Texta Book Club: Burn by Melanie Saward

A great book – storytelling with heart, and a testimony to truth.

– Tony Birch

To coincide with the exhibition, As Above, So Below, we will be discussing Burn by Melanie Saward.

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.

About Texta

Texta is no ordinary book club; it's for people who love art. We use fiction (mostly) to unpack the subjects, themes and emotions of art. Conversation is never colourless, and is facilitated by our Engagement Coordinator, Renae Belton, and University Librarian Nicole Clark.

Texta is held throughout the year on Tuesday evenings. You can purchase this title from the Bookshop at QUT Depot or listen via Audible.