Christy Lefteri’s The Book of Fire will capture readers’ attention from page one. Within the first five sentences, Irini, the first-person narrator, thinks about meeting the man who started the fire. She not only announces that he did something terrible, but also confesses that she did, too. She has left him and realizes that he may now be dead. In the remainder of the page, the narrator identifies the man as a property developer who kept to himself, never the type to go to the local coffee shop where readers soon learn the narrator and many villagers regularly go. In fact, villagers don’t know the man’s name and simply refer to him as Mr. Monk because he seems to live an isolated life.

It takes only slightly longer for readers to learn that the narrator came across Mr. Monk, barely alive, under an ancient, half burned chestnut tree. Inclined to help him, Irini recalls the horrors of the fire several months earlier, detests Mr. Monk for setting it, and runs away, returning home with Rosalie, the family dog she had been walking when she came upon the dying man.

Lefteri has also created a dual timeline, but not the typical one with dates designating the time shifts. Instead, she has created a book within a book. Numbered chapters relate the story’s present while segments titled The Book of Fire frequently appear between numbered chapters. In an effort to cope with the devastating fire that has forever changed village life, destroying the beautiful Greek forest, leveling homes, and killing or scaring many of the villagers including members of her own family, Irini has decided to write a book. Interestingly, although the numbered chapters reflect Irini’s present and are related in the first person, she distances herself from the tragedy by writing her book in the third person, even further by referring to herself as “the woman” or “the wife, to her husband Tasso as “the man” or “the husband,” to their daughter Charra as “the girl,” and even to the family’s beloved pet Rosalie as “the dog.” Dramatic and even gruesome in spots, The Book of Fire sometimes reads like one of the fairy tales Irini’s father told her during childhood and at other times like an account of someone else’s experience, not her own.

Despite Irini’s obsession with the death she thinks she has caused, what seems like a relatively simple story at the outset gradually morphs into a mystery about Mr. Monk’s cause of death as the police investigate and repeatedly question Irini. Did Mr. Monk commit suicide, or was he murdered by an angry villager or villagers? In addition to this mystery angle, Lefteri takes a multifaceted look at the fire, itself—a planned control burn that raged out of control.

Don’t miss the author’s Note at the end of the book where Lefteri explains how her volunteer work with refugees in Greece inspired both her earlier best-selling The Beekeeper of Aleppo and The Book of Fire to be released in early January, 2024.

Thanks to NetGalley and Balllantine/Random House for an advance reader copy of this highly recommended new novel from Christy Lefteri.

A forest fire destroys a Greek village.. leaves the population running to the sea to save themselves.
This story focuses on Irini, Tasso, and their young daughter Chara… trying to overcoming their injuries and move past this trauma that has forever changed their lives.
In this story the blame is on one man who intentionally set the fire.. due to greed in wanting to clear some land to build a hotel.. the fire got out of hand…but we know that this situation happens often these days due to global warming.

This story was very good, had some beautiful characters, but was very sad.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC!

3.5 stars. A small Greek village is virtually destroyed by a wildfire caused by “Mr. Monk,” a wealthy landowner and developer who lives on a mountain above the town, and Inno, Tasso and their daughter have their lives changed forever.

I really loved The Beekeeper of Aleppo, so I was very anxious to read this novel. And, although I thought it was a good novel and definitely a heart-wrenching read, I was somewhat disappointed. It was definitely a timely novel, especially given the recent fire in Maui and climate change in general, with interesting, sympathetic characters, but it seemed to drag in places and could have been bettered perhaps with a tightening of the storyline.

Nonetheless, the overarching themes of hope and the determination of the human spirit that comes through through the storyline unquestionably makes this a worthwhile read.

This book will make you think. It is interesting how a single action can change everything in ways one doesn't even know. The story here certainly did that. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

This is one of those deeply moving books that comes along once in a great while; a book that haunts you, teaches you, whispers to you, and hopes you’re listening. The characters, the well-defined emotions, and the beautiful writing style sweep you into their world on the coast of Greece, just before a deliberate wildfire steals it all in one swift inferno.
The family of three lives at peace; Irini, a teacher of music, Tasso, a talented artist of the landscapes, and their sweetheart of a daughter, Chara. They’re not wealthy with trinkets, but they're overflowing with the wealth of a happy home and a healthy family.
It started with their dog whimpering, then they heard the birds, then the howling wolves, then the forest was full of strange noises. A fire was blowing down the slope, heading for their home and the town below. Every minute became precious.
Surviving a horrible ordeal, the family attempts to recover what they lost. This proves to be almost impossible with Irini’s blinding madness at the cause of the fire and Tasso’s withdrawal into himself after losing the use of his talented hands. Even though Chara suffers the worst physical pain, her spirit perseveres. Through her, there may still be the ability to forgive, to heal, and to hope.
By the talented author of “The Beekeeper of Aleppo” comes a novel that shows off Ms. Lefteri’s talent with such a stunning, heartwarming, and emotional tale of human nature and the will to live.
Thanks so much to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is January 2, 2024.

This is the second book I've read by this author. The Beekeeper of Alepo was entertaining and great. It opened my eyes to region of the world I didn't know much about. But the way Lefteri writes just lacks emotion for me and makes me crave so much more connection. I wanted to love it, but I was left with a desire to feel more.

bless my ever-beating heart i will die at the altar of christy lefteri's writing.

this was so intimately devastating; i loved the sharpness with which CL dissected very human responses to tragedy and the nuances of trauma. i cried at least 7 times. which means this book hits you right in the FEELS!! it was <em>so good</em> and i will read anything she ever writes oh my goodness. the imagery is just so vivid and visceral and i could feel the heat singing my face as i flipped the pages. everything was just so human, the storytelling was so lovely, and i want a pet baby jackal now.

A Greek village in which the lives of its citizens, and particularly one family, are changed instantaneously by a horrific fire( a consequence of neglect,incompetence, greed, and negligence )
that destroys their lives.
Actually a book within a book-the story of the fire and its devastation, and then of their struggle to recover from its aftermath.Beautifully written, if at times too repetitious. Very very timely, given the devastation of fires and global warming in multiple parts of the world.
A worthwhile read, but at least for me not as powerful as a previous work, The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

A devastating, uncontrolled fire races down the hills of a small Greek town ravaging forest, homes and lives. The Book of Fire is a compelling drama of life after the devastation for Irini, Tasso, and their daughter. Within the story of the aftermath is Irini’s journaling her story of the events during the fire and of its effects on her and her family. A tragic story, beautifully written to convey a shard of hope within the hopelessness of destruction.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Book of Fire is my first taste of Christy Lefteri’s writing. It’s absolutely beautiful! Her descriptions of such a terrifying and terrible event are so vivid and colorful.

It begins with a situation that puts the MC in a great moral dilema. Irini, while walking through the remains of a forest destroyed by fire, comes across the man who started it. From there, Irini, a wife and mother, begins the story of the fire in a then and now format. It is exquisitely told. Her words painted the most incredible pictures in my mind.

The story brings you through the fire itself, fleeing with Irini and her family as they try to reach safety, their plight at being rescued and the aftermath and uncertainty of not knowing what you’ve lost or who is dead or alive. The story is told in a then and now format and touches on the physical and mental anguish the family endured.

One of the main things that stayed with me from the story is that the fire changed and devastated their lives in a way that can never be “ fixed.” It will forever overshadow their future outlook on life and its decisions.

Although it is a sad story, it helped me imagine what the victims went through and showed how they held on to hope through the love and care shown by others.

I highly recommend this book and I am interested in reading her other books as well.

Many thanks to Christy Lefteri and Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine for the ARC via NetGalley!

The Book of Fire is about loss and devastation, and healing. Irini lives in an idyllic Greek village with her artist husband, young daughter, and dog. The story picks up shortly after a raging fire destroyed the old growth forest surrounding their village, leading to numerous deaths and injuries, including to Irini's husband and her daughter. While on a walk through the burnt forest remains, Irini discovers a man on the verge of death, the man who has confessed to setting the fire in order to clear land for a hotel. The book deals with how Irini processes her grief over the losses suffered in the fire, and also her guilt as she reacts to her discovery in the forest.

The timeline about the fire is told as Irini writes in her journal, in the third person. The scenes are fraught and tense, and even though you know that the main characters survive, learning how they got through it all was very well told and extremely anxiety inducing.

The present timeline as Irini deals with the investigation of the man having been discovered in the forest. Understandably, there are a lot of negative feelings in the village about the man as a result of his actions in setting the fire. As Irini processes her grief and guilt, we see her family also healing and moving on from their injuries together.

As with the Beekeeper of Aleppo, Christy Lefteri doesn't shy away from difficult topics, but her writing is so eloquent and thoughtful as the same time. Although this was a relatively short novel, I felt that it delved deep into tragedy and how one reacts and moves on from life altering events.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

The Book of Fire is a story about a family who lives near a great forest in Greece. One day a fire sweeps through the forest and changes the lives of Irini, her husband Tasso and daughter Chara, as well as the rest of the community. The story is told in switching timelines from the day of the fire and how the family is running for their lives to escape the fire. Then the story is told of the aftermath of the fire.

The fire is set accidentally by Mr. Monk. Although it was an accident, it was because of greed that he had started the fire. One day, Irini stumbles across the body of Mr. Monk in the forest and what she does next haunts her. Irini becomes involved in the police investigation of the death of Mr. Monk. Again, she is faced with decisions that continue to haunt her.

Irini's family and community all try to come to grips with the tragedy of the fire.

I received an ARC of The Book of Fire in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to #RandomHouse #BallantineBooks and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is January 2, 2024.

Greece • Tragedy • Family • Contemporary • 3 Stars

In present-day Greece there lives a family deep in a primordial forest. The mother, Irini, teaches music to children. Her husband, Tasso, paints images of the surrounding forest. Their only child, Chara, whose name means joy, completes the family. Everyone is content and joyful until a wildfire consumes their community and home, The family is confronted with loss, trauma, and the search for meaning in the aftermath of such a disaster. This touching and intimate family story reflects on the universal themes of ties that bind to the land and people they call home.

#Bookstagram #ChristyLefteri #TheBookOfFire

*Received an eARC from Netgalley for an honest review. Thank you!

A heart wrenching read on the devastation and aftermath of uncontrollable fires. The main character, Irini, journals her solemn journey of healing and rebuilding life with her traumatized family. The fire's lasting effects are a poignant reminder to Irini of how fragile life can be, and the following events force her to consider who or what was truly at fault for the fire's untamed destruction. With awareness of global warming making rise in news in our modern world, coupled with the people's lack of concern of its imminent consequences, the author does not hold back with appealing to our pathos.

While I do think the topic and following discussions are food for thought, there was something lacking from the story that would keep me more engaged. There were moments that were maybe a bit too repetitive, especially with how much the author emphasized Irini's constant fears and anxiety. Eventually these moments had less impact for me and my attention was fading. The characters in general weren't the most captivating for me, but they did certainly have development.

I did enjoy that we had chapters capturing Irini's first person perspective in the present, and her writing about her and her family's escape from the fire and survival from a third person lens. I think this format captured how certain moments of her survival through the fire are a recurring nightmare for her present self. I think it would have been more tiring to read this story if it all were written in a regular chronological order.

Overall, the book was an impactful read and I commend the author for her thorough research with those affected by these devastating fires that have grown increasingly more common. She has brought awareness to their stories, yet she also does not shy away from opening up a discussion about our collective responsibility to take better care of the Earth.

"The Book of Fire" by Christy Lefteri is a poignant and beautifully written novel that delves into the profound search for meaning in the aftermath of tragedy. With its fantastic prose, dual time lines, and immersive storytelling, Lefteri weaves a captivating narrative that explores the universal bonds that connect people to their homes and each other.

Set in present-day Greece, the story introduces us to the lives of Irini, a musician who teaches children, her husband Tasso, a painter inspired by the forest, and their daughter Chara, whose name means joy. Their tranquil existence is suddenly shattered by a devastating wildfire, which not only consumes their home but also claims the life of a land speculator responsible for the catastrophe. Irini's impulsive decision in the heat of the moment haunts her, setting the stage for a gripping tale of guilt and its consequences.

Lefteri's prose is rich, evocative, and incredibly immersive. The use of dual timelines is skillfully used to further unravel the narrative and allow readers to piece together the events leading up to and following the wildfire. Each character is well-drawn and relatable, dealing with their own struggles in the wake of the disaster. I found Irini's inner conflict and Tasso's battle to regain his artistic voice and cope with loss are especially moving. Overall, In conclusion, "The Book of Fire" is a masterful work that explores the aftermath of a tragedy and the search for meaning and resilience in a deeply resonant manner.

"The Book of Fire" is a fantastically beautiful story of life, love, loss, and hope. It is actually a story within a story, as Lefteri deftly intertwines two stories, one telling the before, the other the aftermath, of a tragic environmental catastrophe.

A fire, set by one greedy, misguided man (but fueled by climate changes most likely beyond any one man's control), has devastated a vast and vibrant forest. Within this ecosystem, man and nature had coexisted peacefully and joyfully for generations until the fire swept through and decimated everything in a few brief but fiercely horrific hours.

Out of the ashes of this tragedy, Lefteri weaves an ethereal and gentle tale that still manages to powerfully confront the very real issues we all face as stewards of this beautiful sphere we call home.
Her beautiful prose both comforts and challenges, and always leads the reader toward a thoughtful contemplation of their own responsibilities to the land, the sea, the air, and one another.

I truly feel deep gratitude to Christy Lefteri, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of an advance release copy of "The Book of Fire" in exchange for a fair and honest review. This novel's power is in its insistent yet gentle prose. Lefteri's words convey the urgency we all should feel when contemplating our various roles as good earth keepers.

"The Book of Fire" will see a publication date of January 2, 2024.

#thebookoffire
#christylefteri
#netgalley
#goodearthkeepers

4.5 stars, rounded up
The Book of Fire is a reminder to the reader just how fragile life is and how, in the blink of an eye, everything can change.
Irini lives with her husband, Tasso, an artist, and their daughter Charo. One afternoon a fire sweeps through their town, burning almost everything in its path. A combination of incompetence and negligence, on top of climate change, combine to cost way too many lives, including Irini’s father-in-law. After the fire, walking through the charred remains of the forest, Irini comes across the body of the man responsible for the fire. A land developer, who attempted a controlled burn that got out of hand. It’s not an accidental death.
Written in alternating parts between Irini’s accounting of life after the fire and a story of the fire and its immediate aftermath. It tells of how everyone is altered by the fire. “The fire has burnt our souls, our hearts, it has turned to ashes the people we once were.” Lefteri captures all the shading of the human heart - the kindness, the love, the anger, the sadness and despair, the guilt, the hope. There’s even the bit of joy from watching animals play.
The writing is beautiful, almost meditative. The story is horribly sad but ends on a note of hope. Lefteri wrote in a way that transported me there, to that desolate landscape.
Make sure to read the Author’s Note where she spells out what inspired her, her research and her comments about human nature.
My thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Irini and her families life changed forever. They remember that day vividly, and all they have lost because of it. This book was very insightful.

How do people recover from a devastating disaster that touches an entire community and leaves death and heartbreak in its path? That is what this book deals with - the grief and the recovery and how to find a path to begin again.

Description:
In present-day Greece, deep in an ancient forest, lives a Irini, a musician, who teaches children to read and play music; her husband, Tasso, who paints 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.

In the smoldering aftermath, Irini stumbles upon the body of the man who started the fire, a land speculator who had intended only a small, controlled burn to clear forestland to build on and instead ignited a catastrophe. He is dead, 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 mysterious death, Tasso mourns his father, who has not been seen since before the fire. His 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 to each other, and to the land that they call home.

My Thoughts:
Thsi book is well done and, although it is very sad, gives you hope for the future. I liked how clearly the author made me feel the grief and pain, the guilt, the loss of hope, and the beginning of hope again. It is a very emotional book that left me gutted. I liked the way people came together to help each other. The author's prose is beautiful and descriptive. The characters came alive on the page. This is a story of survival. There are a couple of moral dilemmas presented in the book that will make you think how you might handle the same situation and whether you agree on the justice presented.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on January 2, 2024.

I have to admit that I did not know much about the wild fires that took place in multiple areas of Europe. I enjoyed reading Irina’s story about the fire that destroyed her home, her forest, and almost killed her family. I really liked the relationship of Irina with her daughter and how the author did a good job with showing what grief and guilt can do and all about resilience. I did find some of the story to be a bit slow going but overall a good story.