Our January meeting was held at my home to discuss
Madeleine's choice "Little Fires Everywhere" which
was written by Celeste Ng published in 2017. Ng grew up in
Shaker Heights a suburb of Cleveland Ohio and the setting for her
second novel. Sarah who is a native of Cleveland guided us through
Shaker Heights which was almost like a character in the book.
The book is about the relationship of two very different families who
commingle and clash,
Madeleine led a great discussion. I believe the central theme was
about motherhood and it's special bond and whether it is forged by blood
or love and better yet by both. The custody battle between the biological
Chinese mother, Bebe Chow who gave her child up during a time that
she could not cope and the adoptive parents was a major part of
our discussion.
We also delved into Mia's character a somewhat hippie like artist who
never stays in one town very long till she lands in Shaker Heights.
Mia is pitted against Mrs. Richardson who is a strong, meddling solid
resident of perfect Shaker Heights. There are a lot of sub plots in the
novel and it takes us on many twists and turns. All in all a great page
turner and great character development by the author.
I have had my surgery since and have been taking some narcotics so
I forgot what date we chose for the next book and I have also forgotten
who attended the meeting. So we will just have to choose a date in April
to discuss Sue's choice which is "The Winter in Anna" by Reid Karan.
