Book Review: Little Fires Everywhere

By Jessica Asbell

Little Fires Everywhere is about the seemingly perfect community of Shaker Heights. But this utopia isnt quite as perfect as it seems. The Richardsons are the perfect family with Lexie heading to college in the fall; Trip, the jock who excels at sports; Moody, the shy, quiet one; and Izzy, the black sheep of the family who causes her mother much consternation. But, they live in a great house, on a great street, and go to great schools until Mia and Pearl come along.

Mia and her daughter, Pearl, rent from the Richardsons. Mia, a photographer, moves her little family every time she finishes a project. But now, she claims they are staying put. Pearl meets the Richardsons and becomes enthralled by Lexie, Moody, and Trip. Mia works for the Richardsons to help pay the rent, and Izzy finds herself helping Mia with her photography. But, the dynamics have changed. Sparks have ignited. And when another couple on the street ends up in court, trying to keep their soon-to-be adopted child after the birth mother decides she wants her back, battle lines will be drawn.

Little Fires Everywhere raises many questions. Does the mother who gave birth and abandoned her child have more rights than the mother who took the child in and loved her like her own? Who has the right to share your story? How do our own stories form our views? How does our community help us, and how does it cage us? And in the center of it all, how do we hear the advice of others?

This story is a slow burn that turns incendiary. And when the dust settles, each character will find out who they truly are, as each must make a choice that will change their world forever.