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Books for Children and Young Adults
| Kirsty Murray, Bridie's Fire, Children of the Wind Quartet, Volume 1, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 2003. pp. 264. $14.50 paper.
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| Bridie's Fire is the first instalment in Kirsty Murray's 'Children of the Wind' series of historical novels. Bridie's Fire takes the reader back to Ireland and Australia of the 1840s and 1850s, where historical events provide the backdrop for an inspiring story. |
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In the opening chapters, we meet our heroine, Bridie O'Connor, her family, her friends, and her life in Dunquin, Ireland. However, just as the reader is getting to know the characters and their farming lifestyle, the first of a series of life-changing events strikes in the form of the potato famine. The 'Great Hunger' caused havoc and tragedy in Bridie's world and across the beautiful — but largely British-dominated — Irish countryside. With a crop too meagre to sustain the family, the O'Connors struggle on. Then a second tragedy strikes when they lose their father, who turns smuggler and is drowned in his desperation to supply at least a bite to eat for the family. As the battle to stay alive intensifies, Bridie and her remaining family leave their home town, their destination Dublin, where it is rumoured that they may have more chance of obtaining rations. Along the way, weak and starving, the mother suffers a miscarriage, then the death of her youngest, still a baby. The family is reduced to two, as the children are urged by their mother to continue on without her. With her brother Brandon, Bridie becomes a servant in a harsh Irish workhouse, but at least she now has food and shelter. It is here that the opportunity arises for Bridie to migrate to Australia. She leaves reluctantly, and sets off to new and equally trying times in the Great South Land. The dream to be reunited with her brother, on their own farm and in their own house, sustains Bridie through the separation and in many of the future hardships she endures. She makes friends with Caitlin, who is also selected for emigration to Australia. |
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Still more problems arise for Bridie, with the plot taking many unexpected twists and turns. Bridie draws strength from her prayers and her Catholic traditions, she learns to sew and develops her gift for storytelling. This girl is a survivor. It is a long journey with a group of other orphan girls, some determined and optimistic, others bold and defiant, some already worldly. Once landed in the colony, they are indentured to households and businesses. Some fall into prostitution; another, assaulted by her master, drowns herself. Bridie begins a new life working for the (Protestant) DeQuincey family, and Caitlin works in a draper's shop. The well-to-do household is hard work for the servants. It also has a dark and violent side, especially for the women. Bridie eventually makes a desperate escape and joins the rush to the goldfields, encountering good people and bad along the way. |
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One aspect of the book that I greatly admire is the plot, which is anything but predictable. It is full of tension and surprise, compelling the reader onwards. One of the factors contributing to this characteristic of Murray's writing is the daunting theme of death. Murray's realistic portrayal of life and death amongst the nineteenth- century poor intrigued me because the struggle for life is not often portrayed so starkly in young adult fiction. With the supernatural escapism of J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' series all the rage at present, historical 'faction' of this type helps to keep a kid anchored to reality. |
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I was disappointed by the fact that the book's grim atmosphere was sometimes hard-going, but the story eventually reached a point of very high interest for me. My favourite events in the book would have to be those in chapter 35 (the second last of the book), 'The Living and the Dead'. It prepares the reader for the closing of the story — hinting at what may lie ahead, but not giving too much away, especially regarding the future of the show and Bridie's relationship with Tom:
A group of boys followed Bridie down the road, calling out questions. 'Are you in the show, miss?' called one boy. 'I betcha she's the Princess,' said another, elbowing his friend. 'She's Tom Whiteley's girl.'
I enjoyed the fact that so many events were taking place so near the end and yet were still tied together so neatly. |
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Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Bridie and would recommend it to anyone over the age of 12 (as some themes are quite advanced). The book's accurate historical detail provides a fascinating insight to the lifestyle, events, culture and people of Ireland and Australia of the 1840s and 1850s. The author has researched her topic very well, making Bridie, her family and friends come to life as historical characters in an interesting and original way. The book also reminds us of the Irish potato famine and its human consequences. I would rate this book as an eight out of ten; I could not put it down, and am looking forward to reading the next book in the 'Children of the Wind' series. |
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| Lane Cove, Sydney |
JULIA SHIELDS | |
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