By Andrea Ashworth (author) Part of the Picador Classics series
Paperback Not Available
View All Editions (1)
With an introduction by Eimear McBride.
A devastatingly powerful, moving and uplifting memoir - now a classic of its genre - that inspired others to tell their own true life stories.
When our stepfather staggered home reeking of whisky, ceramic hit the wall. We got used to the smash and the next-day stain, but eventually the wallpaper began to fade . . .
For Andrea Ashworth, home is not a place of comfort and solace, but of violence and fear. Her father died when she was five, leaving her close-knit, loving family to battle with poverty, abuse and the long shadow of depression. But from the ashes of 1970s Manchester and the hardships of her coming-of-age in the late 1980s, Andrea finds the courage to rise . . .
Written with eye-opening honesty, rare beauty and intense power, Once in a House on Fire is a ground-breaking memoir, endearing in its humour and compassion, and life-affirming in its portrait of terrible circumstances triumphantly overcome.
This is a brilliant book. Brilliantly written, brilliantly thought, brilliantly remembered . . . Ashworth has written an extraordinary memoir; the only pity is that she had to live it to make it - Scotsman
Enchanting and thrilling . . . As a chronicle of northern working-class life in the seventies and eighties . . . it would be hard to better this book. It is extremely moving . . . It is also at time surprisingly, and gratifyingly, very funny -- Tim Lott - The Times
Full of energy, wit and a child's wide-open gaze . . . Andrea Ashworth escaped the fire to write a remarkable book -- Blake Morrison - Independent on Sunday
One of the most extraordinary stories you will ever read of the triumph of the human spirit - Daily Mail
It is strong and admirable; not a long book, but the reader lives a year or two in the telling -- Hilary Mantel
Andrea Ashworth was born in Manchester in 1969. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.
When Women Were Dragons
The Free9 - Plays for Young People
With an introduction by Eimear McBride. A devastatingly powerful, moving and uplifting memoir - now a classic of its genre - that inspired others to tell their own true life stories.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Once in a House on Fire and determined it is suitable for children aged 15-18 years old
Once in a House on Fire features in the following genres: Gritty Reads, Recommendations, True Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for Young Adults
Paperback. Not Available.
Once in a House on Fire was written by Andrea Ashworth and published by Picador an imprint of Pan Macmillan
Once in a House on Fire has 368 pages
Yes it is part of Picador Classics series
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.