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There are currently 41 member reviews
for A Fireproof Home for the Bride
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Freya H. (Phoenix, AZ)
The 50's
The period of time in which I was growing up. Certainly the times have changed, but maybe not by as much as we would like. This story is not only engrossing, but the characters, carefully drawn, are ones you care about. In particular, the strength of Emily is inspiring as she struggles for independence at a time when a good deal of unrest may have caused even the strongest person to crumble. This would be a good choice for any Book Club.
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Beth B. (New Wilmington, PA)
What Lies Beyond the Present Moment?
Amy Scheibe is an articulate writer with the ability to allow readers an access into the mind of the main character, Emmy. How quickly one can mature when the decision has been made to face reality, going beyond what was once a dream into the sickening horror of long-hidden family history!! I suppose one might term this a coming-of-age tale of an eighteen year old who learns to delve beyond face value. One has to admire Emmy's courage as she encounters bigotry, the dangers of misused power, and deceit. I find the title to be the book's biggest drawback -- it certainly did not attract me until I read the synopsis. A book club could have a lively discussion as to what a better title could have been. Midway through reading, I had the feeling that my interest was waning -- perhaps the book was a trifle too long.
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Kenan R. (Liberty, MO)
3, 3, 3 books in one
OK so the first 3rd of the book was a plodding and bleak description of sexism in a stoic North Dakota Protestant family in the 50s. The middle of the book was an interesting and entertaining story of a young girl chaffing against those restraints, questioning societal norms and forging her own way. The final portion was a crazy Nancy Drew mystery wrap-up that I felt went way overboard in the outlandish plot twist department. After the first 100 pages - it was engaging, but the end cheapened the coming of age story.
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Julie B. (Culver, IN)
A Fireproof Home for the Bride
While I enjoyed this book, I have to say that it started out very slow. I had a hard time getting into it at first and unfortunately, I really didn't like Emmy at first. I think I was annoyed by her naive nature. There was so much going on, but by the end I felt the author tied it together well. I would definitely recommend it to a book club, as I think there are several topics that would make good conversation.
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Sarah W. (San Diego, CA)
Historical Coming of Age in Minnesota
As Emmy Nelson finds her way during the late 1950s in a Minnesota farming community, I found the setting and the cultural details surrounding the strict Lutheran lifestyle to be most interesting. However, I felt Emmy to be somewhat flat as a character. Although plenty of awful things happen to her she never really seems to struggle. Perhaps her flat affect is due to her upbringing, but I found it hard to mourn her losses or to root for her as she attempts to find her way. It's not as much of a love story as the jacket description implies.
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Karen L. (Wilton, IA)
Slow start to story
It was very difficult to get interested in this book. It didn't get really interesting until the last 100 pages. If the first two thirds of the book had been as good as the last third of the book I would have given it 4 stars. It captures the time 1950s and place mid west very well. It does a good job of presenting sexism and the expected roles women were supposed to play in the 1950s. It is a coming of age story as the main character grows up in a difficult family with many secrets. There is also a larger story that involves racism, the Klan and her family. I think it would be good for book clubs if they were persistent enough to read the whole book.
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Elizabeth L. (Beavercreek, OH)
A Bit of a Slog
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. The beginning was very slow. I put it down to read other thing several times. And many elements of the story didn't seem believable to me, I think because so many different major events were crammed into the story. It seemed like too much happened to this one girl.
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