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By: WELL 228
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2024-12-05 09:56:04 |
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Enjoyable. Lots of interesting themes. Lots of unanswered questions. A sequel set 10 years on would be good. |
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By: NAP 016
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2024-07-18 11:49:41 |
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This book was enjoyed by all members of the group despite some being sceptical initially. 'You can't tell a book by its cover'. General comment being that the cover certainly didn't sell this book. |
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By: CHCH 503
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2024-07-08 12:02:18 |
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This was a surprisingly good book, very popular with our group. A few of us initially found the basic premise very off putting - 2 children who spontaneously combust (really?), but we all rapidly warmed to the easy-to-read warm and sensitive story. The characters and relationships were beautifully drawn and the story made the whole combustion thing surprisingly believable. |
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By: WELL 060
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2024-05-06 12:16:19 |
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Fascinating book - most of the group thought they wouldn't enjoy it but they all did. |
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By: PAIHIA 003
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2024-01-11 14:57:12 |
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Everyone enjoyed the book. Well-written, light and whimsical. |
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By: TAUP 006
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2024-01-08 10:14:46 |
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No one particularly enjoyed this book. The fantasy of human self combustion seemed contrived, even when viewed as a metaphor. Several did not complete the task. |
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By: DUNED 015
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2024-01-08 10:12:22 |
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Most of us loved this novel, although one could not get past the 'written by a man' feeling about it. Lots to discuss! |
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By: AUCK 399
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2023-11-15 10:31:48 |
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Overall we enjoyed the book. It was quirky. |
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By: OWAKA 001
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2023-10-02 11:41:25 |
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All enjoyed the story and found it an easy read. Some of us found the ending a little lame, but a satisfactory yarn. Enjoyed the laughs. |
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By: PIOPIO 001
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2023-08-24 15:18:27 |
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Some enjoyed the book and some of the group found it too crazy. Generated good discussion around parenting, and what motivates people to act the way they do. Easy read and at times really funny but with a serious underlying theme. |
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By: CHCH 033
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2023-08-21 13:53:58 |
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A most unusual book but we had a good discussion and most thought, although they wouldn't choose it normally, it was worth it. Some plan to read Kevin Wilson's other books to see how they match up with his writing and thinking. |
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By: AUCK 135
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2023-07-20 14:01:12 |
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A good indication of the importance of relationships within a family. Interesting twists and turns. |
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By: CHCH 240
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2023-02-24 11:43:41 |
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Our group grew into this book after initial hesitation and described it as interesting but strange! We saw the 'fires' as a way of showing emotion and stress as a result of not feeling loved or protected by their father which they knew how to control. A story of parental love or lack of this. |
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By: AUCK 277
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2022-11-03 09:57:27 |
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Quirky book, an interesting read. Was fire a metaphor for neurodiversity or a real thing? Explores complicated relationships. |
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By: WANAK 001
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2022-10-26 15:00:38 |
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Most quite enjoyed the book, but some did not. |
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By: DUNED 083
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2022-09-15 13:50:28 |
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This one's a winner! We all thought we would hate it, but completely the opposite. Wonderful, sympathetic characters - funny and sad. Don't be put off by the concept of 'fire children'. |
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By: CHCH 523
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2022-09-03 08:19:46 |
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General consensus was 'what's the point of this story' Quite a rambling odd narration, the main character is not likeable so it is quite a superficial read. |
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By: PICT 002
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2022-08-16 14:32:22 |
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General opinion was how unlikely the story was. It seemed to be an allegory on the treatment of disabled people - fire being more gripping than say autism, or another disability featured. |
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By: ONAWE 001
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2022-05-18 15:52:17 |
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Not a favourite with our group. All agreed that the cover illustration was awful! Some credit to the author for making the unbelievable almost believable. Most of the characters are quite unlikeable. |
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By: PALMN 013
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2021-11-01 10:28:18 |
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Half of the group were reluctant to start this book, but all of us finished it. Most were pleased they did persevere. A very good discussion followed. Some of us did not quite see the humour. A sad story of neglected children saved. But, the cover. Whoever thought this would sell a book! We all decided that if we took it off a library shelf - it would be put straight back. Terrible cover! |
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