The Fires of Spring

A Novel

By: James A. Michener

Narrated by: Larry McKeever

An intimate early novel from James A. Michener, now remembered as the beloved master of the historical epic, The Fires of Spring unfolds with the bittersweet drama of a boy’s perilous journey into manhood. David Harper is an orphan, seemingly doomed to loneliness and poverty. As an adolescent con artist and petty thief, David spends his days grifting at an amusement park, the place where he first learns about women and the mysteries of love. Soon he discovers that his longing to embrace the world is stronger than the harsh realities that constrain him. Featuring autobiographical touches from Michener’s own life story, The Fires of Spring is more than a novel: It’s a rich slice of American life, brimming with wisdom, longing, and compassion.

Praise for The Fires of Spring

“A warm-hearted, readable story, crammed with lively incident and remarkable characters.”—The Atlantic

“Heartfelt . . . immensely readable . . . Michener is a born writer.”—The New York Times

“Michener is a gifted storyteller.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Brilliantly done.”—Library Journal

Critic reviews

“A warm-hearted, readable story, crammed with lively incident and remarkable characters.”—The Atlantic

“Heartfelt . . . immensely readable . . . Michener is a born writer.”—The New York Times

“Michener is a gifted storyteller.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Brilliantly done.”—Library Journal

poor quity

Quality of recording very poor. use your points dont spend real money on this recording

I LIKED IT A LOT

This wasn't one of his typical books about a geographic location and its development, it was about a persons development.
I can't help but wonder if it was about himself in many ways.

Easy to listen to and follow, unlike some of his other stories.

My favorite book of Mitchners is Hawaii and then the one about South Africa.
I have returned some of his other books as they just didn't flow or make sense.
This book was simple, yet filled.

Good not great

I love Michener and think he is a wonderful storyteller. You can tell this is one of his earliest works, it’s not as well organized as some of his later novels but he still does a great job of creating complex characters and fascinating stories.
Larry McKeever does another wonderful job when I think of James A. Michener it’s McKeevers voice I hear.

A Wonderful Coming of Age Story

This early Michener novel about a boy growing up in 1920s America introduces some very interesting and memorable characters. This audio narration from the early 90s is still great!

Not Your Typical Michener Story

Any additional comments?

This one didn't begin with dinosaurs and land bridges connecting continents, instead it was a novel of a boy growing up as an orphan in a poor house and falling in and out of love as he grew up. He struggled with being good vs getting ahead but the women he fell for always seemed to set him back. I would classify it as a coming of age book and, maybe it's because I'm a dad now with kids his age, but I kept wanting to strangle David for some of his bone headed choices. But I guess we learn from the good and bad choices we make throughout our lives. I appreciate Michener's writing and was looking for something from him that wasn't so vastly sweeping. That is what I found in the Fires of Spring.