Firelight

by Tobias Wolff, Anthony Heald (Narrator)

A mother and her son dream of a life beyond their means in this classic short story by Tobias Wolff.

"Firelight" tells the story of a mother and her son who are spending the afternoon viewing apartments on a chilly day in Seattle, Washington. The two have no intention of renting one - they can only afford to live in a meager boarding house. Nevertheless, they spend every Saturday wandering through apartments and department stores, dreaming of a different life.

On this particular afternoon, their last stop is a beautiful Victorian home - far beyond anything they could ever afford. And for the first time, wishful thoughts blur with harsh reality as the son becomes entranced by the apartment and the life it represents.

Genres: Short Stories

1 pages, Audible Audio

Published December 1, 2013

About the author

Tobias Jonathan Ansell Wolff is a writer of fiction and nonfiction.

He is best known for his short stories and his memoirs, although he has written two novels.

Wolff is the Ward W. and Priscilla B. Woods Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences at Stanford University, where he has taught classes in English and creative writing since 1997. He also served as the director of the Creative Writing Program at Stanford from 2000 to 2002.

Reviews

[Michael67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that boy's feeling. His longing for a warm family life.
Wolff found the right words for it.
I could see the flames.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mother and son spend time looking at apartments they can't afford and goods they cannot afford to buy. This provides diversion and escape from the cold until one day they visit an apartment for rent from a prof's family at the university. The boy begins to wish for something more, to be part of a family such as this and to remain in this house.
Not one of his better stories of the ones available from audible

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"I have my own fireplace now."

A beautifully written short story told in the first person recalling a snapshot of life when the narrator was young, and sympathetically performed by Anthony Heald. So much is there, despite the short length.
Recommended.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (liked it)

[MaKensie Tully · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn’t really drive home the points and character connections as some of his other stories

[cypher · Rating 5 out of 5]

a heartbreaking short story

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of his short stories, all well-written and a bit suspenseful, but some without a point unless you reallllly look for it.