I picked up this book to fill a rainy day. It quickly drew me into the story and I couldn't put it down. The story line included Roman emperors, vestal virgins and a young moralistic officer on the rise. Each individual tested their own beliefs against the corruption of the Roman system. Who will win out? It held me until the end. Even more fascinating was when I discovered that some of the events and rituals that I thought were created for the story line were actually historical fact. The sexual rituals, the dinner parties, the punishments meted out are all true which made me appreciate the novel even more.

The Diviners and The Stone Angel are both better books from this prolific writer, but if I could, I'd give it 4 1/2, as it is better than most of the books rated at four stars.

Laurence has created an emotionally compelling story and a memorable protagonist, Stacey MacAindra.

This book is the third in a collection of five that take place in Laurence's fictional prairie city, "Manawaka". It was written in 1969, but it doesn't seem at all dated. Stacey is a mother of four and a wife and it feels as if she could be the woman who lives down the street that you've been meaning to get to know better. She is ordinary, yet unique in her own right and made fascinating by Laurence's observations and revelations.

The book examines Stacey when she having an identity crisis, and she reviews her life and her choices with the insight and wisdom only hindsight and true reflection can bring. It is an intelligent book that leaves the reader with a new sense of strength because we've shared and learned in Stacey's journey through the lessons her life has taught her.

Laurence recognizes the plight of married women, raising children and seeking passion. cleverly, the author weaves the story of Stacey as she tries desperately to communicate with her withdrawn husband. Relying on self-talk, and stumbling into an affair, she finally comes to realize that the ordinary life is filled with possibilities.

I read this book for an independent study, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Margaret Laurence always does an incredible job of creating characters that are very real, and that teach her readers to be empathetic toward other human beings. Stacey MacAindra is no exception. She is an accurate portrayal of an ordinary Canadian woman, wife and mother. Her story draws attention to many of the inner conflicts and challenges that ordinary people face every day that we often ignore or don't notice. The Fire-Dwellers is a very real story, and Margaret Laurence is right on in her description of the emotions and thoughts of Stacey and everyone in Canada who is like Stacey.

I loved this book and read every word but I gave it a 3 because I was confused with some of the other person accounts. The Other Self. I am very well aware that the author was probably a multiple personality but i found the other confusing at times. this is the only book I have read by Frazer and am not sure I will seek out another. I felt sorry for Danny who deserved better. But then I don't think I was sexually abused as a child so how can I condemn one who was? I have a friend who was sexually abused by an older brother when she was around age 12 or 14 and she HATES him, even now and she is past 70. She says, where was my Mother when this was going on??? I ask, Why did you allow it to happen? Why did you not tell what was going on???

The topic of incest might be enough to drive away many potential readers of Sylvia Fraser's book, but there is so much more to be discovered if the reader takes a chance. I find Ms. Fraser to be fearless in opening herself onto the pages, exposing the good and the bad within herself, her family, and society. The events of her life, her journey through marriage, the rediscovery of her self and the integration of all her memories was at once joyful, inspiring, sad, tragic, and true. The detailed imagery took me back to the 1950s, a decade before I was born, to experience it as if I had lived through those years with her. I can truly say this is one of the better written books I've had to pleasure to read and my admiration of it's technical construction and voice has inspired a wish that I might someday write that well. I reread this book at least once a year and I've looked long and hard for other books by Sylvia Fraser, as I know she's written one titled Pandora's Box, but, alas, have not found them in print anywhere. Since I know the author is from Canada, I'm hoping someone will comment here and let me know where I might get copies. Sylvia, if you're reading this, hope you are well, living life to the fullest, have a few cats in your life, and are still writing more novels for me to discover.