An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England

A Novel

By: Brock Clarke

Narrated by: Daniel Passer

Sam Pulsifer, the hapless hero of this incendiary novel, has come to the end of a very long and unusual journey, and for the second time in his life he has the time to think about all the things that have and have not come to pass.

The truth is, a lot of remarkable things have happened in Sam’s life. He spent ten years in prison for accidentally burning down poet Emily Dickinson’s house–and unwittingly killing two people in the process. He emerged at age twenty-eight and set about creating a new life–almost a new identity–for himself. He went to college, found love, got married, fathered two children, and made a new start–and then watched in almost-silent awe as the vengeful past caught up with him, right at his own front door.

As, one by one, the homes of other famous New England writers are torched, Sam knows that this time he is most certainly not the guilty one. To prove his innocence, he sets out to uncover the identity of this literary-minded arsonist. What he discovers, and how he deals with the reality of his discoveries, is both hilariously funny and heartbreakingly sad. For, as Sam learns, the truth has a way of eluding capture, and then, when you finally get close enough to embrace it, it turns and kicks you in the ass.©2007 Brock Clarke; (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Honestly not that good

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

My main problem with the book is that I became very tired of the narrator "bumbling" his way to pain and failure. Those who do not mind listening to someone end up in easily avoidable painful situations may enjoy this book. I honestly have no idea why it became so popular

What was most disappointing about Brock Clarke’s story?

The main character. He was painful to be inside the head of. He was flaccid and useless, letting bad things happen instead of doing anything active. Having taken a class with Brock this is not surprising. He tends to pick books with narrators that are difficult to like let alone relate to

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It had some decent turns of phrase, but really no, it was pretty unenjoyable

I understand why people dislike this book

Despite many poor reviews I kept coming back to this title in my wish list. Yes, it is a novel that doesn't satisfy, but it also does not completely let you down.

The narrator does not add to the story, neither does the main character, who is whiny and constantly making the wrong choices. You do want to reach out and strangle him.

What saves the story and keeps you listening is the writer's occasionally perfect pieces of figurative language and 1 or 2 universal truths like a person might find when reading a piece of higher literature. I liked the idea that we are all, at some level of consciousness, hoping we are not in our own lives a specific character that we have read. Also, it's intriguing to consider the idea that many people who love to read despise the classics and would relish burning the homes of these classic writers to the ground.

Well written and well crafted

Clarke writes with ease, complexity and humor. The story only gets more interesting as new characters are introduced. The reader does a brilliant job of capturing Sam's innocence and insights.

I am trying to get through it

Maybe it is just me, but this book seems really inane. The main character is so self absorbed, he speculates on every little thing. Maybe I will change my mind if I ever get through the book, but right now it is an ordeal.

Please get the narrator an encyclopedia

OK, I admit, this is super nitpicky, but in the first chapter, the narrator says the two main place names wrong. "Holyoke" is pronounced "whole-yolk" and Amherst has a silent H to anyone who's ever spent time there. I don't know why this is so annoying, but I guess it feels like an indication of a bigger inauthenticity in this book, and a sloppy detail they should have easily caught.