Nothing to See Here

By: Kevin Wilson

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

A 2020 Audie winner - best female narrator

A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

Audiobook performed by Marin Ireland.

"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, New York Times Book Review)

Kevin Wilson’s best book yet - a moving and uproarious novel about a woman who finds meaning in her life when she begins caring for two children with remarkable and disturbing abilities.

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.

©2019 Kevin Wilson (P)2019 HarperAudio

Critic Reviews

"Narrator Marin Ireland flawlessly introduces listeners to Lillian and Madison, two unlikely friends separated after a boarding school scandal.... Drawing from a seemingly endless supply of character voices, Ireland immerses listeners in this magical yet weird family, exquisitely capturing every unusual layer of the story.... Ireland and Wilson leave a lasting impression and provide a thoroughly entertaining experience." (AudioFile Magazine)

Everything to see here!

After hearing the author interviewed on Fresh Air, my curiosity about how he could pull off a story about children who catch on fire prompted me to immediately download the audiobook.

Wow. I skipped my evening plans just to keep listening.

This book is compelling, hysterically funny and the pitch-perfect narration has already risen to the top of my all time best list.

I normally wait a few days to write reviews, hoping to add unique and helpful insight and pithy commentary but I’m too busy telling everyone I know about this book.

As someone who works alone I listen to at least two audiobooks per week, often more. This is the best one I’ve purchased in years. I loved it enough to risk saying that I hope this book catches fire.

I’m looking forward to reading or listening to everything Kevin Wilson has ever written.

Growing up in the South, I get irritated when I hear Southern accents that aren’t authentically perfect. I’m not familiar with the narrator, Marin Ireland, but the audio gods must give her all the awards. Right. Now.

Hopefully in a few days I’ll contain my excitement enough to write a better review. In the meantime, buy this book!!

Interesting Premise, lacks delivery

Premise: Woman is hired by childhood friend to nanny, stepchildren who spontaneously combust.

Overall judgement:
I did not like this. While I thought the premise was slightly interesting because the book was not supposed to be fantasy/magical , just some typical every day fiction with random kids who catch on fire, it did not deliver as I find the main character annoying.

Some thoughts I experienced while reading the book.
If you'd like to be trashed please treat this as a drinking game, each time they say the word "Okay" take a sip, you'll be trashed and maybe you'll find it laugh out loud funny like some said.

"Oh look, another pretty fancy wealthy girl who has no character at all but is obsessed over by the narrator"
"Madison is sooooooo beautiful...This house is so beautiful, that thing over there is so beautiful." I get it, our Narrator only knows beautiful and needs a thesaurus.
I keep reading this is laugh out loud funny, how far in do I need to get to experience that? (It was 90% in and I had a slight chuckle)
Meeting Timothy - "Timothy was beautiful...but not (this one type of beautiful) more like a (other type of beautiful)" At this point I wanted to give up. Stupid bookclub choosing this book.

"I put on some cool jeans" our descriptive words are amazing.

Waste of time and money

This book is highly overrated. The character development is weak, the plot line is as deep as a kiddie pool. It was marginally entertaining; so I wouldn’t even recommend it as a fun little diversion, which I hoped it would be. It was just kinda dumb.

Way too short

Interesting concept and well read however the price did not reflect how short. Listen this would be.

Entertaining and offbeat!

I really enjoyed the narrator. She portrayed the characters well. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for something different in fiction.

Absolutely loved it!

Funny, intriguing and keeps you wondering what will happen next. The narrator did a great job with each character’s voices. 5 stars

There is actually a lot to see here!

“Nothing to See Here” is a short but intense novel that deals with female friendship and the responsibilities of motherhood - mainly taking care of what and who you love - Lilian was kicked out of school and now lives a mediocre existence, and Madison, her rich friend, offers her a job that will change Lillian’s life. As we listen through the recounts of Lillian’s misadventures and new job, we explore between laughs the normalcy of “family” and inheritance as a poetic retribution. As the narration moves into weird and hilarious interactions (mole people, fire demons, and paranormal medicine), Marin Ireland, the narrator of the audio version, enhances Wilson’s masterful character creation.

As fire can have many meanings such as destruction and power, it also symbolizes warmth and home (Hestia and the hearth), but regardless of the meaning you wish to give to it, the brilliance of “Nothing to See Here” is enough to light a bonfire worth seen.

Besides this, I am conflicted with the ending as it was what I was expecting but I felt it a bit unfair...

Enjoyed this so much more than i thought I would

Short, quick listen. Definitely worth the time.

If you have ever struggled to connect with a kid this book is a wonderful example of persevering through to get to the good stuff. While these kids "issue" was exaggerated it resonated in so many ways with how to work with and love kids who need more than the average amount we tend to give. The kids that have had so many adults give up on them but really need just one to show them they are worth the work.

Review

The story was weak and unrealistic
Moral was ok
I kept waiting for more substance and didn’t receive it

Unbelievably Dull

This book is so freaking boring, the fire children aren’t in it till halfway in the book and after that nothing of interest happens.

Ludicrously fun

Just such an enjoyable, fun audible book. I was sorry when it came to an end. If you want something to distract you from Covid this is a good option.

Absolutely wonderful

I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining and original story, which is beautifully written and excellently delivered.

So entertaining

Marin Ireland completely smashes this audible. Every character she narrates is so distinct and she captures this deeply cynical and ironic tone of the narrator perfectly, instantly making you like her.

The story itself is wonderful, full of instances that are so unbelievable that they’re made totally conceivable.

Loved the length of this as well - Get this book you won’t regret it!

Lovely store, brilliant narration

I really enjoyed this quirky, heart warming story. The narrator was just brilliant, she brought each of the characters to life and outshone the story itself she was so good.

thought provoking

A little too sci-fi for my taste, I didn't think i would like it once i realised this 2 chapters in. But it grew on me, the storyline got hotter as it progressed, like a fire I guess. The combustible children a metaphor for how people protect themselves? I always feel I need to care about the characters, I did care about Lillian, Bessie and Roland.