The Book of Fire by Christy Lefteri is the story of Irini, her husband Tasso and their daughter Chara who have survived a devastating fire on their Greek island homeland. Tasso and Chara were injured in the fire and the book tells their journey of coping, adapting and moving forward. The physical, mental and psychological impact on the community is laid bare. Parallel is the story of the man who started the fire and his encounter with Irini which I found touching, powerful and emotional, conveyed through truly brilliant and sensitive writing.
There are wonderful descriptions throughout the book of the people, the wildlife and the landscape which makes their destruction all the more tragic. Juxtaposed to this are the real wildfires many parts of Europe have experienced over the summer. Their impact enduring long beyond the fires themselves, just as in the book.
I have read, and loved, The Beekeeper of Aleppo and Songbirds by Christy Lefteri. She brings such light and shade to her writing, darkness and hope and a realism to her characters that keeps the reader invested in them to the last page. I highly recommend this, and indeed, all of her books.
There are wonderful descriptions throughout the book of the people, the wildlife and the landscape which makes their destruction all the more tragic. Juxtaposed to this are the real wildfires many parts of Europe have experienced over the summer. Their impact enduring long beyond the fires themselves, just as in the book.
I have read, and loved, The Beekeeper of Aleppo and Songbirds by Christy Lefteri. She brings such light and shade to her writing, darkness and hope and a realism to her characters that keeps the reader invested in them to the last page. I highly recommend this, and indeed, all of her books.