baarkmonika

Stacey Cameron is a 39-year-old mother of four, married to Mac, a salesman. Their marriage is okay-not-great, and while Stacey deeply loves her children she also feels trapped in her homemaking role. She sees and feels her body changing with age and is intimidated by her slim and fashionable neighbor Tess, but cannot see how Tess longs for Stacey’s stable and relatively loving home life. When Mac changes jobs, he works long hours trying to prove himself. Stacey is thrust into the role of show more “corporate wife” at parties hosted by Mac’s boss. Self-conscious and awkward, Stacey drinks too much and becomes even more outspoken than usual, causing tensions with Mac.

Craving excitement, Stacey begins finding ways to get out on her own, each time pushing the boundaries a bit more while worrying she will be caught. She goes out with her husband’s friend, a truck-driver, only to be repulsed by his advances. She then has a brief affair with a much younger man, and while this meets both physical and emotional needs, Stacey quickly realizes there is no future in the relationship.

Stacey’s life is filled with metaphorical fires that need to be dealt with (hence the title), and some have serious consequences for the family. Despite being a tremendously flawed character (but aren't we all?) she gets by, and manages to steer her family through difficult times. And yet at the end of the book, the reader sees more fires ahead and recognizes Stacey’s life will always be that way. show less

Told from the point of view of disillusioned mother-of-four, Stacey McAindra, an almost-40 Canadian housewife. The first signs of aging...recollections of her youth, not so long ago....a stressed, distant husband, issues with the kids, vague yearnings for a drink and a bit of excitement...
You really believe in the characters: Laurence gives you their words alongside what theyre actually thinking - these can often be poles apart. Did it all tie up a bit conveniently? Maybe....but memorable show more writing. show less

I will admit to harbouring high expectations for this book, since Margaret Laurence wrote one of my favourite books, A Jest Of God. While part of the same "Manawaka Cycle", The Fire Dwellers tackles different themes, namely the frustrations of married life and parenthood. Laurence evokes jaded mother-of-four Stacey MacAindra's sense of frustration and powerlessness with such candour that it's impossible not to feel it along with her. I found myself growing impatient with Stacey, her oafish show more husband and the institution of marriage itself. If nothing else, the book is an effective caution against making "safe" choices in life. show less

"Better to marry than burn, St. Paul said, but he didn't say what to do if you marry and burn."

That one line sums up this book perfectly. It's another story of regret, of looking back on your life and wondering if you made the right decisions, how different your life could be if you'd done things differently, and if it's worth giving up an unhappy, if safe and comfortable, existence for a chance at happiness. It really makes you wonder if any of us really have any idea at all of what would show more make us truly happy. I think I should definitely look into reading more of her work. show less