About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling isolated, misunderstood, or struggling to reconcile their own identity with the expectations of difficult family members. It is a powerful tool for navigating the complex emotions of connecting with an estranged parent while dealing with the grief of their impending loss. The story follows Iris, a girl obsessed with fire and art, who is whisked away from her neglectful mother to meet her dying father, Ernest, for the first time. At its heart, this is a secular exploration of what it means to truly see and be seen by another person. It validates the anger of being used by adults and the healing power of authentic creative expression. While it deals with terminal illness and family manipulation, the tone remains fiercely intelligent and ultimately empowering. It is most suitable for ages 13 and up due to its sophisticated emotional themes and some depictions of pyromania as a coping mechanism.
