Book Review of "Things We Set on Fire" By Deborah Reed

Book Overview (amazon.com)

A series of tragedies brings Vivvie's young grandchildren into her custody, and her two estranged daughters back under one roof. Jackson, Vivvie’s husband, was shot and killed thirty years ago, and the ramifications have splintered the family into their own isolated remembrances and recriminations.

Sisters Elin and Kate fought mercilessly in childhood and have avoided each other for years. Elin seems like the last person to watch her sister convalesce after an attempted suicide. But Elin has her own reasons for coming to Kate's side and will soon discover Kate’s own staggering needs.

This deeply personal, hauntingly melancholy look at the damages families inflict on each other—and the healing that only they can provide—is filled with flinty, flawed, and complex people stumbling toward some kind of peace. Like Elizabeth Strout and Kazuo Ishiguro, Deborah Reed understands a story, and its inhabitants reveal themselves in the subtleties: the space between the thoughts, the sigh behind the smile, and the unreliable lies people tell themselves that ultimately reveal the deepest truths.

Author Introduction

Deborah Reed is the author of the novel, Carry Yourself Back to Me, a Best Book of 2011 Amazon Editors' Pick. She is also the author of the bestselling thriller, A Small Fortune and its sequel, Fortune's Deadly Descent, written under the pen name, Audrey Braun. All three novels have been translated or are forthcoming in German. Her next literary novel, Things We Set On Fire will be published in fall 2013. Deborah holds a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing (fiction) and teaches at UCLA's Extension Writing Program, as well as workshops and conferences around the United States and in Europe. She lives in Los Angeles, California. Find out more at her website: www.reed-braun.com

Book Endorsements

This book has been endorsed by three writers: Antonya Nelson (Author of Bound: A Novel and Some Fun: Stories and a Novella); Christine Sneed (Author of Little Known Facts and Portraits of a Few of the People I've Made Cry); John McNally (Author of After the Workshop). 

Analysis

In this novel, Deborah Reed has given us a story of family dynamics that highlights issues such as terminal illness, loss, parental responsibility, loss of children, grief, renewed relationships, forgiveness and second chances. Vivvie, the mother who lost her husband to a tragic accident must come to terms with her past. Elin and Kate must each deal with issues or mortality, loss and guilt. Elin must learn to apologize to her sister Kate. Kate's daughters Averlee and Quincy must learn to deal with the loss of their mother (Kate), and accept being part of a new family. 

I enjoyed the dynamics of this novel. Deborah Reed is an engaging writer who understands how to build a compelling story. The characters seemed to take on real shape and color. Like all of us, they have high and low points. Readers will find them to be very relatable.  The dramatic tension and subsequent resolution in the story is satisfying emotionally. 

While I would not rate this book among the highest that I have read in fiction, nevertheless, it is a well-crafted book and a fast-paced page turner. It is solid, dramatic and enjoyable. 

Recommendation

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable family drama. The characters will grow on you as you make your way through the book. You will enjoy the story and be pleased with how the story resolves itself.