Reviews

Kleine Feuer überall by Celeste Ng

bookph1le's review against another edition

5.0

This book... It was breathtaking. It crushed me and made me cry and made me burn with shame. It is a flat-out amazing book, and maybe at some point I can do it justice by writing a coherent review. At any rate, it deserves all the praise and hype it has gotten and continues to get.

Spoiler

I mean, it even made me feel sorry at the end for Mrs. Richardson. Mrs. Frickin' Richardson, who is the epitome of a clueless, privileged, blind, self-indulgent, self-righteous, horrible, horrible white woman. After spending most of the book wanting to slap her, that was really something, a testament to Ng's authorial powers.

Now pardon me while I get my hands on Ng's other book.

araowl's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

elsa25's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

oneanjana's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Heartwarming, frustrating, and full of life in its chaotic dynamics. 

Little Fires Everywhere told a story about ordinary life, and the-not-so-ordinary life within every person. It starts with Richardson's burned-down house. How people in Shaker Heights talk about Isabelle, the last child of Richardson who burned their house. The firemen said there were little fires everywhere. Multiple points of origin. I believe that this is the essence of the story, that all conflicts and issues in this book start with little fires everywhere.  

This is my first book by Celeste Ng, and I'm sure it won't be my last. I grew to like her writing style, how it flows so gently, and how she weaves life lessons into the chaotic story. 

Despite the conflicts between the Richardson family and Mia Warren, as well as between people in Shaker Heights, Celeste is brilliant at indirectly discussing the various stories of motherhood. The perfectionist one, the working one, the stay-at-home one, the one with adopted child, the one with biological child, the poor one, the rich one. Each of them did a fantastic job of motherhood in their own way, with their own flaws, of course. The story felt so close to me, but sometimes felt far because I can also feel jealousy towards other mothers' lives. 

This book made me feel a lot. For instance, I am unable to take sides in the disputes about Mirabelle/May Ling. I comprehend the emotional hardships of both parties. Both possess strong arguments, but they also make errors. It’s frustrating. 

In the end, I feel pity for Mrs. Richardson, but it also brings to mind about my relationship with my daughter. How I often resent her for things that, I thought, had been my opposite, but deep down actually she had my soul, and how so many times, she was the one who actually healed my inner child. Like Mrs. Richardson, I often take things for granted, chasing my own image of perfection while overlooking other paths to perfection. I must change my perspective, accept my new self, my new role, and allow myself to be open to this new journey and people (including little ones) in my life. 

khawlah's review against another edition

5.0

really good book!! one of the best books ive read in a while, a real page turner. sO intriguing. highly reccomend this book to anyone and everyone!!!

cdjdhj's review against another edition

4.0

This is ultimately a book about mothers and motherhood, and all of the confusion and complexity that entails. At first, it took me about 200 pages to really get into the book, to the point that I wanted to keep reading. There were aspects of the plot that I did not care for, but ultimately, the story was as fraught with human frailties, well-meaning mistakes and confusion as real motherhood is. For good or ill, I think that this book will stay with me for a long time.

cian_'s review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

alyssarester's review against another edition

4.0

this was a really great read! it left me asking questions and wondering what i would do in any of these situations. its a book that makes you think and feel small in the big world thats buzzing around you. great book

emjbarnes's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

eweaver4's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5