Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson – 272 pages
Book Blurb:
Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly in the wake of a scandal and they’ve barely spoken since. Until now, when Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for her help. Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. However, there’s a catch: the twins spontaneously combust when they get agitated, flames igniting from their skin in a startling but beautiful way. Lillian is convinced Madison is pulling her leg, but it’s the truth.
Thinking of her dead-end life at home, the life that has consistently disappointed her, Lillian figures she has nothing to lose. Over the course of one humid, demanding summer, Lillian and the twins learn to trust each other—and stay cool—while also staying out of the way of Madison’s buttoned-up politician husband. Surprised by her own ingenuity yet unused to the intense feelings of protectiveness she feels for them, Lillian ultimately begins to accept that she needs these strange children as much as they need her—urgently and fiercely. Couldn’t this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for?
My Review: 4 stars
Nothing to See Here took the most bizarre concept and turned it into a moving and compassionate story. The blurb shares the premise and to be honest, I didn’t think I’d be able to wrap my head around the plot. I’m all for suspending belief when I read, but fire children was a bit over the top for me.
It was Wilson’s writing that made this book glow. Lillian was an entirely original and relatable character. Raised by a deadbeat mom, Lillian has created coping mechanisms to get through life, with no real friends except her first boarding school roommate. Even that relationship is off-balance as they only communicate through letters.
When a real job is proposed by her old roommate, Madison, their relationship changes and Lillian begins to realize so much about herself, about Madison, and the kids in her charge. Everything from friendship, motherhood, politics, fire children, education, being different and wealth were touched upon in the book.
This was a weird, well-written and oddly satisfying book. I was sad to see it end, although reading a book in one sitting was rather nice. I’m thrilled that Jenna Bush from the Today Show chose this as a Book Club pick so it would gain national attention. I encourage anyone looking to read something different to pick this one up.
Quotes I liked:
This is weird, Madison. You want me to raise your husband’s fire children.”
“I started to care less about the future. I cared more about making the present tolerable.”
“This was how you did it, how you raised children. You built them a house that was impervious to danger and then you gave them every single thing that they could ever want, no matter how impossible. You read to them at night. Why couldn’t people figure this out?”
“This was what I finally realized, that even as we sank deeper and deeper into our lives, we were always separate. And I wondered what it would feel like, to fall but to hold on to someone else so you weren’t alone.”
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