A review by thepoisonrain
The Arsonist by Sue Miller

4.0

I think this read was actually more of a 3.5, objectively, but it had many lovely revelations about aging and relationships that struck me closer to home now than it would at other points in my life. The love story was the main narrative that carried the story forwards (which is usually a write-off for me), but this one wasn't syrupy or indulgently tragic either. My favourite part, though, was the insight we got into Frankie's parents and how they deal (or fail to deal) with ageing and the ailments that go along with ageing. I also really enjoyed the nuanced view this book had on humanitarian aid and its complications/problems even while acknowledging the will to do good in many of the people who involve themselves in it.