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74th out of 76 books
—
30 voters
The Foreshadowing
It is 1915 and the First World War has only just begun.
17 year old Sasha is a well-to-do, sheltered-English girl. Just as her brother Thomas longs to be a doctor, she wants to nurse, yet girls of her class don't do that kind of work. But as the war begins and the hospitals fill with young soldiers, she gets a chance to help. But working in the hospital confirms what Sasha...more
17 year old Sasha is a well-to-do, sheltered-English girl. Just as her brother Thomas longs to be a doctor, she wants to nurse, yet girls of her class don't do that kind of work. But as the war begins and the hospitals fill with young soldiers, she gets a chance to help. But working in the hospital confirms what Sasha...more
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published
May 23rd 2006
by Wendy Lamb Books
(first published 2005)
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Really - a glimpse of World War I life through the eyes of an upper class girl who can see the future (deaths, that is) and runs away to France in hope of finding her brother and saving him from his death. There's nothing in here that we haven't seen, be it trenches or shell-shocked soldiers. The characters are definitely not deep; in fact, there are hardly any interesting, difficult, twisted characters to meet and be entertained by. The protagonist herself speaks with in a monotone, a constant...more
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This book shows the hardships of life and war. Seventeen-year-old Alexandra has a extremely exotic gift-or as she calls it a "curse"-she has premonitions of the very disturbing subject of death. As her visions keep coming, she has one very dark, pronounced premonition. Her brother being killed in war. She knows her visions are uncontrolable, but tries to keep her vision from happening.
This book came to my intrest because I had just recently finished Richard Adams' "Watership Down" and was intre...more
This book came to my intrest because I had just recently finished Richard Adams' "Watership Down" and was intre...more
2.5 stars
I enjoy Sedgwick's sparse writing style, where each word is very carefully chosen in order to achieve the greatest impact.
I also think that enough detail was included to give a truly appropriate sense of time and place: the frustrations of being female at a time when women were not considered mentally competent enough to vote; the effects of the class system both systemic and individual, the limitations on what a 'proper' girl could do.
There was a strong feeling of dread and helplessn...more
I enjoy Sedgwick's sparse writing style, where each word is very carefully chosen in order to achieve the greatest impact.
I also think that enough detail was included to give a truly appropriate sense of time and place: the frustrations of being female at a time when women were not considered mentally competent enough to vote; the effects of the class system both systemic and individual, the limitations on what a 'proper' girl could do.
There was a strong feeling of dread and helplessn...more
Do you believe in Fate? Can you change Fate?
When she was five, Alexandra foresaw her friend's imminent death. It alarmed her parents who spent the next 12 years in denial, suppressing her memories of that event. Now, at 17, she hears horror stories about World War I in full swing just across the English Channel. Her father, a doctor, exhorts both his sons to "do your bit" and join in the glory of war. But Alexandra foresees her brother's death. When it comes true, her other brother joins up, and...more
When she was five, Alexandra foresaw her friend's imminent death. It alarmed her parents who spent the next 12 years in denial, suppressing her memories of that event. Now, at 17, she hears horror stories about World War I in full swing just across the English Channel. Her father, a doctor, exhorts both his sons to "do your bit" and join in the glory of war. But Alexandra foresees her brother's death. When it comes true, her other brother joins up, and...more
M. Sedgwick's setting is war and he was able to steep enough "shadow" into this book that I actually felt a little scared to turn the page. It was a dark book, not in the traditional "evil" since, but in the foreboding that filled every chapter. I did not know that Sasha was going to do what she did - it actually really suprised me - but throughout the entire book I had a dark feeling of hanging on edge, and dread - wongness. It was as if I knew, just as Sasha knew, that something bad was going...more
This is the first book I've read from Marcus Sedgwick and I've heard plenty of good things about his books. This one takes place during WWI and we have a female protagonist, but she's also got a secret of sorts. She can see how some people will die, although it doesn't necessarily work on everyone and the visions themselves can be a bit vague. When one of her visions shows her her brother's death on the battlefield, she knows she has to find a way to stop it before it comes to pass.
For the most...more
For the most...more
As dark and full of foreboding as the black cover with barbed wire would indicate. Very much a British perspective on fighting in WWI. Sasha has an unusual gift, or curse, of being able to foretell death in some circumstances. Such a skill isn't appropriate for a 17-year-old girl who is the daughter of a doctor. It isn't spoken of or acknowledged.
Alexandra(Sasha)loses her gung-ho brother to the fighting in France, and that prompts her pacific brother Thomas, who was training to become a doctor,...more
Alexandra(Sasha)loses her gung-ho brother to the fighting in France, and that prompts her pacific brother Thomas, who was training to become a doctor,...more
I have found within the pages of this book most of the elements that, in my mind, create a great story. Family, love, pain, hope and death. The book took me back to a different world -- a world of a horrifying war. It made my head spin with questions about the people in real life who had survived through the war and were able to handle losing their loved ones almost everyday. Or maybe they weren't. It makes the problems that I face seem silly and insignificant in front of what the people had fac...more
This story of Sasha, a young girl who has premonitions when someone is going to die. With the advent of the Great War, this becomes something of a curse for her as she begins to see things she doesn't want to see.
This story is told almost like journal entries, with brief chapters of only a page or two. It is the impressions and feelings of Sasha, a teenage girl who steals an identity and runs off to France, posing as a nurse, to save someone she loves.
I like the styling of the book, the way the...more
This story is told almost like journal entries, with brief chapters of only a page or two. It is the impressions and feelings of Sasha, a teenage girl who steals an identity and runs off to France, posing as a nurse, to save someone she loves.
I like the styling of the book, the way the...more
The Foreshadowing by Marcus Sedgwick was a thrilling book about unnatural abilities and World War One. The Foreshadowing is about a young girl named Alexandra who can see the future. This book takes place during World War One .Both of Alexandra’s brothers went away to the war. In this book Alexandra foresees the death of her eldest brother, Edgar. But it is too late to save him. Soon after she has a premonition about her brother Thomas. She sees him get shot in the war. So to save him Alexandra...more
this book had potential to be something great, but there was next to no character development and introduction of characters that had no background and no other point of existing than to get the main character to the next stage and then disappearing forever. the characters themselves were also hardly believable and I found myself not really sympathising with them.
The ending was somewhat unclear and does't really wrap things up. although the ending had a slight twist to it, the whole story leaves...more
The ending was somewhat unclear and does't really wrap things up. although the ending had a slight twist to it, the whole story leaves...more
An interesting read. The 'chapters' we're annoyingly short but the themes of family relationships in a difficult time of war was what made the book for me. At times I could feel the extreme tensions of individual characters forced into performing a role which they were clearly uncomfortable with. Whether that was the women in the family, very clearly bound by class and gender expectations, or the males attempting to fulfil society's expectations. Alexander's 'visions' about future deaths added y...more
I read this book in my english class for an essay. The story itself is a good one and the short chapters keep you reading on. The book also leaves you asking questions as the ending is quite an unfulfilling one. It is the story of a girl who can see people's deaths and it is set in ww1 so she sees the fates of her brothers (one has gone off to war). Definitley an interesting read and Michael Sedgwig is a great writer and has a very stylistic and interesting way of writing! I would recommend to a...more
Alexandra can see other people’s deaths before they occur. This ability manifested itself when she was four and she saw her playmate, Claire, die in a vision. She continues to predict deaths and it upsets her parents and brothers who start denying that she has ability, until she is able to suppress it and deny it herself. Then Until World War 1 begins and her brothers enlist and she sees her older brother’s death in a vision. She hopes it’s nothing but a dream, but cannot deny that she still has...more
Foreshadowing by Marcus Sedwick is a relief from all the tensions. Her relational brothers, Thomas and Edgar are wrapped within my one brother, and we have scuffles just like those.
The period of war during the time of growth and development also announces an irony between the head and hearts of families.
Alexandra who sees the future is weird, but nevertheless I read it through. I couldn't finish it, because it got pretty unimaginative, and I didn't learn a new word. The story line was insipid....more
The period of war during the time of growth and development also announces an irony between the head and hearts of families.
Alexandra who sees the future is weird, but nevertheless I read it through. I couldn't finish it, because it got pretty unimaginative, and I didn't learn a new word. The story line was insipid....more
I liked the background information this book gave about me about the first world war especially since I need it for my English A Level class. But all in all, the story never really got me. I felt it was quite repetitive at times and in others just too good to be true. I mean, this is the war, people die in the war, it's hell on earth, but never do we get a proper description except for; what Alexandra saw was too horrible to describe. As for the end, it felt like the author got exceptionally bor...more
I was definitely intrigued by the beautiful, dark cover as well as its blurb.
The beginning of The Foreshadowing hooked me from the first sentence. I loved the impact of how short the chapters were, though the quality was amazing. Sedgwick definitely knows how to enchant readers!
I liked the beginning, middle and almost-end, and there was really only one aspect that I didn't like.
I wasn't too fond of the ending, really - Cassandra was lucky, Voodoo Jack was lucky and her brother, Thomas was a lit...more
The beginning of The Foreshadowing hooked me from the first sentence. I loved the impact of how short the chapters were, though the quality was amazing. Sedgwick definitely knows how to enchant readers!
I liked the beginning, middle and almost-end, and there was really only one aspect that I didn't like.
I wasn't too fond of the ending, really - Cassandra was lucky, Voodoo Jack was lucky and her brother, Thomas was a lit...more
I loved how original and unique this book was. This novel is a creative hybrid of historical fiction and sci-fi where the protagonist has one unique ability: the ability to see the future, more specifically, death.
The historical setting of England and France during World War I create the atmosphere of war; yet, it does not expose the reader to the complete horrors and atrocities of war. Just its presence. The novel takes you through the journey of a young girl, Alexandra Fox, and her desire to...more
The historical setting of England and France during World War I create the atmosphere of war; yet, it does not expose the reader to the complete horrors and atrocities of war. Just its presence. The novel takes you through the journey of a young girl, Alexandra Fox, and her desire to...more
It was really interesting to learn about the way things were for women back then and how the main character really felt like she need to do something more than just sit around the house all day I also enjoyed the settings and how she went to the war but what really disapointed me was that the main character didn't fall in love with Hodoo Jack who would be a perfect match for her because he would understand her the best of anyone if there was another book they would have deffinatly been together...more
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I usually enjoy historical fiction, especially when it involves a supernatural twist. I can't say I really enjoyed this book, though. The story follows Alexandra (or Sasha) during the first world war, a young woman who can see deaths before they happen. She first sees her four-year-old playmate's death, and is later haunted by dreams of ravens and dying soldiers. When she sees the death of her brother in one of her dreams, Alexandra decides she will do anything she can to stop her prophetic drea...more
So obviously I didn't really care for this book. I thought it was okay but it had a really slow beginning. I also didn't like many of the characters. For instance Alexandra's father was a complete jerk and I know this was during a time where women were still seen as inferior but he was just awful! Then there was her brother Edgar who was quite like his father. He brother Tom was much better but stilled seemed to be lacking in the personality department. Alexandra herself seemed a bit crazy. And...more
A fantastic story about a young upper middle class woman and how she gets pulled into a war. It all starts when she's 5 years old and "sees" the death of her best friend. From that moment on she is on a path that parallels the tragic story of Cassandra of Troy.
Of course, our main character in this story doesn't suffer quite as much trauma. The historical references in this story leave the reader enriched. Unless you're a war or history buff, you're bound to learn from this book. Being entertaine...more
Of course, our main character in this story doesn't suffer quite as much trauma. The historical references in this story leave the reader enriched. Unless you're a war or history buff, you're bound to learn from this book. Being entertaine...more
Wow, another fabulous story, this time set in the First World War and taken from a woman's viewpoint or rather, a teenage girl's viewpoint. Sasha Fox is distraught after she has a premonition regarding her two brothers away fighting in the war. She comes to the conclusion that in order to save her brothers she must get away from the her cosy life and the only way she can do so is by being cunning. I don't want to give the plot away but suffice to say that sometimes one must be cruel to be kind....more
It was my first read by this author, and he blew me away with his writing as well as the story. My twelve-year-old daughter begged me to read it, and once I started I quickly realized I wasn't going to regret it.
This book was not just well written but also a great story that will keep you turning the pages. I wasn't quite sure how old Jack was but would have loved to see him and Alexandra end up together. What an amazing story, one that will leave you pondering, and all fuzzy inside. Definitely...more
This book was not just well written but also a great story that will keep you turning the pages. I wasn't quite sure how old Jack was but would have loved to see him and Alexandra end up together. What an amazing story, one that will leave you pondering, and all fuzzy inside. Definitely...more
This was the amazing story of a young girl racing against the clock to save her brother, and, in that process, piece her broken family back together again.
That’s my summary, and, as far as summaries go, I will admit that this is pathetic. But you’re not reading my review to read the summary of the story – doubtless, you will see dozens of other summaries should you continue to read on, or you could just read the official summary at the top and be done with it. You’re reading my review now to see...more
That’s my summary, and, as far as summaries go, I will admit that this is pathetic. But you’re not reading my review to read the summary of the story – doubtless, you will see dozens of other summaries should you continue to read on, or you could just read the official summary at the top and be done with it. You’re reading my review now to see...more
This novel was a quicker read than I had anticipated - short chapters. It was also a lot deeper and more meaningful than I anticipated and delves into many social issues of that day, that of womens' roles in society, honor, duty, privilege, fear, & courage. YA readers may also relate to some of the characters' questioning the real reasons for the war and if it is really worth fighting and dying for - some youth today question U.S. involvement in some aspects of the War on Terror (specificall...more
Centered around two characters blessed (or cursed) with foresight, this book is a great concept book. It was interesting to have Sasha mention it feeling like time is moving backwards as the chapters are numbered in descending order. Set during World War I, Sasha is the typical spunky heroine who won't take no for an answer, even if it means getting herself in dangerous situations. However, there isn't a lot to be gained from her insight and realizations at the end of the book. A good read, but...more
The book The Foreshadowing is a historical fiction book about a girl named Sasha. She always strives to do more, but is often held back because of her father's beliefs and things she sees. This book takes place during
World War 1. Sasha has sees things that many people don't believe. One day Sasha sees something that will greatly effect her life and decides she wants to stop it. I like this book because it has good historical references and facts, but also has fiction.
World War 1. Sasha has sees things that many people don't believe. One day Sasha sees something that will greatly effect her life and decides she wants to stop it. I like this book because it has good historical references and facts, but also has fiction.
I really enjoyed this book. World War I has been my latest fascination and suits this book as the background of this middle class family's interactions, all the tensions and attachments hang out for the reader to appreciate. I found the foreshadowing piece (I know it is the central theme of the story, hence the title) awkward, I just don't believe, but it did move the plot along and created a terrific climax.
This was a good book. Interesting premise, and it even had a few great quotes that really got me thinking. Loved the twist at the end.
One thing - the girl was... hmm, not too much like a girl. It isn't completely apparent, except to girls. I didn't realize it until I was thinking about how the death and blood is described (she's a nurse in WW1), and it's not very emotional. Not nearly as emotional as a girl would be. He had the basics, but the complexity of emotion was lacking, and the descript...more
One thing - the girl was... hmm, not too much like a girl. It isn't completely apparent, except to girls. I didn't realize it until I was thinking about how the death and blood is described (she's a nurse in WW1), and it's not very emotional. Not nearly as emotional as a girl would be. He had the basics, but the complexity of emotion was lacking, and the descript...more
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Marcus Sedgwick (b 1968) was born in Kent, England. Marcus is a British author and illustrator as well as a musician. He used to play for two bands namely playing the drums for Garrett and as the guitarist in an ABBA tribute group. He has published novels such as Floodland (winner of the Branford Boase Award in 2001) and The Dark Horse (shortlisted for The Guardian Children's Book Award 2002).
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“I'm just a girl in a nurse's uniform, but that doesn't mean I know how to save these men, and they- they are men in uniforms, but that doesn't mean they know how to die.”
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17 people liked it
“And if I really can see the future, then what does it mean? Is there any sense in our lives if everything is already out there, just waiting to happen? For if that were so, then life would be a horrible monster indeed, with no chance of escape from fate, from destiny. It would be like reading a book, but reading it backwards, from the final chapter down to chapter one, so that the end is already known to you.”
—
4 people liked it
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