Little Fires Everywhere follows the intertwined lives of the Richardson family and an enigmatic mother and daughter who upend life in a planned suburb, exploring secrets, identity, motherhood and a tense custody conflict that divides the community.
Some editions include extras such as a conversation with the author, discussion questions, and a letter from the author. These bonus materials are often included to support book-club discussion and may vary by edition.
The story is set in Shaker Heights, a planned suburb of Cleveland. Reviewers also note that the book evokes the feel of the late 1990s, with details that suggest a 1997 time frame.
The novel examines race, class and privilege, adoption and questions around motherhood, as well as identity, privacy and the consequences of following rules.
The novel explores secrets, the nature of art and identity, and motherhood, while tackling issues of race, class and privilege as well as related topics such as adoption, surrogacy, abortion and privacy.