Fires

by Marguerite Yourcenar

Fires consists of nine monologues and narratives based on classical Greek stories. Antigone, Clytemnestra, Phaedo, Sappho are all mythical figures whose stories are mingled with contemporary themes. Interspersed are highly personal narratives, reflecting on a time of profound inner crisis in the author's life.

More by Marguerite Yourcenar

Mémoires d'HadrienMarguerite Yourcenar
AlexisMarguerite Yourcenar
The dark brain of Piranesi and other essaysMarguerite Yourcenar
Coup de grâceMarguerite Yourcenar
FeuxMarguerite Yourcenar
Dear DepartedMarguerite Yourcenar
A blue tale and other storiesMarguerite Yourcenar
Oriental tales.Marguerite Yourcenar
That mighty sculptor, timeMarguerite Yourcenar
How Many YearsMarguerite Yourcenar
Dreams and DestiniesMarguerite Yourcenar

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?