On January 19, 2000, a fire raged through the freshman dormitory at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, killing three students and injuring fifty-eight others. Among the victims were Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos, roommates from poor neighborhoods who made their families proud by getting into college. They managed to escape the fire, but both were burned terribly.
After the Fire is the story of these young men and their fight to recover from the worst injuries the Saint Barnabas Hospital burn unit had ever seen. It is the story of the extraordinary doctors and nurses who work with the burned, of the mothers and fathers, of faith and family, of the women who came to love these men, and of the invisible ties that bind us to one another.
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"Very touching, devoured it in 2.5 hours at Borders. Great strength and resilience...the men featured in the story, not me. All I endured was the uncomfortable chair. What's up with Border's and uncomfy chairs and blasting the AC when it's freezing outside? "
— Leticia (4 out of 5 stars)
“Unimaginably moving—readers will want to keep a box of tissues at hand—and deeply compassionate.”
— People“Fisher conveys a deep respect and compassion for all involved…She succeeds in making what might have been yesterday’s news into today’s inspiration.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“A riveting and intimate read. That these two men survived is almost a miracle. That Fisher was there to document it is our good fortune.”
— Minneapolis Star Tribune“Keep some Kleenex handy.”
— Rocky Mountain News" ...........................................................!!!!! "
— hi, 10/26/2017" It has the virtues of journalism (seems to be basically factual and complete). It tries to have heart but in my view doesn't quite get there. "
— Marty, 5/27/2011" I cried several times while reading this one, but it was worth it. It's not often you read a story like this. "
— Karrie, 11/4/2010" I really enjoyed this book! I probably shouldn't of read it - since I have a fear of fire - but it was great anyway! "
— Eve, 9/13/2010" This is a sad story but I'm glad that the guys turned out okay. The guys that started the fire should of got more time in jail..they did kill 3 people with this prank "
— Kristen, 8/16/2010" This was a very moving story of survival, friendship and forgiveness. "
— Amy, 8/4/2010" Thought inspiring, true friendship, and the will to live! "
— Joan, 7/15/2010" Interesting book... about 2 boys who get caught in a fire and badly burned... how they fight the battle and how they come through it.... it is devastating to get badly burned on your body and i cant imagine what they went through.. "
— Anna, 6/23/2010" Very powerful, true story of the fire at Seton Hall Univerrsity ficusing on the struggle to survive and the resulting friendship. "
— Mary, 6/12/2010" An inspirational story about 2 friends and their bond through on tragic event. Best book I've read in a long time. I highly recommend this book. "
— Maureen, 3/10/2010" An incredible story in all of its facets. This is why I am a nurse! Read this book! "
— Joshua, 3/1/2010Robin Gaby Fisher is the New York Times bestselling author of several nonfiction books and a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Feature Writing.
Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Overstory, and Bewilderment was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.