A Fire Story

A Fire Story chronicles author Brian Fies's experience during the 2017 California wildfires that destroyed his Santa Rosa home. The graphic memoir captures the immediate impact and aftermath through a combination of black-and-white illustrations and color photographs. Fies documents the practical realities of evacuation, displacement, and rebuilding after catastrophic loss. The narrative incorporates other survivors' accounts alongside his own, creating a broader portrait of a community in crisis. Beyond the physical destruction, the book explores themes of memory, resilience, and the redefinition of "home." Through stark visual storytelling and direct prose, Fies transforms a personal disaster narrative into a meditation on what remains when material possessions are reduced to ash.

Readers connect with the raw, immediate emotions captured in Fies' graphic memoir of losing his home in the 2017 California wildfires. Many note how the simple artwork amplifies the impact of the story. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of what to grab in an evacuation - Inclusion of other survivors' perspectives - Detailed portrayal of post-disaster bureaucracy - Balance of personal story with broader context What readers disliked: - Abrupt transitions between art styles - Some found the ending rushed - Wanted more depth about recovery process "The sketchy style perfectly captures the chaos of that night" - Goodreads reviewer "Helpful guide for disaster preparedness without being preachy" - Amazon review Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (130+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.2/5 (50+ ratings)

Blankets by Craig Thompson A graphic memoir chronicles the author's experiences with first love, faith, and family in rural Wisconsin through stark black and white illustrations.

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? by Roz Chast A cartoonist documents her aging parents' final years through mixed media panels that combine drawings, photographs, and text.

Displacement by Lucy Knisley A graphic travelogue follows the creator's journey as caretaker for her elderly grandparents on a cruise, exploring themes of mortality and family responsibility.

You'll Never Know by C. Tyler A three-volume graphic memoir explores the effects of PTSD on the author's father and family in the aftermath of World War II.

The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui A debut graphic memoir illustrates one family's journey from war-torn Vietnam to America through detailed panels and personal narrative.

🔥 Brian Fies created the original webcomic version of "A Fire Story" in just two days after losing his home in the 2017 Tubbs Fire in Northern California. 🏠 The book combines traditional comic art with photographs, providing a unique before-and-after documentation of the author's destroyed home and belongings. 📚 This graphic memoir received an Eisner Award nomination and inspired an Emmy Award-winning animated adaptation produced by PBS station KQED. 🎨 Fies drew the entire book using borrowed art supplies, as all of his original drawing materials were destroyed in the fire. 💫 The expanded version includes stories from other fire survivors, offering multiple perspectives on what became California's most destructive wildfire at the time, causing over $8 billion in damages and destroying 5,643 structures.