The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri is a beautifully written and timely novel about a young family living in Greece and the devastating effect of fire on their small town.
Irini, a musician, he artist husband Tasso and their daughter Chara live deep in the forest in this time of global warming. Aere spark will set the forest ablaze and it does, although the spark is caused by human hands, those of Mr. Monk, a developer who wants to clear land for a hotel without the necessary permits. As the fire burns, taking the lives and homes of the villagers it forever changes the lives of those who remain. The author has done an amazing job of conveying the horror of the fire, the sadness of the survivors and the need for someone to blame in the aftermath.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This was really existential, and I wasn’t personally feeling it. I stopped after chapter 1 (4%). I’d imagine this will be polarizing with reviews, either “love it” or “hate it.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

This is a gripping story of how terrifying an out-of-control fire can be.

A property developer started a fire in a Greek village to clear land necessary in order to build a boutique hotel. However, it quickly became an inferno and 300,000 acres of the forest were destroyed. The town folks were angry and said it was caused by one individual’s “greed.”

The fire spread rapidly and the villagers tried to get to the sea – which was similar to what happened with the wildfires in Hawaii. It makes readers think of how critically threatening the fires can be.

While the book tells the story of Irini and her family, there is another account at the end of each chapter: “The Book of Fire.” Irini, the journalist, decided to write about what happened in her words to make sense of it. This additional narrative was her personal view of events and I felt like it didn’t enhance the story. However, both parts conveyed how healing from wildfires can be an exhaustive journey.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy with an expected release date of January 2, 2024.

First time reading this author and while I can say I didn't love the story - I do have to say it was very interesting. The Book of Fire is the type of story where you don't really love it but yet you can't put it down because you need to see how it ends. The land developer, who the locals refer to as Mr. Monk, started the fire - or did he? According to the old timers, severe drought began the process and Mr. Monk just added flames. Was Mr. Monk guilty of causing so much so destruction? The locals seem to think he felt he was. Was his death murder or suicide? So many people had reasons for him to die. Good book!

I was asked to review “The Book of Fire” by Christy Lefteri and it turned out to be a very different book than I expected.

Per the title, the book focuses on a devastating fire in Greece and its aftermath. Tasso is a painter whose subject is the forest. Irini, his wife, is a musician and teacher, and they share a daughter, Chara, her name meaning Joy. Their picturesque life comes to an end because of the fire.

Tasso, Irini and Chara struggle with how the fire has changed them, the scars must more than Tasso’s burned hands that leave him unable to paint.

I liked the premise of the novel, but parts are very slow moving. Told in dual timelines through the perspective of Irini, the book hits on some poignant themes. Its subject matter—I read this just weeks after the fires in Maui—is also timely. The writing quite poetic. Overall, I would recommend this book and consider reading this author’s earlier work.

Three and a half stairs.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced reader copy via NetGalley.

This is the third book I have read by this author, and I like her style of writing, very much.
In this story, we follow a family in Greece, Irini, the mother, Chara, the daughter and Tasso, the husband and their dog Rosalie, who is very present in the story. They along with many others, have been affected by a devastating wild fire that did much damage, to people, property and the beautiful forest, and wildlife that lived in it. The forest that this family lived next to.
Everything and everyone changed after this disaster, which separated this family for awhile.
The daughter and father both had wounds from the fire and the mother did the best she could to keep the family moving forward, to get through all that had happened. The father is a painter and his hands were badly burned, the daughter
also had burns on her back. The mother is a musician, but during this scary time she starts to write Book of Fire, a way to help her get a grip of what they have gone through.
You will hear the story of how, the fire got started and the consequences it produced. How the power of compassion, from friends and strangers helped everyone to start to heal.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine for a copy of this book.

The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant novel that takes readers on a profound journey through the complexities of home, loss, and the durability of the human spirit. Set against the backdrop of a devastating wildfire in present-day Greece, this story is a testament to the strength of a family facing unimaginable tragedy.

Lefteri's prose is both lyrical and intimate, painting vivid pictures of the characters and their connections to the land. The characters, Irini, Tasso and Chara, are deeply compelling, and their struggles and resilience feel utterly real.

The novel's exploration of the aftermath of the wildfire, the search for meaning amidst devastation, and the ties that bind us to our homes and to each other is both though-provoking and heartwarming. Lefteri's storytelling is poignant and deeply moving, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

The Book of Fire is a masterful work that captures the essence of human nature in the face of adversity. It's a story of loss, redemption, and the enduring power of love and home. Highly recommend for those seeking a profound literary experience.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy via NetGalley.

I honestly expected this author to stick with refugees, but this book is mostly about climate change. She takes a micro scenario and shows what is happening as a result of change that has occurred over time.

A man living in coastal mainland Greece sets a fairly innocuous fire that gets entirely out of control and destroys an entire town, killing people and destroying lives. The book looks at the devastation caused by the fire, but also examines what happened on a larger scale.

It's interesting. It will make you think. Because this is not a problem that is faced only by Greece.

I definitely recommend this.

When I was approved to read The Book of Fire I was thrilled! I had read The Beekeeper of Aleppo and I thought it was a great book. The Book of Fire did not disappoint. How do you cope after a devastating wild fire that has destroyed everything in your life? The loss of life and physical and mental harm to your family would be too much for anyone. Every character has their own story and pain to endure.

After reading and loving "The Beekeeper of Aleppo," I was looking forward to reading this book. Christy Lefteri did not disappoint me. The story was intriguing and the writing superb. One of the reasons that I like her books so much is that she works with subject matter that matters in the world. She has opened my eyes to situations that exist of which I had no other experience.

This is a sad story of loss, tragedy,self reflection, love and hope. She is a brilliant writer who makes images come alive as you read them. You can feel the fire, experience the terror and even smell the odor of the burnt forest. I loved it.

"The Book of Fire" is a powerful story of resilience. It focuses on a forest fire that devastated a mountain village in Greece. Irini and her family are among those who lost their homes and loved ones to the fire. While Irini was not physically injured by the fire, she has been emotionally wounded by the tragedy, especially its impact on her husband Tasso and their daughter Chara. Tasso was an accomplished painter, but his hands were badly burned in the fire, and he has sunk into a deep depression due to the losses he suffered -- the death of his father, the destruction of the forest that was a major source of inspiration for his paintings, and his burned and bandaged hands which he believes will never allow him to paint again. Chara had second degree burns to her back, but she is faring better than her father, having found things to focus her hope on. However, she is still struggling with the changes the fire has brought, and she has lost her innocence and much of her joy.

To help cope with the tragedy of the fire, Irini has created "The Book of Fire", recounting the events of the day of the fire and its aftermath as if it was a story, creating some emotional distance but allowing her to remember. She describes a woman, her husband, and her daughter first noticing the fire, attempting to flee (and the woman and daughter getting separated from the husband, who is trying to find his father), jumping into the sea to escape the flames, waiting and hoping for rescue, etc.

In addition to the passages from the story she is writing, the book also deals with Irini and her family trying to recover from the fire, which is a challenge due to Tasso's depression, but also because Irini finds herself facing a major moral dilemma. It has been revealed that the fire was started by a land developer who lived farther up the mountain and who set an illegal fire to burn part of the forest so he could build a hotel (having failed to get permission from the Greek government to clear the land legally). However, with hotter weather and years of drought, the fire got out of control. The fire brigade misread the threat and did not respond sufficiently to stop the fire before it devastated the village. Government underfunding also contributed to the increased risk and inadequate response. Lazaros, Irini's father-in-law, had been warning for decades about the dangers of climate change and insufficient management of the forest. If society, as a collective, had been proactive, then the illegal fire might have been contained in time and not become so devastating. However, it is much easier to place the blame on a particular individual, and the land developer, who Irini has nicknamed "Mr. Monk", is a fitting target. While walking through the devastated forest with her dog, Rosalie, Irini comes across the body of Mr. Monk, who appears to have hung himself. However, he is still barely alive, and tries to talk to her. Irini flees and it is hours later before she contacts the police about finding Mr. Monk, at which point he is beyond saving. Irini is repeatedly interviewed by the police as they investigate the death, and she worries that the truth of her delay in getting help will be relieved. She will also learn things that call into question whether the death was suicide or murder. But does she reveal what she did and what she suspects?

In addition to current events, the story also includes memories of Irini's father and their time in England before his death and her return to Greece, as well as memories of her great grandfather, who was a musical instrument maker living in a Greek village in Turkey who was forced to leave Turkey when the Turkish government kicked out the Greek population in 1923. The memories of her father and great grandfather are some of the most beautiful aspects of the book.

I’m a huge Christy Lefteri fan, but oddly enough this book didn’t do anything for me. It’s timely and relevant with the recent Maui fires. With global warming and all the wildfire destruction of the past few years a story like this enlightens us and gets us invested in the suffering of those that have first hand frightening experience with it. This eerily felt like the fire in California several years ago where a man was denied a burn permit but decided to burn anyway and the destruction was far reaching and devastating.

The first 30 percent of the book was gripping and I couldn’t put it down. Then the repetitiveness in the threads became tiring, much too redundant. I wasn’t a fan of the the way the author referred to same characters differently in the separate time lines. There was little character depth or complexity. The story is dark with little take away. I pushed myself to finish. Being a huge fan of this author I was disappointed with this one.

The Book of Fire
I loved the author’s previous book, The Beekepers of Aleppo, and was looking forward to reading this new novel. I was not disappointed, this book is so beautifully written , there is so much emotion by all the protagonists. I started reading this novel just after the horrible fires in Maui, and reading I understood how these fires changes people’s lives. Tasso, his wife Irini, their daughter Chara and their beloved dog Rosalie had a a quiet life in their bungalow in the forest. Tasso was an artist, painting the forest life and portraits of his family, Irini was a music teacher. One day very suddenly the forest catches fire and everything around them burns to the ground and they barely escape with their lives. The “Book of Fire” is Irini’s account of what happened. The fire was set by a developer, who only meant to burn a small area to build a hotel. But due to the dry conditions and strong winds, the fire burned out of control. Irini’s writing also includes reminiscing about their families and their life before. If there ever was a 5 star book, this is one!
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy, I will recommend this book to my book club after publication.
I received a complimentary copy, opinions are my own.

From the author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo, comes this beautiful book that touched my heart just as much as The Beekeeper.

An epic, stunning novel about one family’s search for the true meaning of home in the wake of disaster, from the prize-winning author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

With fires burning out of control in Greece right now, this novel is so timely.

We are in present-day Greece in this book. Deep in a forest, lives Irini, a musician, who teaches children music. Her husband paints the forest and their daughter is loved.

One day the wildfire will take their house, their forest and change everything for them. All because of one greedy man.

When Irini finds his body, she makes a decision. While police investigate, the family feels hopeless, except for their young daughter.

Such a lovely and heartbreaking story about finding our way forward after unimaginable tragedy. What makes us a community? The love for our homeland? I think maybe.

NetGalley/ Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine, January 02, 2024

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Irini lives in a small Greek village at the edge of the woods with her husband, Tasso, and their daughter, Chara. One day, a blazing fire destroys their idyllic life, leaving the woods in ashes, their home burnt to the ground and the family fighting for their lives. While Tasso goes in search of his father, Irini and Chara are hampered in their escape. Driven toward the sea to escape the flames, they find roads are blocked and the rich have built waterfront villas that are gated and locked, prohibiting escape to the water. It was chilling to read their horrific tale of fighting for survival while in the midst of the news and revelations of the Maui fires.

In the wildfire’s aftermath, Irini stumbles upon Mr. Monk, the man who started the fire and destroyed her world. He has attempted suicide, but failed. With such bitterness and rage in her heart over the destruction this man has caused, Irini needs to make a decision whether to help him, or not. The remainder of the book examines how Irini, her family and the village deal with the physical and psychological scars caused by the fire. The chapters alternate between the night of the fire and shortly thereafter, and its consequences months later.

Having read two of the author’s previous books, The Beekeeper of Aleppo and Songbirds, I was eager to dive into this story. While The Book of Fire is good, it wasn’t as great as Songbirds or as magnificent as The Beekeeper of Aleppo. My expectation was a bit higher as Lefteri’s previous books have such richly developed characters and personalities, which were absent here. While Irini told anecdotes of her past, she came across as one-dimensional and flat as her thoughts, feelings and emotions beyond despair were minimal. In a strange way, that matched the detached writing as characters mostly weren’t referred to by name, rather they were the mother, the father, the girl, the husband, the man, etc.

The writing is lovely as far as descriptions, with intense scenes of survival. The primary themes are loss, but hope, recovery and renewal seem secondary. The question of how Irini and the village ever find forgiveness, ease the burdens they carry or accept the irrevocable changes made to their lives were not intimately explored. Other themes include love of family and community, and the storyline of Mr. Monk raises the question, although briefly, of vengeance and retribution.

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The “Book of Fire” by Christy Lefteri is a heartbreaking story of a Greek village destroyed by a ferocious wildfire. It is beautifully written with believable characters that force us to face the current reality of climate change. The total devastation, unimaginable grief, and loss of life becomes very real as many of us are dealing with this today because of the wildfire in Maui. This is a highly emotional story everyone should read!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and the author for the ARC of this book.

The Book of Fire is excellent. I read over one hundred books a year and this is in my top five for the year. Christy Lefteri researches unique topics and truly writes from her heart. I enjoyed The Beekeper of Allepo with its broad range of time and geography. This book was more intimate, taking place over the course of a few months in a beautiful Greek seaside village.. The characters were so believable and human.
While reading the devastation caused by the fire in this novel, I could not help but compare it to the human tragedies happening in Maui after their recent devastating wildfires. This novel made me even more aware of the many stories that would be behind one event.
I will be recommending this book to my friends and we will be reading and discussing this book in the book club I chair once it is published. I read this book in a day because I had to find out what was going to happen, the author’s beautiful imagery and use of language makes me eager to read it again.

A beautifully written story about a family whose lives are devastated by a wildfire that sweeps through the forest destroying everything in its path.The story within the story is told by the mother as she describes how she and her daughter flee to the ocean while the husband returns to the forest to search for his father.
The author addresses climate change as the fire, while started by a man, rages across a forest that has experienced severe drought.
Recommended for general fiction readers.

The Book of Fire is a timely read given all of the fires happening around the world - I had the most recent Maui fire in mind. The first 30% really gripped me, I truly felt the pain and worry from these characters. By the end it felt a little too tame & light for me personally but overall a good message and worth the read!