A novel by American author Celeste Ng.
One of the most widely discussed novels of recent years, this has been on my reading list for a while. Little Fires Everywhere (2017) by Celeste Ng is a novel about two very different women and their families, set in a suburb in Ohio. It goes far beyond an entertaining novel about gossip, friendship and family life, though, and has received plenty of attention for a reason.
The main element that I admire in this novel (without going too far into plot spoilers) are the way the topics of motherhood and stereotypes are addressed. Far from being one-sided or biased, Celeste Ng explores a variety of perspectives in a clever way, and provides insightful description related to several characters with very different views and backgrounds. This creates a setting in which worlds collide, and which forces the reader to take sides in unexpected ways. As it also addresses stereotypes and heritage in relation to both African Americans and Asian Americans, it rings true regarding many essential issues of society. Overall it’s very well-written, and takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster which is at the same time entertaining and far-reaching.
This novel has also caused a lot of buzz when it was picked up by actress and producer Reese Witherspoon for her book club, and for a television series by HULU (2020). Its reviews are favorable and it is definitely on my watch list; update to follow when I’ve had a chance to watch it. Below some images from the series, starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington in the leading roles, as well as Jesse Williams, Joshua Jackson, Rosemary deWitt and Anika Noni Rose and numerous young actresses and actors.
(Images: myself & HULU)