I admire what I’ve read of Dani Shapiro’s nonfiction, so I was excited to read her latest novel Signal Fires. Starting with a car accident that will have long-lasting repercussions for one (formerly happy, “normal”) suburban family, the plot jumps POV and the timeline (from the ‘70s to Y2K to COVID lockdowns and back again), and with further dramatic events coincidentally joining neighbours together across the years, Shapiro makes the point that we are all connected: like spiderwebs; like supergalaxies; like signal fires. There are many relatable and touching scenes set inside larger, dramatic storylines, and with characters who are mostly dissatisfied with the choices they’ve made in their lives, this is a narrative that weighed heavily on my heart as I read it. I believed everything Shapiro writes about families and how individual choices can have far-reaching consequences, but there were also some quasi-mystical underpinnings that, if Shapiro wanted me to take them literally, and I believe she did, my mind was resistant to them. As a straight storyline: totally readable. If I was looking for deeper meaning: not quite satisfied. I’d rate 3.5 stars and am rounding up because it did make me feel something.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Signal Fires.

When I first began reading, I wasn't sure what to expect.

I'm not a fan of multiple perspectives and bouncing timelines but the author made it work.

This is the story about the Wilf family, and how their lives are affected by the death of a teenager when the Wilfs' teen daughter and son were involved in.

It's also about their neighbors, brilliant yet introverted son Waldo, the difficult relationship he has with his father, and the eventual loss of his mother.

It's about how these families lives intersect, connect, and pull away. And come back to each other again.

It's about how one tragedy affects the lives of so many others, and how we deal with it affects how we live with ourselves and the people we love the most; it's about love and loss, and how nobody really dies, We never really lose anyone. We're all transformed, by love, death, sorrow, grief, and joy.

I love how the author incorporated Waldo's love of astronomy into the bigger picture of love and loss, death and rebirth.

The writing is warm, comforting, beautiful. I just wish the readers had gotten to know Mimi a bit more.

Signal Fires is the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last.

Two families, one street and a tragic accident. Dani Shapiro takes a terrible accident and turns it into an opportunity for families to reach outside themselves and learn from one another . A beautifully written story of sadness and unspoken fears and pain and yet much kindness and caring . Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #SignalFires. It was a wonderful read.

Dani Shapiro’s novel explores the repercussions of a tragic accident, a split-second in time that will follow the participants well into their futures. Signal Fires is about how our actions shape us, how time works on our feelings, how communication, or lack of it can determine the trajectory of a relationship. This is a story about secrets, and regrets, but it is also about the healing power of forgiveness. Shapiro’s characters are well-drawn, her prose is lyrical, the story is compelling and relatable on so many levels.

WOW! I read Signal Fires in one sitting. It’s gripping and compulsive to read, though I would say it is not a plot centered book at all.
Having read all of her memoirs, I was so excited to see that Shapiro had returned to writing fiction and this book does not disappoint. The writing is beautiful, poetic even. The story is simple, yet universal; how one incident can change the trajectory of our lives and lead to unseen consequences. The characters are real and so likeable. None are perfect and we don’t get the “diagnosis” or full story on any of them which keeps me guessing and wondering. I think every reader will identify closely with at least one of these people, possibly more. Those of us who are parents especially will empathize with all of them. We see each individual deal with love and loss and all the full range of human emotions that come along with living for any length of time. Loneliness after a loss is described in such a memorable way in the experience of Dr. Wilf. The pandemic is part of the background but does not alter the storyline in any way. It’s interesting to see how authors work these strange few years into their work and I appreciate that Shapiro includes it without having it take over. It’s just another fact of life – something to survive.
I felt so many emotions reading this book and I can’t say if more were happy or sad. It’s such a poignant telling of several lifespans and how we connect with each other – family, neighbors, lovers, friends. I enjoyed the sibling relationship particularly and the fact that the intergenerational coincidental relationship of two neighbors is probably the most life altering. Both coasts of the US are represented which was kind of interesting.
I’m not exactly a student of physics but I loved how astrophysics was conveyed in this book and learned a few interesting facts. A star can take decades to die, or it can die immediately. New stars are made up of stardust from old one. Such a metaphor for life and death!
Thanks to Knopf and Net Galley for the review copy. Theo, Sarah and especially Waldo will remain with me for a LONG time. Maybe we could see their next decades?

I have missed Dani Shapiro--her voice, her vision.
Beautifully written, crafted & told.
"Everything is connected" ... the characters' lives, events & understanding.
Such an effective narration through the time periods, especially the more current including the pandemic.
With great thanks to NetGalley & Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for this ARC!

Dani Shapiro is truly one of our most gifted authors. Her prose is lyrical, a pleasure to read. This novel is extraordinary. Shapiro takes us into the world of two families, the Wilfs and the Shenkmans. Their coming together at turning points in their lives provides a background for a fascinating story and beautifully developed characters.

The odd relationship between elderly Dr Wilf and pre-teen Waldo Shenkman is an unusual one, but it is such a beautiful one, that the reader becomes involved in this celestial connection. This unusual relationship is a thread that pulls the characters together. Each character is so decent and likable, except one, that the reader wants happiness for all of them. Sadly, we do face life’s inevitable tragedies with these good people.

It is a fine exploration of coincidence and timing. What forces work in our lives that pull us toward our fates? How did one night change the lives of all involved in an “accident?” Why were Waldo and Dr Ben Wilf so connected.

Thank you Netgalley for this beautiful novel about human connection.

This is a beautifully written poignant story with all the feels. Heartbreaking and heartwarming. Highly recommend!

A deadly accident. A family that doesn’t know how to communicate with each other. Trauma buried deep in their soles. It isn’t any wonder that they don’t cope very well or have binding family bonds. Twenty years later on the same street, another family survives a near tragedy. Another family that has no communication skills and are living in their own heads. Life didn’t have to be this sad for them; if only they would talk to each other. This book was well written and an insightful look at the lives of two families and will probably do well on the booksellers lists. This book did not personally inspire me, nor make me feel good; thus I am personally unable to rate it higher than three stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing for the ARC (kindle) exchange for an honest review.