Name: Out of the Fire
Brand: Austin Macauley Publishers
SKU: 9781035887750
Price: 5.99 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (8 reviews)
Author: Joy Ozobia

Out of the Fire is the story of Ada, a young girl who survived and escaped the Nigerian Civil War in Biafra.

She arrived in the UK with her English stepfather, Clint Topper, her mother, Charity Topper, and her two younger brothers, Billy and Ben. The story recounts the family’s journey from Uli Airport in war-torn Biafra to their final arrival at Heathrow Airport in London.

Ada’s story is one of adjustment and survival in a new world – a world where peace reigns, food is plentiful, and children can be educated and play in a safe environment.

Joy Ozobia was born in Onitsha in Eastern Nigeria. She arrived in the UK in 1970 as a teenager in the company of her mother and English stepfather, after fleeing from the civil war in Biafra. Despite missing almost two and half years of formal education, Joy completed her education in England where she obtained a Diploma in Library and Education Studies, BA Hons degree in Sociology, M.Sc. in Marine Law and Policy, LLB in Law and the Solicitors Final Exams. She retired as a teacher after completing her PGCE and teaching for 10 years.

Customer Reviews

5.0

8 reviews

Rchard

Out of the Fire is a moving story of stolen innocence, survival, and the quiet strength it takes to rise from the ashes of war. This is a novella worth reading; it Acarries real emotional weight and leaves a lasting impression. Joy tells this story with tenderness and heart, reminding us that even after deep loss, courage and hope can still endure.
Novelman

The novel’s emotional depth and vivid portrayal of the Nigerian civil war through Ada’s eyes are very powerful and moving. It offers a rare and insightful look at a difficult historical period, with strong character development and authentic cultural details. The pacing slows down occasionally, but the story’s impact and heartfelt narrative make it a compelling read.
Patrick Casement

This fragile candle somehow managed to survive, through many trials and storms, but she was still able to “hold on”. And then, despite all she had suffered, just see what she went on to achieve in her extraordinary life.
lynda kent

Truthful and insightful account of a young girl's story escaping the Biafran war, and how her life progressed in England. I have enjoyed every page and get a real feel for her thoughts, feelings and success when 'Out Of the Fire'
Nnamdi

A heartrending tale set against the harrowing backdrop of the gruesome Biafran War, Ada's journey unfolds with pure and unadulterated emotion. Her story is not merely told but is felt, whispered into the depths of the reader's soul. Each word leaps from the page, vivid and untamed, whetting your voracious-reader appetite for more. Once I turned the first page, I was entranced, unable to part with the novel until the final, aching syllable. How I yearned for the story to stretch beyond its last breath: an echo of history, lingering, longing to be told again and again.
Amazon Customer

'Out of the Fire' by Joy Ozobia is a moving and heartfelt account of a young girl's journey from war torn Biafra to London with her family. At times it is heartbreaking, at times it is joyous, and at times it is funny (especially the comments on food), and I thoroughly enjoyed following along with Ada's journey. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to get a little insight into what it might have been like to live through a time like this, as well as those who have indeed lived this story and would like to see if Ada's story brings up anything for them. Thank you Joy for bringing this story to life and for letting someone with no lived experience of this kind of situation feel like they could, in some way, understand how it may have felt.
Amazon Customer

Joy Ozobia’s Out of the Fire is a short but emotionally resonant novella that tells the story of Ada, a young girl who escapes the Biafran War and begins a new life in the United Kingdom. Based in part on the author’s own experiences, the book explores themes of displacement, cultural identity, trauma, and resilience through the eyes of a child navigating profound change. Though brief in length, the novella offers a thoughtful and personal perspective on the impact of war. Ozobia writes in a clear, accessible style that emphasizes emotional honesty rather than dramatic events. This allows readers to closely connect with Ada’s inner world her confusion, fear, and gradual adaptation to her new surroundings. A key strength of the book is its focus on family and belonging. Ada’s relationship with her mother, her stepfather, and her younger brothers serves as a steady anchor amid the instability of migration. The story also raises important questions about what it means to belong both to a place and to a culture and how young people reconcile their past with their present Out of the Fire is a valuable text for readers interested in refugee experiences, postcolonial identity, and the personal effects of historical conflict. Its accessibility makes it suitable for younger readers, while its emotional depth ensures it offers much to reflect on in both classroom and independent study contexts. June Brown
Sarah

Out of the Fire is a moving and absorbing account of a young girl’s journey from war-torn Biafra to the United Kingdom with her two siblings, mother, and English stepfather. The book traces not only the upheaval of displacement, but also the resilience and inner strength that shape her coming of age. Compelling from the first page to the last, it is an emotional and captivating read that leaves a lasting impression.