- Paperback: 272 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (3 Feb 1995)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140173579
- ISBN-13: 978-0140173574
- Product Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,262,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Burning Bright
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Product Description
Review
A story of terrible innocence...with openings of unexpected love and grace worthy of Graham Greene (The Independent on Sunday )
Burning Bright is a beautifully constructed and thought-provoking novel, with a freshness that makes it outstanding (Sunday Telegraph )
Helen Dunmore beautifully fulfils the highest function of a storyteller - to make you wonder what will happen next...one goes on addressing the problems of evil which Dunmore raises, long after one has finished her electrifying book (Sunday Times ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Burning Bright is a beautifully constructed and thought-provoking novel, with a freshness that makes it outstanding (Sunday Telegraph )
Helen Dunmore beautifully fulfils the highest function of a storyteller - to make you wonder what will happen next...one goes on addressing the problems of evil which Dunmore raises, long after one has finished her electrifying book (Sunday Times ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Product Description
A 16-year-old girl leaves home to live with her Finnish lover, Kai and his business partner, Tony. Nadine is bright but naive, she likes feeling looked after and doesn't question where the money comes from. The story charts her growing friendship with the elderly Enid who is a sitting tenant.
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First Sentence
Last night Sukey came back. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Last night Sukey came back. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The first of HD's novels I've read, I found it utterly absorbing and extremely well written. The prose is hypnotic and there's a definate air of sinister tension throughout the first half of the book as you slowly uncurl two different threads of a tale. The story of Nadine and her elder lover, Kai, his business associate Tony and what they have planned for Nadine is one thread. Enid, a sitting tenant in their home, is the key to the second thread - who are Sukey and Caro and what happened to them? And what is the connection between Enid and an eminent politician?
The book is melodious in it's narrative and it's characterisation is clever. I do, however, have one criticism; Nadine is 16, yet has the emotoional dexterity of a woman much older. I didn't feel that her thought processes were akin to that of a teenager, albeit an intelligent one, and this spoiled the flow for me somewhat. Though it is clear that Nadine has had an interesting upbringing, I did feel that this still did not allow for such astute and creative observations.
This aside, I am sure you will appreciate this novel for what it is. I know I'll be searching out more of HD's work...
The book is melodious in it's narrative and it's characterisation is clever. I do, however, have one criticism; Nadine is 16, yet has the emotoional dexterity of a woman much older. I didn't feel that her thought processes were akin to that of a teenager, albeit an intelligent one, and this spoiled the flow for me somewhat. Though it is clear that Nadine has had an interesting upbringing, I did feel that this still did not allow for such astute and creative observations.
This aside, I am sure you will appreciate this novel for what it is. I know I'll be searching out more of HD's work...
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Helen Dunmore is such a good writer that I end up reading books on subject matters I wouldn't normally choose just because I know she is such a superb writer I will enjoy her books. This is an unusual story about unusual characters; quite suspenseful at times, very touching at others. Well worth a read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Who is looking out for sixteen year-old Nadine in a world where youth is the only currency with which certain people wish to deal? Not Finnish Kai and his partner Tony who are small time on their way, they believe, to be big time. They have a friend in high places, a politician, who, for certain favours, will smooth their paths. Or so they think.
And what about Enid an old lady with a fund of stories about the Manchester Ladies' Club and an old murder case that has resonance in a different way for the politician. Enid is a sitting tenant, but how long before the big boys lose their patience with her, and with Nadine?
This hypnotically readable novel is a humdinger of a book, ticking all the boxes: brilliantly characterised, really well-crafted as a story - this is scary, seductive, and gloriously fulfilling. Dunmore has seldom written to better effect, this might not have won any prizes, but it's a real winner in my estimation.
And what about Enid an old lady with a fund of stories about the Manchester Ladies' Club and an old murder case that has resonance in a different way for the politician. Enid is a sitting tenant, but how long before the big boys lose their patience with her, and with Nadine?
This hypnotically readable novel is a humdinger of a book, ticking all the boxes: brilliantly characterised, really well-crafted as a story - this is scary, seductive, and gloriously fulfilling. Dunmore has seldom written to better effect, this might not have won any prizes, but it's a real winner in my estimation.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
burning bright....again
Helen Dunmore's inimitable style comes once again to the fore in this probing story about a young girl living in a small block of city flats; her loneliness, her vulnerability and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Carly Killingbeck
Gripping Story and Wonderful Language
Helen Dunmore writes some of the most exquisite prose of literature today in this tale of Nadine, an innocent young runaway who becomes involved with a corrupt Finnish property... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Kate Hopkins
Sack the proofreader...
Oh wait - there wasn't one...
I can't believe how many typos there were in this book. Is it done by a weird robot? Read more
I can't believe how many typos there were in this book. Is it done by a weird robot? Read more
Published 16 months ago by Lizard
Masterful ...... but ...... .....but.....
One thing I am clear about. Helen Dunmore writes beautifully. Her ability to observe and describe is a joy. Read more
Published 18 months ago by John Brain
An OK read
I quite liked this book but felt there were a lot of loose ends left hanging. Some sections were quite boring and didn't seem to relate to the main story. Read more
Published 21 months ago by J. Burnell
More please...
Great Dunmore book- left me wanting to read her others. Love the twists in the story- even if some were somewhat predictable...
Published 22 months ago by avidreader
couldnt' put down
i've read and re read this book, thats how good it is !!
spell binding. read it and you'll know what i mean!
spell binding. read it and you'll know what i mean!
Published on 30 Mar 2008 by Mrs. Catherine Craven
Briiliant
This is simply a brilliant and unique book by an extremely talented writer. On one level, it's a thriller, but on another, more important level, it's simply wonderful literature. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2001
A darkly beautiful modern fairytale
'Burning Bright' is one of the most riveting, imaginative novels I have ever read. The characters are skilfully crafted and highly believable, and the plot unwraps itself in a... Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2000
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