Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng; a book review

I'll admit I started the first episode of the Hulu series " Little Fires Everywhere" before I started the book. To be honest, the series didn't draw me in and the characters seemed standoff-ish. None the less I started the boo. Maybe if I had continued the series Hulu series I would have saw the depth of the characters that I saw in the books, but I doubt it. These characters didn't fall flat nor were they perfect. Every what seemed to be one unjustifiable act after another,there was also the subtle explanation of their fears and their fragile humanity.

This book was full of sins.It was full of the heart wrenching decisions made by heart wrenched people. Mia, who in losing her brother decided she could not lose her child and in the process robbed someone else of expectant motherhood. Mrs. Richardson who in almost losing her daughter in the beginning of her life, clings to her and tries to mold her in an attempt to keep from losing her. Bebe who was only trying to get her daughter help and in turn blessed Mrs. McCullough with a daughter. Now they were both mothers to the same child, neither leaving room for the other to love her.

This book was a story of mothers who lose themselves in their love for their children. In a desperate attempt to keep their children near they all fall short and do things they never though they would have too.

This book had many point of views. From the adults perspective, we have the terrifying parts of parenthood and from the adolescents aspect we have coming of age stories, individual to each character. Izzy who found something in Mia that she was looking for, Lexi who now faced down the consequences of her actions, Moody who fell into the bitterness of unrequited and not returned love, Pearl who let herself get comfortable for once, and Trip who found himself seeing beyond the shallow view of looks and figures.

The diversity in point of views and characters can sometimes make stories muddled and unrecognizable. I think Celeste did a good job in keeping the story lines separated enough to understand but intertwined enough to see the complicated array of coming of age stories and the drudges of parenthood. There is even a question proposed in this story: what makes a parent a parent? Is it the act of having a child or the steady care and love given?

I would have liked to see more fatherhood portrayed in this book. I feel like there were some stellar father figures that were just glossed over. Pearl's real father must have been heart broken all these years. Mr. McCullough must have been just a terrified as his wife. Mr. Richardson seemed to share a calm understanding of Izzy. Hopefully a second in a series will be written and these father figures will be expanded upon further.

I do suggest this book to an older audience, particularly parents. Adolescents will enjoy the narrative and relate to the younger characters, however there is a certain levels of understanding us as parents have with this book. The absolute despair at even the thought of losing a child or that we won't be able to protect them. The worry that we are doing something wrong or that we aren't doing enough. The little things that haunt us about our children. The grudges we hold against ourselves for things that we could have done better.

It was better then expected, I will give it that 4.5 out of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it to anyone. Tell me what you think. Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?