Fire Fire

A darkly humorous, compelling novel whose family of characters resonate in a similar style to Cloudstreet . Musicians, artists and poets,' Acantia says. That's what you'll be. Just like Pa and me.' She sighs happily. No contaminants here! You'll be as pure as the Aborigines.' The Houdinis have escaped the great world to Whispers, a dilapidated and isolated farm in the heart of the Australian bush. Acantia Houdini the painter has grand plans. Her seven children and famous violist husband are to become self-sufficient, and creativity will rule. All is not, however, home-grown spinach and classical music. The family is under threat from the outside and from within. Ursula watches her brothers and sisters adapt, thrive and then wither as they experience a bewildering mix of love, neglect and cruelty. Ursula grows slowly to a full awareness of her skewed world and is driven ultimately to escape. But it will cost her more than she can guess. Family is... A darkly humorous, compelling novel whose family of characters resonate in a similar style to Cloudstreet. Musicians, artists and poets,' Acantia says. That's what you'll be. Just like Pa and me.' She sighs happily. No contaminants here! You'll be as pure as the Aborigines.'The Houdinis have escaped the great world to Whispers, a dilapidated and isolated farm in the heart of the Australian bush. Acantia Houdini the painter has grand plans. Her seven children and famous violist husband are to become self-sufficient, and creativity will rule.All is not, however, home-grown spinach and classical music. The family is under threat from the outside and from within.Ursula watches her brothers and sisters adapt, thrive and then wither as they experience a bewildering mix of love, neglect and cruelty. Ursula grows slowly to a full awareness of her skewed world and is driven ultimately to escape. But it will cost her more than she can guess. Family is everything. She has everything to lose.Fire Fire is shocking, absurd, tender and grotesque. In language spun with masterly control and much humour, Sallis captures the resilience and confusion of growing up. A completely surprising story of love and damage. A darkly humorous, compelling novel whose family of characters resonate in a similar style to Cloudstreet. Musicians, artists and poets,'Acantia says. That's what you'll be. Just like Pa and me.'She sighs happily. No contaminants here! You'll be as pure as the Aborigines.'The Houdinis have escaped the great world to Whispers, a dilapidated and isolated farm in the heart of the Australian bush. Acantia Houdini the painter has grand plans. Her seven children and famous violist husband are to become self-sufficient, and creativity will rule. All is not, however, home-grown spinach and classical music. The family is under threat from the outside and from within.Ursula watches her brothers and sisters adapt, thrive and then wither as they experience a bewildering mix of love, neglect and cruelty. Ursula grows slowly to a full awareness of her skewed world and is driven ultimately to escape. But it will cost her more than she can guess. Family is everything. She has everything to lose.Fire Fire is shocking, absurd, tender and grotesque. In language spun with masterly control and much humour, Sallis captures the resilience and confusion of growing up. A completely surprising story of love and damage. Shocking, Tender, And Grotesque, This Darkly Humorous Novel Captures The Resilience And Confusion Of Growing Up. The Houdinis Have Grand Plans For Their Family When They Move To A Dilapidated And Isolated Farm In The Heart Of The Australian Bush. The Mother, Famous Violist Husband, And Seven Children Plan On Becoming Self-sufficient, Allowing Creativity To Rule And Forming The Perfect Environment To Raise A Family Of Musicians, Artists, And Poets. But As Problems Arise From Both Outside And Within The House, Ursula Houdini Watches Her Brothers And Sisters Thrive And Then Wither Under A Mixture Of Love, Neglect, And Cruelty. In This Affectionate And Compelling Story, Ursula Must Ultimately Decide What She Is Willing To Sacrifice To Make Her Own Place In The World -- Publisher Description (december 2006). Eva Sallis. The Houdinis live in a rundown, isolated house called Whispers in the heart of the South Australian bush. Acantia lets her five children's creativity run free. Her strange riutalistic rules and regulations govern the family's life until her fervour descends into a madness which has repercussions for each child and the family as a whole.