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A review by eyreibreathe
The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland
4.5 ⭐
How about we kick this week off with a newly released ah-mazing book that I'm surprised I haven't seen more of around here? I love a great historical fiction read that shines a light on a specific historical event that I knew nothing about and brings it to life on the page. The House is on Fire was exactly that.
Centering around the devastating fire at a popular theatre in Richmond, Virginia in 1811 and told from multiple viewpoints, this was a harrowing and emotional read. It was also completely fascinating. I found myself doing a bit of my own research once I closed the final pages of this gem, and I was a little blown away by how much of this story was based upon actual facts, especially the character of Gabriel who was my very favorite. I loved how the multiple viewpoints worked in this particular book and how we as readers get to follow these characters in the days after the fire as well.
Beanland really brought this piece of history to life through these pages, which is one thing I love about this genre. It's one thing to read a newspaper clipping or another nonfiction account of such an event, but to grow attached to characters and live these events through their eyes is quite another. I could feel the claustrophobia and the struggle to breathe as I followed these characters through the burning building, sense the terror and the despair (and in one particular case the hope.) If you love a great historical fiction read, I can't recommend this one enough!
How about we kick this week off with a newly released ah-mazing book that I'm surprised I haven't seen more of around here? I love a great historical fiction read that shines a light on a specific historical event that I knew nothing about and brings it to life on the page. The House is on Fire was exactly that.
Centering around the devastating fire at a popular theatre in Richmond, Virginia in 1811 and told from multiple viewpoints, this was a harrowing and emotional read. It was also completely fascinating. I found myself doing a bit of my own research once I closed the final pages of this gem, and I was a little blown away by how much of this story was based upon actual facts, especially the character of Gabriel who was my very favorite. I loved how the multiple viewpoints worked in this particular book and how we as readers get to follow these characters in the days after the fire as well.
Beanland really brought this piece of history to life through these pages, which is one thing I love about this genre. It's one thing to read a newspaper clipping or another nonfiction account of such an event, but to grow attached to characters and live these events through their eyes is quite another. I could feel the claustrophobia and the struggle to breathe as I followed these characters through the burning building, sense the terror and the despair (and in one particular case the hope.) If you love a great historical fiction read, I can't recommend this one enough!