A review by lmm0
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro

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

2.5

This novel begins on a summer night in 1985 when a tragic accident forever changes the lives of three teenagers & Ben Wilf, a young doctor who witnesses the event. The accident becomes a devastating secret for the Wilf family, one they are unable to confront. As time passes, the Shenkman family moves to Division Street, seemingly unaware of the past. However, their son Waldo, a curious & introspective boy with a unique ability to connect things, befriends the now-retired Dr. Wilf. This friendship brings the long-buried past to the surface, with unexpected consequences for everyone involved.
I felt like the synopsis was/is a little misleading - yes, the accident is an integral part to the story, but it's so much more than that. Not enough to substantiate an 8 hour audiobook, though, IMO. With that said, this book would work for those who enjoy reading about the complexities of family dynamics, hidden trauma, and the profound effects of a life-changing event.
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