I love historical fiction, but I had a really hard time getting into this novel. It was beautifully and meticulously researched. However, I thought there was way, way too much backstory at the beginning of the novel. I felt impatient to get to the actual story at the crux of the novel. With that said, this is an important contribution to a forgotten part of American history.

4.2 Stars
One Liner: A true story told from four perspectives; poignant but not perfect

Richmond, 1811
The winter season is in full swing, and the Virginia planters are in the capital to have some family time and entertainment. Placide & Green Company is putting on two plays per night, and the tickets are sold out. The night of Christmas is no different as people queue into the theater filled to the brim. Everything seems great until the place catches fire, and hell breaks loose.
Four people, Sally, Cecily, Jack, and Gilbert, find that their lives change forever because of the decisions they make during the chaos. Their lives are not intertwined, whether they know it or not. And maybe, this is their chance to do what they’ve always wanted. But everything comes at a price.
The story is presented in the limited-third person POV of the four main characters and divided into four days.

What I Like:
The shift in narratives works well in this one. It helps in maintaining momentum by forcing the reader to read faster and know what happens next. There are a lot of characters (not an issue for me as I make notes), and it can get overwhelming for some.
While the writing style takes some time to get used to, it becomes easier to read as we sink into the story. I like that I could seamlessly go from one POV to another, irrespective of the chapter length.
The book deals with various topics like slavery, racism, gender bias, lack of women’s rights, greed, obsession, ownership, loyalties, etc. It does justice to most themes, even if sometimes the author’s voice overpowers Sally’s voice. I didn’t mind it as much because it works for the plot and the setting.
The setting comes alive, especially the theatre, the fire, and the aftermath. It’s like watching a reel play in the mind as you turn the pages. Some of it is triggering, but it is impactful and clear. The strength of the setting highlights the characters’ decisions and how these impact others’ lives.
The author’s notes at the end are the best part of the book. They detail the real incident and the people involved. The author mentions how much of the book is true, which elements she speculated on, and how she used the material to create a plot. She also writes about her thoughts, opinions, and ideas when dealing with the topic.

What Could Have Been Better for Me:
The characters seem almost uni-dimensional and without much depth. This could be because due to different reasons, but I think the reader’s experience could have been enriching if there was more depth to some of them.
This also means that we have to take the actions of certain characters at face value instead of exploring them in detail. A little too convenient for the plot, even if done with the right intentions.
The overall pacing is slow, which I expected, given the topic. However, the middle tends to stretch a little longer than necessary. Considering that the book’s ending is ‘realistic’ rather than fictional or neatly tied up, the middle part feels extra heavy and dragging once we reach the end.

To summarize, The House Is on Fire is a poignant novel about people and how their true selves become apparent in crisis. It is not an easy book (multiple triggers), but definitely worth reading.
Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

***
TW: Rape, assault, violence, racism, death.

“When the Richmond Theater burned to the ground on December 26, 1811, it became the greatest calamity, in terms of sudden loss of life, that the relatively young United States had ever experienced.” –Author’s Note

Rachel Beanland’s sophomore historical fiction novel did not disappoint. I enjoyed The House is on Fire just as much as I enjoyed Florence Adler Swims Forever.

I love the page-turning effect of short chapters that move between four main characters on the night of the Richmond Theater fire of 1811 and during the aftermath. Gilbert, Jack, Sally, and Cecily, our main characters, vary in age, class, gender, and race, and each of the character’s experiences helps paint a picture of society at the time all within the context of a major tragedy in the city.

The novel is clearly well-researched. Be sure to read the entire Author’s Note after reading. The real people who inspired the characters in the book are very interesting, especially Gilbert.

I devoured The House is on Fire and read most of it in one sitting. I highly recommend The House is in Fire to historical fiction readers.

This review is shared on Goodreads and Amazon @Michelle Beginandendwithbooks and on Instagram and Facebook @beginandendwithbooks

I enjoyed Florence Adler Swims Forever so when I heard that Rachel Beanland had a new book coming out, I requested it on NetGalley. As with Florence, the chapters in this book rotate between the perspectives of several characters, all of whose lives were impacted by the Richmond, Virginia theater fire of 1811. This is a historical fiction account of an actual fire that killed scores of theatergoers, including some enslaved persons. Beanland did a lot of research and it shows. Her characters were based on real people and true details were woven into her story. I especially loved her feminist slant and her choice to give enslaved people a voice by telling parts of the story from their viewpoint.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a review copy of The Hosue Is on Fire.

I loved this book! I was a big fan of Florence Adler Swims Forever so I was excited to pick this one up. Rachel Beanland does my favorite kind of historical fiction. It's not the typical book of this genre. Her stories are unique and unfold in interesting ways. I loved the multiple points of view, the stories of each individual featured so fully developed. I highly recommend!

The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland is a story based on the theatre fire in Richmond, Virginia, in 1811. It examines the lives of people involved with the fire, some as victims, some as healers, and some who tried to take advantage of it. It was an entertaining and moving story with excellent characters. It discussed the gross unfairness of slavery, beyond the obvious, wherein owners could refuse to sell slaves on a whim or set the price so high it was impossible for a buyer to come up with the money. One slave, known as Gilbert, managed to catch a dozen white women who jumped from the third floor. His owner was angry at the appreciation he received. Another slave, Cecily saw the confusion as an opportunity to run as she was constantly abused, both sexually and otherwise, by her owner’s son. Just as the owner had abused her mother. She may even be his daughter. Both stories are told with kindness, but absolute truth.

The theatre people wanted to keep blame from themselves and so concocted a story of a slave rebellion and slaves starting the fire. Not all white people in the south were idiots and so that story didn’t get much traction. Tells part of the story of a man named Kemp, a cruel man, Gilbert’s owner, who is also the captain of the town patrol and loves catching slaves. It is also the story of Sally Campbell was in the theatre with her sister-in-law, Margaret and her husband, Archie. Interestingly, most of the deaths were women. The men managed to get out. Both Sally and Margaret jumped. Sally successfully, but Margaret was gravely injured. This was a gorgeous example of historical fiction that I hope everyone reads. I loved it. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The House is on Fire by Simon & Schuster, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #SimonAndSchuster #RachelBeanland #TheHouseIsOnFire

The House is on Fire is historical fiction set in my hometown, Richmond, Va. Most ghost tours here will take you by Monumental Church and regale you with tales of a theater fire in the early 1800s. Beanland imagines the fire and what immediately follows, using different characters to highlight what happened.

What I liked: Stay for the author’s note to learn what really happened and real life inspiration for the characters.

This book was equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting. There were a few times I teared up - especially when Gilbert, Sally and Cecily told their stories.

I never felt like there was a storyline I didn’t want to read. All of the characters and plots were compelling.

What didn’t work for me: If you’re not a fan of open-endings be aware Beanland leaves a few storylines not fully closed.

Who should read it: RVA friends check out a historical fiction read in our hometown. Everyone else, this is an enjoyable historical read that shows how one event has ripple effects through multiple lives.

Great historical fiction should both educate and entertain. The back story should be set at a moment or period that changed the people who were present. The characters should be realistic; skillfully written so that they stand out from the crowd while still telling the story as a whole. Rachel Beanland has obviously read some very good historical fiction. She knows what a reader wants in the story and gives us an outstanding picture of Virginia in 1811. No apologies, no excuses, just a snapshot of 4 people of differing race and gender who respond to this disaster with dignity and understanding. This is type of book that readers look for every time they spend their time and money on "something" to read.

1811 Virginia. Winter Holiday's chief entertainments are celebrated in "town". In THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE, the principal event is live theater held in a crowded, three level building with no consideration given to safety of the attendees. When the theater catches fire, a combination of poor design and frightened people will kill 72 that night. Medical standards of the time and the societal prejudice of the early 1800s will lead to many more deaths. But among the disaster and it's aftermath, four people will rise above the others and selflessly give of themselves to serve the wounded. This is the real story of this book and it's so very good. I've already loaned my copy to a reading buddy and sent copies to friends and family that I know will love it as much as I do. This is not only a book to be read, it needs to be shared.

Rachel Beemland has written an epic tail with her new The House Is On Fire novel. In 1811 the theater in Richmond Virginia caught on fire and it would bring opportunity, revelations, heartache and heroes but first we meet Sally and her sister-in-law Margaret there excited to see the play Sally is a widow in Margaret is married to Archie who is attending the play with them but soon after the play starts there’s a problem with the pulley in the chandelier in before the audience knows what’s going on that stage catches on fire and although they do their best to put it out it’s too little too late and so there’s people stuck on the third and second floor everyone is in a mad rush to get to the stairway and on their way out Sally loses Margaret but it’s next to Archie and when she tells him she cannot find Margaret he claims she is a head of them and runs into the stairwell leaving Sally to fend for herself intend for herself and everyone else is what Sally does quickly finding Margaret she starts opening windows to get fresh air in the hallway wild this is going on A slave named Gilbert has snuck over to see his wife but they are quickly interrupted by banging on the door the lady of the house tells them the theater is on fire in port Louise was attending the play Gilbert quickly takes off to see if he can find a young girl but instead he finds himself catching the ladies that the good doctor tosses from the second story and although he doesn’t find young Louise he does become a hero to the ladies of Richmond who is saved from the fiery hell. Before it’s over he will save the doctor as well. Cicely was forced to go to the play by her mistress Marie but she had to sit in the slave section of the theater and so when the fire broke out and she made it to the lawn outside her first goal was Stephon young Marie because how could she go home without the slave masters precious daughter who when she sees Elliot and his dad her owners and rapist looking for Marie the thought occurs to her head she died in the fire she would be free and this is when a plan emerges despite not wanting to leave her family the thought of being free it’s just too tantalizing and this is when she makes an attempt to run away. thankfully the whole active troop of green and west seems to have made it out the building but they have a bigger problem if they are found to be responsible for the fire they could very well be charged and being present or worse. So while they are trying to get their story straight which will eventually blame the slaves of Richmond for starting the fire or at least attempt to Sally is on the third floor becoming a hero in her own right after getting many women to jump out of the third-floor window she even gets Margaret and another lady to help her throw the unconscious Mr. Scott to the ground But her and Margaret making it out is just the beginning this book was so interesting and had so many subplots in each one healthy retention I love this book they had so many sub plots that held my attention and I must say I stayed up pretty late finishing this book if this isn’t a five star novel then 1000 exist I love historical fiction and think Miss Beanland has become one of my favorites I highly recommend this book I’ve received it from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I was absolutely captivated by this ARC I was given the chance to read via NetGalley.
The stories and how they were intertwined, the real people this was based off and the exhilarating and heart breaking moment in history that it describes was all absolutely perfection.

Based on a true story of Richmond’s theater fire in 1811, THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE follows four characters in the wake of the inferno.

I’ve heard this book described as a “moral thriller” and I’d say it’s much more the former than the latter. The fire serves as a *spark* that ignites moral questions in its aftermath. This story is less about America’s first tragedy and more of a character study surrounding decisions people made on that fateful night and the days following.

The author’s note was fascinating as Rachel Beanland shared her inspiration and research for the story. I was surprised to learn how closely she based some of the main characters off of real people. If you enjoy a character-driven novel with a slow burning plot, THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE is for you.

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: April 4, 2023

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

@rachelbeanland I have no words…
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“The House is on Fire” is without a doubt the best book I’ll read this year. I was so fortunate to get an early copy to review and it is more than a 5⭐️ read. If you’ve heard me mention how much I loved “The Kitchen House” and “The Yellow Wife”, I rank this at the top of my best books ever list along with them.
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Rachel is a local author here in Richmond, Virginia and this is her second novel. Although it is historical fiction, it is based on a very real event that happened right here in Richmond. I’ve lived here all my life and never knew about it, similar to the true events in the “The Yellow Wife”.
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I am grateful to women such as Rachel and @sadeqasays for doing immense research and using their wonderful talents as a writer to make us aware of these historic events. The way they both tell these tragic stories through the thoughts and feelings of some of the brave souls who lived them is remarkable.
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I am supposed to be attending Rachel’s launch party this evening, but the pollen season here in Richmond has me down for the count with terrible allergies. I am intent on meeting her at another one of her events soon, to thank her in person for this wonderful story…and to purchase several copies of this book for her to sign as gifts for fellow readers. I can’t think of a better book to receive this year. ❤️📚❤️

Thank you so much Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This historical fiction novel centers around the devastating theater fire that took place in Richmond, VA on the day after Christmas, 1811.

The story is told from four POVs, making this a fast-paced read and a great way to see things from the different characters’ perspectives. Sally is a widow who is in the theater when the fire starts, Gilbert, a slave, becomes the hero of the day, Jack is one of the stagehands and is backstage when the fire starts, and Cecily is a slave who accompanies her mistress to the theater that night.
There is interesting history to discover in this novel and from what I can tell, it is very close to the actual events that occurred.

I really enjoyed this book and read it quickly! I would highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction and wants to read about something not as well-known.

Thank you Simon and Schuster for the gifted copy!

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4 ⭐️

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Richmond, 1811. On a night at the height of the winter season, the town turns out to the play house to see a new show. However, by the end of the night the whole place has gone up in flames. Thought multiple perspectives, we learn from young stagehand Jack that due to careless errors on the part of the acting company, the fire started backstage. Rather than take responsibility, they find others to blame. From Sally, a lady in the box seats, we learn about women who are forced to jump through second and third story windows, when their men desert them. Cecily, a slave in the gallery, easily escapes but sees the situation as an opportunity to change her life. And Gilbert, a slave who’s passing by helps to save over a dozen women when their own men left them stranded. Through these intertwined characters, a clear picture of a city divided emerges. Will the fire destroy all, or offer the redemption of Richmond?

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💭 Thoughts 💭

This story was fascinating, I couldn’t believe how much of the story was true after reading the authors note. All of the different perspectives helped illuminate the perspectives of all of the different minorities represented in this tragedy.

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⌛️ Favorite Moment ⌛️

When Sally starts questioning the men’s version of events, some nasty secrets come to life. Rather than protecting their wives, they protected themselves instead. Her work to stand up for the victims was inspiring.

“The House is on Fire,” by Rachel Beanland, Simon & Schuster, 384 pages, April 4, 2023.

Richmond, Virginia 1811. It’s the height of the winter social season. The General Assembly is in session, and many of Virginia’s gentleman planters, along with their wives and children, have made the journey to the capital.

At the city’s only theater, the Placide & Green Company puts on two plays a night to meet the demand.

On the night after Christmas, the theater is packed with more than 600 people. In the third-floor boxes, sits newly widowed Sally Henry Campbell, the daughter of Patrick Henry. She is glad for the opportunity to relive the happy times she shared with her husband, Robert. She is there with her brother-in-law, Archie Campbell, and his wife, Margaret.

One floor away, in the colored gallery, Cecily Patterson gets a four-hour reprieve from a life that has recently gone from bad to worse.

Backstage, young stagehand Jack Gibson hopes that, if he can impress the theater’s managers, he’ll be offered a permanent job with the company. And on the other side of town, blacksmith Gilbert Hunt dreams of one day being able to bring his wife to the theater, but he’ll have to buy her freedom first.

When the theater goes up in flames in the middle of the performance, Sally, Cecily, Jack, and Gilbert make a series of split-second decisions that will not only affect their own lives but those of others. And in the days following the fire, as news of the disaster spreads across the United States, the paths of these four people will become intertwined.

This is based on the true story of Richmond’s theater fire. While the writing is good, the characters are one-dimensional, especially the bad ones, and it’s heavy on white male scorn. The book also depicts multiple rapes. Fans of historical novels may enjoy “The House is on Fire.”

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Rachel Beanland's THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE is a complex, interwoven story of a real-life tragedy when a theater burned to the ground during a performance, trapping and killing many audience members. Told through the points of view of actors, theater goers, and those outside the burning building, the story attempts to explore the wildly divergent ways the tragedy is handled and explained through individual viewpoints, including the search for a culprit, ways to manage outcomes such as helping the injured, and an improbable love story. Much as I enjoyed learning about a key event in history, I did not enjoy cardboard characters as mouthpieces for the author's point of view on slavery, women's rights, and who's believed when things go badly. Ultimately, I abandoned the story before the end, knowing what was going to happen and not wanting to plod through an interesting premise never realized. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

A widow. A slave. A freeman. A boy. Four different perspectives of one devastating night. Four harrowing days where life and freedom hang in the balance.

What’s to love?

I sometimes hear people say they couldn’t get into a book. I don’t think many readers will have that issue with The House Is On Fire by Rachel Beanland. Following introductory chapters for each of the four main characters, the book is…well…on fire!!! And Beanland’s masterful storytelling made me feel like I was right there amidst the flames with these characters. Talk about a page turner!

Amidst the fast-paced action, the characters are forced to make split-second decisions, choices between self-preservation and self-sacrifice, choices that will no doubt change the courses of their lives. And, of course, every choice leads to another…and another. Over the pages that follow the next three days, the reader discovers the true mettle of the characters including those who were actual historical figures. Only a few will emerge as heroes or heroines.

What’s to leave?

Rather than a plot line that slowly builds toward a climax near the end of the book, this story arc feels reversed. Beanland starts The House Is On Fire with a bang, almost literally, followed by the slow descent of embers into ash. And yet I guess that’s how it often happens with traumatic events as they play out in real life?

Perhaps this was brilliant poetic license on Beanland’s part? But, for me, the ending felt like a bit of a let down. I definitely did not want the stories of Sally, Cecily, Gilbert, and Jack to end.

What’s to learn?

Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of the Richmond Theater Fire of 1811, and Beanland provides a wealth of fascinating historic information about the theater, the players, the rescue attempts, and the aftermath. She also proposes an interesting and entirely plausible reason for why so many more women perished in the fire than men.

In a letter from the Placide Green Company to the people of Richmond, one character writes: “Our own loss can not be estimated but by ourselves.”

It’s a good reminder with so many tragedies in the news these days that no one experiences the same event in exactly the same way. To have an accurate picture we must examine all the perspectives. We can learn something from everyone, and we can value people’s experiences by realizing that no two are ever the same.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a DRC (digital review copy) of this title in return for my honest review.

Warning: This book contains description of a graphic nature, including death and sexual assault, and may not be appropriate for all readers.

I wanna say thank you to the publishers through Netgalley for access to the arc copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

5/5 <3

I genuinely loved this book! The story was well researched with the characters used, the level of medical knowledge, what it took for enslaved peoples to gain their freedom, and so many other things in between.

The way the story of the fire was told from different perspectives had me on the edge of my seat to see what would become of each person. I greatly enjoyed that she jumped right into the fire after initial introductions to several key characters you would see throughout the story. So much happens within the three day span of the book. You experience two women come to terms with a new view on the men in their lives, one who seizes the opportunity handed to her, a boy who must decide what kind of man he wants to try to be, and a man who is grappling with fighting for his family's freedom while a chunk of the town has labeled him a hero.

While not everyone got an on page hea, you weren't left feeling like there were loose ends that didn't get tied off. You're left with a sense of reality almost, a reminder that in a catastrophic event, or even daily life, not everyone gets their hea. Or if they do, it's not on the time frame we would hope it happens. The author does give information about each actual historical person characters were based on. Including what happens to them after the fire.

There's so much about this book I loved that I couldn't really pick a favorite part if I tried. I will definitely be recommending this book to people as well as picking up a physical copy to have and love.

🔥 The House Is on Fire - Rachel Beanland

5 ⭐️- Rachel, hi, it’s me, your new bestest fan. Has anyone see the show “Drunk History”? If not, highly recommend, but, it’s a show where drunk people tell lesser known historical stories. Beanland does the same, without being drunk, in a more organized, informative, gripping way. This is a historical fiction book that reads like a thriller. I hope she never stops writing about lesser known true historical events. My history loving heart will always read them.

Richmond, Virginia 1811. At the city’s only theater, the Placide & Green company put on two plays a night to meet the popular demands of the city. On the night after Christmas, the theater is packed with more than 600 people. When the theater goes up in flames, Cecily, Sally, Gilbert, and Jack must all make snap decisions that will change the course of their, and others, lives from here on out. In the days after the fire, news spreads across the US as we learn how these four main characters lives are intertwined.

y’all, I loved this. I love anything US History. Anyone who knows me will tell you it’s my favorite subject. This book has alternating POVs (the 4 main characters), short chapters, bravery, love, loss, struggle, opportunity, women empowerment, and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I was hooked from the beginning. It’s historical fiction, but it read like a thriller. I couldn’t wait to see how these lives collided and how each character’s story ended. Highly recommend. I’m also a big fan of Beanland’s first novel, Florence Adler Swims Forever - highly recommend that too.

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced reader ebook. Check this one out hitting stores TODAY!!

This historical fiction novel is about the theater fire in Richmond, Virginia in 1811 that claimed the lives of 72 individuals, mostly women. It was considered the worst urban disaster of our country at the time. The production, performed by Charleston-based Placide & Green Company, had an over-capacity crowd. The book is told in the viewpoints of four different characters who were affected by the fire: Jack - the stagehand who raised the lit chandelier which caused the fire, Sally - who attended the performance with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law and ended up tending to the wounded after she jumped from the third story window to survive the fire, Cecily - a slave who attended the show with her mistress but had to sit in the colored gallery so they were not together when the fire broke out. When pandemonium insued, she realized no one would know if she survived or not, and this would be her one chance to break free from the physical abuse she had been suffering from for years. Then there is Gilbert, also a slave, who ran to the fire when he heard that it had broken out, and he helped to rescue countless women. When his owner finds out he is getting praise for his heroic deeds, Gilbert gets beaten as punishment.
I was completely unfamiliar with this part of American history, and after I read the book, I did a deep dive on the internet reading everything I could find on the subject. This book was fascinating and horrifying at the same time. I did not want to put it down. The author did an excellent job making you feel like you were actually there, watching it all unfold. I could almost hear the screams and the crackling of the fire. She did an excellent job with the characters as well, I really felt like I knew them, they felt so real to me. If you are a fan of historical fiction, then you have to check this out. I think you will love it as much as I did.