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Burned
One tragic event connects four lives in this haunting story of loss, love and renewal. Burned is the winner of the National Seniors Literary Prize 2013.
Noah Daniels is an innocent young boy who treasures the telescope his father bought him and who daydreams of one day travelling through space ...
His mother Kate nurses bittersweet memories of her marriage to Richard and deeply regrets moving the family from Sydney to England ...
Malcolm Martin is still paralysed with grief twenty years after the death of his son. Home for him now is a park bench by the canal ...
And then there's Matthew Hooper - a classmate of Noah's - who has come to suspect his older brother, Tom, has a dangerous obsession with fire...
Four people, from opposites sides of the world, are about to be brought together by one horrifying event that will burn them forever.
Noah Daniels is an innocent young boy who treasures the telescope his father bought him and who daydreams of one day travelling through space ...
His mother Kate nurses bittersweet memories of her marriage to Richard and deeply regrets moving the family from Sydney to England ...
Malcolm Martin is still paralysed with grief twenty years after the death of his son. Home for him now is a park bench by the canal ...
And then there's Matthew Hooper - a classmate of Noah's - who has come to suspect his older brother, Tom, has a dangerous obsession with fire...
Four people, from opposites sides of the world, are about to be brought together by one horrifying event that will burn them forever.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2013
2 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Persephone Nicholas
1 book9 followersI'm a UK-born writer now living in Sydney. I write full-time for magazines, newspapers and corporate clients - and also write fiction.
My debut novel, Burned, was published in 2013 and was awarded the Random House/National Seniors Literary Prize. It's currently available as an ebook on Amazon and iTunes and in print in Australia and New Zealand.
My blog about books and writing is at: http://thebookorme@blogspot.com.au.
I'm currently working on my second novel.
My debut novel, Burned, was published in 2013 and was awarded the Random House/National Seniors Literary Prize. It's currently available as an ebook on Amazon and iTunes and in print in Australia and New Zealand.
My blog about books and writing is at: http://thebookorme@blogspot.com.au.
I'm currently working on my second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 30, 2013
Just finished Burned by Persephone Nicholas, great read on a rainy weekend. The story line is very different from the books I generally read.
Noah's and Kate's Journey, the surroundings and feelings are well described. It made me think about life's journey and the different situations that can change your destiny and how good friends influences can help you throughout life.
Noah's and Kate's Journey, the surroundings and feelings are well described. It made me think about life's journey and the different situations that can change your destiny and how good friends influences can help you throughout life.
August 5, 2013
Noah Daniels is an 11 year old boy who has big dreams. His father bought him a telescope and now Noah’s greatest ambition is to become an astronaut and go into space. At school Noah is a bit of a loner, he doesn’t have many friends but you don’t need friends to see the stars. He lost his father two years ago and still grieves the loss very deeply. One night when Noah is walking home alone, he witnesses something horrific.
Noah’s mother Kate reminisces about her time in Australia 12 years ago, holidaying on the northern beaches of Sydney. It’s where she met Rich, Noah’s father and her memories all revolve around their time together there and their days at the beach, swimming in the ocean and playing on the sand. She deeply regrets moving the family back to London when Rich got a job offer and despite the fact that it’s Rich that was the Australian, now that he’s gone there’s nothing to stop her from moving back there and taking Noah with her.
Matthew Poole is a year above Noah in school. The two have rarely, if ever crossed paths before. Matthew spends most of his time attempting to stay out of the way of his older brother, who looks to be getting more and more dangerous and violent. A chance sighting of his brother one night in the kitchen lets Matthew in on a terrible secret, one he didn’t wish that he knew. His only option now for self-preservation is to make sure no one else finds out what he knows.
Malcolm Martin lost his only son Bob many years ago but it’s a loss that has never left him. His life has spiralled out of control since Bob drowned – he lost his marriage and his home. He spends his days saving his pennies for the bottle of wine that will take him to oblivion, where there’s no pain and there are no memories. He’s a sitting duck for a psychopath.
Burned is the first novel from Australian author Persephone Nicholas and was the winning entry in the 2013 National Seniors Literary Prize, which is for novelists aged 50 and over. It’s described as being for fans of Jodi Picoult and Caroline Overington and delves deep into its characters, right to the core. Several of the narrators are children, the others adult and I think that this a beautiful blend.
In the present day, a homeless man is brutally set on fire simply for the thrill of watching him burn. Young Noah comes along at an opportune moment, causing the culprits to flee but possibly painting himself as a suspect in the first place. It’s an horrific thing for a young child to realise, that the pile of what looks like rags burning is in fact a real living person. The story of Malcolm was extremely brief but it was incredibly heartbreaking. Nicholas managed to capture such catastrophic grief, a soul-destroying loss that had in the end, not only contributed to Malcolm losing his wife, becoming homeless and caring little for anything except the oblivion he got through cheap bottles of red wine but in the end also managed to take his life, in a way. He was a victim in many ways, probably failed in many ways too.
The book jumps back and forward in time – Kate, Noah’s mother relives her time in Australia, her meeting Rich (Noah’s father) and becoming pregnant, etc. There are passages that describe when Noah was 9 and lost his father, who died whilst on an overseas holiday. At times this was just a little bit confusing, because I’d be engrossed in one time period and then find myself jerked out of it and into another. However, it was great to see portions of Kate’s earlier life in Australia although I think I would’ve liked more about the disintegration of her marriage to Rich. That was more skimmed over, and I think I’d also have liked Noah’s perspective on his parents together and apart. Kids are very observant!
Throughout the novel I was conflicted on whether or not to feel sorry for Matthew Poole, younger brother of Tom who shows every indication of becoming an extremely dangerous human being. At first portrayal, Matthew seems quiet, unassuming, desperate to keep out of the way of his bully older brother. But as the novel progresses, Matthew lashes out himself, bullies others and seems determined to keep the secret he has discovered out of self-preservation. He clearly fears his brother and rightfully so. But the secret keeping obviously doesn’t sit well with him, it seems to alter his character – or is he becoming desensitized to violence? He sees it and experiences it and he has an older brother who so clearly enjoys it. Matthew’s decision to keep Tom’s secret made him accessory to the fact and the lack of ability to sympathise with the victim was very disturbing. Matthew was 11 or 12, at an age where he should be able to express this, but his horror never showed through. All he thought about was himself and he seemed willing at a later date to put others within the line of fire. It did raise a bit of a nature vs nurture debate in my head as I was reading it. Matthew and Tom’s parents seem oblivious to Tom’s actions and aren’t aware of where he is most of the time. We didn’t get a decent enough glimpse into his home life to see what it was truly like though, which I would’ve enjoyed. A chapter or two from their points of view, rather than the brief few paragraphs devoted to their mother late in the book, would’ve greatly enhanced this novel I believe.
Burned is a very thorough debut that displays a real gift in understanding and depicting human nature, from the downright ugly to the beautiful. It’s a novel that will move you and grip you and leave you wanting more.
Noah’s mother Kate reminisces about her time in Australia 12 years ago, holidaying on the northern beaches of Sydney. It’s where she met Rich, Noah’s father and her memories all revolve around their time together there and their days at the beach, swimming in the ocean and playing on the sand. She deeply regrets moving the family back to London when Rich got a job offer and despite the fact that it’s Rich that was the Australian, now that he’s gone there’s nothing to stop her from moving back there and taking Noah with her.
Matthew Poole is a year above Noah in school. The two have rarely, if ever crossed paths before. Matthew spends most of his time attempting to stay out of the way of his older brother, who looks to be getting more and more dangerous and violent. A chance sighting of his brother one night in the kitchen lets Matthew in on a terrible secret, one he didn’t wish that he knew. His only option now for self-preservation is to make sure no one else finds out what he knows.
Malcolm Martin lost his only son Bob many years ago but it’s a loss that has never left him. His life has spiralled out of control since Bob drowned – he lost his marriage and his home. He spends his days saving his pennies for the bottle of wine that will take him to oblivion, where there’s no pain and there are no memories. He’s a sitting duck for a psychopath.
Burned is the first novel from Australian author Persephone Nicholas and was the winning entry in the 2013 National Seniors Literary Prize, which is for novelists aged 50 and over. It’s described as being for fans of Jodi Picoult and Caroline Overington and delves deep into its characters, right to the core. Several of the narrators are children, the others adult and I think that this a beautiful blend.
In the present day, a homeless man is brutally set on fire simply for the thrill of watching him burn. Young Noah comes along at an opportune moment, causing the culprits to flee but possibly painting himself as a suspect in the first place. It’s an horrific thing for a young child to realise, that the pile of what looks like rags burning is in fact a real living person. The story of Malcolm was extremely brief but it was incredibly heartbreaking. Nicholas managed to capture such catastrophic grief, a soul-destroying loss that had in the end, not only contributed to Malcolm losing his wife, becoming homeless and caring little for anything except the oblivion he got through cheap bottles of red wine but in the end also managed to take his life, in a way. He was a victim in many ways, probably failed in many ways too.
The book jumps back and forward in time – Kate, Noah’s mother relives her time in Australia, her meeting Rich (Noah’s father) and becoming pregnant, etc. There are passages that describe when Noah was 9 and lost his father, who died whilst on an overseas holiday. At times this was just a little bit confusing, because I’d be engrossed in one time period and then find myself jerked out of it and into another. However, it was great to see portions of Kate’s earlier life in Australia although I think I would’ve liked more about the disintegration of her marriage to Rich. That was more skimmed over, and I think I’d also have liked Noah’s perspective on his parents together and apart. Kids are very observant!
Throughout the novel I was conflicted on whether or not to feel sorry for Matthew Poole, younger brother of Tom who shows every indication of becoming an extremely dangerous human being. At first portrayal, Matthew seems quiet, unassuming, desperate to keep out of the way of his bully older brother. But as the novel progresses, Matthew lashes out himself, bullies others and seems determined to keep the secret he has discovered out of self-preservation. He clearly fears his brother and rightfully so. But the secret keeping obviously doesn’t sit well with him, it seems to alter his character – or is he becoming desensitized to violence? He sees it and experiences it and he has an older brother who so clearly enjoys it. Matthew’s decision to keep Tom’s secret made him accessory to the fact and the lack of ability to sympathise with the victim was very disturbing. Matthew was 11 or 12, at an age where he should be able to express this, but his horror never showed through. All he thought about was himself and he seemed willing at a later date to put others within the line of fire. It did raise a bit of a nature vs nurture debate in my head as I was reading it. Matthew and Tom’s parents seem oblivious to Tom’s actions and aren’t aware of where he is most of the time. We didn’t get a decent enough glimpse into his home life to see what it was truly like though, which I would’ve enjoyed. A chapter or two from their points of view, rather than the brief few paragraphs devoted to their mother late in the book, would’ve greatly enhanced this novel I believe.
Burned is a very thorough debut that displays a real gift in understanding and depicting human nature, from the downright ugly to the beautiful. It’s a novel that will move you and grip you and leave you wanting more.
July 2, 2013
*Please note that this review is based on the uncorrected proof provided to me by the Publisher and that it may differ slightly to the final published version*
Switching between past and present as well as Sydney and Salisbury in the UK, our main characters are Kate Daniels and her son, Noah, Malcolm Martin and Tom Hooper along with David, Lydia and Frankie Trafford and Persephone Nicholas takes us on their journeys dissecting and capturing their emotions with life-like clarity in a novel that explores love, letting go and our sense of belonging.
Noah is a model child who does his best at school, knowing that if he doesn’t, there’s no way he’ll ever be able to reach his dream but, he still grieves the loss of his father and can’t help but blame his mother. After all, they moved from Australia to the UK and lived together for a while until the day his father moved out into his own home and two years later, was dead in an accident. Will Noah get to live his dream?
Kate loves Noah, but has always felt somewhat emotionally disconnected from him seeing him as more Richard’s child than hers. As she reflects back on her life with Richard, and goes through her daily life with Noah, we begin to get a clearer picture regarding the disintegration of her marriage – something that no child of Noah’s age would be able to comprehend when the seriousness of what occurred was always kept behind closed doors. Can she finally let go of her past and realise that the past has no hold over her?
Tom and Matthew Hooper are brothers. As the story progresses, the Hooper’s seem to be just like any other normal family, but Matthew, the younger of the two is afraid of his brother’s disturbing obsession and tries to have as little to do with him as possible. When he begins to suspect that Tom is involved in something more sinister, he doesn’t realise that trying to keep his knowledge of what his brother has done is going to have dire consequences for both of them.
Malcolm Martin paints a lonely, dejected picture. Having lost his son, twenty years previously, he has never been able to overcome his grief, plunging him deeper into depression which in turn caused the collapse of his marriage. Content with now staring down the neck of a bottle, drowning his sorrows with its contents and sleeping on a park bench, he has become a shell of his former self. Surely no-one will miss him!
David Trafford is a police officer. His wife, Lydia and his daughter Frankie (Noah’s best friend), play an important part in his life, but while David loves his job, Lydia still longs for something more. And Frankie? When she becomes enamoured of Matthew, what will it mean for her friendship with Noah? Will David and Lydia realise that this is not the life they wish to live?
When Noah finds himself walking home from Scouts late one night, he comes across a burning bundle and attempts, in the only way he knows how, to help. Unknowingly his kindness and this painful event with its reverberating consequences will have a profound impact on the lives of everyone close to Noah and we are left hoping that they will all stop and reflect on the true importance of life.
It took me a while to get into this novel due to the fact that there is a lot going on in these characters’ lives and memories. The frequent skipping between past and present was a bit confusing at first although I soon realised that this was important in order to get to know the characters’ backstories and connect emotionally with them.
On the topic of emotional connection, while I thoroughly enjoyed what I shared with Kate and Noah, I found myself floundering when it came to the sixteen year old Tom, as the vivid picture that Persephone Nicholas paints of this psychologically challenged character had me fearing for the safety of all concerned. He is almost psychopathic in nature and, being a gentler person myself who abhors any act of unkindness, I struggled with his sinister personality wanting in no way to connect with him.
All things considered and, inspired by changes in her own life, Ms Nicholas has written a cleverly constructed human account of our search for belonging which I could totally relate to, as we, too, longed for something more which resulted in us making the decision to create a new life for ourselves in Australia.
While there are emotional charges of delinquency and bullying threading their way through the narrative along with the renewing effect of letting go of the past and accepting the future, this is a novel about the strength of a mother’s unconditional love for her children and a testament to new beginnings.
Switching between past and present as well as Sydney and Salisbury in the UK, our main characters are Kate Daniels and her son, Noah, Malcolm Martin and Tom Hooper along with David, Lydia and Frankie Trafford and Persephone Nicholas takes us on their journeys dissecting and capturing their emotions with life-like clarity in a novel that explores love, letting go and our sense of belonging.
Noah is a model child who does his best at school, knowing that if he doesn’t, there’s no way he’ll ever be able to reach his dream but, he still grieves the loss of his father and can’t help but blame his mother. After all, they moved from Australia to the UK and lived together for a while until the day his father moved out into his own home and two years later, was dead in an accident. Will Noah get to live his dream?
Kate loves Noah, but has always felt somewhat emotionally disconnected from him seeing him as more Richard’s child than hers. As she reflects back on her life with Richard, and goes through her daily life with Noah, we begin to get a clearer picture regarding the disintegration of her marriage – something that no child of Noah’s age would be able to comprehend when the seriousness of what occurred was always kept behind closed doors. Can she finally let go of her past and realise that the past has no hold over her?
Tom and Matthew Hooper are brothers. As the story progresses, the Hooper’s seem to be just like any other normal family, but Matthew, the younger of the two is afraid of his brother’s disturbing obsession and tries to have as little to do with him as possible. When he begins to suspect that Tom is involved in something more sinister, he doesn’t realise that trying to keep his knowledge of what his brother has done is going to have dire consequences for both of them.
Malcolm Martin paints a lonely, dejected picture. Having lost his son, twenty years previously, he has never been able to overcome his grief, plunging him deeper into depression which in turn caused the collapse of his marriage. Content with now staring down the neck of a bottle, drowning his sorrows with its contents and sleeping on a park bench, he has become a shell of his former self. Surely no-one will miss him!
David Trafford is a police officer. His wife, Lydia and his daughter Frankie (Noah’s best friend), play an important part in his life, but while David loves his job, Lydia still longs for something more. And Frankie? When she becomes enamoured of Matthew, what will it mean for her friendship with Noah? Will David and Lydia realise that this is not the life they wish to live?
When Noah finds himself walking home from Scouts late one night, he comes across a burning bundle and attempts, in the only way he knows how, to help. Unknowingly his kindness and this painful event with its reverberating consequences will have a profound impact on the lives of everyone close to Noah and we are left hoping that they will all stop and reflect on the true importance of life.
It took me a while to get into this novel due to the fact that there is a lot going on in these characters’ lives and memories. The frequent skipping between past and present was a bit confusing at first although I soon realised that this was important in order to get to know the characters’ backstories and connect emotionally with them.
On the topic of emotional connection, while I thoroughly enjoyed what I shared with Kate and Noah, I found myself floundering when it came to the sixteen year old Tom, as the vivid picture that Persephone Nicholas paints of this psychologically challenged character had me fearing for the safety of all concerned. He is almost psychopathic in nature and, being a gentler person myself who abhors any act of unkindness, I struggled with his sinister personality wanting in no way to connect with him.
All things considered and, inspired by changes in her own life, Ms Nicholas has written a cleverly constructed human account of our search for belonging which I could totally relate to, as we, too, longed for something more which resulted in us making the decision to create a new life for ourselves in Australia.
While there are emotional charges of delinquency and bullying threading their way through the narrative along with the renewing effect of letting go of the past and accepting the future, this is a novel about the strength of a mother’s unconditional love for her children and a testament to new beginnings.
July 2, 2013
Burned by Persephone Nicholas via Random House. Burned is the winner of the 2013 National Seniors Literary Prize and is described as a ‘haunting story of loss, love and renewal’ by its publisher, which is pretty apt. It’s not a long book – I read it in a matter of hours - and it’s more of a slow burn than a blazing read. It’s the kind of book that takes a while to get going, like kindling that is slow to take hold, and then all of a sudden, the urge to keep reading takes hold and doesn’t let go until the story is burned out. The event that sparks that flame is so shocking that readers will cringe in horror and will continue reading in hope that justice is meted out.
Four lives are connected by a tragic event that takes place in England. Malcolm Martin is a homeless man who has never recovered from the loss of his son 20 years earlier. He becomes a target of a pointless attack that stuns the community. Noah Daniels, a young boy reeling from the loss of his father, witnesses the attack and, in the absence of others, becomes a suspect, to the distress of his mother. Now, more than ever, Kate is questioning her decision to relocate from Sydney to England. It seems only to have brought more pain – a marriage breakdown, her ex-husband dying, and now this. Meanwhile, one of Noah’s classmates, Matthew, suspects that his older brother, Tom, has a dangerous obsession with fire. Will he speak up or will he protect his brother? And how will Noah react with all this going on?
Are we becoming immune to violence these days? As our minds become saturated with images and information, are we becoming desensitized? These are some of the questions being asked by Nicholas through the eyes of her characters as they struggle to accept events and their impacts. The insight into Tom’s mind is particularly chilling; a troubled young man who burns himself to feel pain. He’s not a character that most readers can, or want to, identify with and yet, another question must be asked: How did he get to be like this? Is his behaviour born or made? Was it branded on him through life’s experiences or was this hot coal of anger within him from birth? Burned explores the choices people make in life, whether in adversity or not, and how reactions to life events are different for every person. Some react and fan the flames; others focus on trying to put the flames out. Just as the choices are different, so too are the life lessons.
Burned is one of those books that will appeal to some readers more than others. It takes a while to become familiar with the characters and their back stories and some readers may find it confusing, especially since the story jumps around in time and place a fair bit. However, once you become used to the different voices, the story burns brightly with a warmth that softens the chill of the violence within. Some readers may be put off by the first chapter, with its nod to sci-fi and a man soaring into space – I was. I persevered though, and with the benefit of hindsight, that introduction makes sense. Think about a phoenix rising from the ashes. If sci-fi is not your thing (it’s not mine), don’t worry. This is not a futuristic story – it’s very much a comment on modern-day life.
I liked the use of contrasting locations (Sydney beaches and the UK) to set the mood. I also liked the fire/burning metaphors throughout the book. English Lit students would have a field day with them! Life can burn you out or burn you up (or both) … the flames of love can burn fast and hot or slow and warm … recovering from grief or loss can take years to burn down … suspicions are like smoke that linger long after the flames have died down … fire can be destructive but it also allows renewal and regeneration. I could go on. Burned is not a light, happy, escapist read, but it’s a thoughtful read that I enjoyed mostly for its beautifully considered writing.
Four lives are connected by a tragic event that takes place in England. Malcolm Martin is a homeless man who has never recovered from the loss of his son 20 years earlier. He becomes a target of a pointless attack that stuns the community. Noah Daniels, a young boy reeling from the loss of his father, witnesses the attack and, in the absence of others, becomes a suspect, to the distress of his mother. Now, more than ever, Kate is questioning her decision to relocate from Sydney to England. It seems only to have brought more pain – a marriage breakdown, her ex-husband dying, and now this. Meanwhile, one of Noah’s classmates, Matthew, suspects that his older brother, Tom, has a dangerous obsession with fire. Will he speak up or will he protect his brother? And how will Noah react with all this going on?
Are we becoming immune to violence these days? As our minds become saturated with images and information, are we becoming desensitized? These are some of the questions being asked by Nicholas through the eyes of her characters as they struggle to accept events and their impacts. The insight into Tom’s mind is particularly chilling; a troubled young man who burns himself to feel pain. He’s not a character that most readers can, or want to, identify with and yet, another question must be asked: How did he get to be like this? Is his behaviour born or made? Was it branded on him through life’s experiences or was this hot coal of anger within him from birth? Burned explores the choices people make in life, whether in adversity or not, and how reactions to life events are different for every person. Some react and fan the flames; others focus on trying to put the flames out. Just as the choices are different, so too are the life lessons.
Burned is one of those books that will appeal to some readers more than others. It takes a while to become familiar with the characters and their back stories and some readers may find it confusing, especially since the story jumps around in time and place a fair bit. However, once you become used to the different voices, the story burns brightly with a warmth that softens the chill of the violence within. Some readers may be put off by the first chapter, with its nod to sci-fi and a man soaring into space – I was. I persevered though, and with the benefit of hindsight, that introduction makes sense. Think about a phoenix rising from the ashes. If sci-fi is not your thing (it’s not mine), don’t worry. This is not a futuristic story – it’s very much a comment on modern-day life.
I liked the use of contrasting locations (Sydney beaches and the UK) to set the mood. I also liked the fire/burning metaphors throughout the book. English Lit students would have a field day with them! Life can burn you out or burn you up (or both) … the flames of love can burn fast and hot or slow and warm … recovering from grief or loss can take years to burn down … suspicions are like smoke that linger long after the flames have died down … fire can be destructive but it also allows renewal and regeneration. I could go on. Burned is not a light, happy, escapist read, but it’s a thoughtful read that I enjoyed mostly for its beautifully considered writing.
June 27, 2013
Burned is an extraordinary book – it pulls you in slowly and you don’t realise that you’re hooked until you’re unable to break away. I found this book a quick read for that very reason. I couldn’t wait to find out if justice would prevail and if the characters would come to make the decisions they were reluctant to face.
But let me backtrack a little. Initially, I found this book a little puzzling. I think that was because of the first chapter, which is set in the year 2037. Readers of my other reviews would know I’m not a sci-fi fan! The contents of the chapter didn’t seem too unrealistic, but still… I ended up preserving and was rewarded. The first chapter makes perfect sense once you’ve read the book. For me, I think it would have been a good epilogue to cement that one character in particular did achieve his dream. Whatever way you like it, I can confirm that there is no sci-fi in this book. It’s all based in reality.
But is it a reality that we actually want? In the modern era, violence has become a backdrop to our daily lives. Burned takes a somewhat shocking event – a homeless man being intentionally set on fire – and looks at it through the eyes of two families and their children. Noah is the lonely child of Kate, who dreams of being an astronaut and hoping that one day, he might find that his dad didn’t die in an accident. Kate is feeling increasingly awkward about Noah being without a father (not to mention that she and her husband had split previously). She’s wondering if she can find the peace in Sydney as she did when she first met Rich… The other family is a more traditional unit – Frankie, a friend of Noah’s and fiercely loyal to him despite her adoration of another boy in her class; David, a policeman caught up in the shocking case and his wife Lydia, who dreams of a life away from her busy job. Once you’re familiar with each of these characters, more are thrown to the mix – the perpetrator of the vicious crime and his family. This one event will affect each of the characters, some in spectacular fashion.
At times the book is a family drama, at other times it reads like a psychological thriller. There are moments that had me choked up (especially between Kate and Noah) and others gasping in horror. I could say that it is like The Dinner (review coming soon), but with a cast of warm characters that you will care about. Towards the end, I was smiling when things seemed to be working out for my favourite characters. The portrayal of the two different settings (Salisbury, UK and Sydney, Australia) through Kate’s eyes was wonderful – Nicholas beautifully captured the feelings of greyness and sunshine, then linked them to Kate’s emotions.
A wonderful novel by a debut author, combining a human warmth with the chill when things go wrong.
Thank you to Random House Australia for the eBook ARC.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
But let me backtrack a little. Initially, I found this book a little puzzling. I think that was because of the first chapter, which is set in the year 2037. Readers of my other reviews would know I’m not a sci-fi fan! The contents of the chapter didn’t seem too unrealistic, but still… I ended up preserving and was rewarded. The first chapter makes perfect sense once you’ve read the book. For me, I think it would have been a good epilogue to cement that one character in particular did achieve his dream. Whatever way you like it, I can confirm that there is no sci-fi in this book. It’s all based in reality.
But is it a reality that we actually want? In the modern era, violence has become a backdrop to our daily lives. Burned takes a somewhat shocking event – a homeless man being intentionally set on fire – and looks at it through the eyes of two families and their children. Noah is the lonely child of Kate, who dreams of being an astronaut and hoping that one day, he might find that his dad didn’t die in an accident. Kate is feeling increasingly awkward about Noah being without a father (not to mention that she and her husband had split previously). She’s wondering if she can find the peace in Sydney as she did when she first met Rich… The other family is a more traditional unit – Frankie, a friend of Noah’s and fiercely loyal to him despite her adoration of another boy in her class; David, a policeman caught up in the shocking case and his wife Lydia, who dreams of a life away from her busy job. Once you’re familiar with each of these characters, more are thrown to the mix – the perpetrator of the vicious crime and his family. This one event will affect each of the characters, some in spectacular fashion.
At times the book is a family drama, at other times it reads like a psychological thriller. There are moments that had me choked up (especially between Kate and Noah) and others gasping in horror. I could say that it is like The Dinner (review coming soon), but with a cast of warm characters that you will care about. Towards the end, I was smiling when things seemed to be working out for my favourite characters. The portrayal of the two different settings (Salisbury, UK and Sydney, Australia) through Kate’s eyes was wonderful – Nicholas beautifully captured the feelings of greyness and sunshine, then linked them to Kate’s emotions.
A wonderful novel by a debut author, combining a human warmth with the chill when things go wrong.
Thank you to Random House Australia for the eBook ARC.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
August 8, 2013
Novels that have multiple stories within it can go either way; they can become too cluttered and have only a thin underlying story linking it all together or the various stories can be rich and well intertwined. Burned was the latter. It was the perfect example of what a novel focusing on a variety of characters should be. For me, no story took preference over another and all were equally important to the central story, though I did have a soft spot for one character.
Was everything explained due to the multiple perspectives? No, but the story didn't feel like it was anything anything. There were also shifting dates and locations split between Australia and England.
I found the characters interesting and intriguing. Tom is an evil character, it's that simple. I feel as though Tom is inherently evil in his disposition and actions. There is no remorse. No hint of empathy or, if I dare to go that far, humanity. In fact, he garners joy from the news that this experiment lead to fatality. Matthew inadvertently discovers his brothers dark secret and is torn between revealing his brother for the monster he is, or risk the wrath he will receive from Tom if no one believes him.
Frankie and Noah find themselves in the middle of this mess. Friends since early childhood, Frankie grew up in Salisbury, England and Noah grew up on Sydney's northern beaches with his mother Kate and now-deceased father, Richard. Burned shows characters from all spectrums. In stark contrast to Tom, you have Noah. A boy who has grown up treasuring the telescope his father has given him for a birthday present and dreams of one day going into space. There is a sweet innocence about him and I think most people can identify with Noah as at some stage in their life, they were just like him.
I had a soft spot for Noah and I was sad to see his childish innocence and naivety stolen from him for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessing the worst that humanity has to offer. Noah becomes the target of bullying after classmate Matthew comes to discover what his brother has done in an attempt to protect him.
There wasn't a huge climax or ending, but it wasn't needed. It doesn't have a cookie cutter ending and this is one of the things I love about Burned, it simply represents life in its messiest but most accurate and real forms.
For a debut novel, I was blown away by the in-depth level of storytelling Nicholas is capable of. I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in a few days. This may not seem like a big deal because it is a rather short novel, but if a story isn't compelling to me, it doesn't matter how short it is, it will take me awhile to read it. Not Burned. I couldn't stop reading and I desperately wanted to find out what happened.
I would highly recommend this novel.
Full review at: http://moniquefischle.wordpress.com/2...
Was everything explained due to the multiple perspectives? No, but the story didn't feel like it was anything anything. There were also shifting dates and locations split between Australia and England.
I found the characters interesting and intriguing. Tom is an evil character, it's that simple. I feel as though Tom is inherently evil in his disposition and actions. There is no remorse. No hint of empathy or, if I dare to go that far, humanity. In fact, he garners joy from the news that this experiment lead to fatality. Matthew inadvertently discovers his brothers dark secret and is torn between revealing his brother for the monster he is, or risk the wrath he will receive from Tom if no one believes him.
Frankie and Noah find themselves in the middle of this mess. Friends since early childhood, Frankie grew up in Salisbury, England and Noah grew up on Sydney's northern beaches with his mother Kate and now-deceased father, Richard. Burned shows characters from all spectrums. In stark contrast to Tom, you have Noah. A boy who has grown up treasuring the telescope his father has given him for a birthday present and dreams of one day going into space. There is a sweet innocence about him and I think most people can identify with Noah as at some stage in their life, they were just like him.
I had a soft spot for Noah and I was sad to see his childish innocence and naivety stolen from him for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessing the worst that humanity has to offer. Noah becomes the target of bullying after classmate Matthew comes to discover what his brother has done in an attempt to protect him.
There wasn't a huge climax or ending, but it wasn't needed. It doesn't have a cookie cutter ending and this is one of the things I love about Burned, it simply represents life in its messiest but most accurate and real forms.
For a debut novel, I was blown away by the in-depth level of storytelling Nicholas is capable of. I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in a few days. This may not seem like a big deal because it is a rather short novel, but if a story isn't compelling to me, it doesn't matter how short it is, it will take me awhile to read it. Not Burned. I couldn't stop reading and I desperately wanted to find out what happened.
I would highly recommend this novel.
Full review at: http://moniquefischle.wordpress.com/2...
June 3, 2013
Burned is a really a hard book to describe. Basically the story follows a few different families. The stories of each family intersects with the lives of the others. I can't even begin to describe each character or even each family, all their stories are so interwoven and it's all too complicated. Think of the movies Crash or Love, Actually. For this reason the book, at first, was very confusing.
Another thing about this book was it is very depressing. The things that happen in this book were just very heavy. It wasn't a bad book, but it took me a few days to read it, even though I could have probably finished it in a day. But, I could only handle it in little bits and pieces. Maybe it's because I'm partial to Christian books where there may be very tense scenes or brief moments of tragedy, but I know in the end all will be good and well. In this book I wasn't really sure. Thanks to the opening scene, we know at least one character turns out well and fulfills his dream. This is another thing, the book jumps settings. One chapter it's 2009, next it's 1997, next it's 2006. The opening scene is set in 2037.
I don't really know who I'd recommend this book to and last I checked on Amazon, a Kindle edition in the US is a whopping $14.99. I mean, wow. I'd say save your money, maybe it'd be free one day. Even though, I did find myself wanting to know more about the characters and getting involved in the story, I just can't say what type of reader might enjoy this book.
I"m giving Burned 3 out of 5 stars, even though I feel more like 2 out of 5 stars is what I want to give it. It was interesting enough and did have me turning the pages and I don't think it's fair to penalize it just because it was a bit stressful to read thanks to some of the material in it.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Random House Australia Pty Ltd. in exchange for a honest review.
Another thing about this book was it is very depressing. The things that happen in this book were just very heavy. It wasn't a bad book, but it took me a few days to read it, even though I could have probably finished it in a day. But, I could only handle it in little bits and pieces. Maybe it's because I'm partial to Christian books where there may be very tense scenes or brief moments of tragedy, but I know in the end all will be good and well. In this book I wasn't really sure. Thanks to the opening scene, we know at least one character turns out well and fulfills his dream. This is another thing, the book jumps settings. One chapter it's 2009, next it's 1997, next it's 2006. The opening scene is set in 2037.
I don't really know who I'd recommend this book to and last I checked on Amazon, a Kindle edition in the US is a whopping $14.99. I mean, wow. I'd say save your money, maybe it'd be free one day. Even though, I did find myself wanting to know more about the characters and getting involved in the story, I just can't say what type of reader might enjoy this book.
I"m giving Burned 3 out of 5 stars, even though I feel more like 2 out of 5 stars is what I want to give it. It was interesting enough and did have me turning the pages and I don't think it's fair to penalize it just because it was a bit stressful to read thanks to some of the material in it.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Random House Australia Pty Ltd. in exchange for a honest review.
June 15, 2013
I was interested to read Burned when I saw that it had won a new writer award sponsored by Random House, but probably expected that as this was a National Seniors Literary Prize it might be a little safe. So it was a quite a surprise to find that the story is in fact a very modern day tale - with one thread pondering the way relationships develop between couples and the everyday pleasures and stresses of parenthood, and a parallel thread delving into the sometimes disfunctional world of teenage boys.
Whilst the unpleasant Tom is very confronting, I felt this created momentum for the story, rather than being depressing or heavy (as the reviewer Amanda found). In fact without this aspect to the narrative, the book probably would have been too safe and, whilst still a good read, it would have lacked the drama that kept me reading on for another hour after I meant to turn out the light.
Like all novels that feature a number of different characters and times, I initially had to check back to the chapter heading to see when and where the action was taking place, but I found the characters soon developed into distinct personalities so that it didn't take long to work out who was who. And I liked the way the different lives overlapped and then came together at the end.
Another aspect I particularly enjoyed was the way the story splits between Sydney and Salisbury. As someone who grew up in the UK but now lives in Sydney, I found the different lifestyles were portrayed really convincingly and this added to my sense of involvement in the lives of of the characters who behave and think just like many people I know (although thankfully not the delinquent Tom).
All in all, well worth the $9.99 I paid for my Kindle copy.
Whilst the unpleasant Tom is very confronting, I felt this created momentum for the story, rather than being depressing or heavy (as the reviewer Amanda found). In fact without this aspect to the narrative, the book probably would have been too safe and, whilst still a good read, it would have lacked the drama that kept me reading on for another hour after I meant to turn out the light.
Like all novels that feature a number of different characters and times, I initially had to check back to the chapter heading to see when and where the action was taking place, but I found the characters soon developed into distinct personalities so that it didn't take long to work out who was who. And I liked the way the different lives overlapped and then came together at the end.
Another aspect I particularly enjoyed was the way the story splits between Sydney and Salisbury. As someone who grew up in the UK but now lives in Sydney, I found the different lifestyles were portrayed really convincingly and this added to my sense of involvement in the lives of of the characters who behave and think just like many people I know (although thankfully not the delinquent Tom).
All in all, well worth the $9.99 I paid for my Kindle copy.
June 7, 2013
An act of revolting violence done to a homeless man lies at the heart of this stunning debut novel.
As the impact of the attack ripples out - the apparent pointlessness of the brutality making it seem all the more plausible - Persephone Nicholas picks apart with forensic skill the lives of those affected.
In a gripping story that switches seamlessly between characters, countries and the passing of time, she focuses on Noah Daniels, a young lad who witnesses the attack.
As he falls under police suspicion, Noah’s innocent and gentle life begins to fall apart - and in one of the book’s many subtle echoes, he too becomes violent, lashing out against those closest to him.
Burned is thoroughly absorbing, its writing mature and assured, especially so for a first novel. There's not a misplaced or superfluous word throughout, and Nicholas keeps the story bowling along with short chapters and frequent change of location between Sydney and England.
Her characters are totally believable - especially slimy Rich, Noah's feckless dad - and she gets inside the head of young people and adults alike with convincing accuracy.
Long after you’ve finished the last page, the personalities and places stay in your mind. You won’t visit Salisbury again without being reminded of the nasty underbelly present even in England’s prettiest city. Nor will you pass a homeless man without thinking that he, too, once had a different life.
This powerful book by a new writer with a glittering future deserves to be read.
As the impact of the attack ripples out - the apparent pointlessness of the brutality making it seem all the more plausible - Persephone Nicholas picks apart with forensic skill the lives of those affected.
In a gripping story that switches seamlessly between characters, countries and the passing of time, she focuses on Noah Daniels, a young lad who witnesses the attack.
As he falls under police suspicion, Noah’s innocent and gentle life begins to fall apart - and in one of the book’s many subtle echoes, he too becomes violent, lashing out against those closest to him.
Burned is thoroughly absorbing, its writing mature and assured, especially so for a first novel. There's not a misplaced or superfluous word throughout, and Nicholas keeps the story bowling along with short chapters and frequent change of location between Sydney and England.
Her characters are totally believable - especially slimy Rich, Noah's feckless dad - and she gets inside the head of young people and adults alike with convincing accuracy.
Long after you’ve finished the last page, the personalities and places stay in your mind. You won’t visit Salisbury again without being reminded of the nasty underbelly present even in England’s prettiest city. Nor will you pass a homeless man without thinking that he, too, once had a different life.
This powerful book by a new writer with a glittering future deserves to be read.
July 12, 2013
Burned was the winner of the Australian National Seniors Literary Prize for 2013, sponsored by Random House. Only in its second year, the Literary Prize attracted entries from more than 120 unpublished authors aged over 50 from across the country.
In this novel, tagged as a, "haunting story of loss, love and renewal", Persephone Nicholas reveals the secrets, tragedies and hopes of ordinary people whose lives are disrupted by a single act of reprehensible violence.
To be honest I probably should have given up on this book at the half way mark, if not sooner, but the glowing reviews from bloggers I respect motivated me to push on. Unfortunately that decision never paid off for me.
I was frustrated by the rapid cycling of perspective, time and location, which resulted in a disjointed narrative that stalled momentum. Most of the pivotal plot moments were telegraphed well in advance including the incident of admittedly shocking violence, resulting in a lack of impact for me, and the ending was anti-climatic.
Neither was I able to connect with any of the characters. I mainly found Kate irritating though Noah was appealing. Neither Dave or Lydia had much presence at all and I wanted to understand more about Matthew and Tom's family.
While I do agree with other reviewers that the writing in terms of style is lovely, Burned just didn't work for me. However, given that my opinion is firmly in the minority (it currently has a solid 4.0 rating average at Goodreads) please don't dismiss this novel based solely on my reaction.
August 16, 2013
I finished Burned last night after taking a week to enjoy the read. I had read of Persephone's publishing journey at the Bite the Book blog and picked up a signed copy from Pages & Pages on National Bookshop Day.
Pesephone's writing style is effortless and I enjoyed the way she built a character cast around an almost unspeakable event, the fiery death of a homeless man, lost in his own world of grief.
The author flicks between timezones and characters throughout the chapters, I found it a natural part of the process to piece together the puzzle and went with the flow, comparing and contrasting differences in the characters between continents and decades.
A mum of two boys, I was spooked by the seeming normality of the parents of Matthew and Tom, and am still thinking about that fear of 'missing something', trying to avoid mistakes or stifling the individuality of a child, with terrifying consequences.
Burned is one of those books that doesn't tie everything up perfectly neatly at the end of the story, and that's real life. There are unanswered question and this is what keeps us thinking about the themes and characters that feature in the book. As a result of this read, I am thinking about change, loss, our history and the way we hurt, and how a split-second decision can last a lifetime.
I'll look forward to re-reading this again in a couple of months and looking for Persephone's next yarn.
Pesephone's writing style is effortless and I enjoyed the way she built a character cast around an almost unspeakable event, the fiery death of a homeless man, lost in his own world of grief.
The author flicks between timezones and characters throughout the chapters, I found it a natural part of the process to piece together the puzzle and went with the flow, comparing and contrasting differences in the characters between continents and decades.
A mum of two boys, I was spooked by the seeming normality of the parents of Matthew and Tom, and am still thinking about that fear of 'missing something', trying to avoid mistakes or stifling the individuality of a child, with terrifying consequences.
Burned is one of those books that doesn't tie everything up perfectly neatly at the end of the story, and that's real life. There are unanswered question and this is what keeps us thinking about the themes and characters that feature in the book. As a result of this read, I am thinking about change, loss, our history and the way we hurt, and how a split-second decision can last a lifetime.
I'll look forward to re-reading this again in a couple of months and looking for Persephone's next yarn.
September 21, 2013
This novel provides an interesting and thought provoking discussion on a number of issues – including a major contemporary issue, bullying. Bullying and the effect this has on all those involved, be it that the one doing the bullying, the bullied, those in the immediate vicinity (family, friends, colleagues) and those on the periphery; communities as a whole including school teachers, police officers etc. It is a big issue with huge ramifications for all those scorched by this touch and this book admirably demonstrates the extent of the influence one person can make to the lives of so many.
This is a story that delves into many issues; death is paid particularly attention; death of a child, death of a parent, and death of a love affair, death of a relationship. Death impacts on those in the immediate vicinity and those in the surrounding in many and varied ways. Some cope and move forward, for some lives are negatively impacted and forever changed.
But this is not an altogether negative book; it is a book of hope (for some but not all) and ultimately a book of new beginnings. I particularly enjoyed the sections of the book that dealt with Kate and her affinity with the ocean. They are some beautifully evocative descriptions of the ease she felt with and the restorative nature of the ocean.
July 2, 2013
Burned is a stunning book - well constructed and beautifully written. A gripping tale, telling the story of four families and their children. A clever mix of family drama, with elements of a psychological thriller - there's something for everyone.
A young boy, Noah, witnesses a brutal attack on a homeless man. The story describes the dramatic repercussions from this one event on the families.I found the book fascinating, with totally believable and sometimes lovable characters. The author's thoughtful and sensitive approach to the frailties of human nature make compelling reading. She grabs the reader's attention on the first page, making it a struggle to put down. I finished reading it at 3am one morning - a sure sign of a riveting read.
I loved the author's powerful description of the contrasting lifestyles in England and Australia. She succeeds in bringing both locations alive. I'm now determined to visit Australia to discover its wonders for myself.
I highly recommend Burned. It's an excellent read and I'm already looking forward to the next one from Persephone Nicholas.
A young boy, Noah, witnesses a brutal attack on a homeless man. The story describes the dramatic repercussions from this one event on the families.I found the book fascinating, with totally believable and sometimes lovable characters. The author's thoughtful and sensitive approach to the frailties of human nature make compelling reading. She grabs the reader's attention on the first page, making it a struggle to put down. I finished reading it at 3am one morning - a sure sign of a riveting read.
I loved the author's powerful description of the contrasting lifestyles in England and Australia. She succeeds in bringing both locations alive. I'm now determined to visit Australia to discover its wonders for myself.
I highly recommend Burned. It's an excellent read and I'm already looking forward to the next one from Persephone Nicholas.
October 15, 2013
Burned is a page turner- there's a compelling combination of poignant flashbacks, shifting time zones and plaited stories- but it's real strength is the author's willingness to tackle some of life's heart wrenching events. Quite a brutal and shocking act lies at the novel's core, but it's impression is softened by the sensitive portrayal of the depths of parental love. One of those novels that stays with you well after you finish reading!
February 13, 2015
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Deftly written with a page turning plot leavened with real emotional depth and a satisfying structural complexity , the author wryly and warmly portrays a realistic and wise narrative about modern families, parenting and children's lives coupled with a tense plot around the central driving event of the novel, the sadistic burning of a tramp with a sad past. Recommended .
November 5, 2014
Burned is an absolutely fantastic first effort by Persephone Nicholas. I loved the parallel story lines and addressing of edgy topics. Having visited England and lived in Australia, I found the descriptions deliciously accurate. The twists and turns along the way made this book nearly impossible to put down.
I am excited to read what this author has to offer in her next book!
I am excited to read what this author has to offer in her next book!
October 8, 2013
I just loved this book. The story line was totally absorbing and kept me wondering right to the end. I had no idea what was going to happen next.
The characters were real to me, beautifully depicted with exquisite detail and depth of understanding. I felt I knew all of them.
The characters were real to me, beautifully depicted with exquisite detail and depth of understanding. I felt I knew all of them.
December 29, 2013
I read this because it won the National Senior's Award. It was quite a good read. A bit confusing in the beginning with too many characters being introduced at once and the very start in the future, whilst it does tie in later was gratuitous. Not a bad book - but not great.
October 20, 2013
Amazing, love this new author and I can't wait to read her next book. Be warned though, once you start reading it's hard to put down!
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