Fire Exit: A Novel BY Morgan Talty

Fire Exit is a compelling debut novel by Morgan Talty, acclaimed for its rich exploration of family, legacy, and the complexities of cultural inheritance. Set against the backdrop of Maine’s Penobscot Reservation, the story centers on Charles Lamosway, a man haunted by the life he could have lived. From the porch of his home, Charles has spent years watching his neighbor Elizabeth grow up, knowing a secret that ties him to her in ways she doesn’t know—Elizabeth is his daughter.

As the novel unfolds, Charles finds himself increasingly troubled by the secret he has kept for so long. Weeks have passed since he last saw Elizabeth, and his concern for her safety drives him to reflect on his past. His present is filled with responsibilities: caring for his aging mother, Louise, who is slipping into dementia; looking after his home and property; and supporting his alcoholic but kind-hearted friend Bobby. Yet, it is his unresolved past that weighs heaviest on him—the lost childhood on the reservation, a love affair that ended in heartbreak, and the death of his beloved stepfather, Fredrick.

As Charles grapples with whether to reveal the truth to Elizabeth, he faces profound questions about identity, belonging, and the ties that bind us. Will sharing his secret bring Elizabeth closer to her roots, or will it shatter the life she knows? Fire Exit is a poignant exploration of what it means to belong and what we owe to the people we love, marked by Talty’s evocative storytelling and deep emotional resonance.