but i was right the first time, about The Great Fire.  i finished it yesterday, and have to wonder mightily why this book won the National Book Award.  yes, in many places there are passages of exquisite writing, no question about that.  but...the story, the characters, and even, in the end, the writing!  disappointing, all of them. i will write more later, no time for it now.  but, in the interest of so many books, so little time, i have to say:  don't put this one on your list.  now, to cleanse my palate with a Val McDermid mystery.