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fant_ine's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
fscolli93's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ri22's review
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kyrajade's review against another edition
Marking as read but I didn't finish - thought it was boring and predictable, didn't like any of the characters or perspectives and also didn't realize that it had the fantastical elements which I personally didn't like. I picked this up thinking it would be more Irvine Welsh or David Keenan's style but it wasn't. Maybe my fault.
thebobsphere's review against another edition
5.0
As I stated in my last wrap up I read a lot of solid books. By this I mean that the novels were good and I liked them but I wanted a WOW factor. The Fire Starters was the exception. Trust me, this is a WOW book from start to finish.
The setting of the book is Belfast 2014. The Troubles are over but someone is starting a series of fires around the city. Sammy Agnew thinks that his son, Mark, is the arsonist. After all, when Sammy was young he caused a lot of havoc and he thinks that the violence gene was passed on.
In another storyline, Jonathan, who is the result of uncaring parents, is scared that his baby daughter can injure the human race. As he is a doctor, Jonathan has a medical solution which cannot be considered ethical.
The Fire Starters is a magical realist novel. Creatures roam the pages, bizarre things happen and surreal situations occur.
But the fantasy element is only one part of the novel.
The book is mainly about father/child relationships. Both fathers in the book feel that they have to sacrifice something so that their children may prosper, no matter how dangerous they are. Eventually Jonathan and Sammy’s destinies do cross which influences their final decision.
The other theme in the book is politics. Carson makes some swipes at gentrification, values and Belfast before and after The Troubles. Carson is a gently humorous writer, so I did grin at these sections.
The Fire Starters is a fantastic read. The magical realist bits are a joy to read and combined with the more gritty Sammy plotline works. The majority of the writing does have that distinctive Irish style (like a person telling a tale down in a pub) and there many moments of pure pleasure. None of the characters in the book are redeemable but the reader will care for them.
In the grand tradition of Rushdie, Garcia Marquez and Allende, Carson is able to ascend into flights of fancy but manages to use that as a way of exposing the grim realities of life.
The setting of the book is Belfast 2014. The Troubles are over but someone is starting a series of fires around the city. Sammy Agnew thinks that his son, Mark, is the arsonist. After all, when Sammy was young he caused a lot of havoc and he thinks that the violence gene was passed on.
In another storyline, Jonathan, who is the result of uncaring parents, is scared that his baby daughter can injure the human race. As he is a doctor, Jonathan has a medical solution which cannot be considered ethical.
The Fire Starters is a magical realist novel. Creatures roam the pages, bizarre things happen and surreal situations occur.
But the fantasy element is only one part of the novel.
The book is mainly about father/child relationships. Both fathers in the book feel that they have to sacrifice something so that their children may prosper, no matter how dangerous they are. Eventually Jonathan and Sammy’s destinies do cross which influences their final decision.
The other theme in the book is politics. Carson makes some swipes at gentrification, values and Belfast before and after The Troubles. Carson is a gently humorous writer, so I did grin at these sections.
The Fire Starters is a fantastic read. The magical realist bits are a joy to read and combined with the more gritty Sammy plotline works. The majority of the writing does have that distinctive Irish style (like a person telling a tale down in a pub) and there many moments of pure pleasure. None of the characters in the book are redeemable but the reader will care for them.
In the grand tradition of Rushdie, Garcia Marquez and Allende, Carson is able to ascend into flights of fancy but manages to use that as a way of exposing the grim realities of life.
travelseatsreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
This book was chosen for our Facebook group Book Of The Month with the idea of being something that pushes you out of your comfort zone, and it well and truly succeeded.
The Fire Starters is a book that looks at The Troubles in Northern Ireland from a whole new viewpoint with ribbons of magical realism plaited throughout.
There is so much going on in this book I fear there is no hope of me doing it any justice but there are a few elements which I absolutely adored. Firstly, the writing. It is just simply stunning. Normally I hate books that are overly descriptive or are flooded with imagery but The Fire Starters is full of beautiful and often brutal images and little nuggets that made me actually pause and put down the kindle for a minute. <blockquote>It is like a snapshot of the world’s end: masked children eating ice cream while the whole city glows hell red behind their backs.</blockquote>
I also was fascinated at the contrast between the two roles of Sam and Jonathon as fathers. Immediately once I started reading their stories it had me thinking of just how much of an effect the parenting someone experiences may or may not have an effect on their lives. In one way Sam appears to ignore and sweep the issues under the carpet, leaving his son up to his own devices whereas Jonathon goes completely and drastically overboard in his way of trying to help his daughter. It completely made me question which style was more helpful and which was more detrimental, but also did either father's parenting style even have an impact?
The chapters which looked at The Unfortunate Children were amazing. I personally felt that each of the children's "gifts" hinted at way of them protecting themselves/escaping or a way of setting themselves free from the their situations and surroundings. Chapters such as The Boy With Wheels For Feet and The Girl Who Occasionally Was a Boat especially jumped out in this way to me.
Finally, I loved how Carson looked at the mentality of those surrounding the events of The Tall Fires, especially how some were carrying out these tasks with a sense of duty to their history but without knowing or understanding why.
There is so much to unpick from this book, it really is one to savour and think about rather than fly through. I honestly will probably reread this and come back with some more thoughts.
Overall I just loved how Carson made me think laterally about the troubles, the sense of being trapped in your situation, the need to be free, the concept of protecting or hindering others and so much more.
The Fire Starters is a book that looks at The Troubles in Northern Ireland from a whole new viewpoint with ribbons of magical realism plaited throughout.
There is so much going on in this book I fear there is no hope of me doing it any justice but there are a few elements which I absolutely adored. Firstly, the writing. It is just simply stunning. Normally I hate books that are overly descriptive or are flooded with imagery but The Fire Starters is full of beautiful and often brutal images and little nuggets that made me actually pause and put down the kindle for a minute. <blockquote>It is like a snapshot of the world’s end: masked children eating ice cream while the whole city glows hell red behind their backs.</blockquote>
I also was fascinated at the contrast between the two roles of Sam and Jonathon as fathers. Immediately once I started reading their stories it had me thinking of just how much of an effect the parenting someone experiences may or may not have an effect on their lives. In one way Sam appears to ignore and sweep the issues under the carpet, leaving his son up to his own devices whereas Jonathon goes completely and drastically overboard in his way of trying to help his daughter. It completely made me question which style was more helpful and which was more detrimental, but also did either father's parenting style even have an impact?
The chapters which looked at The Unfortunate Children were amazing. I personally felt that each of the children's "gifts" hinted at way of them protecting themselves/escaping or a way of setting themselves free from the their situations and surroundings. Chapters such as The Boy With Wheels For Feet and The Girl Who Occasionally Was a Boat especially jumped out in this way to me.
Finally, I loved how Carson looked at the mentality of those surrounding the events of The Tall Fires, especially how some were carrying out these tasks with a sense of duty to their history but without knowing or understanding why.
There is so much to unpick from this book, it really is one to savour and think about rather than fly through. I honestly will probably reread this and come back with some more thoughts.
Overall I just loved how Carson made me think laterally about the troubles, the sense of being trapped in your situation, the need to be free, the concept of protecting or hindering others and so much more.
oshrat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Can’t remember anything similar to the experience of reading this book. Was totally immersed into it. It is so accurate and heart breaking and yet so unrealistic without becoming detached. Carson is brilliant and defiantly among my favorite authors.
amazingphin's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hannahtoner92's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
carolinb87's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75