A New York Times Bestseller • A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!
Named a Best Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, People, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, TIME, The A.V. Club, Buzzfeed, and PopSugar
“I can’t believe how good this book is…. It’s wholly original. It’s also perfect…. Wilson writes with such a light touch…. The brilliance of … Club, Buzzfeed, and PopSugar
“I can’t believe how good this book is…. It’s wholly original. It’s also perfect…. Wilson writes with such a light touch…. The brilliance of the novel [is] that it distracts you with these weirdo characters and mesmerizing and funny sentences and then hits you in a way you didn’t see coming. You’re laughing so hard you don’t even realize that you’ve suddenly caught fire.” —Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of Fleishman is in Trouble, New York Times Book Review
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Family Fang, a moving and uproarious novel about a woman who finds meaning in her life when she begins caring for two children with a remarkable ability.
Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help.
Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: the twins spontaneously combust when they get agitated, flames igniting from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but it’s the truth.
Thinking of her dead-end life at home, the life that has consistently disappointed her, Lillian figures she has nothing to lose. Over the course of one humid, demanding summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other—and stay cool—while also staying out of the way of Madison’s buttoned-up politician husband. Surprised by her own ingenuity yet unused to the intense feelings of protectiveness she feels for them, Lillian ultimately begins to accept that she needs these strange children as much as they need her—urgently and fiercely. Couldn’t this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for?
With white-hot wit and a big, tender heart, Kevin Wilson has written his best book yet—a most unusual story of parental love.
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A fun, witty, entertaining read
It is an original book, but the characters are unlikeable and not believable.
I loved this book!
I was hoping for a great new story, but was disappointed. The story line was not all that great and was pretty predicable. I also didn’t care for the language. I’m one who doesn’t like the F-bomb dropped all the time. It was just too much to suspend my disbelief and enjoy the book. Wouldn’t recommend.
I was intrigued by the concept, and the symbolism within it. While Lillian was a whole, multi-layered character, everyone else in the story was “shallow.” I don’t mean that as a negative. Told in first person, the reader gets Lillian. She sees the world from a safe distance. It makes those parts, when she really SEES someone, not just a piece of the story, but a gorgeous comment on so much more than story.
This is not an edge of your seat read. It’s a contemplative one. I’ll be thinking about this book for years.
I loved this book. I’m sure it isn’t for everybody but the writing is beautiful and the plot is so original. Its a sad story with a happy ending. I certainly understand why it has such great reviews and on everyone’s “best” list. There are some words I felt added nothing to the story but the book is worth ignoring those.
WOW! this fabulous book just slips itself into the reader’s mind and the story goes from there. One of the best books I have read in the last year. Surprisingly tender and compassionate, despite the narrator’s efforts to be cynical and detached. Nothing to see here is just Fabulous!
I listened to this one and thoroughly enjoyed it. The narrator did a phenomenal job bringing Lillian especially to life. Well developed characters and a great story line keep you entertained. You know enough but not too much, which keeps things moving. I liked it and recommend it.
Good premise but the author ruined it by having every character spewing vulgarities in every sentence.
If you just imagine the idea of your children’s clothes bursting into flames whenever they are stressed–then going out, rather quickly. Ah, yes, like a temper tantrum, or being too fussy because they didn’t get their nap. Or overstimulated because they’ve stayed too long at the (pick one) wedding, fair, grocery store, Aunt B’s birthday. these children just burst into flames when they need help. That’s all. they aren’t monsters!
Really liked this book
Lillian’s life is seriously messed up. It went on a downward spiral after she was forced to take the fall for her wealthy best friend, Madison, at their elite boarding school. Now, years later, Madison is married and needs Lillian to take care of her two stepchildren who spontaneously combust when they become agitated.
The two 10 year-olds, Bessie and Roland, have been shuttled around, and are a bit wild, as well as lost. Lillian is over her head taking care of these kids, but does it with humility, caring, and a few mistakes.
Funny at times, but also a bit unbelievable.
The story has its sweet parts, and some redeeming qualities to balance our a few of the unlikeable characters.
I didn’t care for this book. It rambled and there was no real story being told.
This book is different than most. There is a great deal of symbolism in the book and what the fire stands for. The fire could be the emotions all of us feel and express differently. It is an easy read. The characters are typical of stories written about rich. politicians and children.
And now for something completely different… Unique story about an unhappy, underachieving governess of two wounded children who tend to burst into flamescwhen upset.
Really original and heartwarming with awesome character development.
Interesting premise for a story. The f-bombs really distracted from the story.
Ok at the start, ending fizzled
This book was so good that I couldn’t put it down.
I found this book strange, yet entertaining.