83 pages • 2 hours read
Kamila ShamsieHome Fire
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie is a contemporary adaptation of Sophocles' play Antigone, set in modern-day London among British Muslims. The story follows Isma Pasha, her twin siblings, Aneeka and Parvaiz, and the Home Secretary’s son, Eamonn Lone. The narrative addresses themes of familial loyalty, national identity, and the radicalization of young Muslims, through intertwining perspectives and dramatic events that culminate in tragic consequences. This book contains themes of terrorism and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Kamila Shamsie's Home Fire is praised for its modern twist on Sophocles' Antigone, capturing intense family dynamics and political complexities. Reviewers commend Shamsie’s lyrical prose and character development. Criticisms revolve around its pacing and predictability. Overall, it’s a compelling narrative addressing timely themes such as identity and extremism.
Who Should Read Home Fire?
A reader who would enjoy Kamila Shamsie's Home Fire is likely captivated by contemporary political and cultural issues, particularly those involving family dynamics, identity, and immigration. Fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and Mohsin Hamid's Exit West would appreciate the novel's poignant storytelling and rich, nuanced characters.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1070LBook Details
Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal
Relationships: Family
Modern Classic Fiction