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The Stars Are Fire

By: Anita Shreve
Narrated by: Suzanne Elise Freeman
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Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of The Weight of Water and The Pilot's Wife (an Oprah's Book Club selection): an exquisitely suspenseful new novel about an extraordinary young woman tested by a catastrophic event and its devastating aftermath - based on the true story of the largest fire in Maine's history

In October 1947, after a summer-long drought, fires break out all along the Maine coast, from Bar Harbor to Kittery, and are soon racing out of control from town to village. Five months pregnant, Grace Holland is left alone to protect her two toddlers when her husband, Gene, joins the volunteer firefighters. Along with her best friend, Rosie, and Rosie's two young children, Grace watches helplessly as their houses burn to the ground, the flames finally forcing them all into the ocean as a last resort. The women spend the night frantically protecting their children and in the morning find their lives forever changed: homeless, penniless, awaiting news of their husbands' fate, and left to face an uncertain future in a town that no longer exists.

In the midst of this devastating loss, Grace discovers glorious new freedoms - joys and triumphs she could never have expected her narrow life with Gene could contain - and her spirit soars. And then the unthinkable happens - and Grace's bravery is tested as never before.

©2017 Anita Shreve (P)2017 Random House Audio
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What listeners say about The Stars Are Fire

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  • Overall
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inspiration

slow to start but the couldn't wait to finish. inspiring story of strength and courage to become a strong independent women with children.

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  • Overall
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Stick it out

I really enjoyed the book . Although the narrator was not the best .

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Wonderful

I have read a lot of her books and this one did not disappoint. More upbeat of a story which I enjoyed.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The Stars Are Fire!

Magnificent! If you’re in the mood for a harrowing experience, the extraordinary in the ordinary, a bit of suspense, and romance, this is the book for you. My only suggestion is that it could have been a couple of chapters longer.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A little too depressing

Even though the main character had great strength, I found the story depressing. This may have come partly from the tone of the performance, which made even happy moments sound unhappy.

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  • Overall
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Loved this story and it’s heroine!

I really enjoyed this story and the performance. It is a glimpse into a historical time that I haven’t explored much. I will be reading more from this author.

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Liked this a lot

I liked everything about it, but particularly the way I felt when I'd finished listening. It was simply complete and most satisfying.
Also, I was impressed by the reader. A few reviews were negative, noting a certain dull affect, and yes, it did start out that way - but as the character grew and changed, so did her voice, in a wonderfully nuanced way.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful as usual

Thank you, Anita Shreve, for allowing us to read your writing. I hope you knew how amazing your writing was and how it gave us such joy.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Good story

I really liked the story, but the reader was flat. Unless she was speaking as a character, all her sentences ended on a down note, which is, to me, really boring.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Mediocre

Not the best work by author or narrator. Very monotone. Ending was disappointing, seemed unfinished.

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