Nothing to See Here

Nothing to See Here is a 2019 novel by New York Times best-selling author and short story writer Kevin Wilson. The novel, which is set in Tennessee, includes a dedication to fellow Tennessean writer Ann Patchett. This is not Wilson’s first work about unusual characters and their families. He achieved success with his first novel, The Family Fang, and another called Perfect Little World. In these works, Wilson developed the prototype for the unique brand of comedy he employs in Nothing to See Here. The novel was named a best book of the year by numerous prestigious publications, including The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, and TIME. Wilson is an associate professor in the English department at Sewanee: The University of the South. He resides in Tennessee with his wife, who is a poet, and their two sons.

This study guide refers to the digital eBook version of Nothing to See Here published in 2019 by Ecco Press, an imprint of HarperCollins.

Plot Summary

The novel’s narrator, Lillian, is a scholarship student at an elite preparatory school in the mountains of Tennessee. However, she is forced to leave the school after she takes the fall for her wealthy friend Madison, who was caught with illegal drugs. These events do not diminish their bond, and they continue corresponding through letters for more than a decade. Their paths diverge after Lillian leaves the school, and she slumps into a life of monotony working dead-end jobs while living in her mother’s attic.

One day a letter arrives from Madison, who has married a United States senator; it invites Lillian to visit with the promise of an intriguing job offer. Without hesitation, Lillian accepts and travels to a sprawling mansion near Nashville. She learns that Madison’s husband, Jasper, is to be vetted for secretary of state, and everything must be perfect for his success. The problem is that the family harbors a secret: Jasper’s twin children from a previous marriage, Bessie and Roland, have an unusual condition—they catch on fire from time to time. The recent death of their mother means that they need a new caretaker, and Lillian agrees to be a governess for the children. Lillian is undeterred by the twins’ condition and, on the contrary, is excited to meet them. She has unlimited financial resources at her disposal, and her only job for the summer is to take care of the children and make sure they do not do anything to jeopardize Jasper’s career.

Lillian initially imagines a summer of drinking and lounging around with Madison, but she soon finds herself the sole support system for children whose overwhelming emotions cause them to combust. Over time, Lillian teaches the children how to manage their emotions, and by extension their fires, through breathing exercises. With the help of fireproof Nomex suits and flame retardant stunt gel, Bessie and Roland make small expeditions into a world their mother and grandparents have kept them locked away from. It is an empowering journey for them, as well as for Lillian.

When the current secretary of state dies unexpectedly, the vetting process is accelerated and as a result is much less thorough than is customary. This results in Jasper’s swift confirmation. After the announcement of his confirmation, Jasper, Madison, and their son Timothy are filmed at a press conference on the steps of the Capitol. An overstimulated Timothy bursts into flames in full view of the camera. The couple use their wealth and influence to spin the story and escape any close scrutiny, but Jasper puts plans in place to hide this child as well. Madison is firmly against that protocol for her own son. When they return to Tennessee, there is a confrontation with Lillian and Jasper that results in her injury. The twins, who have developed the ability to ignite at will, partially torch Jasper’s family mansion and escape with Lillian back to her mother’s home. After some negotiation, Madison arranges for Lillian to have legal guardianship of Bessie and Roland, along with Jasper’s financial support.