An Inflammable History: Guy Fawkes Revisited
Guy Fawkes Day Sends Up Sparks . . . Literally
If you’ve never celebrated Guy Fawkes Night, imagine this: a holiday where people light massive bonfires, toss a stuffed guy (literally) onto the flames, and cheer as fireworks explode overhead in glorious chaos.
Totally normal. Totally British.
Also known as Bonfire Night, this November 5th tradition dates back to 1605, when a group of conspirators—including the infamous Guy Fawkes—tried to blow up the British Parliament and assassinate King James I. The reason? Religious persecution. The result? Fawkes was caught guarding the gunpowder. The plot failed. And because Britain never passes up a chance to turn political disaster into a party, they’ve been celebrating the foiled plan ever since—with fire, fireworks, and slightly creepy effigies.
It’s like historical justice meets neighborhood barbecue.
Effigies of Guy Fawkes are paraded around (or just plopped onto the fire), and kids chant sing-song rhymes like:
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason, and plot…
It’s weird. It’s dramatic. It’s delightful.
And in Of Silver and Secrets, Eva and Bram are drawn into the revelry too—except things don’t go quite as planned. One minute, they’re watching fireworks. The next? They’re inside a runaway hot air balloon, soaring far above the bonfire below.
Sparks fly—literally and figuratively.
So whether you light a fire, bake a treacle tart, or just enjoy the explosive drama from afar, remember this: a little treason goes a long way in fiction. And sometimes, romance takes off when you least expect it. Find out by snatching up your copy of Of Silver and Secrets.
Or enter into the Rafflecopter and you might be a lucky duck . . .
