In Review: Little Fires Everywhere (2017)

Celeste Ng is one of the most incredible authors of modern time. The way in which she draws the reader into the story only to pull the rug out from under their feet is both cruel and impeccably done.

Little Fires Everywhere, Ng's second novel, tells us a story steeped in secrets. Mia is the keeper of these secrets, a character masked in mystery who we, as the reader, watch slowly unravel at the hands of Elena.

There are so many strong women in this story that it is hard to work out who we love and who we don't.

On one hand, we empathise with Mia, who was trapped within her own world, having to lie to everyone around. And on the other, we wonder whether she would have been better off if she had just been honest with those around her.

On occasion, we can see Elena's side of the situation. She wants what is best for her friends and she won't let anyone stand in the way of their happiness. In some moments, however, she seems so cold and heartless that it makes the reader uncomfortable to have ever supported her way of thinking.

The story covers some rather taboo subjects, covering both abortion and a brutal custody battle, alongside moments taken to discuss the racial inequality that was still somewhat present in the United States throughout the 1990s.

The relationships that grow and fade throughout this novel are the true factor that make it so great. Watching as Pearl loses her friendship with Moody and replaces it with this, almost, dependency on Trip and Lexie is heartbreaking. And seeing the closeness between her and her mother fading left me wanting to go and give my own mum a hug.

Even Izzy is able to create this incredibly strong bond with Mia, for what seems like the first time ever, which is both powerful and moving, making it one of the strongest plot points throughout the novel.

Personally, this was one of the best novels that I read last year, even though it was university required reading for one of my novels (something I usually find rather hard to enjoy). Ng is someone who has the power to move her audiences and she didn't pull any punches, in this case. I would recommend this to all avid readers.

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