Absolutely fantastic book, I only have two regrets. First that I waited so long to read it and second that it ended. I shouldn't have been surprised and well I wasn't but still the fact is that I loved Florence Adler and I knew I would love this book too I just had to be in the right mood to read it. I would tell anyone anytime to read this one all of the characters and settings were so detailed that I could see them in my mind like a movie, which it absolutely should be by the way. Seriously my top book of the year. Just read it.

On December 26, 1811, Richmond, Virginia’s theater burst into flames during a crowded performance, killing nearly a hundred in the audience. In The House Is on Fire, her second novel, Rachel Beanland follows four people who will find their lives transformed by the tragedy: Sally, a young widow who does not suffer fools gladly; enslaved blacksmith Gilbert, who dreams of buying his freedom and that of his wife; enslaved housemaid Cecily, anticipating a miserable future at the hands of a sexual predator; and the orphaned Jack, a stagehand who hopes that his job might lead to onstage glory. All are based on historical figures.

I loved Beanland’s first novel, Florence Adler Swims Forever, featuring a Jewish family in 1930s Atlantic City, and this one, with its very different cast and setting, did not disappoint. Not only are the four protagonists captivating and well-drawn, but those who surround them are memorable as well, especially Mary Cowley, an outsider who ministers to the survivors; the actors of the Placide & Green Company, desperate to avoid blame for the catastrophe; the decaying Price family, who appear to have stepped out of a Tennessee Williams play; and newspaper editor Thomas Ritchie, determined to get at the truth—to a point.

Beanland’s writing is sharp and clever (“He tried to follow along, but all those white girl names sounded the same, and they were each as mean as the next”), with lively dialogue. And although this is a character-driven novel, the plot kept me in suspense until the very end; only having to get off my train made me stop reading. I wouldn’t have minded staying on board.Review at link below.

There is no doubt in my mind that Rachel Beanland CAN WRITE! She has a gift for just making the words flow. And I have tremendous respect for the undertaking of fictionalizing a real event and real people. Her author’s note at the end of the book alone was almost enough for me to love the whole book. But, in reality, my feelings for this book are mixed. What I loved: the time period, the writing style (very Jane Austen-esque), the alternating POVs, and that author’s note. But there were also a few things that didn’t work for me. For starters, that “Friday” section of the book just dragged. It was too long and the pace too slow. I almost called it quits. Secondly, I hated the chapters from Jack’s perspective. I felt the character was too magnanimous and ethical for someone so young. Idk, as much as we all want to think we would be different if we had had lived during the times of slavery, idk how many people really would be. So, he just didn’t seem to fit with my concept of an orphaned 14 year old of the time. Maybe I needed more backstory to sell me on it? Idk. But also, his chapters were LOADED with ancillary characters. The whole book had too many ancillary characters to not have a character list at the front. And then the ending left so many things unresolved. We have to read the author’s note to find out what really happened to Sally and Gilbert. And Jack and Cecily got enough that I can imagine things working out for them. But, what about Margaret??? Did she make it? Idk little things like that at the ending kind of bothered me. Overall, I would recommend to many people but not all and I will definitely check out other works from the author.

I love historical fiction, especially when it is an event like this that I hadn't heard of before! It started off pretty strong but I thought there were a few too many characters to keep track of and that it lacked some emotional depth.

I loved Florence Adler Swims, This book is different but just as good if not better.

A fire starts in the middle of a performance with the theater full due to Christmas holidays. Pandemonium ensues as families race to find escape.

Also notable is the 'colored section' in the theater during this time of slavery. In fact, very recently Florida government wants this book banned. Slavery was despicable but it remains part of our history.

Notable characters are entwined with each other for a lifetime.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher.

I loved this historical fiction. It is rare to pick up a novel about history and not feel like I am reading a textbook but this was perfectly achieved.

Somewhere around 8 I began to be fascinated by disasters - all disasters of every type and it has stayed with me as an interest. When I discovered the book on my shelf was about a disaster. . .that happened, was not fiction, of which I was completely ignorant?! well. That level of astonishment needed a response.

Rachel Beanland has provided us with another excellent read. I loved her book about Florence Adler, but I have to say I think this one tops it. The research is robust, the story - four-pronged - is well-woven, and she has formed her reimagined narrative around real people, in real places and her contextual time and interactions were compelling. Sometimes I get tripped up with people from the 1800's saying something very 2020's and for a beat it interrupts me. . .not one beat of interruption in this read. (Actually was a listen and a read for me. . .this is becoming one of my favorite ways to experience a book from two different senses.)

And Bonus of Bonuses, her Author's Note was very satisfying to read after the time spent with her well-drawn characters. Even those with bit parts were further filled in with ". . . the rest of the story. . ." of their lives as far as it is known.

An excellent read! 5 stars!

*A sincere thank you to Rachel Beanland, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for a free ARC to read and voluntarily review.* #TheHouseIsOnFire #NetGalley

I've had this on NetGalley and for some reason just got to it. I should have read it sooner!

In Richmond, Virginia, in 1811, the only theater is packed with politicians and Southern "gentlemen" with their families as well as many enslaved and some free people of color. A bad call from the theater company causes a fire to break out and panic ensues.

The story is told by four people whose stories intersect: Sally, a young widow; Jack, a young man hired for the season by the theater company; Gilbert, an enslaved blacksmith trying to buy his freedom; and Cecily, an enslaved girl whose circumstances are dire. All four get caught up in the chaos of the fire and their lives as well as so many others are altered forever.

I gave this one ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. It was an excellent historical fiction. Based loosely on the true story of the fire, it was very well researched by the author. The characters were very believable and I was on the edge of my seat at the end. The themes that stood out to me were the cruelty of racism and slavery, how we treat each other in a crisis, and whether integrity and good character prevail.

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonbooks @simonandschuster for an advanced copy of this book.

This was a new time period for me to read historical fiction. Set in 1811, in Richmond, Virginia at the Richmond Theater Fire.

During this time slavery was a part of life in Virginia. One slave saved many white women by catching them when they were dropped from the second balcony.

Many people died and had injuries from the fire. White men especially those on the second or third floor for the most part stormed out to get themselves to safety, and not helping the women around them.

I found it hard to read how quickly the actors blamed the fire on slaves that weren’t there threatening them versus admitting to their guilt.

I enjoyed this story as it is different than what I usually read and gave me a lot to think about.

I really enjoyed this book, I liked the multiple perspectives and it definitely had me on the edge of my seat at times!

Beanland’s book is based upon a real tragedy, a theater fire that cost the lives of 72 people, 54 of whom were women. It’s 1811 and the wealthy of Richmond, VA were attending a production when a fire broke out. Among the people in attendance were Sally Campbell, a young widow, Cecily Patterson, a slave who is allowed to attend but must sit in the balcony with the other slaves and Jack Gibson, a young man who helps backstage. There’s also Gilbert, an enslaved blacksmith, who is instrumental, after the fire breaks out.

Sally is dealing with the loss of her husband and her future prospects. Cecily is in an impossible situation as the chattel of her owner. Gilbert is a hard worker who shows his generous heart and Jack is a loner who needs his job and is torn when pressured to become part of a coverup of the fire. All of them witness the behavior of frantic people trying to escape the inferno.

When the fire subsides and the toll of the dead and injured are evaluated, the town must decide who is to blame. Lies and finger-pointing put innocent people at risk. A few heroic actions saved some, but many pushed and shoved others aside in order to save themselves.

This fictionalized account is a mix of real historical figures and those of the author’s imagination. The central characters and some of the victims are based upon actual people and the heroics of Gilbert have been documented. The attempt to pin the blame on others is also factual and adds to the tragic nature of the event. What is most gripping in reading the book, is the air of panic that ensued and the apparent desperate need to save oneself. This tragedy was horrific and was compounded by actions following the disaster.

The dire straits of the enslaved is amplified by the ease with which they can become scapegoats, with no recourse of defense. They are totally at the mercy of their owners and of the townspeople. Beanland’s characters are well-defined and the key figures all have their own strengths. It is the young Jack who exemplifies the intense struggle to do what’s right. He’s impressionable and anxious to please, giving others an opportunity to pressure him.

This is a story about an actual disaster that, at the time, garnered a lot of attention but which is not familiar to audiences today. It calls attention to the heroic and also the desperate self-preservation actions of people under duress. Set in a society that was based upon slavery, there are serious issues addressed along with the story of the conflagration.

3.5 stars.

I don't think the book quite rises enough for me to round up to 4 stars, though. I will say that it was a solid read, keeping me interested. I like the quick chapters, each focusing on one of four main characters, two of them being enslaved persons, and I appreciate and applaud the author's inclusion of multiple perspectives. In fact, all four of the MCs are or can be called marginalized characters - which I say somewhat hesitantly, as one of them is Patrick Henry's grown daughter. In any event, a quick read, it taught me about an event that I had heard about but not known anything about, the Richmond Theatre Fire of 1811, in which 70+ people perished, mostly women, and for a long time considered the biggest disaster outside of ones caused by nature in the young republic.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review of the book.

This book is based on a true story of Richmond's theater fire. It is both interesting and terrifying. And is a good example of how split second decisions in traumatic situations can affect your life.

This books is so different from Beanland's debut "Florence Adler Swims Forever" (which I loved!) but it's just as powerful.

Based on an actual 1811 theater fire in Virginia, "The House Is On Fire" follows four characters, all based on or inspired by real people, during the tragedy and in its aftermath. The author's description of being in the theater during the fire is so visceral you feel like you're there, and the way people were only out to save themselves, both during the blaze and afterward, is heartbreaking.

If you're a historical fiction fan, this book is not to be missed. It's a story of race, class, gender and morality, and how the people you least expect can often turn out to be the heroes.

4.5 stars

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the copy to review.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

It is the winter of 1811 in Richmond Virginia. While the dark winter days are here, society goes to the city's theater to see a play to bring some light to their lives. During the performance, there is a fire that starts behind the set and burns down the theatre. This story follows four individuals from that night:

Sally Henry Campbell - newly widowed and relation to Patrick Henry - is seated in the 3rd floor boxes.
Cecily Patterson - in the colored gallery - happy to have a reprieve from the household she serves as things there are not going well.
Jack Gibson - a stagehand that has hopes and aspirations of becoming an actor.
Gilbert Hunt - a blacksmith slave, uncle of Cecily, that happens to be at the right place at the right time.

Based on a true story, this book shows how resilient some people can be and how views can change when tragedy has occurred.

Absolutely adored this book! I knew I had to read it after loving Florence Adler Swims Forever and was thrilled when my request was approved. Beanland's ability to create so many characters and have her readers attach to each one is quite the feat. I was extremely invested in each character's storyline and had to know how their stories would intersect and end. Each one was tragic in its own way, but was very authentic.

I also loved learning about something I knew nothing about! The House is on Fire had me googling so much about this historical event and what followed. The way Beanland pulls from history and captivates her readers is unparalleled. She is definitely an auto-buy author of mine and I will forever read her stories.

Readers who remember Florence Adler will want to take a look at Rachel Beanland’s new book of historical fiction. She tells a complex story that takes place in 1800s, Richmond, Virginia.

Many people are attending a theater performance when the unthinkable happens and a catastrophic fire breaks out. This incident will inform the lives of this book’s characters, both those who are white and those who are Black.

Two of the women in the theater are Sally and Cecily, one of whom takes in the show from the “colored gallery.” Readers follow them and also Jack and Gilbert. How will their lives entwine and what will happen to each?

What and who cause the conflagration? What narrative will be told about this and will it be the truth? Read this novel based on real events to learn more.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this title. All opinions are my own.

The House is on Fire

Well written; well researched. Much of the story is true. Don't lose sight of the human lives that were lost or affected.

This is a book about the historic theater fire in Richmond, VA in 1811. I wasn't aware of this event, so this book informed me of it. Rachel Beanland brought the event to life by telling the story of those affected by the fire.
On 12/26, the theater is filled with patrons, both white and black, when Jack Gibson, a stagehand is ordered to lift a lit chandelier. The theater catches fire and the patrons race to escape.
The book highlights Sally, a recent widow, Cecily, a slave whose master's son, takes advantage of her, Jack, the stagehand, and Gilbert, a blacksmith slave. Their fate is dependent on the decisions each makes as they try to escape the fire.
I loved how Beanland wove these stories together while highlighting the fates of slaves vs. owners = and the decisions and help people gave to one another.
Great book.

Not as good as her first book. Very slow book and never felt connected to characters. Interesting historical fiction story just wasn't for me.