The Fireman's Fair

by Josephine Humphreys

In the aftermath of the storm of the century, Rob Wyatt, a thirty-two-year-old Charleston bachelor, finds himself assessing his life as well as his property damage. Life changes culminate at the annual Volunteer Fire Department Fair, as Rob's past and future collide in what could either be catastrophe or salvation.

Genres: Fiction, Southern, Contemporary, Novels

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Josephine Humphreys is an American novelist. She won the 1984 Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for Dreams of Sleep and has been the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Lyndhurst Prize, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature. Nowhere Else on Earth won the Southern Book Award in 2001

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fireman's Fair is kind of a coming of age story for adults. At least it deals with adults. In the wake of a hurricane, a small community of friends and family reassess their lives. Parents downsize their living conditions. A grown son quits his lucrative job with no future plans in mind. A crush from High School that has lasted into adulthood is finally resolved. A brother returns home. A new girl enters the scene and touches, in positive ways, those in her orbit. Racial tensions between friends are acknowledged. New, healthier, deeper friendships can grow. Children finally begin to understand their parents' marriage.
I thought the relationships were/could be true to life. If we are attentive, as adults, we can continue to learn and grow and understand our world of family and friends in deeper and more productive ways., finally leaving behind adolescence.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This took me back!

Having experienced Hurricane Hugo first hand, I was excited to read that this story begins with the approach of that storm. The aftermath was described so accurately, I had to often remind myself that I was reading fiction. This story was very real, the characters even more so. A wonderful Charleston Tale, blended beautifully with love, heartache and regret. I hate that it's over!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice story, but it left me asking “Why?” The main character’s decisions were just all over the place. He seemed completely neurotic. And Louise? Don’t even get me started. Homegirl married for money and then got whiney about it. Yeah, not the biggest fan of this one, but three stars because the non-dialogue portions and portions not spent describing women were good.

[Agatha Donkar Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharp, sad, hopeful portrait of a man who mopes around and screws up his life because he can't have what he wants, until he figures out that it's not at all what wants. Excellent writing, lovely portrait of Charleston, SC, good lightweight beach read.

[Kim Whitley-Gaynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite fiction books. Great writing. Wonderful little quotable nuggets that you will re-read again and again … and savor. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because it's been years since I've read it and I don't remember the story. Need to re-read.

[Laura McGregor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't recall much about this, but if Josephine Humphries wrote it, it must be good!

[Trish Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a perfect little book, my first Josephine Humphries novel. Her writing is lovely, understated, and simply feels like Charleston in so many ways. I remember the devastation Hurricane Hugo caused all along the eastern coast in 1989, but Northern Virginia, where I lived, didn’t experience anything as serious as what we read about here. So the novel is about starting again, in many more ways than simply rebuilding homes and businesses.

In the aftermath of the storm, Rob Wyatt, a 32-year-old bachelor in love with the wrong woman, recovers and discovers much, despite himself. And we’re with him through it all. We’re with him when he makes some terrible mistakes and when he survives his poor judgment. We know his heart when he tries to step in the right direction. I found myself more and more caught up in his affairs, and I sincerely hoped particular relationships would flourish. I won’t spoil anything here by telling you more. But I do recommend this story and look forward to reading more by Humphries. Hers is a beautiful talent.

[Anne Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much every decision the hero makes is the opposite of what I would have done, so I spent the entire book cringing. And it was beautifully written.

Recommended by the booksellers at Buxton Books in Charleston.

[Tim Nason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding true love in an unexpected place (or person, I should say). Realistic family dynamics with an airbrushed quality in a beachfront setting that never seems authentic. The plot reminds me of Anne Tyler’s “Accidental Tourist.”

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, an enjoyable novel of relationships set in Charleston in the wake of the hurricane. (Clearly, it doesn't take too much probing to uncover the symbolic properties of the hurricane!) The characters are sympathetic and believable for the most part: Rob is an understandable force of middle-aged insecurity, and it is hard for the reader not to fall in love with Billie. The actions of the characters, however, often seem stiff, staged and even melodramatic. (For example, Maude's comment to Jack--"'...if your father and I don't go on in to supper, they'll be calling us to see if we've fallen and broken our hips. But we won't fall [in our marriage], will we , Jack?' 'No, we won't fall.'" The scenes of Charleston evoked quite a bit of nostalgia for me, but the seemingly forced sentimentality in some dialog made me cringe.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at a local book fair. I'd forgotten how much I like reading Josephine Humphreys. She can capture my beloved lowcountry and color it with rich and authentic characters. She got the essence of the storm spot on, too.

FROM THE PUBLISHER
In the aftermath of the storm of the century, Rob Wyatt, a thirty—two—year—old Charleston bachelor, finds himself assessing his life as well as his property damage. Life changes culminate at the annual Volunteer Fire Department Fair, as Rob's past and future collide in what could either be catastrophe or salvation.

"Like summer heat lightning, her style is subdued and swiftly illuminating." —Time

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently re-read this. The author is from Charleston and describes the area in such a way that you feel like you are there--and in a way that presents an almost intimate backdrop for the lives of the characters. Basically a story about a man having an (early) mid-life crisis while those around him are dealing with their own life crisis--how he deals with his own life and that of others, and how the characters are intertwined is always a draw for me, and Humphreys does it so well.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fireman's Fair
Rob Wyatt is redoing his life, moved and taking things slower and realizing just what is important in his life.
Ex lawyer and Hurricane Hugo has gone through Charleston, moves to the beach bungalow.
Family and girlfriend relationships and out of work but trying to keep it all together as he helps others out that complicate other relationships.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the wake of Hurricane Hugo, a thirtyish young man finds himself adrift, uninterested in the law career he has chosen, and embarks on a time of self-examination, i.e., doing very little. Events lead him back into life. Good characters, well-written.

[Chas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good low country read.

[Stephanie Burt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't as good as Rich in Love and I think suffered from having a male main character as he seemed a little flat.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny story of a man puzzling the meaning of love and friendship--great lines about men and dogs

[Becky Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Southern novel takes place near Charleston, SC. Best description of being in a hurricane and the aftermath I remember reading.

[Caryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a short book, but it took too long to get to the story.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story on relinquishing ties to one's past relationship and understanding how new relationships can help with that freedom.

[Marge Prohofsky · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a really slow read for me. The main character is a bit pathetic and depressing right away, so I hope to stick with him and see if life changes...
nope...i'm done. Can't continue...

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very surprised that I couldn't really get into this book. I have liked all of the other books I have read by this author.

[Ellen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theme is dear to my heart: why don't people just say WTF they mean? I am more impatient with insecure characters than I used to be.

[Mary Baggett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully written character study. Moves rather slowly.

[Charles M.]

Story about a man who leaves law profession, seeking new love, etc. Found story line weak and confusing, but there were some enjoyable moments to all this.