Reviews

I listened to this book with my mother, while she was recovering from neck surgery. She’d been telling me to listen (specifically listen, not read) to this book for a long time, and I finally did, with her. We listened side by side in the dark over several days, her dozing but knowing the book so well she would wake briefly and laugh at a funny bit before slipping back into sleep. We listened in the room that had once been her and my fathers , then became mine, and in both eras was the setting of many sleepless nights for her and me — I in fits of extreme anxiety and fear, her in her role as infinitely patient comforter. One of my biggest, most abiding fears was of fire. She reasoned me down from totalizing worry, but never promised beyond her means. Things could catch on fire, but they probably wouldn’t, and her honesty soothed me.

“Nothing to see here” is about growing up, the grayness of character, the complexity of care, and about children bursting into flames. Crucially, though, it’s about fire-producing children who are not themselves hurt by the fire they make; instead, they’re only threats to the indifferent adults and hostile world around them. There are a charades of care about their safety, but, like many liars, the people who perform these absurdities are not fully aware of their own mendacity. But through the mundane carelessness, imperfect people fumble toward care. As fantastic as the premise seems, the action itself is remarkable in its smallness, a perfect balance.

The book indeed is almost perfect — many times, it seems on the verge of succumbing to cliche, but it always stays true to its singular course. At times, the humor could be more coherent and complete, but my main complaint is its brevity. I wanted more of this weird modern fairytale of flaws and flames. But I’m grateful it exists exactly as it does, and was there for me and my mom in exactly the right form and exactly when we needed it. It soothed ancient and emerging fears — for a little while, anyway.

ambularf's review

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5.0

I loved everything about this book. The plot line, the voice of the narrator, the personal details & descriptions of the characters & their feelings-all magical. It’s not every day that a book can have some fantasy, while also making you take a look at society & the sacrifices people make in a whole new way. Love it!!!

jess_mango's review

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4.0

Lillian was a scholarship student at an elite boarding school when she first met Madison. The two girls were from completely different walks of life but became friends. When Lillian gets kicked out of the school after a scandal, she keeps in touch with Madison for years via letter, but the two never see each other in person. Lillian never lives up to her potential , while Madison climbs the social ladder.

That is until Madison, who is now a senator's wife, contacts Lillian asking if she would like to work for her. Lillian who lives with her emotionally distant mother and works at 2 grocery stores to make ends meet, is open to the opportunity. So, she agrees to be a governess to Madison's two step children: Bessie and Roland.

It turns out that the 10 year old twin children have a special ability that Madison would like Lillian to keep under control. The kids spontaneously combust when they get too upset.

This was a fun, quick read. While it wasn't at all over the top, I loved the twist of the spontaneous combustion. It added just the right amount of quirkiness, while allowing the story to be fully about these characters.

What to listen to while reading (or taking a break)
Your Ex-Lover is Dead by Stars
I'm on Fire by Bat for Lashes
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil
Burning Down the House by Talking Heads
Jolene by Dolly Parton

reuben18's review against another edition

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5.0

What a great book, I finished it in one day and was addicted. It made me feel like a kid again, it was a fast paced book that was clearly adult oriented but read like a young adult book. One of my favorite books in the last few months

clairejking's review against another edition

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dark funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

4.5

beanpod's review against another edition

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4.0

I couldn’t put this book down. It rolled on and I read and felt I could understand the narrators perspective. I don’t know why I cannot give it more stars. There were sentences that caught me, like rogue branches on a tree. Caught me and made me stop. Maybe because it was so easy to read. Or maybe because I couldn’t quite feel any character was really flushed out except Jasper. Still, I’ll jump read another book Wilson writes.

fbroom's review against another edition

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4.0

That was a quick, heart warming read. I still wanted more though. I feel like we reached the peak at the very end and now I want to know more. I didn't really think the ending was realistic! I want to know what happens next!

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