The Foreshadowing - Hardcover

Sedgwick, Marcus

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1842552198 ISBN 13: 9781842552193

Publisher: Orion Children's Books, 2005

Synopsis

It is 1915. 17 year old Sasha Fox is the privileged only daughter of a respected doctor living in the wealthy seaside town of Brighton. But her brothers, Edgar and Tom, have gone to war and Sasha has a terrible gift. She can see the future. Her premonitions show her untold horrors on the battlefields of the Somme, and worse still, what will happen to Edgar and Tom. Like the prophetess Cassandra, who foretold the tragedies of Troy, Sasha is trapped by power. No one will believe her. Her family have lost faith in her. She is determined to win them back, whatever the price. And it is a high one - seeing the future is a fate almost too awful to contemplate - for who wants to see the end of their own story...?

Stylishly written in his familiar, poetic prose the story is that of a world full of threat and a child in jeopardy - but with a heroine resourceful enough to try to change the path of Fate.

About this title

Review

'This is a thoughtful read for transition age children who like vividly reconstructed historical events' (Sonia Benster THE BOOKSELLER)

'...a gripping and haunting story... An original combination of historical fiction and the supernatural' (Jill Slotover FINANCIAL TIMES)

'A haunting and recommended read' (SUNDAY TIMES (FUNDAY TIMES))

'...refinement of his prose, polished until each sentence is as smooth as a pebble. ...consistent high quality of (his) writing...' (Angela Wintle THE (BRIGHTON) ARGUS)

'Marcus Sedgwick mixes his particular blend of gothic craft with skilfully researched historical fiction... Beautifully produced, with woodcut illustrations, this is a desirable book in every sense' (Dinah Hall SUNDAY TELEGRAPH)

'The sixth novel by the incomparable Marcus Sedgwick, and undoubtedly his finest yet. The full horror of the Western Front is unfolding; and seventeen year old Sasha Fox has a clearer picture than most. Her ability to predict the future proves an excruciating burden when she foresees the fate of her two soldier brothers. A powerful and mesmerizing story that I was almost afraid to finish, I was terrified of how it would end. Devastatingly good' (Becky Stradwick BORDERS)

'Powerfully written. Amazing!' (Clare Gambell OTTAKAR'S GUILDFORD)

'A gripping and moving novel' (Kate Hancock OTTAKAR'S HUDDERSFIELD)

'..Written in short, numbered sections, a device which will help young readers through unfamiliarity with period and subject-matter, the story counts down to what seems inevitable, but there's a clever trick here. Some of Marcus Sedgwick's most effective writing is in the dreamlike episodes involving a raven, giving the war scenes a mythic significance' (Linda Newbery TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT)

'...a sensitive tale of the supernatural' (Amanda Craig THE TIMES 27/8/05)

Book Description

Set against the backdrop of World War I, an accomplished novel about a girl with a tragic gift - Sasha can see the future - but can she use her power to save her brothers and change their destiny?

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion Children's Books
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1842552198
• ISBN 13: 9781842552193
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288