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The House Is on Fire
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
27 posts | 19 read | 36 to read
The author of Florence Adler Swims Forever returns with a masterful work of historical fiction about an incendiary tragedy that shocked a young nation and tore apart a community in a single nighttold from the perspectives of four people whose actions during the inferno changed the course of history. Richmond, Virginia 1811. Its the height of the winter social season, the General Assembly is in session, and many of Virginias gentleman planters, along with their wives and children, have made the long and arduous journey to the capital in hopes of whiling away the darkest days of the year. At the citys only theater, the Charleston-based Placide & Green Company puts on two plays a night to meet the demand of a populace thats done looking for enlightenment at the front of a church. On the night after Christmas, the theater is packed with more than six hundred holiday revelers. In the third-floor boxes, sits newly-widowed Sally Henry Campbell, who is glad for any opportunity to relive the happy times she shared with her husband. One floor away, in the colored gallery, Cecily Patterson doesnt give a whit about the play but is grateful for a four-hour reprieve from a life that has recently gone from bad to worse. Backstage, young stagehand Jack Gibson hopes that, if he can impress the theaters managers, hell be offered a permanent job with the company. And on the other side of town, blacksmith Gilbert Hunt dreams of one day being able to bring his wife to the theater, but hell have to buy her freedom first. When the theater goes up in flames in the middle of the performance, Sally, Cecily, Jack, and Gilbert make a series of split-second decisions that will not only affect their own lives but those of countless others. And in the days following the fire, as news of the disaster spreads across the United States, the paths of these four people will become forever intertwined. Based on the true story of Richmonds theater fire, The House Is on Fire offers proof that sometimes, in the midst of great tragedy, we are offered our most preciousand fleetingchances at redemption.
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julieclair
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

Fascinating, well-researched historical fiction about a tragic theater fire in Richmond, Virginia in 1811. Told from 4 points of view: a young white orphaned boy working as a stage hand, an enslaved woman who accompanied her mistress as her chaperone, an enslaved man who became a hero, and a well-to-do white woman who was sitting in a box seat. ⬇️

julieclair The narrative follows them before, during and after the fire. Excellently drawn main and supporting characters. Sad, but great reading. Excellent on audio. 5⭐️. #LitsyLove #LitsyLoveBingo (edited) 2mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Stacked! Sounds amazing! 2mo
30 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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BookMaven9
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️an engaging historical fiction using parts of actual people@who were there although took many liberties with their narratives.

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Sara_Planz
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

Author Rachel Beanland has based this historical fiction novel on the true story of the Richmond Theater Fire. Dozens died that night as the crowd surge to escape the smoke and flames. Heroes (and cowards) were revealed that night, and Beanland takes us on a fictionalized account of some of those that were there. Not only does the author bring the disaster to life with her impeccable research, she draws you into the story as if you were there.

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Mitch
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

Thanks @AmyG for getting 2024 off to a cracking start. This is a real page turner. Amazing historical detail, characters who live off the page and a really compelling and compassionate story of survival, pain and hope. Loved it !

AmyG I am so happy you enjoyed it. Happy New Year! 😘 10mo
Hooked_on_books I loved this one, too! 10mo
Itchyfeetreader This looks like my kind of thing and love your tree 10mo
Mitch @Itchyfeetreader thank you. It‘s coming down tomorrow - il miss it! 10mo
Mitch @AmyG happy New Year 😘😘 10mo
78 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Mitch
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Oh @AmyG - love love love the sound of this one. Digging straight in tonight. Thank you honey. Happy Holidays to you all. 😘🎄😘

Bren912 This book is an instant stack! 11mo
AmyG It‘s a good one. Merry Christmas to you and M. 😘 11mo
Mitch @AmyG 😘😘😘 11mo
Hooked_on_books I loved this one! 11mo
57 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Kshakal
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

Not my typical historical fiction read but am so glad I read it! Well-paced and incredibly engaging… I didn‘t want it to end!

JenReadsAlot One of my favorite books this year actually! 11mo
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jerdencon
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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When the current book you are reading, mentions the chunkster you‘ve been buddy ready since January! 😊👍🏻 #clarissa

Amiable I can‘t believe how many references to this book I‘ve seen pop up since we started it ! 14mo
30 likes1 comment
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kbuggle
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

Historical fiction centered around a theater fire in 1811 Richmond VA, and four peoples decisions around that event. Not typically a historical fiction fan, but i enjoyed this. #botm

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JenReadsAlot
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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1. Loved this so much
2. Historical fiction at it's best - do read the authors note at the end as well.
3. A book that makes me want to travel there when reading it!
Thanks @eggs #wondrouswednesday @peaknit @Kshakal @BethM @RaeLovesToRead

Eggs Thanks for playing 🥳 1y
25 likes1 comment
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GinaKButler
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Up next! My book club picks 3 genres every summer and this was the book for “Historical Fiction NOT Set During WWII.” I loved Florence Adler Swims Forever, so I‘m looking forward to this!

#bookspinbingo

JenReadsAlot I loved that book so much! 1y
Amiable Fabulous photo! And I also love the book club topic —a friend and I were just talking about how tired we are of WWll novels! 1y
GinaKButler @Amiable Thank you! Yes, our group is tired of that genre…read too many and needed a break! 😊 1y
GinaKButler @JenReadsAlot I‘m really enjoying it so far! 1y
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JenReadsAlot
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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1. Two books for #camplitsy and my #bookspinbingo list
2. Tagged! Also Finding Me (Viola Davis)
3. One Summer in Paris
Thanks @peaknit @Kshakal @Eggs #wondrouswednesday

Eggs Thanks for joining in 🥳📖🥰 1y
22 likes1 comment
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JenReadsAlot
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this! Fantastic historical fiction.

39 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

In 1811, the Richmond Theater burned to the ground during a performance, killing 72 people. We see this event and it‘s immediate aftermath through the eyes of 4 characters. I found this book engrossing and propulsive. I just loved it. Also, be sure to read the author‘s note at the end where she details the fact in the fiction.

jlhammar Yay! Really looking forward to this one! 1y
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TEArificbooks
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

This is a good historical fiction. The short chapters keep the pages turning. And it covers a bit of history that isn‘t taught in schools.

julieclair I have never heard of this book. It sounds fascinating! Stacked. 👍 1y
TheBookStacker I was thinking of adding it to my box in June since it‘s my birthday month so I get a free book 1y
BkClubCare Ok, I admit, I sang, “the house, the house, the house is on fire…”. Etc 1y
BkClubCare Wait, is it roof? Oh dear… 1y
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AmyK1
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

This was a well researched, well written and fast paced account of the 1811 Richmond, VA theater fire that killed 72 people. Definitely read the author‘s note at the end.

My May #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
40 likes1 stack add1 comment
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K.Wielechowski
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Mehso-so

The 1811 theater fire in Richmond, VA was the worst tragedy in the young USA where nearly 100 people were killed in minutes. This book covers the fire from four different view points: a young stagehand, a middle class white attendee, a Black enslaved attendee, and a Black enslaved man who helped survivors.
The book is well researched & impeccably written, it just didn‘t grab me. There wasn‘t much of a climax in the action & it just kind of ended.

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BookBosomed1
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

4.5 ⭐️ I recommend this book for fans of historical fiction. The story is a well-researched novel (read the Author‘s Note!) with an engrossing storyline. The author did not shy away from writing about the cruelty of racism and slavery, yet, she honors the bravery and kindness of enslaved humans at the time of the fire. Full review: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61273814

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BookBosomed1
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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My bookish zen garden is open for today‘s beautiful afternoon. One more day of Easter Break. ☕️ 📖 🐶 ☀️

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britt_reads
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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#botm arrived much sooner than expected this month! 😍

27 likes1 stack add
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jlhammar
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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It‘s here! April #BOTM

Aims42 Wohooo!! 🤩🥳 2y
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Aims42
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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#BOTM Day 📚💙 Wohooo!!

jlhammar Yay! I'm expecting mine today as well. So happy they had the Beanland as an add-on. Really looking forward to it. 2y
Aims42 @jlhammar Nice 🙌 Yes, I‘m a little more excited to read Beanland‘s book than I am for the actual BOTM pick lol 2y
42 likes2 comments
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BookBosomed1
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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I was not thrilled with the April #botm choices since I had already bought myself the new Jeanette Wells book. However, I really wanted the tagged book as an add-on, so I decided to go with an easy thriller read for my April choice.

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swishandflick
The House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Fairly sure these will be available through #BOTM in April, either as main picks or add-ons. @Cinfhen posted a great review of the tagged book that piqued my interest!

CBee I just entered a ton of GR giveaways and one was the tagged book, it looks good! 2y
jlhammar Oooh, that is great news! Can‘t wait for the new Beanland! 2y
Cinfhen I love when a story highlights a true event I wasn‘t currently familiar with! This book did a great job of highlighting the Richmond Theatre Fire of 1811 @jlhammar @CBee - Hope you pick it up, Ashley ♥️Other books look good too!!! 2y
Chrissyreadit I absolutely would choose the tagged book if offered. 2y
68 likes4 comments
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BookNAround
House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Tonight‘s reading on the couch with Gatsby and Ozzie.

Ruthiella Is Gatsby back in form and health? (edited) 2y
dabbe That is pure bliss. ❣️🐾❣️ 2y
BookNAround @Ruthiella She‘s definitely doing some better. She‘ll be on meds for a minimum of 6 months and maybe more if she still tests positive after that. It‘s a terrible and persistent illness unfortunately. 2y
69 likes3 comments
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Cinfhen
House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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Pickpick

Such a wonderful #HF story about the 1811 Richmond Theatre Fire that killed 72 people mostly women. The story begins with the fire and then the aftermath following a handful of survivors. Ripe for bookclub discussion, I couldn‘t turn the pages quick enough. I appreciated the addition of the Author‘s Note which gave more context. This book touches on the cruelty of slavery, society struggles between men & women and preconceived idea of heroism.

99 likes8 stack adds8 comments
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Cinfhen
House Is on Fire | Rachel Beanland
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#ARC @SimonSchuster @simonbooks #SimonSchusterBookClub available April 2023

Loving this #HF novel by the author of Florence Adler Swims Forever. This story focuses on the Richmond fire of 1811.

jlhammar Really enjoyed Florence Adler. Looking forward to this! 2y
Cinfhen I LOVED Florence Adler too @jlhammar are you a #JerseyGirl 😉😂😂 2y
ShelleyBooksie Gorgeous flowers 2y
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Cinfhen Thanks @ShelleyBooksie 💗they‘re still looking good almost 10 days later 🫶🏼 2y
Bette Lovely flowers 2y
Cinfhen Thanks @Bette fresh cut flowers make me happy and paired with a book it‘s 😇 2y
69 likes6 comments