Thank you to Flatiron Books for the gifted ARC

When a lethal fire erupts at the American Fruit Company's most lucrative banana plantation in Costa Rica in 1968, the future of Teresa Cepeda Valverde's family is changed forever. In the present day, Teresa is estranged from her daughter Lyra and haunted by her mother's ghost. As Teresa approaches her 60th birthday, the secrets of the fire, corporate greed, and family grief once again threaten to swallow everything.

Gorgeously written and sprawling in its depth, FIRE is a mesmerizing exploration of family, secrets, and the lasting impact of generational trauma. Centered around a fire that both consumes and enlightens, Arias weaves a tale that delves deep into the complexities of revenge, forgiveness, and the relentless passage of time.

Perhaps because I read this during Booker season, I find Arias' beautiful prose on par with the books on the Longlist, while covering themes I care much more about