Fireburn

by Apple Gidley

The Danish-owned island of 1870s Saint Croix vibrates with passion and tension as Anna Clausen, a young Anglo-Danish woman, returns to her childhood home after her mother’s death. Her heart sinks at what she finds on arrival. Her father is ailing and desolate and her beloved plantation, Anna’s Fancy, which has been in the Clausen family for three generations, is in shambles. The unwelcome lust of one man and forbidden love for another makes Anna’s return to Saint Croix even more turbulent. Despite the decline in the sugar industry she is determined to retain Anna’s Fancy but must first win the trust of her field workers, of Sampson the foreman, and the grudging respect of Emiline the cook and local weed woman.       Fireburn tells of the horrors of a little-known, bloody period of Caribbean history. Anna weathers personal heartache as she challenges the conventions of the day, the hostility of the predominantly male landowners and survives the worker rebellion of 1878, 30 years after Emancipation. Rich in description, Fireburn is a well-researched novel that shines a light on a historic period in Saint Croix that has received little attention in literature until now. Gillian Royes, The Goat Woman of Largo Bay  

309 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2017

Reviews

[Jack Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look up the island of Saint Croix in what is now the US Virgin Islands, and you’ll discover a rich history, a notable inhabitant in Alexander Hamilton and a bloody and brutal past set against a backdrop of sugar cane and slavery. So it’s no wonder Apple Gidley saw the island as fertile ground for her debut novel, a sweeping and evocative tale set in the 1870s Danish West Indies. As we witness our protagonist Anna Clausen struggle with the expectations of duty and societal norms, we’re guided through a complex tapestry of themes with sensitivity and panache, amongst them, equality, emancipation and the agony of a love condemned. There is tenderness and pathos here as Anglo-Danish Anna asserts her love for her black foreman, (“But I love you. How can that be wrong?”), a rich descriptive seam (‘ The sea was a seething slate grey, sargassum weed surging ashore with each wave to form a noxious rust-coloured dam…’) and a credible and atmospheric use of the Crucian dialect. But for me, it was the deft plot and cleverly woven narrative (with its four ‘voices’) that impressed the most. A cracking and hugely satisfying read.

[Lindsay Feliz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireburn by Apple Gidley is a book which transports you completely and totally to another place and another time. Brilliantly evocative it moves you to tears as you find yourself living life on a Caribbean island over a century ago. Within a few chapters, due to the excellent descriptive nature of the book, you find yourself totally immersed in life on a Caribbean island with all of the issues of colour and status accurately and intelligently handled. The characters truly come alive and due to the fast pace, the fact that it is a page turner, it is hard to put down, as the lives of different characters are skillfully weaved together. As someone living on a different Caribbean island I could identify with many of the people, the cuisine, flowers, nature and challenges. Beautifully written, Fireburn cannot help but make you feel both sadness and joy and brings with it an in depth understanding of Caribbean life in the 1800s. I quite simply did not want it to end.

[Tony Riches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the Caribbean island of Saint Croix (pronounced Croy), Lady Anna returns to her childhood home to find her ailing father has allowed it to run down.

The Crucian foreman Sam and cook Emiline view her arrival with mixed feelings and the narrative switches point of view between the four main characters in an ensemble cast. I particularly liked how Anna’s maid, Ivy, describes her own ‘journey’ through increasingly self-aware diary entries.

At the time of reading Saint Croix had been devastated by hurricane Maria so I was unusually appreciative of how vulnerable these otherwise idyllic islands can be. I found it fascinating to learn something of the history of the Danish community there and Anna’s dual nationality added depth to the narrative. Apple Godley’s love of the island shines through in her evocative and almost poetic descriptions.

I also enjoyed her use of the Crucian dialect, which added authenticity (and is supported by a short glossary). This is a book I am happy to recommend and I look forward to reading further books by Apple Gidley in the future.

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Anna's mother passes away in London, all Anna can think about is going home. Home is on the island of Saint Croix. The trip back home isn't easy but with determination, Anna will make it. She's not ready, however, for the changes happening to the island and her family's home.

This book has passion, love and family as the key ingredients. Add to that some long-held customs, stubborn people and lots of tension and anything can happen. The characters are deeply developed and bring a richness to the story that's hard to miss. The writing is solid and the research very apparent.

I did find some issues. There seems to be tons of havoc in this book but not much else. It's as though the research replaced a fantastic story. The last three chapters or so weren't needed. They prolong the book but have no other purpose. The wonderful detail in this story both make and break it.

I gave this one 4 cheers out of 5 because of the reasons above. ~Copy of book provided by author and I voluntarily reviewed it.

[Amy Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing bit of history

Having not being familiar with the culture of St. Croix, I definitely scanned the glossary on the front of the book. When a story provides a glossary, I've learned to read it. The story, calling itself "Fireburn" is a reflection of the history of St. Croix, which did really take place. Gidley tells a great story, weaving the intricacies of history throughout. The characters and characterizations of them bring the reader right in the middle of the story, and feeling the sense of culture. Gidley paints beautiful words to show the story to the reader, and not just tell it.

[Jessica Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking for historical fiction while in St. Croix, and happened across the sequel to this book. Not wanting to read the second book first, and thinking that the sequel might not take place mostly in St. Croix, I found this one at the library and tore through it in a few days. I learned quite a bit about the island - answering some questions I had and others I hadn’t thought to ask. It takes place after slaves were emancipated in St. Croix (1948) during a time when there was still tension between the plantation owners and the former slaves who worked on them. I enjoyed it very much.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in St Croix and found this book at the local bookstore. It was so easy for me to picture all the different places mentioned in the book, especially from all the vintage pictures and paintings of the area that I've seen. It's well written and seems to be historically accurate from my limited knowledge on the subject. I greatly enjoyed reading it. What a fantastic way to learn about local history and culture-- even some of the food, teas, and plants.

[Emily St. Amant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve lived in St. Croix 11 months at the time of reading this- the estate my neighborhood is name after is even mentioned! I really enjoyed taking a trip back in time to some of the island’s historical events and settings. I love that the people here are fiercely passionate about their freedom and culture. This account conveys both the intoxicating beauty of an island paradise and the struggles and hardships many also experience.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. It was good historical fiction and it was fun to read about familiar places on St. Croix. The author did some serious research into the lifestyle and culture of that era. There were a few inconsistencies with speech mannerisms, but overall a nice job, allowing me to hear the characters’ voices in my head. The plot was maybe just a little bit predictable, but I enjoyed every minute of it, and enjoyed the characters, both good and bad, too.

[Christine Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna returns to her island home and finds the plantation has degenerated. Her brother has died and left the place suffering. Her father is ill and dies, leaving her a woman alone in a male-oriented society. She makes poor choices, but the help of those close to her support her, and she gets a family and love.

[Penny Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical romance but also the history of an extremely revered act in history for St Croix

I enjoyed this because I was living in St Croix at the time and wanted to learn the emotions of its people still tied to the past

[Brian Wicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading book that gives a glimpse into life, good and bad, on the island of St. Croix. I learned a lot about Fireburn and the islands culture.

[Linda Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great St. Croix history!

I moved to the island last year and this book is just what I have been looking for -- well written and researched historical novel,m, with characters that bring the island's history alive. Cannot wait to read the second installment.