by Will Hill
The idea of cults seems to hold an allure for readers and writers alike; what do you think it is about the mentality of a cult – both looking at the leaders and the followers – that is so fascinating to us? Are there any other books you’ve read which address similar issues? How did they do this?
Moonbeam comments of Father John, “For years and years it was the only voice that mattered, the only source of truth in a world full of lies” and the boundaries between truths and lies are examined continuously over the course of the novel. Can something such as “truth” be subjective? If one person believes something to be true, does this make it so? Discuss your thoughts on the idea of truth versus lies, looking at both the text and thinking about the wider scope of the question.
Towards the end of the novel, Agent Carlyle comments of the members of the Base: “I’ve seen their photos, these men and women who paid with their lives for putting their faith in the wrong person, and I look at them and I don’t think they were stupid or vicious or weak. I think they were misled, and I think what happened to them could happen to anybody, given the right set of circumstances.” Do you think this is true? Could it happen to anybody?
Discuss your feelings about the end of the novel. Did you think this was a fitting ending for Moonbeam and her mother?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Will Hill grew up in the north-east of England and worked as a bartender, bookseller and in publishing, before quitting to write full-time. His first novel, Department 19 – the first in a series of five – was published in 2011 to widespread acclaim. Will lives in east London.
@WillHillauthor
www.willhillauthor.com
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
All my love and gratitude, as always, to Sarah. My biggest and most loyal supporter, my first and most unflinching reader. My partner in everything, who tolerates me spending so much time with people who only exist inside my head.
My agent Charlie Campbell, for everything you do and for never losing faith.
My editor Rebecca Hill, for taking a chance on this novel and making it so much better.
Becky Walker, Amy Dobson, Stevie Hopwood, Alesha Bonser and all the amazing team at Usborne, who never cease to impress me with their creativity and passion.
My three families. The one that raised me (Mum, Peter, Sue, Ken, Mavis, Roger, Claire), the one I was welcomed into (Kay, Tony, Kevin, Jo, Tom, Pika, Ruby, Lola, Bill, Angela), and the one I chose for myself (James, Joe, Mick, Jared, Patrick, Kim, Tom, Lou).
Finally, to everyone who has read this novel. Thank you.
Tell us what you thought of AFTER THE FIRE
“THE THINGS I’VE SEEN.
THEY’RE BURNED INTO ME,
LIKE SCARS
THAT REFUSE TO FADE.”
How do you feel
#afterthefire?
TELL US
@Usborne
@WillHillauthor
@UsborneYA
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First published in the UK in 2017 by Usborne Publishing Ltd., Usborne House, 83-85 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8RT, England. www.usborne.com
Copyright © Will Hill, 2017
The right of Will Hill to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
Cover background © Sherrrry / Thinkstock; blonde girl with red berries © Lena Okuneva / Trevillion Images; Vulture 1 © S_Lew / Thinkstock; Vulture 2 © David De Lossy / Thinkstock
The name Usborne and the devices are Trade Marks of Usborne Publishing Ltd.
All rights reserved. This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or used in any way except as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or loaned or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ePub ISBN: 9781474939522