INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLERFrom 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, …
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.
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The late Anita Shreve evokes emotion like no other author, in the powerful undercurrents that threaten to tear Grace apart—stoic but deep-feeling Grace, naive but determined Grace, who finally finds the love, and grace, she has always longed for.
Anita Shreve’s final novel, (oh, how she is missed), is a classic example of her understated, powerful writing. The story follows Grace, a housewife in Maine in 1947, whose life is changed by the terrible wildfires which ravage the state after a hard drought. The strands of the story weave together like the parts of a piece of music, dark and light, joyful and sad. Compelling reading.
Love everything she has written.her charac
An absolute gem of a book. I was so sorry to see it end.
One of my favorite of Anita Shreve’s books
½
In The Stars Are Fire, Anita Shreve writes with a simple and minimal style but surprisingly succeeds at developing characters, a historical time period, a traumatizing setting, and a variety of relationships. This story follows the female lead character: Grace while life leads her through several situations and relationships that occur before, during, but mostly after a horrific state-wide fire. Some are happy and some severely unhappy, but the journey remains engaging through its entirety. I enjoyed watching Grace’s resilience and growth in a time when women were not viewed as capable or independent apart from their husband. This element in particular was my favorite. This was the first time I have read this author, and overall, I enjoyed the experience. Check it out!
Note: The Stars Are Fire is a fictional story based on a nonfiction and tragic event: the Maine fires of 1947.
My favorite quote:
“You have to stay,” her mother says calmly.
“Why?”
“You’re married. … You made your bed,” her mother adds.
“I didn’t make this bed,” Graces says.”
Another beautifully written novel by Anita Shreve who has the ability to say so much in so few words.
Really enjoyed this book . A quick but entertaining read . This book showed how resilient women are especially in times of distress and hardships. The main character Grace was able to leave an abusive and love less marriage to save herself and children . This book shows how determination can result in happiness. The characters were real to life. The book also depicted life in rural Maine and coastal Nova Scotia in the late forties which I found interesting.
I love Acadia National Park and did not ever know anything about the disaster of 1947. The growth of the main character, Grace Holland, was inspiring to say the least. I loved this story.
Always amazed at the plots and how they change throughout the book.
This is Anita Shreve at her best. It will not disappoint.
I find most of the Anita Shreveport books I’ve read to be depressing. This book started out great with the exception of the tragic events. Then it got brighter and I was encouraged. But half way through, the book took a depressing turn. The end left me with the hope that Grace might actually find some happiness.
I really enjoyed this book BUT, I truly wished it would have added a few months later…..
Loved the characters, story and setting. Had never heard of these fires that actually occurred in Maine. I got lost in the story & was surprised several times. Definitely recommend
Anita Shreve is another author I enjoy so much. I will read anything she writes. Her characters are always so interesting, and this book surprised me.
I read this book while in flight, which made a LONG flight seem extremely short!
This was an excellent book and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone who enjoys a book that you hate to see end.
I had a hard time getting into this book I did not care for it
It was just okay. Predictable story line. I have read other Anita Shreve books that I liked much more. I was a bit disappointed.
I’ve read several of Anita Shreve’s books and this one is my least favorite so far. It wasn’t bad but I found it to be a bit depressing. It did keep me engaged and the ending helped redeem it, but the events throughout were filled with one unhappy incident after another.