The Secrets of a Fire King. Stories :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

All the same

2008-08-14
Reading the back cover of this book, I expected an intriguing and exciting collection of short stories focusing on people in extraordinary situations- it promises stories of fire-eaters, trapeze artists, and Marie Curie's cleaning lady, among others.
After the first few stories, however, it became clear to me that the author had in mind a few stock plot turns that she somehow incorporated into almost every story. Yes, the settings and characters differ, but nearly each story has one of two endings. Although it is commonly accepted that there are certain elements present in most stories , this book takes the common elements to an extreme. Perhaps if one were to read one or two of these stories, they might be more enjoyable. Twelve, however, is too many.

There is a reason this book was $3.99

2008-04-29
It is awful. A bunch of sad stories that do not make much sense (Rat Stories? Come on). If this book could hold its own weight it wouldn't need to ride the coat tails of Memory Keepers Daughter.

Great book!

2008-04-23
I read "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" first, and absolutely loved it! So I bought this book, hoping that this one will be as good. And it is! I saw this book at Border's, and I was going to pay the $14.00 cover price for it. But I decided to wait, and thankfully I did, because the price here (I think I paid $3.60 or so for it) is much better. But I will say that it is worth the cover price. I thought this book was new....but it actually was published I think 1997.

Some of the stories ended in a way I had think about them for a few times before I actually got it, but they all are written beautifully. Each story is about a character, rather then plot, which is awesome. You get to know each one, indentify with some, and really feel what they feel. And if you've got kids, short stories are the way to go! My kids like to talk to me when I read LOL So this way I can get done with a story quickly and then go do what I need to do and come back later.

All in all, I highly recommend it. Also, buy "The Memory Keeper's Daughter", its awesome!

Enchantment and hardship blend in some outstanding surveys.

2007-09-03
Kim Edwards' short stories in SECRETS OF A FIRE KING receives actress Bernadette Dunne's fine acting skills and smooth voice as they offer insights on individuals living on the edge of society, from a fire-eater and a juggler to a cleaning woman whose life is entwined with Marie Curie's. Love, enchantment and hardship blend in some outstanding surveys.

Fire King wet blanket

2007-07-22
This book was a huge disappointment. After reading her best seller I thought this book would be better.

The Secrets of a Fire King

2007-07-21
The first story collection from the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Memory Keeper's Daughter.

An amazing first effort

1997-05-12
Kim Edwards is a highly gifted writer with a wonderful grasp of both character and language. While many of her locales are exotic, the characters are very recognizable in their humanity. Some stories made me cry, and others made me want to shake some sense into the characters. This book is an amazing first effort, and I look forward to Ms. Edwards' future works

Fabulous Story Collection

1997-04-26
This book is full of a sincere magic and an earthly clarity. The characters' lives are extraordinary and compassionataly rendered -- I have been touched and moved by all their stories. If you love short story collections definitely read this book

Highly recommend!!

1997-04-15
Ms. Edwards took me to distance lands and introduced me to wonderful characters through her strong writing style. She left me wanting more!! Thank you, Ki