Stephanie Jane reviewed A Fire In The Sky by Wendy A M Prosser
A wonderfully engaging story!
5 stars
What a wonderfully engaging story! I bought A Fire In The Sky on the strength of Wendy Prosser's writing in previous essay collections of hers that I have read and because I was keen to learn about James Sadler, a genuine historical figure who lived - and flew - in 1780s Oxford. Prosser brings Sadler vividly to life on the page and I loved the wealth of period detail she includes in her portrayals of the Sadler family, the town of Oxford and the rarified university environment that exists alongside them.
James himself is inquisitive as a child, with a scientific brain, and keen to make more of his life than simply being his father's successor in the pastry shop. I felt Prosser deftly captured his character both as a child and as a young man with the family interactions giving us readers a good sense of what was culturally …
What a wonderfully engaging story! I bought A Fire In The Sky on the strength of Wendy Prosser's writing in previous essay collections of hers that I have read and because I was keen to learn about James Sadler, a genuine historical figure who lived - and flew - in 1780s Oxford. Prosser brings Sadler vividly to life on the page and I loved the wealth of period detail she includes in her portrayals of the Sadler family, the town of Oxford and the rarified university environment that exists alongside them.
James himself is inquisitive as a child, with a scientific brain, and keen to make more of his life than simply being his father's successor in the pastry shop. I felt Prosser deftly captured his character both as a child and as a young man with the family interactions giving us readers a good sense of what was culturally important and acceptable at the time. A Fire In The Sky completely fulfilled what I love about immersive historical fiction - and it also has a fantastical surprise up its sleeve.
Now, of course, I'm not saying that the more magical elements of this story couldn't actually have happened as they are depicted - after all, the simple creation of hydrogen to inflate the giant balloon must have been seen as pretty magical to many people at the time - but A Fire In The Sky does cleverly drift into a fantasy storyline that I loved. I felt this worked so well with the factual grounding. I can't say too much more without giving away massive spoilers. Personally I eagerly followed where Prosser's imaginative flights took me - there certainly was a sideways drift! - but I can appreciate that this might not be as delightful for readers who prefer their historical fiction to remain rooted in authenticity.