A review by leifq
On Fire by Larry Brown

5.0

Dennis Johnson's "Train Dreams" and Larry Brown's "On Fire" are linked as I read them back-to-back in a weekend and they each told the “Story of America” in their own way. These are two of the few essential pieces of the perfect “Portrait of America Through Literature” whole. "On Fire" is astonishingly good as it illuminates those particular American qualities we’re all so proud of: The joy found in being good at our jobs and the many joys found in being a part of a family and a community. I can recommend few books more highly. "Train Dreams" was every bit as good. It lacked the high level of heart, but was slightly better technically (Denis Johnson is a master) and added unique nostalgia for a lost America