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People don’t seem to talk much about children’s sci-fi author Nicholas Fisk anymore. I read a few of his books as a child, and they stand out in my memory as strange, imaginative, thought-provoking stories. A Rag, a Bone and a Hank of Hair was perhaps the most memorable of these.
What it’s about
At the end of the 22nd century, the birth rate is falling because of a nuclear accident. A petulant boy called Brin is asked to take part in a strange experiment involving Reborns, which are a kind of clone of human beings from the 1940s.
Brin must step into a 1940s setting, to observe the Reborns in their own habitat. At first he’s appalled by ‘the inefficiency and grubbiness of their world’, which contrasts starkly with the order and calm of his own. But gradually he builds an affection for them, leading him to question his assumptions about the world he lives in.
What I liked best about A Rag, a Bone and a Hank of Hair
- It questions what’s real. Brin notices that the Reborns’ lives in the Second World War scenario seem more real, more spontaneous, than his own. We also learn about the artifice of 22nd-century life, where people’s minds are manipulated to simultaneously make them more intelligent and control their behaviour.
- It brings together the future and the past. We get to see a bit of Brin’s futuristic world, with moving pavements, anti-gravity sports and constant surveillance. But the most compelling element is the 1940s setting: the unordered chaos of the children’s lives, the housekeeper’s relentless routine, the characters’ strong spirits despite the constant danger. I understand why Brin finds their world appealing: I did, too.
- Brin develops from an arrogant know-all into a thoughtful hero. Brin starts the story thinking he knows best about everything. Gradually, as his affection grows for the 1940s characters, he starts to question what he’s been taught – and must ultimately make an earth-shattering decision.
Who would like A Rag, a Bone and a Hank of Hair
The subject matter is dark, and there’s the threat of death throughout – so the youngest readers should avoid this.
There’s a lot for sci-fi lovers to get their teeth into, especially the idea of cloning and the question of what’s really real. But large chunks of the story take place in the Second World War setting, so readers with an interest in history should enjoy this, too.
In summary
This is a deliciously thought-provoking sci-fi novel that cleverly mixes futuristic and historical settings. Nicholas Fisk had a real knack for telling weird, unsettling sci-fi tales, and this is a great example. It stuck in my mind for over 30 years – I challenge you to read it and forget it!
Next steps
Prices for A Rag, a Bone and a Hank of Hair are a bit steep on Amazon. I found a cheap-ish copy on eBay, so you could try there.