The Lake on Fire
The Lake on Fire by Rosellen Brown, published by Sarabande Books in 2018, is a historical fiction narrative that spans 350 pages. Set against the backdrop of 19th century Jewish immigrants, the story follows siblings Chaya and Asher as they leave their failing Wisconsin farm in search of the American dream. Their journey takes them to Chicago, where they encounter the stark realities of the Gilded Age, revealing a world that contrasts sharply with the allure of the Columbian Exposition.
Readers will find a rich exploration of family life, love, and the quest for identity as Chaya works in a cigar factory while Asher navigates the city, engaging in petty theft to aid the less fortunate. The narrative delves into themes of coming of age and the complexities of sibling relationships within the context of a vibrant yet challenging urban landscape. The Lake on Fire presents a profound reflection on societal issues that resonate with contemporary events, making it a relevant read for those interested in historical narratives intertwined with personal and social struggles.
Official synopsis Publisher
The Lake on Fire is an epic narrative that begins among 19th century Jewish immigrants on a failing Wisconsin farm. Dazzled by lore of the American dream, Chaya and her strange, brilliant, young brother Asher stow away to Chicago; what they discover there, however, is a Gilded Age as empty a façade as the beautiful Columbian Exposition luring thousands to Lake Michigan’s shore. The pair scrapes together a meager living–Chaya in a cigar factory; Asher, roaming the city and stealing books and jewelry to share with the poor, until they find different paths of escape. An examination of family, love, and revolution, this profound tale resonates eerily with today’s current events and tumultuous social landscape. The Lake on Fire is robust, gleaming, and grimy all at once, proving that celebrated author Rosellen Brown is back with a story as luminous as ever.
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