What do you think?
Rate this book
Everything I Never Told You / Little Fires Everywhere
Please Note That The Following Individual Books As Per Original ISBN and Cover Image In this Listing shall be Dispatched Collectively:
Celeste Ng Collection 2 Books Set (Everything I Never Told You, Little Fires Everywhere):
Everything I Never Told You:
Lydia is the favourite child of Marilyn and James Lee; a girl who inherited her mother's bright blue eyes and her father's jet-black hair. Her parents are determined that Lydia will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue - in Marilyn's case that her daughter become a doctor rather than a homemaker, in James's case that Lydia be popular at school, a girl with a busy social life and the centre of every party.
Little Fires Everywhere:
Everyone in Shaker Heights was talking about it that summer: how Isabelle, the last of the Richardson children, had finally gone around the bend and burned the house down.In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned - from the layout of the winding roads, to the colours of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.
Celeste Ng Collection 2 Books Set (Everything I Never Told You, Little Fires Everywhere):
Everything I Never Told You:
Lydia is the favourite child of Marilyn and James Lee; a girl who inherited her mother's bright blue eyes and her father's jet-black hair. Her parents are determined that Lydia will fulfill the dreams they were unable to pursue - in Marilyn's case that her daughter become a doctor rather than a homemaker, in James's case that Lydia be popular at school, a girl with a busy social life and the centre of every party.
Little Fires Everywhere:
Everyone in Shaker Heights was talking about it that summer: how Isabelle, the last of the Richardson children, had finally gone around the bend and burned the house down.In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is meticulously planned - from the layout of the winding roads, to the colours of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
88 people are currently reading
3918 people want to read
About the author
Celeste Ng
18 books93.1k followersCeleste Ng is the author of three novels, Everything I Never Told You, Little Fires Everywhere, and Our Missing Hearts.
Her first novel, Everything I Never Told You (2014), was a New York Times bestseller, a
New York Times Notable Book of 2014, Amazon’s #1 Best Book of 2014, and named a best book of the year by over a dozen publications. Everything I Never Told You was also the winner of the Massachusetts Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, and the ALA’s Alex Award. It has been translated into over thirty languages and is being adapted for the screen.
Her second novel, Little Fires Everywhere (2017) was a #1 New York Times bestseller, a #1 Indie Next bestseller, and Amazon's Best Fiction Book of 2017. It was named a best book of the year by over 25 publications, the winner of the Ohioana Award and the Goodreads Readers Choice Award 2017 in Fiction, and spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list.
Little Fires Everywhere has been published abroad in more than 30 languages and has been adapted as a limited series on Hulu, starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.
Her third novel, Our Missing Hearts, will be published on October 4, 2022.
Celeste grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Shaker Heights, Ohio. She graduated from Harvard University and earned an MFA from the University of Michigan (now the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan). Her fiction and essays have appeared in the
New York Times, The Guardian, and many other publications, and she is a recipient of the Pushcart Prize, a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and a Guggenheim Fellowship, among other honors.
Her first novel, Everything I Never Told You (2014), was a New York Times bestseller, a
New York Times Notable Book of 2014, Amazon’s #1 Best Book of 2014, and named a best book of the year by over a dozen publications. Everything I Never Told You was also the winner of the Massachusetts Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, and the ALA’s Alex Award. It has been translated into over thirty languages and is being adapted for the screen.
Her second novel, Little Fires Everywhere (2017) was a #1 New York Times bestseller, a #1 Indie Next bestseller, and Amazon's Best Fiction Book of 2017. It was named a best book of the year by over 25 publications, the winner of the Ohioana Award and the Goodreads Readers Choice Award 2017 in Fiction, and spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list.
Little Fires Everywhere has been published abroad in more than 30 languages and has been adapted as a limited series on Hulu, starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.
Her third novel, Our Missing Hearts, will be published on October 4, 2022.
Celeste grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Shaker Heights, Ohio. She graduated from Harvard University and earned an MFA from the University of Michigan (now the Helen Zell Writers’ Program at the University of Michigan). Her fiction and essays have appeared in the
New York Times, The Guardian, and many other publications, and she is a recipient of the Pushcart Prize, a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and a Guggenheim Fellowship, among other honors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 11, 2023
Boring. Repeating. Dull.
August 6, 2021
A quality work of literature is dependent on many different elements. A quality work of literature engages the reader from the beginning of the story. It contains characters that come to life as you read each page. Those characters take you through an intriguing plot that keeps you invested in learning the unknown. As you go along the journey of the novel, with the characters, you learn lessons that can change the way you view specific aspects of your life or life as a whole. A quality work of literature is not only enjoyable in the moment as you read but leaves you with different attitudes and perspectives for your daily life. Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng, is a quality work of literature.
Everything I Never Told You grabs the reader’s attention right from the start. “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.” These first two sentences cause the reader to ask many questions. Who is Lydia? How did she die? Who is “they”? Why don’t “they” know yet? The reader is now hooked to the novel to find answers to their many questions. Celeste Ng expresses the characters in such a detailed way that you feel you personally know them. Throughout the novel, the story switches between past and present to further understand who each character is and how they play a role in the final outcome. This novel touches on subjects that not everyone personally experiences, so you learn something from someone else’s perspective as you read. For example, the mother, Marilyn Lee, in this novel grew up in a time when women did not have the same opportunities as men. She shocked men as she was the top student in her science classes throughout high school. Marilyn was denied to take a specific class because it was only offered for boys. She grew up in a home where she was taught that women get married and stay home to cook and clean while their husbands work. Another issue illustrated in Everything I Never Told You is racial prejudice. You first see this issue in this novel when Marilyn Lee marries James Lee. Marilyn Lee is a white woman, and James Lee is an Asian American man and during this time period, 1958, their marriage was illegal in half of the country. Marilyn’s mother was opposed to them getting married, saying, “You’ll change your mind. You’ll regret it later.” After their wedding, Marilyn never spoke to her mother again. James Lee describes the challenges of his childhood while being the only kid of Asian descent at his school. James and Marilyn have three children, and readers learn about the discrimination they face. Finally, readers somewhat understand what it may feel like to lose a loved one. Marilyn and James lose their daughter, Lydia, which sparks many feelings and emotions. These subjects, along with others, allow readers to view life through a different lens to broaden their perspectives on life.
I give Everything I Never Told You a five out of five-star rating. I was hooked from the first page and wanted to keep finding out what would happen next. I felt connected to the characters as if I knew everything about them. Reading this book broadened my outlook on life and was a great example of why you need to be accepting and kind to everyone.
Everything I Never Told You grabs the reader’s attention right from the start. “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.” These first two sentences cause the reader to ask many questions. Who is Lydia? How did she die? Who is “they”? Why don’t “they” know yet? The reader is now hooked to the novel to find answers to their many questions. Celeste Ng expresses the characters in such a detailed way that you feel you personally know them. Throughout the novel, the story switches between past and present to further understand who each character is and how they play a role in the final outcome. This novel touches on subjects that not everyone personally experiences, so you learn something from someone else’s perspective as you read. For example, the mother, Marilyn Lee, in this novel grew up in a time when women did not have the same opportunities as men. She shocked men as she was the top student in her science classes throughout high school. Marilyn was denied to take a specific class because it was only offered for boys. She grew up in a home where she was taught that women get married and stay home to cook and clean while their husbands work. Another issue illustrated in Everything I Never Told You is racial prejudice. You first see this issue in this novel when Marilyn Lee marries James Lee. Marilyn Lee is a white woman, and James Lee is an Asian American man and during this time period, 1958, their marriage was illegal in half of the country. Marilyn’s mother was opposed to them getting married, saying, “You’ll change your mind. You’ll regret it later.” After their wedding, Marilyn never spoke to her mother again. James Lee describes the challenges of his childhood while being the only kid of Asian descent at his school. James and Marilyn have three children, and readers learn about the discrimination they face. Finally, readers somewhat understand what it may feel like to lose a loved one. Marilyn and James lose their daughter, Lydia, which sparks many feelings and emotions. These subjects, along with others, allow readers to view life through a different lens to broaden their perspectives on life.
I give Everything I Never Told You a five out of five-star rating. I was hooked from the first page and wanted to keep finding out what would happen next. I felt connected to the characters as if I knew everything about them. Reading this book broadened my outlook on life and was a great example of why you need to be accepting and kind to everyone.
August 16, 2022
very beautiful. flow is perfect and celeste doesnt impose the story on u. u either love it or u r left in awe of her writing style.
May 3, 2024
Beautifully written and heart wrenching
January 23, 2024
loved the tie to issues seen in society today even though the book takes place in the 1970s.
May 30, 2021
And then there are books that will make you want to set up little fires everywhere.
Books that will make you want to burn things that no longer serve you.
Books that will give you the fuel to to begin again
To begin again and define your own path - To be brave and bold about who you are choosing to be.
Phenomenal read!!!
“Sometimes you need to scorch everything to the ground, and start over. After the burning,
the soil is richer, and new things can grow.”
Books that will make you want to burn things that no longer serve you.
Books that will give you the fuel to to begin again
To begin again and define your own path - To be brave and bold about who you are choosing to be.
Phenomenal read!!!
“Sometimes you need to scorch everything to the ground, and start over. After the burning,
the soil is richer, and new things can grow.”
November 29, 2021
I sat down and read 'Everything I Never Told You' in one sitting. An exceptionally well written novel about family ties and how our attitudes/ behavior affect each other. Highly recommend for single- sitting read. Its just 296~pages so very doable. Superb read!
September 12, 2022
DON’T BOTHER! Everything I never told you. It should be titled… I’ll never get back the time I wasted reading this book. Easily forgettable characters. I finished it and I was annoyed that I wasted my time reading it.
January 21, 2020
Read everything I never told you. The story was ok and kept me wanting to read. Good example of how families never know everything that's going on!
Read
August 30, 2021Wonderful read
May 9, 2024
The Novel Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng is a story about a 1970’s American Family. Although Ng has managed to make what may seem like a suffer level run of mill story complex and intricate novel about family dynamics, grief, and secrecy. The first three words of the novel “Lydia is dead ''. Sets the tone for the novel and how the family Lydia left behind attempts to find their missing daughter and copes with her death.
The intricacy of the novel deepens simply through the function of how Ng built the novel. The novel is written around the characters' lives finding out Lydia is missing the dead. The mysterious aspect of the novel is highlighted through this journey of finding out what has truly happened to Lydia, but also what every single family member's relationship is like with Lydia. Forcing the reader to recognize the harsh truths many families may hide from their neighbors. It takes courage to be vulnerable and open to one's family considering all positions, a mother, a father, and a sibling. Not only does Ng encourage the reader to realize this.
While learning more and more about the characters and Lydia’s mysterious whereabouts Ng also builds the actual text through flashbacks and present day moments. For example, flashing back to when the family's parents James and Marylin had met . Proving these moments in the novel builds a better illustration of the family's dynamic. What James and Marylin provide for each other is not only a loving relationship but a sense of belonging they were unable to find elsewhere.
As Ng weaves through time and the family's interpersonal relationships the reader comes to realize that this seemingly close family truly harbors secrets from the outside world but also each other. Yet the reader is also able to recognize how much love and sacrifice every single family member offers and gives each other. I loved this novel because Ng was also able to create a novel that addresses the complexities of race, racism, interracial relationships, and sexism. Making the world of this fiction novel seem much more real and impactful.
The intricacy of the novel deepens simply through the function of how Ng built the novel. The novel is written around the characters' lives finding out Lydia is missing the dead. The mysterious aspect of the novel is highlighted through this journey of finding out what has truly happened to Lydia, but also what every single family member's relationship is like with Lydia. Forcing the reader to recognize the harsh truths many families may hide from their neighbors. It takes courage to be vulnerable and open to one's family considering all positions, a mother, a father, and a sibling. Not only does Ng encourage the reader to realize this.
While learning more and more about the characters and Lydia’s mysterious whereabouts Ng also builds the actual text through flashbacks and present day moments. For example, flashing back to when the family's parents James and Marylin had met . Proving these moments in the novel builds a better illustration of the family's dynamic. What James and Marylin provide for each other is not only a loving relationship but a sense of belonging they were unable to find elsewhere.
As Ng weaves through time and the family's interpersonal relationships the reader comes to realize that this seemingly close family truly harbors secrets from the outside world but also each other. Yet the reader is also able to recognize how much love and sacrifice every single family member offers and gives each other. I loved this novel because Ng was also able to create a novel that addresses the complexities of race, racism, interracial relationships, and sexism. Making the world of this fiction novel seem much more real and impactful.
September 14, 2021
The book was great, the way the author had written certain parts made it so much better. I did get alittle confused when they were going back and forth between the aftermath of Lydia’s death and then before.
The ending however was not what i expected, i did
think the shock would be until the end like most books but the shock happened a couple pages before when Jack confessed to Lydia about his feelings for her brother. And when she was in the process of ‘killing herself’
The ending however was not what i expected, i did
think the shock would be until the end like most books but the shock happened a couple pages before when Jack confessed to Lydia about his feelings for her brother. And when she was in the process of ‘killing herself’
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2022
I loved how the writer shed light on what goes inside the children's minds.
for me, it felt like so many pages were just repetitive of the same information.
other than that it kind of an eye opener on what affects our children and how parents actions have a huge impact on their children's lives that would lead to many mental issues that would sadly sometimes end in suicide or just wrong decisions.
for me, it felt like so many pages were just repetitive of the same information.
other than that it kind of an eye opener on what affects our children and how parents actions have a huge impact on their children's lives that would lead to many mental issues that would sadly sometimes end in suicide or just wrong decisions.
May 22, 2024
I started reading little fires everywhere, the book could not be renewed and I found I didn't care enough to get it out again to finish it.
Got through everything I never told you and let me tell you I was just as indifferent about it.
I feel like I need more plot and less unnecessary observations and interludes and if that's you too then maybe give these a pass.
Just meh and then more meh if I could sum both books up in a word
Got through everything I never told you and let me tell you I was just as indifferent about it.
I feel like I need more plot and less unnecessary observations and interludes and if that's you too then maybe give these a pass.
Just meh and then more meh if I could sum both books up in a word
March 15, 2025
Extraordinarily well written book. As good as “little fires everywhere. There’s remarkable attention to character development iThe interactions between the characters and the family dynamics are very realistic. I wish I could’ve given this more than five stars. Ng has a very light touch when describing race latent r
As is racism, & unhealthy relationships She’ enlightens without hammering her messages.
As is racism, & unhealthy relationships She’ enlightens without hammering her messages.
March 9, 2021
Little Fires Everywhere started slowly but all of a sudden all the characters were having secrets revealed and then I was hooked. I want a second one. I have so many questions!!!! Does Mrs. Robinson ever find out about Lexie? Does Izzie learn to get along with the rest of the family? Where did they end up? Does Pearl ever meet Mr. Ryan??
October 8, 2022
A wonderful and intense work detailing how little we know about each other. Do we ever truly know those we love? There is tragedy in this book and it takes a while to put the pieces together but as in life no one ever knows the intensity of another’s psyche. At least that’s what I got out of this book!
January 10, 2023
Revealing and Gripping: Ng deftly moves between time in this heartfelt and expertly crafted debut novel offering the reader a poignant portrayal of the injurious nature of imposing expectations on another and discrimination based on race. Indeed, we’re all different and can damage others in ways never imagined. I read Little Fires Everywhere a while ago. Wish I’d read Ng’s first novel sooner!
April 1, 2024
Everything I Never Told You / Celeste Ng. Such an outstanding novel, such a painfully intense novel. I appreciate a fine story about household life, domestic relationships and Ng’s is certainly all of that, plus the distinction of being about a Chinese-American / European-American family makes it exceptional. Well, the writing is really what is exceptional.
June 23, 2025
As a parent, this was the most thought provoking book I’ve read. It was sad to feel the way Lydia, Nath and Hannah felt and I wouldn’t want that for my children. The story was well written, I felt Lydia’s desperation to please her parents while the real child faded away. I feel any parent should read this book.
November 16, 2022
Everything I Never Told You was a quick 2 day read. It kept me engaged throughout, but i confess I found the ending disappointing. To be fair, it was a perfectly appropriate ending, i was just left wanting more closure.
Will move on to Fires now, my third Celeste Ng book.
Will move on to Fires now, my third Celeste Ng book.
April 3, 2023
I read "Everything I Never Told You". It was a well written story. It was just heartbreaking on every level. From the racism against Chinese Americans to the lost dreams of Marilyn to all the unsaid things between family members.
November 26, 2023
Wow!! Enjoyed every word. Such magical description of each character’s path, choices, and personalities were woven together as a painting whose colors blend and change. Such a wonderful escape that drew me in to the end. Thank you to Celeste Ng for sharing her talent of words.
December 25, 2023
For being one of the shortest books I read this year it took me the longest. It was good but also a little lack luster. I started the show and only watch an episode or two bc I liked it so much I thought I would enjoy the book more but it just fell a little flat for me.
October 15, 2024
Ng's work is timeless and beautiful. A wonderful representation of the American family and how generational trauma affects the entire household. Gorgeous storytelling, wonderful writing. Truly, one of my favorite authors.
January 7, 2025
This book really dragged and felt a little all over the place. The general concept was interesting which made me want to keep reading but I felt like I wanted to know more about the characters individually which I didn’t get.
April 20, 2025
This book was one I wanted to continue reading, but it was...rather predictable. It was a fair read, but there were just things I wanted to know how they would turn out, but it wasn't like I was glued to the pages (like I want to be when reading fiction).
July 1, 2025
This book made me very uncomfortable from start to finish. It made me rethink the pressures from my own life, mistakes, missed opportunities, etc. that I place on my kiddos. It ended quite like Lydia’s life - unexpectedly.
December 22, 2025
New Years’s resolution: I will not finish books in which none of the characters are admirable. I read half of this book. Do any members of this family learn to care about anyone but themselves? I stopped caring about them.
May 27, 2020
Both of these books are such great reads!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews