Emily on Fire

Categories: Fiction

I would begin this blog entry:  "It's winter, and the perfect time to enjoy the warmth of a nice crackling fire."  However, that's a bit in poor taste even for me, especially since I want to talk about a book called An Arsonist's Guide to Writer's Homes in New England.  If you're looking for a book with a title that will get you some curious and frightened stares when you read it on the bus, this is the book. It's sparked a number of conversations during which I've had to explain that no, I'm not planning on burning anything down and yes, it is a novel.  However, aside from brief pauses during curious interruptions this book is one that's hard to put down. 

An Arsonist's Guide begins with the character of Sam Pulsifer, bumbler and accidental arsonist.  Having just gotten out of prison for burning down Emily Dickinson's house and killing two people, he tries to rebuild his life.  He does pretty well at this, marrying, having kids and moving to the faceless anonymity of suburbia, until one day the son of the people he killed decides to pay him a visit and his life spirals out of control.  At that moment the book really takes off.  Sam careens from one crisis to another, dealing with his broken marriage and his alcoholic parents, all the while trying to figure out the mystery of who is burning down the homes of famous writers.

It's terribly far-fetched and despite being funny, also quite dark.  In the end, it's one of those rollicking narratives which only manages to disappoint by not going for the cliche happy ending.  (By the end, I liked Sam, whiny and bumbling and all, and really wanted things to work for him.)  All-in-all, I'd say this is a book that's worth curling up with while trying to keep warm this January. 

By the way, when I picked up this book I thought it sounded familiar for some reason; that was a big reason I held onto it and read it.  A bit of searching revealed that I read about it here while it was still new and hot.   Thanks Susanne, for putting the idea into my head, and loyal readers, sorry for the repeat, but I hope the different perspective on the book is worth it.