Title: The Foreshadowing
Author: Marcus Sedgwick
First published January 1, 2005
288 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781444011067 (ISBN10: 1444011065)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
Set in the year 1915 in the wealthy seaside town of Brighton, The Foreshadowing by Marcus Sedgwick tells the story of Sasha Fox, a young girl with a terrible gift of seeing the future. As her brothers, Edgar and Tom, go off to war, Sasha’s premonitions reveal the horrors of the battlefield and the fate of her beloved brothers.
Despite her efforts to warn her family, no one believes her and Sasha is left alone to face her destiny. With her family losing faith in her, Sasha is determined to win them back, even if it means paying a high price.
Sedgwick’s signature poetic prose and compelling storytelling will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Sasha’s journey to change the course of fate.
About the Author
Marcus Sedgwick, a British author, illustrator, and musician, was born in Kent, England. Sedgwick has written several books, including Witch Hill and The Book of Dead Days, which were both nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award.
His most recent nomination reignited his interest in Poe, which inspired “The Heart of Another” – a short story based on Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” – in his book The Restless Dead, published in 2007. Sedgwick initially thought the story might work better as a novel, but he ultimately decided that the short story format was a better fit.
Sedgwick credits Poe’s story and technique as the final puzzle piece that he needed to complete his story idea.
Aside from writing, Sedgwick has also pursued a career in music. He used to play the drums for Garrett and played guitar in an ABBA tribute group.
In addition to Witch Hill and The Book of Dead Days, Sedgwick has also written other award-winning novels, such as Floodland, which won the Branford Boase Award in 2001, and The Dark Horse, which was shortlisted for The Guardian Children’s Book Award in 2002.
Editoral Review
The Foreshadowing is a gripping World War I historical fiction novel by British author Marcus Sedgwick. Set in England in 1915, the novel follows the story of 17-year-old protagonist Alexandra Alex Fox, who believes that she has psychic abilities.
With the war raging on and her older brother Ralph serving on the frontline, Alex is consumed by premonitions of tragedy and the impending fate of her loved ones. As she sets out to save her brother, Alex embarks on a journey that leads her to question the nature of time, free will, love, and the human experience.
Sedgwicks writing style is beautiful and haunting, drawing on vivid imagery and a deep understanding of the human psyche. The themes of the novel are diverse, ranging from war and death to spirituality and the supernatural.
The setting of the book is well researched and described, painting a convincing picture of life in England during WWI. The plot is intricate and unpredictable, with Sedgwick skillfully weaving together the various strands of the story in a way that keeps the reader guessing until the very end.
One of the strongest aspects of The Foreshadowing is the protagonist, Alex Fox, who is an intelligent and complex character. Her psychic abilities allow her to gain insight into the minds of those around her, while also burdening her with the weight of knowledge about their fates.
The novel does a great job of exploring the psychological impact of living with this knowledge, as well as the broader themes of fate and free will. However, the pacing of the novel can feel slow at times, and the ending is somewhat abrupt.
In addition, some readers may find the novels supernatural elements hard to accept. Despite these flaws, The Foreshadowing is a masterful work of historical fiction that is both deeply moving and thought-provoking.
It is an excellent read for fans of the genre and a great introduction to the works of Marcus Sedgwick. The novels themes of love, loss, and the interconnectedness of all things are timeless and relevant to readers of all ages.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a well-written and emotionally impactful read. Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
