Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’d probably give this 3.5, I guess. I don’t know. I didn’t like this book, but I feel like I should. Ng is a phenomenal writer but I just couldn’t get into this book. The first chapter was amazing and I thought I was in for something special.

There was a clear theme of ignorance in the “progressive” town of Shaker Heights that only outsiders and Izzy could see. The reason I couldn’t get into this book was that all the supporting characters felt a little thin. Like they weren’t actually people just there to show how ignorant and selfish the people of Shaker Heights were.

Mia was obviously a fantastic character and had multiple chapters dedicated to her backstory and why she became the artist she was/why she had the feelings about the central conflict that she had. By the end of the story it felt like there really wasn’t a choice. Mia’s side was clearly in the right and the Richardsons and the McCulloughs were too ignorant to ever really support. I don’t know. I know there are really people like them in the world. I know why this book is so popular and it deserves the success it’s had.

I just couldn’t get into it.

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