The Stars Are Fire

A Novel

By: Anita Shreve

Narrated by: Suzanne Elise Freeman

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Weight of Water and The Pilot's Wife (an Oprah's Book Club selection): an exquisitely suspenseful new novel about an extraordinary young woman tested by a catastrophic event and its devastating aftermath - based on the true story of the largest fire in Maine's history

In October 1947, after a summer-long drought, fires break out all along the Maine coast, from Bar Harbor to Kittery, and are soon racing out of control from town to village. Five months pregnant, Grace Holland is left alone to protect her two toddlers when her husband, Gene, joins the volunteer firefighters. Along with her best friend, Rosie, and Rosie's two young children, Grace watches helplessly as their houses burn to the ground, the flames finally forcing them all into the ocean as a last resort. The women spend the night frantically protecting their children and in the morning find their lives forever changed: homeless, penniless, awaiting news of their husbands' fate, and left to face an uncertain future in a town that no longer exists.

In the midst of this 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.

©2017 Anita Shreve (P)2017 Random House Audio

inspiration

slow to start but the couldn't wait to finish. inspiring story of strength and courage to become a strong independent women with children.

Stick it out

I really enjoyed the book . Although the narrator was not the best .

Wonderful

I have read a lot of her books and this one did not disappoint. More upbeat of a story which I enjoyed.

The Stars Are Fire!

Magnificent! If you’re in the mood for a harrowing experience, the extraordinary in the ordinary, a bit of suspense, and romance, this is the book for you. My only suggestion is that it could have been a couple of chapters longer.

A little too depressing

Even though the main character had great strength, I found the story depressing. This may have come partly from the tone of the performance, which made even happy moments sound unhappy.

Loved this story and it’s heroine!

I really enjoyed this story and the performance. It is a glimpse into a historical time that I haven’t explored much. I will be reading more from this author.

Liked this a lot

I liked everything about it, but particularly the way I felt when I'd finished listening. It was simply complete and most satisfying.
Also, I was impressed by the reader. A few reviews were negative, noting a certain dull affect, and yes, it did start out that way - but as the character grew and changed, so did her voice, in a wonderfully nuanced way.

Not well researched

How unfortunate that the author did not adequately research the backdrop for the book. Firstly, morphine was available for pain, especially for changing dressings of burn victims. And no situation is 'schizophrenic'! Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that has nothing to do with the brain splitting. Shame on you for not knowing this. There was much potential held in these pages but it fell flat.

I liked it

I enjoyed this book overall. I hoped the author would have gone into greater depth regarding why Grace continued to put up with husband. I wanted to hear more about Aiden and what was going on inside his head. Story would be better with a bit more grit and detail to both characters and setting. Narrator was good, but the male voices had no emotion to them.

It was good

Anita Shreve writes a good book because you generally never know what to expect. I don't usually try to predict her books because you usually can't. This one was different but it was still good. The narrator was good as well so that really helps.