A historical lesson. Of Fathers and Fire is an eclectic, compelling novel of the coming of age in a small town of America. The narrative is gritty, complex, and wonderfully brutal. I loved it. I highly recommend it.

Well, I didn’t get very far in the book, to around eleven percent or so, really not far. But I had a hard time getting into the book, I couldn’t connect to the main character. The writing was well done; it wasn’t that, just me and no connection. Not all books work for all people, and this one didn't work for me.

Set for the most part in Colorado and Nebraska in the 1980s, Of Fathers and Fire concerns faith and the pros and cons of the spiritual, and is an excellent coming of age tale. Wingate is a very brave author, willing to tackle religion at its base. At times harsh, often basic in approach, reading at times like a nightmare - disjointed, nonlinear, and abruptly ended - this is a story to keep you up nights. The characters appear at first caricatures but are soon fleshed out into whole beings that I found endearing as their story flows through their world and yours.

Steven Wingate is an author I will follow. This novel is one I will want to read again, and am happy to recommend to friends and family.

I received an electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Steven Wingate and University of Nebraska Press. I have voluntarily read and reviewed this excellent tale.

Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC of #OfFatherAndFire

There is not enough to say about this novel. Steven Wingate offers an eclectic, compelling novel of the coming of age in a “map-dot” town of America. The narrative is gritty, complex, and wonderfully brutal. Wingate broaches controversial subject matters, begging the reader to question their own morality. This novel subtly sneaks up on you and settles deep in the small crevices of your soul. The characters will become engrained into your psyche with the beautiful tragedy that they are. Great read. Americana at its finest. 5 stars.