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Burn

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Burn

By: Melanie Saward
Narrated by: Ari Maza Long
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About this listen

When a tragic bushfire puts two kids in hospital, Indigenous teenager Andrew knows the police will come after him first. But Andrew almost wants to be caught, because at least it might make his dad come and rescue him from suburban Brisbane and his neglectful mother.

Growing up in small-town Tasmania, Andrew struggled at home, at school, at everything. The only thing that distracted or excited him was starting little fires. Flames boosted his morale and purified his thoughts, and they were the only thing in his life he could control. Until one day things got out of hand, and Andrew was forced to leave everything behind.

Now as the police close in and Andrew runs out of people to turn to, he must decide whether he can put his faith in himself to find a way forward.

Burn is an affecting, powerful novel about prejudice and growing up on the margins from exciting new Australian voice Melanie Saward.

‘A great book, storytelling with heart, and a testimony to truth.' – Tony Birch

©2023 Melanie Saward (P)2023 W. F. Howes Ltd Coming of Age Genre Fiction World Literature Fiction Native American Heartfelt Tear-jerking
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This is a story of a first nations kid growing up in poverty, with a broken family, and without guidance or support. It's told through his voice in interleaved chapters showing his childhood and his grade 10 school year. Throughout it all, even when he's making typically foolish teenage decisions, I felt completely immersed in his world view.

I felt that the voice was perfect here - I had no trouble relating to Andrew, and aspects of his story took me back to my own teens. This was probably helped a lot by the narration - Ari's performance here is just top notch, and I think really adds to the story.

This was a great read, and I'll be recommending it to my friends.

Heartwrenching and authentic

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.