A most welcome reissue of a superb piece of accessible historical writing told from a most unusual viewpoint. Ultimately uplifting, this is an unflinching look at issues of social justice at the time of the Peasants Revolt.
Marcus Sedgwick, who won the Branford Boase Award in 2001, says: “Fire, Bed and Bone is one of those very short books that is nevertheless powerful and moving; one of those books which oozes confidence from the first line to the last. With it, Henrietta won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, and twenty-two years later I think it would still win. It's far from being the first novel narrated by an animal, in this case a hunting hound witnessing the events of the Peasant's Revolt of 1381, but remains a masterclass in how to pull off that feat successfully. Its prose is robust and rhythmic; flawless in its execution, showing just what complex themes and stories one can address in a 'book for children’.”
Powerful. Exciting. Original. Celia Rees This award-winning classic speaks back to the divisions of fourteenth century Britain from the perspective of a much-loved hunting dog. Branford's Guardian Children's Fiction Prize-winning novel is a moving narrative about injustice, upheaval and survival in fourteenth century Britain. From the point of view of a devoted and sought-after hunting dog, her story focuses on the societal tension and oppression that lead to her beloved masters Rufus and Comfort being arrested for heresy during the Peasants' Revolt, and how she must then struggle to raise her puppy Fleabane and forge a life away from the cruel landlord and violence happening all around her. Ultimately an uplifting story about loyalty and hope.
Henrietta Branford was born in India in 1946. Her father was a soldier and they soon moved to Jordan, Henrietta didn't start writing until she was about 40 years old. Henrietta was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 1997.
During the following year she had three operations and chemotherapy, but her cancer turned out to be very vigorous and could not be treated effectively. She died at home aged 53 in Southampton on 23 April 1999.
