From the porch of his home, Charles Lamosway has watched the life he might have had unfold across the river on Maine’s Penobscot Reservation. Charles spent his younger years on the reservation living with his mother Louise and step-father Fredrick but, in accordance with the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, when he turned 18 Charles no longer had any right to live on the reservation. His step-father had purchased land across the river and he and Charles built a house which Fredrick signed over to Charles. When his step-father died his mother (a non-native) chose to move off the reservation.

The story is told by Charles, an alcoholic who's been sober for 22 years, and through him we meet some great characters and some not-so-great but interesting all the same. It's a story of life, family and relationships. Highly recommended.

I was lucky enough to be approved for the audiobook edition of this book. Darrell Dennis does an excellent job with the narration, very level and undramatic which suited the story being told.

Many thanks to RB Media for approving access to the audiobook, via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: June 4, 2024

Fire Exit, the latest novel from bestselling author Morgan Talty, explores the complexities of family bonds, love, and the search for identity. The novel follows Charles Lamosway, a man caught between two worlds and struggling to find his place in life. With themes of cultural identity, heritage, and relationships, Fire Exit is a poignant exploration of what it means to belong.

Fire Exit is told from the point-of-view of Charlie and split into two timelines, his past and present. Charlie, a white man, was raised on and near the Maine's Penobscot Reservation by his Indigenous stepfather. From the porch of his home, Charlie has watched the life he might have had unfold across the river and now he attempts to hold on to and care for what he can--his home and property; his alcoholic, quick-tempered, and bighearted friend Bobby; his mother, Louise, who is slipping ever deeper into dementia; and his adult child, who doesn't know her true parentage-- he becomes increasingly haunted by his past.

The characters in Fire Exit are incredibly well-written. Each has their own struggles, desires and feel. Talty's writing truly allows us to empathize with Charlie as he grapples with feelings of displacement. Through Charlie's journey to pass his family history onto his daughter, Fire Exit explores the sense of belonging, acceptance, and cultural heritage. Additionally, this story taking place practically in our backyard helped us connect in a way that felt personal.

Talty, who is a citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation, explores cultural identity extremely well. There is a wonderful contrast between Charlie's upbringing on the reservation and his daughter's disconnectedness from her heritage that adds depth to the story. Morgan weaves together perspectives to create a story that emotionally resonant.

We were lucky enough to listen to the audiobook of Fire Exit. The performance of the narrator, Darrell Dennis, added another level of depth to the story. He has a smooth narration captured the emotional nuances of Talty's writing. While we are sure the print edition will be just as impactful, the narration of the audiobook gave us another way to enjoy this wonderful novel.

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty is truly a moving exploration of family bonds, cultural identity, and the search for belonging. The book is well-written and offers an intimate look into one man's journey to reconcile his past with his present. Fire Exit will leave a lasting impression on us and we would image it will do the same for you.

Fire Exit is a captivating story that explores identity, belonging and heritage. Charles Lamosway, our main protagonist, is torn between two worlds: one where he was loved by his native stepfather, and another where he's seen only as a white man after his stepfather's death.

Raised by Frederick, a tribal member who cared for him deeply despite not sharing Native ancestry, Charles faces challenges regarding his daughter's tribal membership due to his own status. He now cares for his estranged, alcoholic mother as she battles dementia, all while hoping to reconnect with his daughter who doesn't know Charles is her father and lives across the river on the reservation he left behind and is compelled to tell her the truth.

"Fire Exit" is a story about finding one's place, connections with others, and the need for love. Charles's kindness and care for others touched me deeply by the end. I especially loved the part when Charles notices similarities between his daughter and his mother, both grappling with depression. In a poignant moment at the hospital, they unknowingly share a connection. The book doesn't offer easy resolutions, but it leaves room for hope.

Darrell Dennis, the narrator of the audiobook, elevated the story with his performance, adding an extra layer of depth. His seamless narration skillfully captured the emotional subtleties woven into Talty's writing. I look forward to what Talty writes next. Thank you #NetGalley and #RBMedia for this early copy.

This is the first book I've read by Morgan Talty. I loved the writing stye. The main character was a little obsessive and reminded me a lot of the main character in "Is Mother Dead." The main character and primary POV, Charles, lives across the river from an Indigenous community. He has a daughter, but he's not allowed to see her and get to know her. Not a lot happens this book, but at the same time, on an emotional level, a lot happens. The author did a great job exploring different family types, culture, etc.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a free a-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"It’s strange: all blood looks the same, yet it’s different, we’re told, in so many various ways and for so many various reasons. But one thing is for certain, I thought: you are who you are, even if you don’t know it."

Firstly, the narrator was wonderful!

Night of the Living Rez is one of my favorite story collections, and Morgan Talty has done it again with his debut novel. This author has an amazing ability to write human emotions. Charles was a great main character to follow; I really felt for him, and he felt like a real person with real, complex relationships and trauma. His relationship with his mother, his step-father's death in a hunting accident, his estranged relationship with the mother of daughter who doesn't know he is her father were all nuanced and handled extremely well. It feels like Talty writes just enough to make you feel things, but leaves enough unsaid to let the reader draw their own conclusions about things. Also had great conversations about identity and blood quantum requirements.

It's hard to put my finger on why "Fire Exit" captivated me so completely — on face value, it seems to be about an ordinary man grappling with somewhat ordinary issues: navigating a relationship with his adult daughter and caring for his ailing mother. Morgan Talty is adept at exploring this average everyday human experience, however, and manages to unearth something profound in the mundane. Though my own human experience is far from that of main character Charles Lamosway, I nonetheless emerge somehow feeling seen.

Charles lives on the banks of a river in the Penobscot Reservation in Maine. Across the water, he can see Elizabeth, a young woman who is wholly unaware that Charles is her biological father. Charles has always wanted to be a part of her life, and is no longer willing to keep the secret from her. While he tries to navigate this moral dilemma, his mother begins to show signs of dementia, and he steps into the role of her caregiver. At its heart, "Fire Exit" is a novel about a man's search for his place in the world, his need for human connection, and the drive for love and belonging. By the end, I was charmed by Charles and warmed by his deep care for others.

The audiobook production was well done and Darrell Davis did a great job on narration.

Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media, and Morgan Talty for providing a copy of this book for my honest review.

I have a feeling that we’re going to be seeing Morgan Talty’s Fire Exit on must-read lists everywhere this summer. It’s a beautifully-written story of knowing where you came from and the choices you make along the way. I have a deep appreciation for Fire Exit not only because I’m a native Mainer and can clearly visualize the settings, but because of the way Morgan Talty’s characters just define the Maine way of life. Charles is flawed, but he’s inherently good. He feels deeply for his family and friends, even if he has difficulty expressing his true emotions. He’s relatable in a way that it’s easy to recognize something of him in each of us.

An examination of identity through the lens of race and parenthood, Fire Exit follows a man through some of the most difficult parts of familial relationships, when one feels as if they have failed the other person or lost them forever. Though the book is not a happy one, the ending shows that hope can never truly be lost and connections can be formed out of grief.

Sorry to say that this one did not “wow” me…
I guess I’m in the minority here, as I see a lot of 4 & 5 star reviews…

The MMC tells the story through his eyes…
The problem is that half the time he was dreaming.
Other times he was thinking what might have been.
And other times it was reality.

That being said, I had a really hard time trying to figure out what the heck was ACTUALLY happening ?!?!
(eg: someone dies. Oh wait. He was just dreaming that. They’re really ok… Wait. What????)

I’m sure that sounds crazy, but if you read this, I think you may understand…
And, if any of you have actually read it, can you comment your thoughts?? Thanks!!

2.5 ⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 3.
I think the groundwork for the story was strong, just didn’t really come through all the HAZE…
I would definitely give the author another chance though. 😉

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #RBMedia for an ARC of the audiobook which releases on 6/4/24.

#FireExit by #MorganTalty and narrated by #DarrellDennis.

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I loved everything about this book and the narrator of the audiobook was excellent too.

This book is a slice of life -- the main character Charles is navigating relationships and his past. I think this is one where the less you know about it, the better, as there were some reveals that really impacted me.

The complexity of the characters and their relationships was my favorite part of this book, and I loved the discussions of identity as well.

The relationship between Charles and his mother was so well portrayed - and all the ways she was changing was heartbreaking to read.

I really loved the end - it was so moving, I loved how full circle it was from the beginning.

I would recommend this book to everyone! So emotional and so well written. I am very excited to check out more by Morgan Talty.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Darrell Dennis’s narration on this book! He speaks clearly and covers all the characters well and was easy to listen to for hours at a time! The story itself blew me away! It was not at all what I was expecting and everything I didn’t know I needed in a book! It almost felt like a tale of everything and nothing at the same time. I felt deeply for Charles and all that he was going through and all that he had lived through in the past. I would highly recommend if you like literary fiction with complex characters!

A big thank-you to Morgan Talty, RB Media, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
Poignant novel that tackles the family bonds, love, and the urge to find one's place in life. All these presented in the past and the present, with the background of Penobscot Reservation, Maine. Charles Lamosway looks back and discusses the choices he made. Relatively short novel, about an ordinary man, it might seem, but Charles's longing for his daughter, the care he took of his mother, and love he had for his stepfather, made his a character I warmed up to and felt for. Captivating and one of the best books I have read this year.

**4.5-stars rounded up**

Fire Exit is a realistic Literary Fiction novel that falls completely outside of my comfort zone. I picked this one up because of one reason, and one reason only: Morgan Talty. I've read short-fiction from him and loved it. Additionally, he's an Assistant Professor at my alma mater, University of Maine, Orono. His stories take place around that area, so there's also that connection.

This book is about life. More specifically, it's about Charles Lamosway's life. The story-telling feels very Coming of Age. Although this isn't that type of story, Charles takes us through certain portions of his life in a way that makes it feel like that subgenre. There's a lot going on in his life, which he focuses on in his narration.

First and foremost, is the fact that he has a daughter, Elizabeth, the result of an affair, who doesn't know the true nature of her parentage. For years, this has weighed on him. He's watched Elizabeth grow up, as she lives just across the river from him. As she comes of age, and his life transitions into its later stages, he starts to feel compelled to share the truth with her.

He feels she has the right to know. She has the right to know her true history, who she is and where she came from. He's not trying to negate all her parents have done for her, he doesn't want anything from her really, but Elizabeth's mother, Mary, doesn't see it the same way as Charles.

Then there's his relationship with his mom, Louise. That's complicated too. He loves his mother. He's dedicated to her, but it's not always easy. Louise has struggled with depression for many, many years. Charles and Louise have also experienced a terrible trauma together, which they never discuss. He has unresolved guilt from that event that continues to haunt him.

Louise is now succumbing to dementia and she's more reliant on Charles than ever. She's not always kind, and rarely recognizes him, yet he is 100%-committed to her care. It's a situation he wasn't prepared for. The whole journey he's on with his mom has caused him to confront a lot of issues from his life. Such as distant moments of his childhood, his relationship with his Mom and step-Dad, Frederick, and of course, his nonexistent relationship with his daughter, Elizabeth.

I thought everything about this was beautifully-done. I loved the writing. I loved the delivery of Charles's voice and story. I felt like I was sitting with him at a bar in Old Town and he was just relating moments of his life to me. It amazed me how invested I got in each of the different aspects that Charles was exploring. As mentioned above, this isn't normally a type of story that I would pick up, but I'm so glad that I did. It was emotional, yet so enjoyable.

I would recommend this to all my Literary Fiction friends out there, or Readers who enjoy the quality of storytelling in a Coming of Age narrative. Also, the audiobook is fantastic. I def recommend that format as well.

Thank you to the publisher, Recorded Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Morgan Talty is such a talent. I can't wait to read more from him!!

I am very thankful the media group, the publisher, Netgalley, and Morgan Talty for granting me advanced digital and audio access to this book before it hits shelves on June 4, 2024, but it just wasn't for me.

MASTERFUL. Morgan Talty brings remarkable life and vigor to an otherwise somber and depressing story. In “Fire Exit”, Charles Lamosway has spent over two decades secretly watching his daughter Elizabeth grow up from across the river on Maine’s Penobscot Reservation. Burdened by a sick mother, an alcoholic best friend, and his own troubled past, he grapples with the decision to keep the truth of his relationship with his daughter a secret, until she suddenly goes missing.

Talty’s prose feels like stepping in Charles’ shoes and truly empathizing with his life. I felt so frustrated for him every time he found himself between a rock and a hard place because of someone else’s misgivings, lack of care, or ill-will. But I was also frustrated with Charles whenever he seemed to just let life slap him around. Ultimately, I just needed to accept the characters as they were and let the story flow. For me, what stood out the most is that this novel is a wonderful, powerful, and heartbreaking depiction of taking care of a parent with dementia. As Charles navigates his decisions involving his daughter, he takes care of a mother who often does not know who he is and increasingly refuses help. It reminded me of the high praise Anthony Hopkins received for his role in "The Father" (2020), where he played a man with dementia coming to terms with his changing circumstances. Both are done so well that you hope to never relate to the experience, but are grateful for the honest representation.

A brilliant debut novel, excellently narrated by Darrell Dennis; I very much look forward to reading more from Morgan Talty.

Very good story and excellent narrator on the audio version. Modern day Native American setting, from a different perspective. I enjoyed this and recommend.

Once again, Talty doesn't disappoint.

For some reason I often had the feeling like there was a second POV to Charles' POV, like he was split in more than a singular identity, as if split between his child self and his adult self he has yet to fully grow into? It felt both confusing and masterful.

His child aspect comes across as disillusioned and numb, afraid to hope or to reach for the better life he longs for, prisoner of his own immaturity and fear of letting go of what little he has, it can come across as generally unfeeling. His more adult aspect rebels against the unfairness of going unacknowledged. It's a strange portrait that you really have to sit with to appreciate.

As you would imagine with the last paragraph, it's not a book where there is much of a plot or action, it's really a character study and a reflection on grief, love, culture, and family in their many forms.

The narrator was pretty good, his narration was generally smooth and his voice acting was pretty minimalist which I personally really appreciated.

This review is for the audiobook version narrated by Darrell Dennis, of which I received an ALC from RB Media | Recorded Books through Netgalley, many thanks to both.

I wanted to read this because I had read Night of the Living Rez. I wasn’t a fan of the structure of the previous book (had no idea it was being told by 2 characters) but it last a lasting impression due to the depth of the characters and their stories. My other comment about that book was I felt like I didn’t learn about the tribe or why the characters were the way they were.

Happy to say I thought this book was different in both ways. The one thing that held consistent was the deep writing and character development. For me, this is the story of a lonely man, Charlie, with few people in his life trying to understand where he fits in life and wanting to be loved. Unwanted or pushed out by so many in life as those he did love fade away or are taken from him. How do you fit in when you have the heart and history of a culture but don’t have the DNA and so are pushed out of the only family you know. This is where I felt like I learned more about the tribe, the rules and how it reflected on the people both tribal and not. It answered many of the whys I had about why Charlie was the way he was and not just put him in a stereotypical position.

After a period of separation Charlie takes on the care giving role of his aging mom and she battles dementia. Watching Charlie take this responsibility showed the type of person he was and allowed the story to unfold as he moved between present and past. Can I also say I loved the way the stuffed elephant was weaved into the story.

Narrator was wonderful, enjoyed him in the last book also.

This has been posted to Goodreads.

Charles has always been on the outside looking in to the Penobscot Nation Reservation. Even as a kid, when his mother married a Penobscot man and they lived on the Reservation, he was always different. Now living just across the river, he’s watched the life of a girl named Elizabeth unfold…and never told anyone that Elizabeth was actually his daughter. Now that his mother Louise’s health is declining, he thinks it’s time that Elizabeth knows the truth, even if he’s the only one who thinks that.

This was a beautiful story about life, family, and the choices we make. It seemed to me that Charles would do anything for the people he cared about. He seemingly spent his whole life trying to make up for not being there when his stepfather died. Now all he wanted to do was be there for Elizabeth too.

This might be the best book I’ve read this year.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced copy of this book!

Talty writes men who are damaged, but who yearn to grow and become a better version of themselves. Charles is plagued by circumstances that knock him down, some in his control others not, leading him to watch his daughter grow up and struggle from afar. He battles alcoholism, tries to care for a parent he has a complicated past with, lifts up a friend who can not make a good decision to save his life, and struggles to just be a functioning adult. Maybe I love Talty’s work so much because the men he writes are at a point where they are taking responsibility for their actions, processing what is in and out of their control and doing work (sometimes successfully, sometimes not) to be the men they want to be. To put it simply he writes men I would be proud to have in my life, men that I can root for without pity or some forced feeling of duty to help them.

On top of Charles, a complicated and rich character, Talty weaves in stories of the complexity of indigenous sovereignty under the US colonial structure, the challenge of family dynamics including the guilt and blame that inevitably follow in the wake of loss, and in the impossible decisions when a woman asks the father of her child to keep his distance. This element of the story is fascinating because of the political rather than personal/social reasons that this request is often made.

This book is meditative, as told through Charles' experience, we learn, stumble and grow with him. A wonderful follow up to Night of the Living Rez and an excellent read given the current conversations around the roles of masculinity, emotional intelligence and loneliness in men in American society.

For those that like audio - Darrell Dennis is a fantastic narrator who manages to infuse warmth and care into even exasperating experiences, reinforcing the deeper themes of any interaction.