Fire by John Boyne – A.J. Sefton

The story opens with the narrator saying that she has experience of being buried alive. Then we see a successful woman burns specialist doctor describe her usual day, with particular attention to the way men look at her. Only it’s not just adult men but teenaged boys as well. The difference being that the adults are habitual and entitled, whereas the boys are embarrassed. They are also easy to manipulate.

Told from the doctor’s perspective, she alternates her present with her childhood, where she spent the summer as a twelve year old in Cornwall with her single mother. There she met two twin boys aged fourteen who were terrifying in their abuse. Then she returned to Norfolk to be raised by her inept grandmother. Her developmental years were full of neglect but she worked hard to escape her underprivileged life and eventually became a doctor.

She is quite a complex character. Obviously she is affected by past events and the uncaring upbringing, yet she chooses to help those who have been disfigured by burns. The people who others don’t look at, who turn away from their damage. The doctor rebukes any friendship advances or any kind of affection and the only closeness she experiences is with the nurse with whom she works – but that is a very limited relationship. However, there is a type of human contact she has and the consequences are horrific.

Extremely well written, this is a story about power, manipulation, entitlement as well as cause and effect. It considers physical and psychological damage, trauma and victimhood. There is a lot to think about, especially how a woman is in the uncomfortable role usually taken by men. Perplexing and a strangely engrossing, provocative read.

Part of the Elements series.