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lelandbuck's review
5.0
[I'm not a big review writer, but I've just finished this little book and noticed there are no reviews yet written. I can't let a challenge like that go unanswered.:]
Despite the very hard subject of this book (children and landmines) this is a beautiful story. Mankell is a master craftsman who turned his talents to a very important issue. The result is a most noteworthy and memorable story.
Henning Mankell is one of Sweden's most talented and prolific writers. His fame in the U.S. centers mostly on his Kurt Wallander mysteries. However, as Secrets in the Fire clearly demonstrates, Mankell's reach goes far beyond the body of his Wallander crime novels.
Fans of Mankell should definitely read Secrets in the Fire as should anyone with an interest in the cause of landmine victims. This is a cause which has been championed by Princess Diana, Heather Mills and many others, but remains one of the greatest tragedies of the modern world (every 30 seconds an innocent person is maimed or killed by a landmine; UNICEF reports 30-40% of these are children under the age of 15). Secrets in the Fire is not an easy book to read. It resolutely portrays the violence these pernicious devices inflict, and the book has some very difficult and sad moments. Ultimately, it is a story of survival and renewal for a wonderful little girl named Sofia.
Despite the very hard subject of this book (children and landmines) this is a beautiful story. Mankell is a master craftsman who turned his talents to a very important issue. The result is a most noteworthy and memorable story.
Henning Mankell is one of Sweden's most talented and prolific writers. His fame in the U.S. centers mostly on his Kurt Wallander mysteries. However, as Secrets in the Fire clearly demonstrates, Mankell's reach goes far beyond the body of his Wallander crime novels.
Fans of Mankell should definitely read Secrets in the Fire as should anyone with an interest in the cause of landmine victims. This is a cause which has been championed by Princess Diana, Heather Mills and many others, but remains one of the greatest tragedies of the modern world (every 30 seconds an innocent person is maimed or killed by a landmine; UNICEF reports 30-40% of these are children under the age of 15). Secrets in the Fire is not an easy book to read. It resolutely portrays the violence these pernicious devices inflict, and the book has some very difficult and sad moments. Ultimately, it is a story of survival and renewal for a wonderful little girl named Sofia.
elon's review against another edition
5.0
När jag läste boken sist, någon gång i mellanstadiet blev den snabbt en favorit. Nu när jag läst om den ett antal år senare är jag inte lika frälst. Berättelsen är tung men fin, karaktärerna intressanta och språket stundtals fint, stundtals väldigt styltigt.
Men kanske ska man inte recensera en ungdomsbok som vuxen. Att jag som ung blev påverkad av den är nog för att fortsätta gilla den!
Men kanske ska man inte recensera en ungdomsbok som vuxen. Att jag som ung blev påverkad av den är nog för att fortsätta gilla den!
ida_hagen03's review against another edition
4.0
Läste den här i min svenska klass. Väldigt gripande och jag tänker fortfarande på denna bok flera år efter jag läste den.
elitororo's review against another edition
4.0
Sooo good.
I had to read this book because of school but it absolutely blew my mind and I can't stop thinking about this book.
I had to read this book because of school but it absolutely blew my mind and I can't stop thinking about this book.
paulinasanbur's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
tyratengmo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shreya_l's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
aotora's review against another edition
5.0
2021
I still love this book. It's short but great and to the point. It's darker and it shows that life isn't all sugar and sunshine and that bad things can happen to anyone at any time. They don't pick and choose who they happen to. I admire Sophia and her will to fight so much. She is a young girl, only 13 when she loses both of her legs but she is a fighter and she never gives up even when life deals her this horrible hand.
2019
A touching story about an African girl that lost everything. She loses her legs when she steps on the bomb along with her sister who sadly loses her life- she blames herself but in the end she moves on to live her own, indepenet life.
I still love this book. It's short but great and to the point. It's darker and it shows that life isn't all sugar and sunshine and that bad things can happen to anyone at any time. They don't pick and choose who they happen to. I admire Sophia and her will to fight so much. She is a young girl, only 13 when she loses both of her legs but she is a fighter and she never gives up even when life deals her this horrible hand.
2019
A touching story about an African girl that lost everything. She loses her legs when she steps on the bomb along with her sister who sadly loses her life- she blames herself but in the end she moves on to live her own, indepenet life.