Set in 1970s Manchester, ONCE IN A HOUSE ON FIRE tells the harrowing true story of three sisters and their mother, from the point of view of th... read full description
reviews
Apr 19, 2009
Rosevilla
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The book is a memoir of Andrea Ashworth as an abused child. I picked the book because I always find biography's interesting. The whole story is about Andrea Ashworth's childhood when her father died, her mom found a new guy. At first the guy turned out to be o.k. but soon he starts getting violent. They moved to Canada so they could find better opportunities and they did, but the abusiveness of their step dad drove Andrea, her sisters, and her mom back to England. Their step dad tries to apologi
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Nov 30, 2011
Ally
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I see it as difficult to really 'review' a book like this in terms of giving it the rating it deserves; if I am being honest, I liked it. Thus, three stars. But there is a huge part of me that would love to give it more; firstly on account of the quality of the prose and how well Andrea Ashworth paints the picture of her childhood, but also out of respect for her bravery and the fact that a lot of very, very awful things happen in this memoir.
Let me explain - I think the truth behind t More...
Let me explain - I think the truth behind t More...
Mar 01, 2009
Allison
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This may sound counterintuitive, but because I want to encourage readership, I’m going to write a bad review of a good book. Or, perhaps, a plain, boring review isn’t all bad. Simple words can be good. Especially if they are words of praise.
Being somewhat of a “memoir connoisseur,” as of late, I have come to instantly categorize most memoirs into particular categories. There is the Wrecked Home Life/Horrific Childhood memoir (think A Child Called It or Angela’s Ashes or even A Long Way
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Dec 17, 2010
Veronica
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This really is a misery memoir; Nigel Slater lived a life of Riley compared to Andrea Ashworth. It's a tough read -- you feel angry with her mother and successive stepfathers for being such inadequate and dangerous parents, but at the same time you have to feel sorry for them. Andrea's mother was clearly incapable of bringing up children on her own, having not grown up emotionally herself. But she was also incapable of choosing the right person to help her, and in the deprived milieu in which sh
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Aug 13, 2011
Ella
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So, I did my work experience for a literary agency in London - they represent authors such as Patrick Ness, Derek Landy, Jeff Noon, Elizabeth Cook - and once upon a time - Andrea Ashworth. On my last day, one of the agents gave me a few free books, and amoung them - this gem. He told me that it was a memoir of Ashworth's life, but instead of being mainstream non-fiction, it was beautifully written and very literary. Thinking it would be a variation of a 'Mummy...' book, I decided to get it ov
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Oct 03, 2011
Patrick
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I remember a few years back my mother remarking that there was a whole section of her local Waterstones entitled 'difficult lives' and thinking, hmm, cheerful place this world, I guess I can treat that in much the same way as the 'new age/spirituality' section and pretend it doesn't exist.
And yet I ended up picking up Andrea Ashworth's memoir all the same, largely because Blake Morrison had written a glowing review. And I'm glad I did - a tale of domestic abuse and the grimness of li More...
And yet I ended up picking up Andrea Ashworth's memoir all the same, largely because Blake Morrison had written a glowing review. And I'm glad I did - a tale of domestic abuse and the grimness of li More...
May 19, 2009
Maria
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I read this a long time ago and despite my terribly bad memory I've never forgotten the title and how it made me feel. I never read books twice but I may just find this again so I can try to say something clever about it. I bought several copies and sent them to friends because I wanted everyone to own it and take it to heart. Andrea Ashworth's writing is like being made to be a good listener when you really want to join in and have your say but you can't. You simply must sit still and watch the
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Nov 30, 2010
Lisa
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I like to read books by women about their lives, growing up, and how it shaped them. This one was really good, it reminded me a lot of The Glass Castle except it was much sadder. There was a lot of physical abuse and depression, and love was in short supply, though not wholey absent. Much of this novel was written in English slang that I have never heard before. That was interesting. The author writes out all the conversations in slang too, like, shuddup ay eat summat like yer quavers. Stu
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May 09, 2011
Blair
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Unfairly bracketed into the generally abysmal 'misery memoir' category by some, this is first and foremost an absolutely beautiful piece of writing. The quality of Ashworth's prose, her incredible skill at weaving her experiences into a compelling and gorgeously detailed narrative, sometimes makes it easy to forget this is actually a true story. Despite the unhappiness the author endured, the bits that have stuck in my memory most vividly are those describing her struggles with the ordinary stuf
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Jun 10, 2010
Nanaz
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Great book I picked up when I was in England the summer I was 21 y/o. The book explains how the author was abused as a child. Despite growing up poor and with a battered mom, she and her sisters strive to avoid the path her mother took.
Feb 04, 2009
Jenn
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I loved that this took plce in both England and Canada. Throughout most of the book I wanted to kick her stepfather and shake her mother senseless for returning to him time and again.
Oct 28, 2011
Alice
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What a stunning book.
I finished it only a few minutes ago and, to be honest, I'm feeling overwhelmed.
It was incredibly painful yet Ashworth creates such beautiful poetic images out of truly awful situations.
A must read.
I finished it only a few minutes ago and, to be honest, I'm feeling overwhelmed.
It was incredibly painful yet Ashworth creates such beautiful poetic images out of truly awful situations.
A must read.
Sep 04, 2009
Rebecca
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This was a harrowing read and with every page you can't believe the lives children have to endure. It's very well written though . Don't read it if you're feeling down as it won't help!
Dec 21, 2010
Ruth
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As a 13-year-old kid looking for something to relate to, this -really- hit the spot. Nice delivery and just enough description as to not overrun your own imagination.
Feb 11, 2010
Maciek
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The only bad thing about this book is the fact that it's non-fiction. This made it hard to read: it's difficult to hold a book with closed fists.
May 23, 2011
Fiona
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Sensational book. Unlike some books about shocking childhoods, this one ends with hope
Jun 03, 2011
Majentaa
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Not my usual fare but certainly an OK read. This one was a recommendation from a friend, the major theme is that of domestic violence and it was hoped that some background reading might help me get into character for a play.
The beginning was strong and held my interest. It dipped in the middle but picked up in the final chapters.
Some references to life in the northwest of England may baffle readers from outside of the UK.
The beginning was strong and held my interest. It dipped in the middle but picked up in the final chapters.
Some references to life in the northwest of England may baffle readers from outside of the UK.
Dec 17, 2009
sandra
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This wasn't a typical "Oprah style" book about a bad childhood filled with abuse and violence. While that was the subject matter, the author managed to depict her childhood through young adulthood in a style that matched her development. In the early part of the book, the voice was almost journalistic and unemotional. As she developed and matured, the voice became more thoughtful and expressive.
Apr 07, 2008
Carrie
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This book is proof that having had a hard life is not enough to make good memoir--you have to be able to transform hardship into art. I feel real sympathy for the author's experiences, but the book is not good--eventually, each new event in the family's suffering feels more and more boring because Ashworth fails to find the significance. Lots of wasted opportunities here.
Apr 22, 2008
Allison
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This is a pretty solid book--well-written with a likable protaganist...but it just didn't capture me as much as other books had. It is part of the "unbelievably bad childhood" genre which I think can be tricky to do...for me, the most successful books are able to write about it but still have humor, but Ashworth kept it serious through out.
Sep 18, 2007
Susan
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This story is terrible and heartwrenching, but Andrea Ashworth writes it in such a way that it almost has a dreamlike quality. There are some great metaphors in this book and it reads almost like poetry. This may be the only Oprah's Book Club book I've ever read, but I recommend it to all of my friends (and everyone I've convinced to read it loves it)!
Jun 22, 2011
Alan
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I remember being really affected by this at the time - an account of a terrible childhood, but then the genre was new and this was fairly unusual. Now every other book is about being an abused child & surviving, and isn't it getting all too boring? However I don't blame this book which has a poetic heart. Some lovely writing.
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May 22, 2008
"A book in which the author describes an abusive childhood, from which she eventually escaped by way of her education. Set in the North West of England. Beautifully written, harrowing at times, but finally uplifting.[return][return]http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/hh/inter.shtml"
Mar 15, 2011
Angela
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I read this book nearly 10 years ago on the recommendation of a friend. It was one of the first memoirs that I'd read and I found it very interesting and well written. Since reading it I've recommended it to several people.
