The House Is on Fire

Written by Rachel Beanland

Narrated by Rachel Beanland, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Andi Arndt and 2 more

A “wildly entertaining” (NPR), “gripping” (The Washington Post) work of historical fiction about an incendiary tragedy that shocked a young nation and tore apart a community in a single night, from the author of Florence Adler Swims Forever.

Richmond, Virginia 1811. It’s the height of the winter social season, the General Assembly is in session, and many of Virginia’s gentleman planters, along with their wives and children, have made the long and arduous journey to the capital in hopes of whiling away the darkest days of the year. At the city’s only theater, the Charleston-based Placide & Green Company puts on two plays a night to meet the demand of a populace that’s done looking for enlightenment at the front of a church.

On the night after Christmas, the theater is packed with more than six hundred holiday revelers. In the third-floor boxes sits newly widowed Sally Henry Campbell, who is glad for any opportunity to relive the happy times she shared with her husband. One floor away, in the colored gallery, Cecily Patterson doesn’t give a whit about the play but is grateful for a four-hour reprieve from a life that has recently gone from bad to worse. Backstage, young stagehand Jack Gibson hopes that, if he can impress the theater’s managers, he’ll be offered a permanent job with the company. And on the other side of town, blacksmith Gilbert Hunt dreams of one day being able to bring his wife to the theater, but he’ll have to buy her freedom first.

When the theater goes up in flames in the middle of the performance, Sally, Cecily, Jack, and Gilbert make a series of split-second decisions that will not only affect their own lives but those of countless others. And in the days following the fire, as news of the disaster spreads across the United States, the paths of these four people will become forever intertwined.

Based on the true story of Richmond’s theater fire, The House Is on Fire is a “stunning” (Jeannette Walls, New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Castle), “all-consuming exploration” (E! News) that offers proof that sometimes, in the midst of great tragedy, we are offered our most precious—and fleeting—chances at redemption.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Apr 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797145778

Rachel Beanland

Rachel Beanland is the author of the novel Florence Adler Swims Forever. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and earned her MFA in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University. She lives with her husband and three children in Richmond, Virginia. She has taught creative writing at the College of William & Mary and Virginia Commonwealth University and is the 2023–2024 Writer in Residence at the University of Richmond.  

Reviews for The House Is on Fire

[Alexandra Squiers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best novels I’ve listened to this year. The characters are richly believable and compelling, the narrative is riveting and the ending is hopeful. The readers are incredibly talented. Highly recommend. I’m compelled to seek out other works by this author.

[Becki Basley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting take on a fire that is all the forgotten about in modern Day but in its time was the worst Urban Disaster in our Young countrys history.

[Sharon Hall · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a story! Well written and excellent performances. Listening to this compelling narrative kept me on the edge of my seat for most of the book. Highly recommended.

[CD JENSEN · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well- researched, focused on Four compelling storylines. Worth your time!

[Garrick Fox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Leslie Cohen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The writer personalizes the aftermath of a tragic historic incident where 70 people died in a fire in a theater. There are many angles to the story, all of them quite thought provoking. Good writing.

[joyce toran · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great book with lots of historical facts. It will hold you attention until the very end.

[Alex Larsh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such unique perspectives of an historical moment that I had never heard of! Audio narration was exceptional and this book kept me from going crazy in Atlanta traffic. Well done!

[Betty Kelley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great read. Such an insight into the time and the injustices that prevailed. Would definitely recommend it.

[Rochelle Jackson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book. Highly recommend. I love historical fiction but it is not often to find one that is not centered around WWII. this book not only covers a period in American history that is not well known, but also sheds light on the injustices experienced by many during these times of emergencies. Women and children left by the men who are sworn to love and protect them, black people used at the scapegoat so whites do not have to suffer accountability for their actions. This is an amazing read.