The House is on Fire
Rachel Beanland’s second novel doesn’t disappoint. It is the story of a true event, the Richmond, VA theater fire in 1811, that destroyed the theater and the company as well. The story is told through 4 people, whose lives were significantly upended by the fire. By the author’s note, it is clear that the events happened very close to what is narrated in the book. It is definitely a page turner, you are rooting for the good protagonists and you are mad at the scammers and selfish people. I took one star off, because I had a little trouble keeping track of the multitude of extra characters, especially since it jumped back and forth between the four main characters in very short chapters. Overall, this is a very good book, 4 stars for me, strongly recommend to historical fiction lovers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Another wonderful book by Rachel Beanland. I had previously read and greatly enjoyed Florence Adler Swims Forever, her first book and was surprised and grateful to be given the chance by Simon & Schuster and Netgalley to read this, her second.

The House is on Fire is a novel based on an actual theatre fire which took place on December 26th 1811 and takes place from shortly before the fire begins until the funeral for its victims on December 29th. The actors were playing to a full house that evening when a chandelier lit a backdrop on fire ultimately razing the theatre and killing 72.

Beanland 's narration moves swiftly, centering the story on four charachters. Jack is the son of a noted attorney but yearns to be an actor. He is a stage hand on the night of the fire and is the one who accidentaly ignites the fire. Sally is a young widow, the daughter of Patrick Henry, who accompanies her sister and brother-in-law to the theatre. Cecily is a slave, at the theatre to chaperone a member of her master's family. Gilbert, also a slave, races to the theatre in an effort to save Cecily and Maria, her young mistress.

The story moves quickly over the next few days focusing on several intertwining plots. Sally works to save the lives of many of the victims of the fire, especially that of her sister. Cecily sees the fire as an opportunity to run from slavery and hides, waiting for her opportunity to escape. Gilbert, her uncle gains respect and thanks from the white population. His master however jealous of the attention, makes Gilbert suffer all the more. Jack is coerced into going along with a story, propagated by the theatre company to deflect blame for the fire from themselves, that slaves set the fire as part of a rebellion.

Beanland keeps all of these balls in the air but is careful to be historically accurate. This is especially true concerning the suffering endured by the slaves-having no right to their bodies, their time or a family. Married women of this time, although certainly better off than the slaves, likewise had no right over their assets, their bodies or where they lived.

The House is on Fire is a quick, exciting and meaningful read.

The House is on Fire is a well researched, historically tragic event, that happened in Richmond, VA in 1811. The only theatre, the day after Christmas, with a packed house, the theatre erupts in flames! The book focuses on four main characters who are woven methodically into the heart of the story. Rachel Beanland’s masterful work, once again provides us with a powerful read. Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #Netgalley, #Simon&Schuster.

In this meticulously researched book, Rachel Beanland has brought the world of 1811 Richmond, Virginia, to life. The House is on Fire captures the events surrounding the theater fire that took the lives of more than a hundred citizens. It's told through the eyes of four different characters: Gilbert Hunt, a slave who helped save dozens of women; Sally Henry Campbell, who helped nurse many victims back to health; Cecily Patterson, a slave for whom the fire may be her best opportunity at freedom; and Jack Gibson, a stagehand in the theater company who feels guilty for his part in the fire.

Ms. Beanland knows how to tell an engaging story while still including the historical accuracy needed to make it feel real. The details regarding the slave/owner dynamics and the culture at the time are hard to read but it's important to understand why some of the characters act in the way they do. There is something to relate to in each of the main characters and I found myself wanting to cheer them on. The description of the medical care was fascinating, mainly because of what they didn't yet know in 1811.

If you like historical fiction, this book is a good choice. Ms. Beanland has taken great care to research the people and events involved in the theater fire and represent them well.

I ripped through this compelling title very quickly. Beanland obviously did very extensive research into the Richmond theater fire and has blended fact with speculation beautifully. The attention to historic detail brings the whole event to life. Four characters drive the story forward from the point of view of theater staff, members of Richmond’s white society and slaves. A fascinating read, very well written. Another hit for Beanland. Already looking forward to whatever she writes next. Loved her earlier title Florence Adler Swims Forever, it still haunts me. Thanks to author, publisher, and NetGalley for a preview copy.

Though very different from her first book, Esther Adler Swims Forever, Rachel Beanland has proven herself to be an author of major proportions. In The House is on Fire, she has produced an edge-of-your-chair historical novel that reads like a gripping adventure story. You love and root for some characters while detesting others.

Beanland has done exhaustive research about this fire and people affected by it. She uses four of them to move the story forward. Cecily a young, abused slave girl may or may not have existed, but you will believe in her so wholeheartedly that you will root for her escape. Gilbert, a blacksmith slave and Cecily's uncle was a real person, as was Sally Henry Campbell, daughter of Patrick Henry. The fourth character is Jack, a teenage boy apprenticed to the acting troupe.

Beanland's description of the victims' harrowing attempts to escape the fire, and the shameful lack of humanity in most of the men (who walked over the bodies of women to escape will freeze your blood. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough. It adds Rachel Beanland as a worthy addition to our finest literary authors. I am grateful to Simon and Schuster for an early review copy of The House is on Fire.

This book is on FIRE!! A breathtaking, heart pounding, unputdownable, powerhouse of a historical fiction retelling the 1811 tragedy of the Richmond, Virginia theater fire that not only extinguished 72 lives, but extinguished a theater company from the town of Richmond.

The tale is meticulously researched and the fictional liberties taken were off of real people’s experiences through this dark tragedy.

Rachel Beanland provides you with a first class ticket to this terrifying tragedy, allowing you to be up close and personal in the lives of the people it affected. You visit the events from start to finish through the eyes of Sara, a young society widow, Jack, the teenage orphaned stage hand that’s working that night, Gilbert, a slave and uncle who runs toward the disaster to render aide, and his niece Cecily, and abused slave who decides the fire will change her fate in more ways than one.

This is a society that becomes more like a war within itself following this tragedy, and you will see how the choices we make or don’t make, the aide we render or don’t render, affects not just the people we run into, but the inner working of the town as a whole.

This is set in a time where certain voices were not heard or counted. Women. Slaves. Children. But Beanland lends a voice to them all, and allows you to be swept away in the madness, the courage and cowardice of the people, to the love, hate and even obsession of man, and the ability to either hold firmly to hope, or the ability to become hopeless.

These pages flew by and I connected with all the characters presented, good, bad, villainous, and even the wall flowers. This is a sweeping tale that will stay with you long after you close the book.

A definite 5/5 star read for me and one I highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction and loves to read a novel that invokes deep feelings in you.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. This is one that you should not miss.

My full review will be posted to all my social media sites and blog sites upon release day.

The House Is on Fire by Rachel Beanland is an excellent historical fiction that gripped me from beginning to end.

This book includes some of the true events that took place in Richmond, Virginia during 1811 and involved the catastrophic theatre fire. I have to be honest in the fact that I sadly did not know of this occurrence. It has inspired me already to do further research…which I always love when reading HF. Being entertained while learning something new, is the ultimate compliment, for me.

These tragic events, and the cascade of subsequent actions afterwards are told through the perspectives, and eyes, of four main characters: Sally, Cecily, Gilbert, and Jack. Being able to experience society, tragedy, and societal struggles and mentality through the different characters really added to overall narrative. It kept things fresh and interesting, but did not overwhelm or overpower. I really think it hit that nice balance.

The book is so much more than just this, but words cannot fully describe the experience…so one just needs to read this gem and find out for themselves.

Highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Simon & Schuster for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/4/23.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. This was an incredible story: heartbreaking, heartwarming, devastating, beautiful and incredibly sad. This story is based on true events which you will learn about at the end of the story. An incredible read that I couldn’t put down even with the horrible lives people endured during times of slavery.