Pictures from the Fire

by Gaye Hiçyılmaz

Emilia's family are Romanian gypsies and believe she has brought shame on them. Locked in the family's rooms in a refugee hostel, isolated and afraid, she finds a notebook and begins to draw a picture diary of her life—poverty and persecution in Bucharest, the family's flight to England hidden in a lorry, her joy at going to school, and the family's abrupt departure following a race riot. And as she finishes the last picture, she is shocked into an act of courage that may open the door to freedom. Gaye Hicyilmaz has a rare gift of empathy and her picture of the closed world of Romanian gypsies, and of the racial hatred they encounter, is truthful, uncompromising, and compelling.

Genres: Young Adult

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Gracious Helen]

We

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books ever. The story is captivating, the characters well developed and interesting, especially little Emilia. The writing is beautiful, almost lyrical. I read this a long while ago and the story has stuck with me for years. Only now have I managed to acquire a copy again and re-read this shining star of a book.

[Carolynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Romanian Gypsy cannot communicate except through her drawings, and it becomes increasingly clear that she has experienced some kind of trauma. Finally, a secret friend, Zeynep helps her to escape her abusive family.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bleak and thought provoking. Encourages empathy, and an interesting exploration of drawing/art as therapy (though it is never framed in these terms). Deserves a wide audience.