Incendiary
Incendiary
Book Brief
272
Novel • Fiction
London • Early 2000s
2005
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Incendiary by Chris Cleave is a novel written as a letter from a grieving mother to Osama bin Laden after she loses her husband and son in a terrorist bombing at a football stadium in London. Through her harrowing journey of guilt, trauma, and longing for love, she navigates the aftermath of the attack and the societal chaos it spawns, ultimately striving for healing and independence. The book addresses themes of terrorism, loss, xenophobia, and complex trauma.
Emotional
Dark
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
14,513 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Chris Cleave’s Incendiary has impressed critics with its raw, emotive voice and gripping narrative, centered on a mother’s grief after a terrorist attack. The novel’s dark humor and biting social commentary have been praised. However, some reviewers found the plot's plausibility and character development lacking. Overall, Incendiary is a striking, if sometimes uneven, exploration of loss and resilience.
Who Should Read Incendiary?
A reader who would enjoy Incendiary by Chris Cleave appreciates emotionally gripping narratives and psychological depth. Fans of Ian McEwan's Atonement or Lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk About Kevin will find similar intense storytelling and exploration of personal trauma in complex, real-world settings.
14,513 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Incendiary by Chris Cleave was published in Britain on the same day as the London bombings of July 7, 2005, an unplanned but poignant coincidence given the novel's themes.
The novel is written in the form of a letter from the protagonist to Osama bin Laden, offering a unique narrative style that sets it apart from traditional storytelling.
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Chris Cleave's debut novel, Incendiary won the Somerset Maugham Award in 2006, an accolade that acknowledges writers under 35 and encourages them to broaden their horizons through travel and study.
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272
Novel • Fiction
London • Early 2000s
2005
Adult
18+ years
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