Behind this book…

   Fire is based on the 1947 fire at Christchurch’s Ballantyne’s department store. I wanted to look at how New Zealanders dealt with the aftermath of such an enormous and national tragedy, which they did by grieving sombrely, then squaring their collective shoulders and getting on with it. Not by building shrines out of floral tributes and teddy bears and victims’ photos, and holding candlelight vigils and getting in the grief counsellors. I wanted to show how times have changed. But I ran out of time and in the end really only focused on the fire itself, which I regret slightly. 

Reviews…

   ‘There is nothing not to like about this book. It’s a symphony of everything popular fiction should be…Fire sits well in the bestseller charts alongside the most recent novels Union Belle and Kitty. It’s an easy, though fast-paced, and engaging read.’
                                                                                           Taranaki Daily News, May 2007

   ‘Challinor is exceptionally capable of creating believable characters the reader can identify with, while all the time ensuring the historical integrity of the events being written about…A guaranteed captivating, can’t-put-down read and, in my opinion, the best way to learn history.’
                                                                                                            Craccum, April 2007

   ‘Deborah Challinor has cemented her place as one of New Zealand’s premier historical fiction authors with her latest novel… [Fire] is a delicious, easy-to-devour kind of book that, even with its large doses of heartache and despair that will have you reaching for the tissues, is a delightful read of love and despair, tragedy and triumph – the themes of which will resonate with you even after you have turned the last page.’
                                                                                             Manawatu Standard, May 2007