Antony Barone Kolenc - The Fire of Eden

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2021 Antony Barone Kolenc

All rights reserved.

Cover art credit: Martin Beckett, MahirAtes/iStockphoto/Getty Images.

art credit: Martin Beckett

eBook ISBN: 978-0-8294-4815-3

Based on the print edition: 978-0-8294-4814-6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020939927

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For Mom

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The Fire of Eden is a work of historical fiction. This type of book differs from nonfiction because the story is imagined by the author and does more than simply tell you what happened. Rather, this type of book helps you, the reader, understand what happened in history while drawing you in and entertaining you. The story invites you to make connections with situations and characters and to discover what stays the same for people of any period and also determine what might have changed over time.

Even though the characters and events are imagined, an author of historical fiction tries to be accurate when presenting what it might have been like for a specific group of people to live and work in a particular time and place. Thats why an author might present scenes and dialogue that differ greatly from what we experience today.

These differences are also why some of what you read might feel foreign or even shocking. As you read, remember that in some cases, the characters arent doing something wrong; they are simply doing what was considered acceptable at that time. As the reader, its important for you to read critically throughout. If youre interested in learning more about the historical context of The Fire of Eden, youll find more information in the back of the book, in the Authors Historical Note.

Here are some tips for making the most of The Fire of Eden.

Do some brief Internet research about life in twelth-century England and in a typical abbey of that time. Watch a video, view illustrations, or read an article to gain some historical context.

Ask yourself questions such as the following:

Ask yourself questions such as the following:

P ride. Conquering the giant oak would be a source of fame to the orphan boys at Harwood Abbey. No one had ever dared climb to its tallest branch.

Until now.

Xan stood below the first low-hanging limb, fingers raised and ready. Across from him, John, too, had lifted his hairy arms close to the thick branch, which jutted toward the dirt.

Ready? And go! Joshua shouted, holding up a hand above his red hair. Hed insisted that he be the one to start Xan and John on their way.

They jumped to the branch at the same time, grasping it and swinging their legs over the top. Then Xan grabbed the branch to the right of the trunk, while John went left.

The daunting trees vast limbs stretched over a ribbon of the woodland stream. Had three of the boys stretched their arms out, they barely could have touched fingers around its hefty trunk.

Xan probably shouldnt have worn the new green tunic Sister Regina had sent over from the convent yesterday. Though it was softer on his skin, he might rip a hole in it up here.

Above him, John had already gone a branch ahead, his muscular arms moving in near panic to beat Xan at this race. Actually, this wasnt supposed to be a race at alljust a fun dare.

The dare had been Johns, of course. Ill bet we can get to that tallest branch, hed said. They had called a truce and had become like friends in the months since Xan had returned from Lincoln, but John still made everything a competition, even when it wasnt.

David, trying to be a good friend to John, had refused any part in their addlepated idea, reminding them again how the prior had declared with authority that this tree was dangerous.

Branch after branch, they pounced and heaved and grunted their way toward the top of the tree. The lower branches were easier to navigatethick and firm to grab. But as they ascended past the halfway point, they had to choose their limbs more carefully.

With each moment, more of the countryside, and even parts of the abbey, came into view. The summer sun flamed behind the green forest and lit atop the main abbey church, though the trees still hid the other buildings: the scriptorium, boys dorm, girls convent, and all the rest.

There were the granges, where wheat grew and the servants labored. Those fields ended at the woodlands: mile after mile of green trees pouring out on all sides. But this was too distant to see Chadwick Manor or even the abbeys two manors: Penwood and Oakwood.

Xan sniffed at the hot fresh air and crisp green leaves all around him.

Enjoy the view, John called down, sweat dripping from the sandy hair that wilted on his head. Im going to get there before you. No doubt John had chosen his branches faster, but it was obvious that his path forward would soon become rough. Maybe Xan could make up some time if he just hurried a bit more.

Be careful, John, he said. Remember, were not racing.

John laughed. Of course we are, you simpkin.

They kept climbing. As they neared the topa dizzying height best handled by not looking downJohns pace barely let up. Hed taken the riskier route but kept his lead.

Indeed, John was almost to the tallest branch. Xan was going to lose.

Im gonna be the first one to ever do it, John shouted down to the group of boys whod formed at the base of the tree. Even David was there now. Youre all my witnesses.

Xan wasnt far behind John. It was possible for him to make up the distance between them. Johns next step surely would require at least an ounce of thought to figure out properly. Xan doubled his pace.