Fire in the Canyon

A Novel

By: Daniel Gumbiner

Narrated by: Kent Klineman

A new novel from National Book Award nominee Daniel Gumbiner about a California grape-grower, his family, and the climate disaster that upends their quiet lives.

Since his release from prison after serving an eighteen-month sentence for growing cannabis, Ben Hecht's life has settled into a familiar routine. On his farm in the foothills of California, he stays busy cultivating a dozen acres of grapes and tending to a flock of mistrustful sheep. Meanwhile, from her desk in their old redwood barn, his novelist wife, Ada, continues to work on what may be her most important book yet. When their only son, Yoel, comes home from Los Angeles for a rare visit, Ben is forced to confront their troubled relationship, which has continued to degrade in recent years. But before the two of them can truly address their past, a wildfire sweeps through the region, forcing the Hecht family to flee to the coast, and setting into motion a chain of events that will transform them all.

This is a story about grape growing and wine, financial and familial struggles, and the peculiar characters and unlikely heroes one will always find in small-town California. Through the experiences of the Hechts and the escalating challenges that face their community, Fire in the Canyon is an intimate look at the lives of those already living through the climate crisis.

©2023 Daniel Gumbiner (P)2023 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Gumbiner skillfully builds tension as the Hecht family's hard work in the vineyards plays out . . . Readers will be riveted."—Publishers Weekly

Great Story. Poor narration.

Truly enjoyed the story. The characters. The narration was painful to hear. The women’s voices in particular.

Worst narration ever

I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and I’m usually impressed at the pro narrators who can make their voices sound more male or female as the characters demand. The male narrator of this book made all the female voices sound like cartoon characters. It was distracting and off putting. He also mispronounced some words, which is not uncommon but seemed to happen more than usual.
The book was not very engaging either, as it read more like a nonfiction report than a novel. 2.5 stars overall.