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The Fire-Eaters Audiobook
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(3.08) - 448 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Bobby Burns knows he’s a lucky lad. Growing up in sleepy Keely Bay, Bobby is exposed to all manner of wondrous things: stars reflecting off the icy sea, a friend that can heal injured fawns with her dreams, a man who can eat fire. But darkness seems to be approaching Bobby’s life from all sides. Bobby’s new school is a cold, cruel place. His father is suffering from a mysterious illness that threatens to tear his family apart. And the USA and USSR are testing nuclear missiles and creeping closer and closer to a world-engulfing war. Together with his wonder-working friend, Ailsa Spink, and the fire-eating illusionist McNulty, Bobby will learn to believe in miracles that will save the people and place he loves.
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"Reading this book made me remember what I liked so much about the first David Almond book I read, "Skellig." His stories are full of rich characters and so much wisdom you feel like your head might explode after reading it. This book follows young Robert Burns, an English boy starting a new school in 1962 at the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In a world that's already been scarred by a terrible war and remains teetering on the brink of destruction, he tries to grow up and attain the life any normal boy should. Through it all, he deals with family illness, cruelty, budding friendship and first love. He also finds himself through the compassion he's able to show for a man who's never really been given a chance at life. Bobby grows and changes not through the fear that buckles the rest of the world but through faith and hope. This was an incredible book - it's eerie and frightening while being truly beautiful at the same time."
— Amy (5 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Winner of the 2002 Whitbread Award: Children's Book Award
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Winner of the 2004 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
The Fire-Eaters Listener Reviews
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" good book...too many religious overtones. "
— Jenn, 2/20/2014 -
" Not my style of book. Too political. "
— Susan, 2/15/2014 -
" This book was not at all what I was expecting. The author's ability to express a coming-of-age male, without turing the book into a "growing up" book and without relying on the usual path, is excellent. "
— Lia, 2/11/2014 -
" I LOVED this book!!! The kids did as well, so beautiful so brilliant! "
— Gerri, 2/5/2014 -
" This book is a fascinating and poetic treatment of small lives in England during the Cuban missile crisis. It's the best book I've read this year, and I am sure it will be one of the best of the year. I highly recommend it. "
— Eric, 1/27/2014 -
" A highly readable and moving novel, inhabited by the usual themes and types of character Almond employs. As usual, the author deftly blends metaphor and narrative, and weaves in variations on the meaning of the title. "
— David, 1/20/2014 -
" i thought this was an absoloutly brillian book to read and i will keep it on my book shelf for ever "
— Alesha, 1/20/2014 -
" the story grew on me. i found it to be a thoughtful, meaningful book that helped me conceptualize and feel issues related to class, corporal punishment, war, and nuclear war. "
— Brooke, 1/17/2014 -
" Read for a Young Adult Novels class. Despite it being written for middle-schoolers, I enjoyed the take on the Cuban Missle Crisis from a non-American point of view. That's sadly not something you come across everyday. "
— Hugh, 1/5/2014 -
" I love this (children's?) book- Almond has a very compelling writing style. "
— Xin, 1/5/2014 -
" This is a fabulous book. Set in Newcastle, we see the Cuban Missile Crisis though British eyes. What has the US gotten the world into?!?!? "
— Claire, 12/17/2013 -
" All of David Almond's books are worth a read - they're some of the best books out there. "
— Alexandra, 11/29/2013 -
" yo be honest, i hadn't even finished the book. i couldn't ever understand what the characters were talking about and they spoke in old timely/British style which was confusing. i do not advise this book to anyone. "
— Jennifer, 11/26/2013 -
" I am actually listening to this book. The spoken language is magical to hear. Several stories are interwoven and they lead you through as you want to know what happens. There are multiple references to history and to world events but you see it through the eyes of a young boy in coastal England. "
— Brendaz890, 6/14/2013 -
" Wasn't sure about this one at first, but it turned out pretty good. "
— Jen, 12/11/2012 -
" Good for students it you're talking about the Cold War or the Cuban Missile Crisis. "
— Erin, 2/16/2012 -
" i listened to this book on an audio cd and i'm really glad i did. i think i got more from the story from doing that. beautiful characters infused with a great story about the possibilities of war make the book stand out as a great read (or a great listen in my case). "
— Emily, 2/9/2012 -
" Another amazing Almond book :-) "
— Sally, 12/18/2011 -
" this was listed on a summer reading list...I do not think it would grab anyone less than twelve because it was written with a Scottish air and at times was difficult to comprehend...it was a good story about emotions and heart issues... "
— Ann, 8/10/2011 -
" Being the daughter of a Geordie man, I love the way that Almond captures the language of the North East in his writing. When reading this, it was like listening to my dad tell me a tale. <br/> <br/>Marvellous. "
— Hayley, 7/1/2011 -
" All of David Almond's books are worth a read - they're some of the best books out there. "
— Alexandra, 11/12/2010 -
" i listened to this book on an audio cd and i'm really glad i did. i think i got more from the story from doing that. beautiful characters infused with a great story about the possibilities of war make the book stand out as a great read (or a great listen in my case). "
— Emily, 5/26/2010 -
" This is a fabulous book. Set in Newcastle, we see the Cuban Missile Crisis though British eyes. What has the US gotten the world into?!?!? <br/> "
— Claire, 3/16/2010 -
" This book is a fascinating and poetic treatment of small lives in England during the Cuban missile crisis. It's the best book I've read this year, and I am sure it will be one of the best of the year. I highly recommend it. "
— Eric, 1/31/2010 -
" i thought this was an absoloutly brillian book to read and i will keep it on my book shelf for ever "
— Alesha, 10/14/2009 -
" I LOVED this book!!! The kids did as well, so beautiful so brilliant! "
— Gerri, 4/17/2009 -
" Wasn't sure about this one at first, but it turned out pretty good. "
— Jen, 4/14/2009 -
" listened to on Cd, haunting simple boyhood story in british isles. "
— Melissa, 1/1/2009 -
" A highly readable and moving novel, inhabited by the usual themes and types of character Almond employs. As usual, the author deftly blends metaphor and narrative, and weaves in variations on the meaning of the title. "
— David, 12/6/2008
About David Almond
David Almond has received several major awards, including a Hans Christian Andersen Award, a Carnegie Medal, two Whitbread Awards, an Eleanor Farjeon Award, and a Michael L. Printz Award. He is known worldwide as the author of Skellig, Clay, and many other plays, stories, and novels, including The Boy Who Swam with Piranha. David Almond lives in England.
About Daniel Gerroll
Daniel Gerroll is an award-winning British actor who has many Broadway productions to his credit. He studied law and philosophy at Nottingham University and trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and has won an Obie Award for sustained excellence in theater. He has also won five AudioFile Earphones Awards.