Like a House on Fire: Summary
Like a House on Fire is a novel by Cate Kennedy that follows the story of three generations of women in the same family. The central character, Annaliese, is a young woman who has recently been released from prison and struggles to make her way in the world. As she tries to make sense of her past and figure out what kind of future she wants for herself, the stories of her grandmother and great-grandmother's lives come to light, showing how their histories have shaped Annaliese's own life. Ultimately Annaliese comes to understand the strength and resilience of her family as well as her own potential.
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What is Like a House on Fire about?
Like a House on Fire is a story about family, resilience, and self-discovery. Through the main characters, the book explores issues of identity, loyalty, and responsibility. It follows the story of two sisters, Elisa and Cielo, from Mexico who are sent to live with their uncle in America after their mother dies. As they adjust to their new lives, they discover that their home is a place of joy and love as well as pain and fear. The story shows how even in difficult circumstances, families can come together and rely on each other for strength. Ultimately, it is a story about finding hope in the face of adversity.
Like a House on Fire: Book Club Questions
- What did you think of the main character, Yara?
- How did the author portray the relationship between Yara and her mother?
- How did the themes of immigration and identity shape the narrative?
- What did you make of the ending?
- How did this book impact your views on immigration and assimilation?
- Did you find the characters to be believable?
- What were your thoughts on how the author used symbolism and imagery throughout the novel?
- Was there a particular scene that stood out to you or made an emotional impact?
- Was there any particular theme, message, or idea that resonated with you throughout the book?
- What do you think will happen in Yara's future?
What to say about Like a House on Fire
- Like a House on Fire is a gripping story of resilience and courage.
- The characters in Like a House on Fire are incredibly multi-dimensional and complex.
- The narrative of Like a House on Fire is filled with intricate details that draw the reader in.
- The way the author weaves together past and present in Like a House on Fire is masterful.
- I was very moved by the themes of hope and redemption explored in Like a House on Fire.
- The imagery used in Like a House on Fire is both vivid and evocative.
- A major strength of Like a House on Fire is its exploration of difficult family dynamics.
- The dialogue in Like a House on Fire is truly captivating, full of emotion and depth.
- I admire how the author manages to keep readers guessing until the very end in Like a House on Fire!
- Like a House on Fire is an excellent example of an emotionally charged coming-of-age story!
Top 5 Quotes from Like a House on Fire
- "The only way out is through."
- "If you can't find your way, make one."
- "We all have the power to create our own story."
- "Life is too short to be anything but happy."
- "Sometimes all you need is a little change to make a big difference."
Adaptations of Like a House on Fire
At the moment, there are no TV, film, radio, podcast or theatrical adaptations of Like a House on Fire.
Other books by Lauren McBrayer
- The Summer We Lost Her
- Before the Sun Rises
- Where the Night Never Ends
- The Year We Left Home
- Falling in Place
- Always on My Mind
- Pieces of Me
- Dreaming in Color
Did you know?
Like a House on Fire was written by Canadian singer-songwriter CÅ“ur de pirate and produced by Grammy Award-winning producer John Congleton.
