The title refers to the sound that fire makes promising not only warmth and light but also violence and destruction. Browns greatest hero is Frank OConnor and like OConnors his stories uncover the final bleakness of a national life but in the same moment glow with its promise of love and life and belonging. This highly entertaining collection of stories has the scenic intensity and quality of Tennessee Williams's one-act plays. Meet a varied cast of characters in strange settings and enjoy their provocative and witty company.Josip Novakovich author of April Fools Day: A Novel