The Fire-Dwellers (urspr publ 1969; utgåvan 1988)

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 “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. ( )

Soit ça a été très dur soit très facile, mais le travail de traduction est à signaler. Un texte d'une époque qui a très peu vieilli, un personnage très intéressant. ( )

I should have read this book in every decade of my life - in my 20's, 30's & 40's. I can't believe I didn't come across it until now. I thoroughly related to Stacey's internal monologue and her fears. ( )

This book is part of Laurence's Manawaka series even though it is set in Vancouver. Stacey MacAindra is the sister of Rachel Cameron who is the heroine of A Jest of God. She got out of town, moved to Vancouver and married Mac MacAindra. They have 4 children, 14 year old Katie, Ian and Duncan (about 9 and 7?) and then 2 year old Jen. Mac is a salesman. He's sold encyclopedias, vanilla and other household products and he has just been hired on by Richalife, makers of vitamins. The time is the 1960's. According to one account I read this book is the most autobiographical of all Laurence's books. One major deviation from Laurence's life is that Stacey stays married to Mac while Laurence separated from and then divorced her husband. Of course, Laurence would have had an independent source of income from her writing whereas Stacey, like lots of women in the 60's, was entirely dependent on her husband for money. Stacey often feels like she is in prison and she thinks about getting out but with no money and no job skills and 4 kids she is stuck.

I kept thinking about my mother as I read this book. She also had 4 children to raise and I wonder how often she felt imprisoned. Maybe that's why she started teaching again or at least it might have been part of the reason. She was somewhat of an anomaly at the time but if it saved her sanity then I'm grateful she did it.

Laurence is a fine writer and I wish she had written more. I have one more book of hers to read and then I may have to start reading them over again. ( )

Like her other books in this series, The Fire-Dwellers is largely about family relationships. Much of the book is a comparison between what the protagonist says and does, and what she is thinking. I like that idea and it works well. Stacey, the main character here, is quite believable, as is her husband and the conflict between them. Their essential conflict (he works hard, plans their future, is not great with the kids, doesn't talk about his real thoughts and feelings with anyone; she wants honesty and openness from her husband and doesn't get it, feels trapped by her family obligations and yet is ultimately committed to them) is partly characteristic of my own marriage, so I related well to this situation. ( )