THE STARS ARE FIRE
by Anita Shreve
Anita Shreve was one of my favorite authors for a while. Every time I saw that she had published a new book, I’d happily buy it and enjoy every minute reading it. (Remember The Pilot’s Wife? Fortune’s Rocks?) For the past few years, I hadn’t been aware of any new books by her until The Stars Are Fire. Shreve has written a wonderfully engaging historical fiction novel about the huge wildfire of 1947 that overpowered the Maine coast for hundreds of miles, destroying everything in its path. Her story unfolds through her protagonist, Grace Holland, a young mother of two who finds herself pregnant again, and no longer in love with her husband.
Shreve masterfully tells her story, placing her reader solidly in 1947 in a small town in Maine. Grace Holland comes alive and we empathize with her and her frustration with her life. When the wildfire bears down on her town and her house, she uses a degree of strength and tenacity that even she hadn’t realized she possessed. When the fire destroys everything she owns and her husband is among the missing and presumed dead, Grace rises from the ashes to create a new life.
The Stars Are Fire will hold you spellbound. You will cheer for Grace as she tries to create a new life and become a strong and independent woman. Her battle is not without setbacks, but in the end Grace succeeds. There is also a great love story along the way. I highly recommend this book. (Note: Sadly, I discovered when reading about Anita Shreve for this review, that she died in the winter of 2018. If you haven’t read any of her books, you’ve got some great reads ahead of you.) (Liz)
A SECOND HELPING
I borrowed The Stars Are Fireby Anita Shreve from my mom as soon as I had finished putting together August's review. Historical fiction set in Maine with a female protagonist who has trouble fitting into the restrictions of her time period? Yes, please! Mom and Shreve did not dissapoint! It has been a long time since I stayed up super late to read "just one more chapter," but this book had me burning the midnight oil for sure! (Lily)
