This book centered on a character I hadn't seen portrayed before, which was refreshing. Unfortunately, the book left me questioning why I should care about him and his life. There was an air of mystery throughout, but it just didn't land for me. I found his friend, Bobby, to be a much more entertaining character.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an advanced copy (audio) in exchange for an honest review.

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty, narrated by Darrell Dennis, is honestly unlike any book I’ve read before. It takes so many different real concepts and weaves them together into something that at times felt like I was listening to a real person telling their legitimate history. Someone who was authentically narrating the ups and downs of his life, and I felt so much for him. It was an interesting listen for that reason alone, even if at times my focus did drift because it was *so* real and *so* evenly paced throughout. I have also personally strived to read more Native / Indigenous stories and authors over the years so I was thrilled to receive a copy of this book.

The narrator did an excellent job bringing this story to life. His voice was pleasant to listen to and again, felt like someone just speaking directly to me. Darrell Dennis is a great choice in terms of narrator selection!

Overall this was a thoughtful read and listen!

I’ve been waiting for Talty to write a novel after loving his short story collection and what an amazing job he did!

I love these kind of family stories that talk about heritage, connection and belonging.

The character were richly developed and loved the growth.

A fantastic book that takes a seemingly ordinary character and turns their life into the most memorable of stories. The author weaves a heartfelt and thoughtful story that touches on mental health, addiction, family bonds, belonging, and forgiveness. It’s the kind of story that feels like there is so much truth and honesty behind it, it could be an autobiography. Highly recommend.

I listened to this one as an audiobook and the narrator is superb. He sounded so connected to the story and characters that at times I forgot he was reading a novel and not sharing his own personal history. Narration perfection!

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was strangely intriguing, and very well written. It seems like it should be rather dry at times but somehow keeps from giving that feeling. The narrator did a good job as well.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tin House for the ARC of Fire Exit. I read the book in tandem with the audiobook from RB Media.. The narration by Darrell Dennis was wonderful. I am not at all surprised at how much I loved this. I loved Night of the Living Rez by Talty so this was one of the titles I was most excited about for this year. On the surface this is a story of a man caring for his ailing mother and grappling with this huge decision whether or not to introduce himself to his daughter who has grown up with another man as her father. But there were so many layers to this story, and I felt so many different emotions while reading it. Talty explores themes of identity and grief, of family and friendship,. I highly recommend this and Night of the Living Rez - I can't wait to see what else Morgan Talty creates!

I had a hard time following and getting into this book. Just not for me, but that is alright. On to the next one.

I don’t know how to give a review that does this book justice. This is a beautifully written book about the connection you have with family and friends, even in ways you might not know yet. The narrator was fantastic. I found his voice to be very engaging. I loved every bit of this book.

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty and narrated by Darrell Dennis is absolutely stunning. A story that encapsulates the questions of identity, our place in soceity, family, love and loss, but also wrapped up in an outstanding narrative and well devised mystery that is as poignant as it is compelling. An important novel for our time due to the issues that have a significant impact on American Indians as well as the crisis of abductions and unalivings in soceity today

Morgan Talty is an incredibly important author of our times and has the unique ability to encourage curiosity and critical thought through fiction and a very well told story. Especially because it comes from life experience and observation

The audiobook is beautifully read by Darrell Dennis, who voices all characters with integrity and a smooth timbre

Charles Lamosway sits on his porch, a proch with a view to the house in which his daughter grows up in, a daughter who does not know he exists. As time goes by, he becomes more and more desperate to tell her the truth, and almost gets the opportunity through an arranged visit with her mother, but this comes to naught.

However, when his daughter has grown, she disappears and everything changes. He cannot sit back and watch any more

Simply brilliant. A fantastic listen and definitely an author to follow


Thank you to Netgalley, RB Media | Recorded Books, the author Morgan Talty and narrator Darrell Dennis for this outstanding ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

“Fire Exit” by Morgan Talty served as my introduction to the author’s work, as I haven’t yet read his collection of stories, “The Night on the Living Rez.”

Set on the Maine Penobscot Reservation, the novel follows Charles Lamosway, who grew up there with his mother and stepfather. Due to the Quantum Blood Rules, Charles is not recognized as native and is forced to leave the reservation upon turning 18. Despite this, he remains deeply attached to his daughter, whom he watches over from a distance after relinquishing custody to allow her to stay on the reservation—a secret he has kept for years but is now ready to reveal.

The narrative also delves into Charles’ struggles as he cares for his dementia-stricken mother and supports his alcoholic friend, Bobby. This character-driven story reflects on Charles’ life as he confronts his past and navigates the complexities of straddling two cultures. Themes of detachment, identity, belonging, family, legacy, and community are explored with raw prose and a melancholic undertone.

“Fire Exit” is both a poignant and intense read, offering a unique and memorable perspective. I highly recommend it for its accessible yet profound storytelling.

Pub Date: Jun 04 2024

Thank you to @netgalley and #rbmedia for the advance copy audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

For fans of Tommy Orange and Billy-Ray Belcourt, this debut fiction story from the best-selling author of the short-story collection, Night of the Living Rez was full of complex characters, great mental health and alcoholism rep and a moving tale of a family secrets and lies. Good on audio and a quick listen. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

What’s the last novel you’ve read that you’d recommend? 🔥 I really enjoyed Night of the Living Rez so I was very excited to read FIRE EXIT by Morgan Talty and I really enjoyed this novel too!! It’s about Charles who lives across the river from Maine’s Penobscot Reservation. He’s dealing with caring for his mother Louise who has dementia, his friendship with Bobby who is wanting to move away but not really, the loss of his stepfather and trying to connect with his secret daughter. I loved how Charles described what it means to be Native and how it’s not just living on the reserve. I really enjoyed how this novel focused heavily on family, heritage, connection, and culture. The audiobook narrator Darrell Dennis was excellent! Definitely recommend to contemporary lit fic lovers like me!

Book Review: Fire Exit - Morgan Talty ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ narrated by Darrel Dennis

"As Charles attempts to hold on to and care for what he can—his home and property; his alcoholic and bighearted friend Bobby; and his mother, Louise, who is slipping deeper into dementia—he becomes increasingly haunted by his past. Forced to confront a lost childhood on the reservation, a love affair cut short, and the death of his beloved stepfather, Fredrick, Charles contends with questions he’s long been afraid to ask. Is his secret about his daughter, Elizabeth, his to share? And would his daughter want to know the truth, even if it could cost her everything she’s ever known?"

Fire exit is a beautiful story about family - the families we are born into, the families we make and the families we never get to be apart of. The main character Charles speaks about his life, his decisions and struggles and grief, almost at arms length - like he can't/won't process the hurt. It was deeply satisfying to go with Charles on his journey of struggling with the question of whether to tell his daughter his secret because it felt like he was almost coming back to life - like he stopped living his life through the lens of 'what if' and actually started living. The scenes of Charles caring for his mother Louise as her dementia advances will stay with me for a long time - beautifully written and intensely sad while also having these sharp, funny moments.

I really enjoyed #fireexit and would definitely recommend in general but specifically if you liked books like There, There and Everything I Never Told you.

Thank you to #rbmedia for the advanced copy of this audiobook.

#fireexitbook #morgantalty #audiobook #audiobook #bookreview #readinginstead

Wow. Just wow. "Fire Exit" drew me in and immersed me in Charles's world in a way that i don't often experience in Lit Fic. This is an amazing story of love and loss and family and the highs and lows of all of those things. the author did a great job of breaking up the heaviness with with comedy and i could not put it down once i started. As someone who has taken care of multiple ailing family members and dealt with the struggle of dementia and the mental and emotional burnout that comes with caring for someone that way, Charles's storyline with his mother hit very close to home. it was emotional and beautiful and heart breaking. Poor Charlie has so much going against him in his life yet he was able to find joy in so many little things. To make it even better, Darrell Dennis delivered a phenomenal narration of the story. Huge thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the gifted copy of the audiobook. this was my first read by Morgan Talty but it definitely won't be my last.

I feel as if my neighbor forgot to close their windows and doors and I just overheard a lot of life details I never should have heard. This is a very realistic fictional story that reads more like a memoir. Every character is heavily flawed and full of life's regrets. It is a winding, twisting story that somehow comes together at the end in a rather beautiful family moment. The winding and twisting felt very painful though, and I kept thinking I needed to look away so as not witness the pain of Charles' life. From the book description I was sure this was more of a father daughter story, but after reading it I believe this is far more of a mother son story. TW for family members with dementia. Morgan Talty very accurately depicts the heartbreaking life and emotions felt when dealing with a person with dementia.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for my copy of the audio book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion. Fire exit is a family drama set along a river in Maine near an Indian reservation, It showcases mental health and physical health issues and the relationship between mother and son. It was an interesting read, four stars. I enjoyed the male narrator on the audiobook his voice is very soothing.

Fire Exit took me by surprise. The book follows Charles Lamosway and his life on and off the Maine Penobscot Reservation. Charles has been sober for 22 years, though his best friend struggles with alcoholism. We also see his relationship with his ailing mother, Louise, and stepfather, Frederick, over multiple timelines.

This book examines identities, too. Because of the Main Indian Claims Settlement Act, Charles had to leave the reservation at 18 because he was not native. He, too, has a daughter on the reservation, although she is unaware of this.

The book feels as though Charles spends his life watching. He watches Elizabeth grow up. He is on the outside, though he has family. It makes you reflect on blood ties, connections, and chosen or found family.

The author is exceptionally talented. He creates vivid imagery—it felt like I was watching a film. This book is contemplative and very engaging. The protagonist is likable. Though he is dealing with some heavy issues, it never feels like he is complaining or judging others. I feel like he wants to be seen.

I received an audiobook ARC from Net Galley. Darrell Dennis did a fantastic job narrating this story. I intend to purchase a hard copy for my collection -- I will definitely reread this book and sit with it. This is one of my top reads of the year. Thank you to RB Media and Net Galley.

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty is the story of Charles Lamosway. Charles once grew up on Maine’s Penobscot Reservation but since it was his stepfather with Penobscot blood, Charles is no longer welcome to live there. He now resides across the river from the Reservation where he has spent the last 22 years staying sober and watching his daughter Elizabeth grow up from afar. Elizabeth's mother Mary has never told her the truth about who her father is. But now that Elizabeth seems to be missing, Charles is questioning if he should continue to keep this secret. This was an impressively written novel with so many feelings conveyed. Darrell Dennis did an absolutely fantastic job narrating.

This book made me think about how society defines who is considered indigenous or any race really. The premise of this book is based off of how blood quantum rules affect someone’s tribal status. This is similar to the one drop rule which defined anyone with any Black ancestor to be Black. Both are tools of white colonizers to reduce the power of BIPOC. In the case of indigenous people, blood quantum has been used to greatly reduce the population of Native American nations across the US. (See Talty’s essay in Esquire to learn more).

This book also made me think about those who are in close proximity to indigenous land and/or people. Does proximity make you respect a culture more?

This was a really intriguing read and I will certainly be reading more of Talty’s work as Night of the Living Rez has been on my TBR for a while.

Listening to "Fire Exit" by Morgan Talty, narrated by Darrell Dennis, felt like sitting on a porch, hearing the story of someone's seemingly mundane life. Yet, it is anything but ordinary. The book dives into themes of heritage, family, and the connections that tie us together, whether by blood or other means. It offers a thoughtful examination of what it means to be connected and the complexities of those relationships.

What stood out to me was how much I ended up enjoying this book. Darrell Dennis's narration was engaging, making the story feel personal and immediate. His voice brought the narrative to life in a way that made it feel like a first-hand account.

Overall, "Fire Exit" exceeded my expectations, thanks in large part to both the author's storytelling and the narrator's delivery. It's a thought-provoking and engaging listen that earns a solid four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for this advanced copy in exchange for a thoughtful and honest review.