The Fire-eaters - Hardcover

Almond, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0340883499 ISBN 13: 9780340883495

Publisher: Hodder Murray, 2005

Synopsis

Hodder Literature: a new and exciting series of literature titles for Key Stage 3 for whole class use. It's 1962 and Bobby Burns is bracing himself for the beginning of term. Not only is he starting at the cheerless grammar school but his dad is mysteriously ill and the Cuban Missile Crisis threatens to trigger off nuclear war - things are changing in his sleepy Keely Bay. But then he's got his friends to help him, all fearless in their own ways: his old friends, tough guy Joseph Connor and the wonder-working Ailsa Spink; and his new ones, Bohemian Daniel Gower and the fire-eating street performer McNulty. With thoughts of power, pain, death, war and friendship swimming around in his head, Bobby must come to terms with both injustice and hope at home, school and in the world outside of Keely Bay.

About this title

Review:

Continuing his tradition of strange and wild novels for young adults, David Almond, in The Fire Eaters, introduces a bizarre character making a sparse living as a self-mutilating, fire-swallowing street performer. McNulty's existence shakes young protagonist Bobby Burns to the core as he contemplates the end of the world (the year is 1962 and the U.S. and Soviet Union seem to be heading toward nuclear war), power, pain, class, and death, as well as friendship. The menace and sweetness in Bobby's life parallels the worlds, big and small, he inhabits. A loving family, seaside home, and good friends form the foundation. But a crack in that wall is spreading: Bobby's father is ill, class differences are separating him from his best friend, and a ruthless schoolmaster is forcing Bobby to understand that everything has a price. McNulty's growled refrain--"Pay! You'll not see nowt till you pay!"--reiterates the lesson for the often bewildered, but ever stronger boy. Readers familiar with Almond's other haunting books, including the award-winning Skellig, will welcome this rich, challenging novel. As always, Almond refuses to shy away from the big topics, resulting in a novel dappled with light and dark, filled with wonder and mystery. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter

From the Inside Flap:

Bobby Burns knows he?s a lucky lad. Growing up in sleepy Keely Bay, Bobby is exposed to all manner of wondrous things: stars reflecting off the icy sea, a friend that can heal injured fawns with her dreams, a man who can eat fire. But darkness seems to be approaching Bobby?s life from all sides. Bobby?s new school is a cold, cruel place. His father is suffering from a mysterious illness that threatens to tear his family apart. And the USA and USSR are testing nuclear missiles and creeping closer and closer to a world-engulfing war.

Together with his wonder-working friend, Ailsa Spink, and the fire-eating illusionist McNulty, Bobby will learn to believe in miracles that will save the people and place he loves.
From the Hardcover edition.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hodder Murray
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0340883499
• ISBN 13: 9780340883495
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 192