Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro, 4.5 stars

[NancyJ]

Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro is a lovely gem of a book set in a nice suburban town. It’s a bit like one of those 3D puzzles that can be twisted and turned to see all the delicate connections and facets from different angles. The book begins with a tragic accident involving siblings Sara and Theo, and the family’s tacit agreement to never discuss it. Ever. Years later, a woman with Alzheimer’s runs away from the nursing home on the same cold night that an eleven year old boy runs away from his home. The author shows us the perspective of each imperfect character, and in so doing shows us ourselves, as parents, children, spouses, neighbors, at different times of life. The author made me care about all the characters even when they were hard to like. I loved the author’s memoir Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love. The writing in this book is almost as personal, and just as transcendent.

The food tag comes from the cooking career of one of characters. My mouth was watering at the descriptions of the 6? course meal prepared at a restaurant with only 12 tables (which is booked into the next year).

[Holly R W]

Great review, Nancy! I think that I have read most of Dani Shapiro's books - she's such a good writer.

What stood out about this book for me was her portrayal of the doctor. I couldn't help but bond with him. Also, I liked Shapiro's discussion of spiritual matters. For me though, the book had a choppy feel, due to the chapters going backwards and forwards in time. (That's a writing technique that I hope, is declining in popularity among authors.)

Here is my review, in case it would interest you. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[NancyJ]

Holly R W wrote: "Great review, Nancy! I think that I have read most of Dani Shapiro's books - she's such a good writer.

What stood out about this book for me was her portrayal of the doctor. I couldn't help but bo..."

I started this before the holidays, and while I liked it, I wasn’t retaining any of it. Tbh, I kept falling asleep so I was missing big chunks of info. Libby took it back before I could regroup. I finally got it back and started fresh a few days ago. It didn’t feel choppy at all this time. It probably helped that I had an overview. I was oddly moved by the story of Waldo’s father (even though I didn’t like him). I also connected with Sarah’s story because I know someone with similar issues. I liked Theo’s pandemic story, even though it really felt disconnected from the rest. I really loved the ending. (view spoiler)[ It’s funny that I wasn’t categorizing it as spiritual, but of course it was. The friendship between the two men really moved me, it was healing for both of them, and left me feeling good. (hide spoiler)] I wanted to give it 5 stars based on this reading, but I couldn’t since my first impression wasn’t strong. It’s got me thinking about a book I Dnf’d, that I might love if I gave it another chance.

Which of her books were your favorites?

[Amy]

I read Inheritance this summer and loved it, and we were in Israel with my parents at the time. I knew my mother would love it, so I gave the book to her and she devoured it. So for her birthday I sent her Signal Fires, which I have absolutely wanted to read. I am thinking maybe this might be a good book club book, and have it on the list of books for my home group. Nancy and Holly, what do you think?

[Holly R W]

@Nancy and Amy- I started reading Dani Shapiro's books way back when. Her early books were fiction and then she veered to writing memoirs. I enjoyed them all, but don't remember her early books because I read them so long ago. Devotion: A Memoir is the book that I've liked the best. I think that this is a special book and may really appeal to Amy as well. I may have responded to it so much because it appealed to my Jewish background. I was also interested in Dani's thoughts about meditation.

A little known gem of a book is Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting. I recollect that Dani has an essay in there as well. I'm not a knitter, but the essays in this book are personal and superb.

@Amy - I don't think that "Signal Fires" is Dani's best work, but it may appeal to a book group.

[Holly R W]

New Comment: Amy, I hope you see this.

When I am dealing with a personal issue, sometimes I purposely avoid reading fiction books which address it. If you feel the same way, please know that a character in the book develops Dementia and has a difficult course. I will add a trigger warning to my own review.

[Amy]

You know, when I had read that, and it made me not want to read the book, but also really feel terrible that that’s the book I sent to my mother having no idea. I think I will take your suggestion about taking it off my list.

[Holly R W]

Perhaps, you can tell your mom that the book got terrible reviews and that you suggest she doesn't read it. Hopefully, she won't. Maybe substitute a different book she can read instead?

A book that is light, funny and sentimental is The 100 Most Jewish Foods: A Highly Debatable List .

[Amy]

I sent it to her before Dec 6 for her birthday! Because she loved Inheritance this summer. When I got to Aspen she was 10-15% through. I called her today and it turns out she hadn’t gotten that far. I told her to toss it.

[Holly R W]

Good.

[NancyJ]

It’s funny, but that part didn’t bother me at all. She was reasonably happy, as was my grandmother. There is a different scene that cut me to the quick. An incident made Ben reflect on the tendency of adult children to want to take over. It reminded me Amy of our discussion the other day. I feel like a mother to my mother, but the image of my boys in this role makes me laugh. It scares me too of course.