Fire Ready

by Jane Rogers

In the Australian outback, a lone farmer prepares her homestead for the latest in a growing wave of bushfires. In Oxfordshire, an elderly man protests the cutting down of an ancient beech tree by chaining himself to its trunk. In the depths of space, two evacuees from a scorched and barren Earth consider whether to tell the rest of the crew that their old home may be starting to heal…

The stories in Jane Rogers' much-awaited second collection shine an unflinching light on the future health of the planet, and the prospects for its greediest us. With stories spanning hundreds of years – from the far side of the 22nd century all the way back to the darkest days of lockdown – they pose questions about personal responsibility that cannot be easily answered.

'A wise, compassionate and surprising collection which moves seamlessly through time and space, illuminating all the joys and tragedies of the current moment. Rogers reminds us of the extra-ordinary flexibility and vigour of the short story.' – Alice Jolly

‘Jane Rogers’ stories are delicate studies in what makes us human. Each story creates a pellucid space in a chaotic world; her characters grapple with life and engage in the age-old struggle to be decent human beings. Economical, bold and nuanced, this is a beautifully humane collection, and one to be savoured.’ – Lesley Glaister

Genres: Short Stories

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2024

About the author

Jane Rogers is an award winning author of nine novels, including The Testament of Jessie Lamb, Man-Booker longlisted and winner of the Arthur C Clarke Award 2012.

Other works include Mr Wroe's Virgins (which she dramatised for the BAFTA-nominated BBC drama series), Her Living Image (Somerset Maugham Award) and Promised Lands (Writers Guild Best Fiction Award). Her story collection Hitting Trees with Sticks was shortlisted for the 2013 Edgehill Award, and the title story was a BBC National Short story award winner.

Jane is Emerita Professor of Writing and also writes radio dramas and adaptations. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and lives in Banbury, UK.

www.janerogers.info

Reviews

[Debby Binns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories on the future of our planet and what it means to us as humans who occupy the planet. I listened to the abridged version on BBC Sounds and felt that if the first story depressed me too much I might not continue. Far from it – it was delicately nuanced and the stories were gripping and interesting! I have now ordered the book to read the remaining stories. It’s a 4.5 stars from me.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent collection of stories, many with an ecological theme, some set in a flooded future.

[Kim Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection of short stories set in Australia in the not too distant future. Very believable. I binge listened to an audio book.

[Poppy Di Carlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

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