11/28/2019 Little Fires Everywhere
The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Ng, Celeste. Little Fires Everywhere. Penguin Press, 2017. Celeste Ng’s novel Little Fires Everywhere takes place in Shaker Heights, Ohio in the summer of 1997. On a Saturday in May, the Richardson family home was burned down. May 07, 2019 LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood - and the danger of.
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This question contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[What did everyone think about the ending? (and also Trip x Pearl) (hide spoiler)]
Jackie LeGrande
This answer contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[ I had mixed feelings about the ending too. I usually prefer long novels 500+ pages so there's time to truly develop characters and explain endings. It…more I had mixed feelings about the ending too. I usually prefer long novels 500+ pages so there's time to truly develop characters and explain endings. It bothers me that Mrs. Richardson never received clarity on who had the abortion, of course I saw that coming a mile away when Lexie gave Pearl's name at the clinic. I know many teenage girls and not one would ever let her friend put her name down on that kind of a form. I'm surprised the book was written that way. It would have been more believable if Lexie just privately wrote Pearl's name showing her true nature, at lease how she was raised, to believe that she's somehow superior and isn't the kind of girl who would have an abortion, but would consider Pearl to be the kind of girl who would have one. Mrs. Richardson had no trouble at all believing it.
I also didn't like not knowing what happens to Izzy. While Mrs. Richardson is an awful mother to her, I do believe that she would spend the rest of her life searching for her. Partly because of the love I'm sure she has for her daughter, and partly because she's not the kind of mother, and the Richardson's are not the kind of family that has a wayward child who doesn't eventually straighten out and remain in the family fold, even if it's only for 3 days at Thanksgiving. I would have liked to have had more introspection from Mia. Does she feel guilty about the child she stole? It's true Pearl is half hers, but she stole her away from Pearl's father and from his wife. She stole her away from her own parents as well. Mia shows no sympathy for the McColloughs. Does she encourage Bebe to fight for her custody because Mia took custody of Pearl? If enough birth mothers win custody battles does that justify Mia's actions? The McColloughs are portrayed as shallow and ignorant. Well meaning and kind, they would be shocked if anyone would perceive them as racist or elitist. The custody battle was the most contrived part of the book. In the end, I didn't like that the judge ruled in their favor, it's not realistic. Overwhelmingly the birth parent gets custody except in cases of abuse, so I struggled with that part of the book. Adopting a child from China was too much for me. Are they trying to replace the chinese baby they lost? is it one last attempt to make the McColloughs look bad? Why do we have to hate them? They suffer as much as or perhaps more than out heroine Mia, and we don't hate her. I didn't think Trip was developed enough as a character. Why did we have to learn about his insecurities and true love for Pearl at the very end of the book? I would have wanted to see his reaction to Pearl's abrupt departure. I also would have wanted to see how it would have affected his relationship with his mother and brother. I could go on and on. I truly enjoyed and got lost in this book. I couldn't put it down. So often I read a wonderful novel and feel like it's not really complete. Three hundred pages isn't nearly enough for a book with over 6 main characters and back stories. Maybe it's publishers who press deadlines or authors in a hurry to get to the next book, I'm not sure, but I will keep looking for larger tomes to feel fully satisfied at the end of a novel. While I loved this book, it feels incomplete.(less)(hide spoiler)]
Tonya WalkerHave you been to Babies 'R Us? That place is not cheap.
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Gwen - Chew & Digest Books -Definitely no, it was a whamo of a read and the more I think about it, the more nuanced it becomes.
FrannieI interpreted as a matter of presentation consistent with how they presented themselves. They were structured, respected, had stable jobs, lived the…moreI interpreted as a matter of presentation consistent with how they presented themselves. They were structured, respected, had stable jobs, lived the 'dream life' of going to school, getting the degree, getting the job, getting married, having kids, etc. The type of people who I would think introduced themselves by their entire name, but would expect, save for among close friends, others to address them with their titles. Contrast with how Mia was never addressed as Ms. Warren/Wright. Mia has a completely different lifestyle. I'd picture her to be the type to, upon introduction, say, 'Please, call me Mia.' (less)
This question contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[how did bebe get her baby to china? I thought she had no money. And she would not have had a passport for the baby? (hide spoiler)]
Meg Ferrante
This answer contains spoilers…(view spoiler)[ Did anyone else wonder if her being across the street behind a BMW that someone had driven Bebe there? Mr. Richardson drove a BMW, right? Did he take…more Did anyone else wonder if her being across the street behind a BMW that someone had driven Bebe there? Mr. Richardson drove a BMW, right? Did he take her to get the baby and buy her the ticket????(less)(hide spoiler)]
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