Name: Fran Lewis's review of The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve
Item: The Stars Are Fire
Rating: 2
Author: Fran Lewis

Anita Shreve

'Long before Liane Moriarty was spinning her Big Little Lies, Shreve was spicing up domestic doings..She still is, as effectively as ever, this time with a narrative literally lit from within' New York Times The brilliantly gripping new novel from the New York Times best-selling author of The Pilot's Wife (an Oprah's Book Club selection). Hot breath on Grace's face. Claire is screaming, and Grace is on her feet. As she lifts her daughter, a wall of fire fills the window. Perhaps a quarter of a mile back, if even that. Where's Gene? Didn't he come home? 1947. Fires are racing along the coast of Maine after a summer-long drought, ravaging thousands of acres, causing unprecedented confusion and fear. Five months pregnant, Grace Holland is left alone to protect her two toddlers when her difficult and unpredictable husband Gene joins the volunteers fighting to bring the fire under control. Along with her best friend, Rosie, and Rosie's two young children, the women watch in horror as their houses go up in flames, then walk into the ocean as a last resort. They spend the night frantically trying to save their children. When dawn comes, they have miraculously survived, but their lives are forever changed: homeless, penniless, and left to face an uncertain future. As Grace awaits news of her husband's fate, she is thrust into a new world in which she must make a life on her own, beginning with absolutely nothing; she must find work, a home, a way to provide for her children. In the midst of devastating loss, Grace discovers glorious new freedoms - joys and triumphs she could never have expected her narrow life with Gene could contain - and her spirit soars. And then the unthinkable happens, and Grace's bravery is tested as never before.

The Stars Are Fire

Fran Lewis

This was an enjoyable read from an accomplished writer. Grace is Wonderful female characters! I definitely recommend The Stars Are Fire!

"In October, 1947, after a summer-long drought, fires began near Bar Harbor and raced along the coast of Maine, ravaging two hundred thousand acres--the largest fire in Maine's history. In the southern part of the state, people were forced into the sea to escape the flames. Five months pregnant, Grace Holland is left alone to protect her two toddlers when her husband Gene joins the volunteers fighting to bring the fire under control. Along with her best friend, Rosie, and Rosie's two young children, the women watch in horror as their houses go up in flames, then walk into the ocean as a last resort. They spend the night frantically trying to save their children. When dawn comes, they have miraculously survived, but their lives are forever changed: homeless, penniless, and left to face an uncertain future in a town that no longer exists. As Grace awaits news of her husband's fate, she is thrust into a new world in which she must make a life on her own, beginning with absolutely nothing--she must find work, a home, a way to provide for her children. In the midst of devastating loss, Grace discovers glorious new freedoms--joys and triumphs she could never have expected her narrow life with Gene could contain--and her spirit soars. And then the unthinkable happens, and Grace's bravery is tested as never before"--

The stars are fire

Patricia Nelson

Good book with good characters. The story of the fires that happened in Maine during this time period makes me want to learn more. Felt that the ending seemed rushed given the build up of the characters to that point. But overall liked it.

Cindy

Review:


I was drawn into this story and the character of Grace almost immediately , I could picture her life in her little house by the ocean. I could hear the despair in her voice as she describes her marriage to Gene, who I quickly began to dislike.  Gene seemed complex,  distant and I could sense a meanness lying deep within him. The way that Grace describes their intimate moments had me feeling so bad for Grace that she had to endure his touching her. Rosie, her best friend and neighbor was full of fun and seemed to enjoy her husbands touch and that left Grace wondering how that would feel, to enjoy your husband. Grace becomes pregnant from one horrible night where her husband brutally had sex with her, nowadays we would call that abuse but back then , in the 1940's, unfortunately the women called it their duty. Poor Grace receives horrible advise from her mother about this unwanted pregnancy and turns to her friend Rosie, Grace confides in Rosie the truth about her marriage. As I got to know Grace , I sense a strength to her character and she is a strong character. This strength is proven when on the horrible night of the fire Grace saves the lives of herself , her two children as well as Rosie and her two children. The husbands are nowhere to be found as they went of to help contain the fire. At this point the true story of Grace's strength is told and how she creates a new independent life for herself and her little family. Through all of this I was so happy for Grace, she found freedom and independence, unfortunately through a tragic event but all the same she got away from Gene.

I will not spoil the book but I will say there is a very unfortunate turn of events for Grace and her strength is tested in a way that would be my worst nightmare. Fortunately for Grace there is a happy ending to her story.

Final Thoughts:

This is one of my all time favorite books so far this year. The writing was so descriptive that I felt like I was there with Grace.This review was originally posted on Cindy's Book Binge

Lindsay Hollmann

** spoiler alert **
           Redeeming qualities: very smooth, readable prose. Well written on a technical level.

Issues: how nonchalant Grace is about her ABUSE (let's call it what it is) and how excruciatingly long it takes her to leave Gene; how two-dimensional every single character is, with a complete lack of personal growth (especially for Grace, who should be so OVER putting up with shit after her trauma); how many plot holes are left unanswered (why is Gene so absolutely evil, how was his mother rich/jewels?) as well as how bloody CONVENIENT everything was; and above all that, the actual event that we were all told to look forward to, the fire, was skipped over without any detail!

Boooooo.

Lyndsey McIntyre 

I really loved reading this book. I literally could not wait until evening time when I could read it. Anitas story telling is so capturing and wondrous that I now want to read every book she has ever written. From beginning to end I was hooked, wondering what could possibly happen next. Graces strength grew and grew throughout the book which was both inspiring and realistic - the story seemed so real to me, it could easily have been someone’s life. I would definitely recommended this book.

Fran Lewis &
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve

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Fran Lewis &The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve

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Fran Lewis &
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve