 |
Inspired by the devastating fires that ravaged Yellowstone in 1988, the narrative delivers a hauntingly precise portrayal of fire—its unpredictability, and its power. Best characterized by one of the central characters, park ranger and biologist Dr. Steve Haywood, the destruction is, in many ways, an opportunity for rebirth and overcoming adversity. Revolving around firefighter Clare Chance, this rebirth is not just for nature but also for Clare and the other characters that are constantly juggling their passion for duty with personal scars. Jacobs' work captures both the fickle nature of the fires and the human spirit and emotions of the frontline workers who, despite knowing their efforts will be rendered helpless against the inferno, continue to battle.
Clare is divorced, sharing a teenage child, Devon, with a man who seems more interested in flaunting his wealth than paying attention to his daughter. As determined an individual as one can find, Clare has been shattering norms throughout her life. For example, she left the teaching field to be one of the few female firefighters. Nevertheless, she relishes the camaraderie. Firefighters literally rely on each other to defend their lives. Unfortunately for Clare, an apartment fire during one particular Texas summer leads to the demise of a fellow firefighter and close friend. The torturous experience and survivor's guilt thrust her into the forefront of the Wyoming blaze.
From the perspective of character development, Jacobs has crafted highly personable characters whose indomitable spirit for life and their craft is on display time after time. For instance, there is Steve Haywood, who douses his life in alcohol to drown out the shrill cries and excruciating loss of his wife and infant daughter in a Boeing 737 plane crash. Then there is military veteran Chris Deering's daredevil nature in the cockpit. More than once, readers will likely question why Dr. Haywood doesn't just simply give up, or why Deering won't go to his beautiful wife, Georgia, and listen to her persistent requests to retire from flying.
As the plot unravels, Steve's fear of flying, Deering's sometimes egregious, adrenaline-junkie behavior, and Clare's determination to save lives put them on a collision course that will ultimately determine the fate of Yellowstone. What makes Jacobs' endeavor truly remarkable, though, is her ability to create flawed individuals with purpose with whom readers can identify. This ability stems from the backstory that resurfaces throughout the characters' lives. For Clare, her fear of trusting men is clear. Steve uses alcohol as a mask to avoid intimacy. Deering uses his daredevil nature as a facade to disguise what he truly felt from his wartime days in Vietnam. Almost instantly after their paths collide, the inevitability of a romantic triangle adds a dimension to the unfolding natural disaster that pits their sense of duty, both to their current roles and to the ghosts of their past, with their attractions. Each character is a dichotomy, constantly teetering between being heroic and being consumed by their self-interests.
The author's writing style, in conjunction with strong, thrilling character arcs, brings the 1988 Yellowstone fires to life. There are numerous scenes where the reader will feel the heat of the flames as if under the fire-retardant shelter and completely surrounded by flames. Using an ensemble of active verbs and vibrant imagery, Jacobs lets her readers embrace the sensory experiences through the characters. Moreover, the juxtaposition of each character enduring long, grueling days with their evening interactions over dinner adds a glimpse into the inner workings of the human mind. Even heroes and those that are constantly in the embrace of adversity seek respite, albeit temporary.
While Jacobs' novel is decidedly character-driven, the level of research allows her to stay true and reconstruct a disaster that is authentic to history. At various points throughout the book, the author provides an in-depth account of the actual conditions and damage exacted by the fires. Jacobs transports readers into the minds of the firefighters. How do they make split-second decisions that often abandon any caution for their safety while battling for the welfare of others? A constant dose of adventure, thrill, and calls to action amidst the backdrop of an event that continues to reside in the memories of many who experienced it make Jacobs' historical fiction a novel to relish.
A 2020 Eric Hoffer Book Award Category Finalist
RECOMMENDED by the US Review