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Little Fires Everywhere: Summary

Everything you need to know about Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere, in 1 paragraph.
An illustration of a reader enjoying Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng in a cosy interior
A reader enjoying Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Little Fires Everywhere is a novel by Celeste Ng about two families living in the same small town of Shaker Heights, Ohio. The Richardsons are a seemingly perfect family living a comfortable life, but their world starts to unravel when Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl come to town. Mia and Pearl are free-spirited artists who bring some unexpected tension to the town when they rent a house from the Richardsons. As the two families’ lives become intertwined, secrets are revealed and relationships are tested. Little Fires Everywhere explores issues of identity, race, class and motherhood with an emotionally charged story that ultimately asks how far we would go to protect the people we love.

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What is Little Fires Everywhere about?

Little Fires Everywhere is a novel by Celeste Ng that explores the complexities of motherhood, identity, race, class, and family. It follows the intertwined lives of the Richardson family and Mia Warren, a single mother and photographer who rents a house from them. The novel explores how the two families are affected by their differences in privilege and how they react to each other's choices as they become increasingly intertwined. Themes explored include the power of secrets, the consequences of privilege and entitlement, and questioning one's identity in an ever-changing world. Little Fires Everywhere also examines racial injustice and how it can be perpetuated even in seemingly progressive communities.

Little Fires Everywhere: Book Club Questions

  1. What themes were explored in Little Fires Everywhere?
  2. How did the setting of Shaker Heights contribute to the story?
  3. How did the characters’ decisions shape the plot?
  4. What did you think of Elena and Mia's relationship?
  5. How did Pearl's presence change the dynamic between Elena and Mia?
  6. What was your reaction to the resolution of the custody battle between Bebe and Linda?
  7. How did Izzy's story arc illustrate her changing values and beliefs?
  8. What messages about the nature of family were present in Little Fires Everywhere?
  9. Was there any symbolism or foreshadowing that you noticed during your reading?
  10. How do you think this book will continue to resonate with readers in future years?

What to say about Little Fires Everywhere

  • Little Fires Everywhere is a compelling story that touches on themes of identity, motherhood, and privilege.
  • The characters in Little Fires Everywhere are complex and multi-dimensional - it's easy to relate to them despite their differences.
  • The way Celeste Ng intertwines the various plotlines into a single cohesive narrative is masterful.
  • I found the exploration of race and class in Little Fires Everywhere to be particularly thought-provoking.
  • The writing style of Little Fires Everywhere is elegant and evocative - it really draws you into the story.
  • The dynamics between the two families in Little Fires Everywhere illustrate how our decisions can have far-reaching consequences that we may not have anticipated.
  • I love the way Little Fires Everywhere examines the power of secrets and how they can have both positive and negative impacts on our lives.
  • I think the storyline of Little Fires Everywhere highlights the importance of communication in relationships, and how losing touch with those closest to us can have devastating results.
  • I appreciate how Ng doesn't shy away from exploring difficult topics such as abortion and adoption in Little Fires Everywhere - it makes for an emotionally charged read!
  • Although Little Fires Everywhere has a serious undertone, there are moments of lightheartedness which successfully shift the mood throughout the novel.

Top 5 Quotes from Little Fires Everywhere

  1. "It felt like a secret, something already known but never spoken."
  2. "Sometimes you have to scorch everything to the ground and start over."
  3. "She could see so clearly the beauty of things that were broken."
  4. "You can't be afraid of change. You have to embrace it."
  5. "Maybe it was all just a matter of perspective."

Adaptations of Little Fires Everywhere

TV: - Little Fires Everywhere (2020), a Hulu miniseries starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. Film: - Little Fires Everywhere (TBD), an upcoming film adaptation of the novel, set to star Elle Fanning and Jordan Fisher. Radio: - Little Fires Everywhere (2021), a radio drama series by the BBC. Podcast: - Little Fires Everywhere (2021), a podcast adaptation produced by Wondery. Theatrical: - Little Fires Everywhere (TBD), an upcoming stage adaptation from the Roundabout Theatre Company.

Other books by Celeste Ng

  • Everything I Never Told You
  • Everything You Ever Wanted
  • Little Boy

Did you know?

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Little Fires Everywhere was the number one selling fiction book in the United States in 2017.