree with that ruling) and then at the end Bebe just kidnaps her and disappears to remote China where I’m SURE that baby will have a much better life. (Insert eye roll.)
Fast forward more. Izzie. Typical misunderstood child who eventually, because she CLEARLY has some issues, decides to give everyone a clean slate and burn down her families house. ????? No one bats an eye and just knows she did it. There is no outrage. No one is looking for her. She just hops in a car and drives off into the sunset. In the same minute Pearl and Mia are driving away too. Because Mrs. Richardson has found out her secret! Gasp. Let’s run away again. We are led to believe that Izzie will eventually find Mia (her ideal mom and also the reason she became an arsonist) and just....live with them? And poor Moody. The only decent character is just...left thinking his brother got his best friend (who he loves) pregnant and then she had an abortion.
My biggest problem with the ending was that there were literally ZERO consequences for anyone.
That’s all. ...more

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Feb 18, 2020 Trisha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: drama

I found this to be a well-written suburban drama, but very similar to many other titles, like “Big Little Lies” and “The Husband’s Secret”. Taking place in an affluent neighborhood, it was a bit cliche at times, especially in regard to the characters and their personalities (the popular girl, the jock, the emo book lover, the angry/troubled sibling, the girl with a lower socioeconomic status than the rest). There was also the subplot regarding the custody issue, which didn’t quite tie into the m ...more

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May 21, 2020 Crystal Rose rated it liked it · review of another edition

I enjoyed this book somewhat, however with so much hype I thought it was going to be much better. This is the kind of book that you know exactly what’s going to happen in the second half from the first half. The writing was well done, but I just wasn’t really interested in the story, or the characters. There wasn’t enough substance to hold on to.

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Apr 11, 2020 Amy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A captivating story about the intertwining lives of families in Shaker Heights, Ohio. The affluent Richardsons, the mysterious artist Mia and her daughter, Pearl. A very enjoyable read.

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Aug 06, 2019 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A wee bit too obvious in some aspects with clunky convenient and contains some flimsier characterization (I get that there are a lot of characters but still!) but for the most part the author nails down her story, message, and writing. Still giving it 4 stars because of my level of engagement and attraction to this particular type of plot (family/social conflict).

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