Reviews with content warning for Abortion - Little Fires Everywhere

The third person omniscient perspective used is incredibly unique- across characters and timelines, this all-knowing narrative helps paint the snow-globe like world of Shaker Heights. This book explores complex ideas of many social determinants of health such as socioeconomic status, and largely race and ethnicity, and how these all affect our lives. Reading this while living in a post-Roe world and an increasingly dangerous country for mothers and pregnant people was challenging. Even in a self-titled “utopia”, these things will always prevail; is a utopia even possible? The prairie fire mindset is how revolutions (should) start.

My qualms were I felt while the omniscient perspective was powerful, it created less room for rounding out a few of the characters. I would’ve loved to be more inside Izzie’s head, Tripp, or Mr. Richardson, even. I felt the conflict between Izzie and Mrs. Richardson was shown a lot through Elena’s eyes and resentment built, but I would’ve liked to hear more from Izzie because the climax of her actions didn’t seem as built up as the beginning showed it- very strong opening, by the way.

I did watch the show prior to the book and I think that’s one reason I wished to have heard more from Izzie- the show focuses a lot on her and Elena’s conflict. Over all a great read and beautifully written.

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angelicbee's review

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Already watched the show, which was exactly the same as the book.

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cherrycicada's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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books_bakesandbelle's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

A very thought provoking, heartbreaking story. I felt so sorry for both Bebe and the McCulloughs and the judge was in an impossible position, definitely not the kind of decision I’d ever want to make.

I liked how each character was well developed and we got each person’s back story to truly understand why they behave the way they do in the present and how their stories interlinked together.

It was interesting to read the different perspectives and life experiences of each character too - there was the coming of age for Pearl and Lexie, contrasting to the more mature storyline of the McCulloughs and the Ryans, but with them all being set around similar issues. I wanted to cry for so many of the characters and the traumas and heartbreaks they had faced, a real gut wrenching journey.

I think this book will stay with me a while - it reminded me a lot of the kind of stories Jodi Picoult writes, where every character is flawed and has had to face impossible circumstances. Definitely an interesting, thought-provoking read, but one people sensitive to issues around infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy, baby loss, adoption and abortion might want to skip.

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sarahs1214's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Little Fires Everywhere kept me hooked until the very end with its web of secrets and morally gray concepts. Following the neighborhood drama of Mia and Pearl, the Richardsons and the McCulloughs through classism, adoption trauma, and every kind of family challenge you can imagine felt like a roller coaster ride. There were so many storylines and at times the plot felt a bit overcrowded, with some moments feeling out of place. However, in the end, just about all the loose ends were tied up in a fascinating way. My loyalties were pretty divided and shifted frequently. I'm still conflicted about how the book "should" have ended, but this made the actual ending all the more thought provoking. While it’s not a thriller or true crime novel, it often felt like one, with moments of tension and suspense that kept me flipping pages. I devoured it in a day.

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