''Fire, Bed, and Bone'' by

Henrietta Branford Henrietta Diana Primrose Longstaff Branford (12 January 1946 – 23 April 1999) was an English author of children's books. Her greatest success was '' Fire, Bed and Bone'' (1997), a historical novel set during the English peasants' revolt of 13 ...

is a

historical novel Historical fiction is a literary genre in which the plot takes place in a setting related to the past events, but is fictional. Although the term is commonly used as a synonym for historical fiction literature, it can also be applied to other ty ...

for older children set at the time of the

Peasants' Revolt The Peasants' Revolt, also named Wat Tyler's Rebellion or the Great Rising, was a major uprising across large parts of England in 1381. The revolt had various causes, including the socio-economic and political tensions generated by the Black ...

. It was published by Walker Books in 1997. Branford won the annual

Guardian Children's Fiction Prize The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize or Guardian Award was a literary award that annual recognised one fiction book written for children or young adults (at least age eight) and published in the United Kingdom. It was conferred upon the author ...

, a once-in-a-lifetime book award judged by a panel of British children's writers. Walker's North American division Candlewick Press published the first U.S. edition in 1998.

Plot summary

The story is narrated by a nameless hunting dog, as witness to the English Peasants' Revolt of 1381. She does her best to survive while trying to raise her own puppy Fleabane after the others were brutally mauled to death by a wild cat, tracking her captive owners Rufus and Comfort as they are tried for

heresy Heresy is any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs, in particular the accepted beliefs of a church or religious organization. The term is usually used in reference to violations of important religi ...

. Branford's martianist technique (see Craig Raine) creates a more primal narrative voice in contrast with the suspected response of the reader, but themes including maternal affection and honour unite man and dog. One catalog summary: : "In 1381 in England, a hunting dog recounts what happens to his beloved master Rufus and his family when they are arrested on suspicion of being part of the peasants' rebellion led by Wat Tyler and the preacher John Ball."

Awards

Beside winning the

Guardian Prize The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize or Guardian Award was a literary award that annual recognised one fiction book written for children or young adults (at least age eight) and published in the United Kingdom. It was conferred upon the author ...

, Branford was a commended runner up for the annual Carnegie Medal from the

Library Association The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, since 2017 branded CILIP: The library and information association (pronounced ), is a professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge management, knowle ...

, recognising the year's best children's book by a

British subject The term "British subject" has several different meanings depending on the time period. Before 1949, it referred to almost all subjects of the British Empire (including the United Kingdom, Dominions, and colonies, but excluding protectorates ...

. ''Fire, Bed, and Bone'' also made the Kliatt Editors' Choice and Voice of Youth Advocates Non Fiction Honor List.

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External links

{{worldcat , oclc=36969684 —immediately, first US edition 1997 British novels 1997 children's books British children's novels Walker Books books Children's historical novels Children's novels about dogs Fiction set in the 1380s Guardian Children's Fiction Prize-winning works Novels set in the 14th century Children's books set in the 14th century Children's books set in England

Plot summary

Awards

See also

Notes

References

External links