When you’re in the fortunate position of being sent books to review, unexpected titles sometimes turn up on the doorstep. Under a Fire-Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean is well outside my usual science fiction-fantasy wheelhouse, but she’s an award-winning author, about whom I had heard lots but never read. I vowed to put that right, and I’m so glad I did. Under a Fire-Red Sky will be a likely contender for my book of the year.
What Is Under a Fire-Red Sky?
Our story opens in 1939 with Europe on the verge of war. Four children are being evacuated to the countryside on the trains that took countless young Londoners to safety. For their own reasons, they each balk at being sent away and, gripped by some collective madness, flee the train to stay in London. Some make up an excuse for their parents as to why they’re back. Others sleep rough, hoping not to be discovered.
Under a Fire-Red Sky is not a Famous Five-style caper, with the four children adventuring against the backdrop of a blitzed out London. Instead, it is a coming-of-age story with the children moving in and out of each other’s lives. There is no overarching puzzle to be solved or wrong to be righted. It is a simple story of existence during the most turbulent time in modern British history. Under A Fire-Red Sky examines life in a London filled with fear and bombs.
This is an excellent World War 2 story aimed at children aged 12 upwards.
Why Read Under A Fire Red Sky?
The characters in this book are what make it shine. The interactions between the four are wonderful, but moreover, we get to know each of them in depth. Their hopes, dreams, and fears; their motivations and foibles.
We also learn much about life in London during the Blitz. The privations of rationing, the terror of nighttime bombing raids, and the camaraderie forged whilst sheltering from the Nazi’s destructive payloads. We learn about heroes and villains; the fireman risking life and limb to rescue families from shattered houses, or the black market profiteers looting and taking advantage of the wartime shortages.
All of this is rendered real by McCaughrean’s wonderful prose. It’s tight and to the point as befits a children’s book, and has a simple beauty that makes it a joy to read. There are multiple threads running through the book, many of which detail the complexities of family life under such difficult conditions. World War 2 families in fiction can tend towards two-dimensional in these types of books, but the extended cast of Under A Fire Red Sky has a solid existence that extends well beyond bomb fodder.
Under a Fire-Red Sky is compelling storytelling of the highest order. It’s a glorious blend of history and fiction. McCaugrean doesn’t put a foot wrong across its 300 pages and the end had me in bits. As I said at the start of this review, Under a Fire-Red Sky will be a top contender for my book of the year.
If you would like to pick up a copy of Under A Fire-Red Sky, you can do so here in the US (though it is not published until November) and here, in the UK. (Affiliate Links)
If you enjoyed this review, check out my other book reviews, here.
I received a copy of this book in order to write this review.
