The Fire Raiser

by Maurice Gee

Set in New Zealand at the beginning of World War I, this novel depicts four children who band together to find out who has been setting fire to buildings all over town.

Genres: Childrens, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Historical

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Maurice Gough Gee was a New Zealand novelist. He was one of New Zealand's most distinguished and prolific authors, having written over thirty novels for adults and children, and having won numerous awards both in New Zealand and overseas, including multiple top prizes at the New Zealand Book Awards, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in the UK, the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship, the Robert Burns Fellowship and a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement. In 2003 he was recognised as one of New Zealand's greatest living artists across all disciplines by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, which presented him with an Icon Award.
Gee's novel Plumb (1978) was described by the Oxford Companion to New Zealand Literature to be one of the best novels ever written in New Zealand. He was also well-known for children's and young adult fiction such as Under the Mountain (1979). He won multiple top prizes at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and in 2002 he was presented with the prestigious Margaret Mahy Award by the Children's Literature Foundation in recognition of his contributions to children's literature.

Reviews

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the surface what seems to be just a children's mystery/thriller with good characterizations of young adults struggling with issues that exist in any time period is also full of deeper issues. There are very well written moments of suspense when Noel and Phil are cornered in a barn while a suspected arsonist is hunting them and when Kitty hides in a room waiting as steps get closer and the door slowly opens. How many classic horror films and thrillers have scenes exactly like that? Overall, the kids are likable with typical problems and flaws but they are not equally well developed. In particular, Noel Wix seems bland and there is not much to make him memorable or distinguishable from other characters other than he shows up a lot more often than the background characters. Irene, Phil, and Kitty have more moments when you get a sense of their character.

It is a surprise how many issues are actually packed into this book (and handled well): empire, the role of women, race, jingoism, mob mentality, education, the rights of individuals vs. the rights of the public regarding property, and socio-economic classes. Based on just the subject matters touched on in this book it could be set in present day just as easily as in the middle of WWI. However, I didn't feel like this was a book that was suppose to be about issues with a just a loose narrative linking them together and to preach a particular view point. Some issues are touched on lightly and young readers may not pick up on them at all. This did not leave me disappointed. Not everything needs to be beaten over the head by mentioning it multiple times or putting neon lights around it to highlight it. Some things and events can just be there in the background to be explored more if one wants or just to give a taste of the time and context.

[Caitlin van Hoffen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book but what an abrupt ending! I wasn't ready for that.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Fire-Raiser is a thriller about an arsonist terrorizing a small town in New Zealand during the opening days of World War One, and the group of plucky teens who aim to expose him. Though well-written and full of beautiful sentences, this story tries to do many disparate things, failing to do any of them well. The exotic setting of the book never feels alive; the mystery of who the Fire-Raiser is and where he will strike next fails to create tension; the four main characters feel interchangeable despite the painfully deliberate differences in their socio-economic backgrounds.

Gee does deliver some interesting and timely commentary on the effects of war-time jingoism and prejudice on communities, drawing a chilling parallel between the senseless violence of the Fire-Raiser and that of the angry mob that descends on a kindly German piano teacher’s home during a climactic scene. However, the rest of this slim but over-stuffed novel falls short of its grandiose ambitions.

[Anna "Andi" · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping young adult book with lots of twists and turned. Great read, really enjoyed the book, the characters and the story line.

[Andi C Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone in town is starting fires. Nobody knows who it is, but some of the local children have their suspicions. They decide to investigate. On one level, this is a children's mystery story. On another level, The Fire Raiser is about things that hide inside us. There are all sorts of prejudices in town. Prejudice against those who don't look and sound English, prejudice against Germans, and class prejudice. Gee does a lovely job portraying a town with both good and bad people, and people who get caught up in something. A great read to prompt discussion of how we see others and why.