The Book of Fire

A Novel

By: Christy Lefteri

Narrated by: Alix Dunmore

Length: 9 hrs

Publisher's summary

“As with The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Lefteri transports the reader to a once lush and now destroyed world.”—Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale

In present-day Greece, deep in an ancient forest, lives a family: Irini, a musician, who teaches children to read and play music; her husband, Tasso, who paints pictures of the forest, his greatest muse; and Chara, their young daughter, whose name means joy. On the fateful day that will forever alter the trajectory of their lives, flames chase fleeing birds across the sky. The wildfire that will consume their home, and their lives as they know it, races toward them.

Months later, as the village tries to rebuild, Irini stumbles upon the man who started the fire, a land speculator who had intended only a small, controlled burn to clear forestland to build on but instead ignited a catastrophe. He is dying, although the cause is unclear, and in her anger at all he took from them, Irini makes a split-second decision that will haunt her.

As the local police investigate the suspicious death, Tasso mourns his father, who has not been seen since before the fire. Tasso’s hands were burnt in the flames, leaving him unable to paint, and he struggles to cope with the overwhelming loss of his artistic voice and his beloved forest. Only his young daughter, who wants to repair the damage that’s been done, gives him hope for the future.

Gorgeously written, sweeping in scope and intimate in tone, The Book of Fire is a masterful work about the search for meaning in the wake of tragedy, as well as the universal ties that bind people together, and to the land that they call home.

©2024 Christy Lefteri (P)2024 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A tender depiction of loss and healing that raises questions about guilt and blame in the age of climate change.”—People

“Christy Lefteri’s beautiful new novel, The Book of Fire, is a compelling story of love, loss, and redemption in the face of unimaginable tragedy. As with The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Christy transports the reader to a once lush and now destroyed world, where a community—and a mother—must fight to regain what has been lost. Uniquely crafted and full of both stunning imagery and human emotion, The Book of Fire is a story that will long remain in the reader’s mind.”—Kristin Hannah, bestselling author of The Nightingale

“The Book of Fire is the work of a seasoned and wise storyteller who is as masterfully attuned to the nuances of trauma as she is adept at uncovering hope and resilience. Christy Lefteri is at the height of her powers with this radiant and moving novel.”—Adrienne Brodeur, bestselling author of Little Monsters

Gorgeous

Everything about this book is beautiful - the words, the story, the imagery and the narration.

Disappointment

While I understand the intent behind the author's narrative, regrettably, the storytelling within the book became ensnared in a web of tedium, repetitiveness, and an exhaustive exploration of minute details, oft-repeated ad infinitum. Navigating through the pages felt like a laborious journey, as the plot stagnated, and each chapter echoed identical emotional nuances with relentless consistency. My disappointment with this literary endeavor is profound, particularly considering the acclaimed author's previous work, such as "The Beekeeper of Aleppo." I would not recommend us to anyone.