As a local to the greater Cleveland area, reading Little Fires Everywhere both reminded me of my hometown and gave me new insights into the suburban city of Shaker Heights, where this story takes place. Celeste Ng sets the scene wonderfully for the characters and nuanced plot that inhabit Shaker Heights, which is proudly known for being one of America’s first planned communities. The principles upon which the city was founded still influence the community in more ways than the characters may be consciously aware of, including its attempts to be a model for racial integration.
This book is a valuable one to read right now to gain perspective on race relations in the United States. There is no denying that racial injustice is something that everyone needs to evaluate and confront right now. The outcry due to the murder of George Floyd and many others preceding him have brought this issue into the public eye to be exposed for the evil that it is. Our nation is at a turning point, and it is our responsibility to acknowledge that racial injustice happens, educate ourselves on what that looks like, and stand in solidarity for our black and brown brothers and sisters. Reading any book that addresses race and class will now be informed by the moment that we are in the midst of right now.
The characters in Little Fires Everywere are often deceived by the myth of existing in a post-racial society, and this ideology is a cause for problems in itself. Rather than acknowledging the value of diversity, many of the characters would rather believe that not seeing color is the solution to racism, because it is easier or more comfortable for them. While the city makes great strides being one of the first to create a racially integrated community, many of its residents still fail to understand white privilege and the complexity of creating true equity for minority groups.
This background on the community itself is essential to set up the plot, which follows Mia Warren, an artist who drifts from town to town, and her teenage daughter Pearl, as they settle into Shaker Heights. Immediately their lives become closely intertwined with Mrs. Richardson’s, the landlord who has roots that go back to the city’s founding and has committed herself to creating a cookie cutter life for her family there. Pearl soon falls into friendships with the Richardson children, and tries to finally enjoy the “normal” teenage life that they lead. In the midst of this comes a legal battle involving a Chinese woman, Bebe, and a white family attempting to adopt her baby. Bebe is a friend of Mia’s, and of course the white family are close friends of Mrs. Richardson. The result is an intricate story that unfolds about what it means to be a mother and how our choices affect those around us.
Written by Hannah 