Faces in the Fire, and Other Fancies

"Faces in the Fire, and Other Fancies" by Frank Boreham is a series of thoughtful essays from the early 1900s that encourages readers to rediscover the magic in ordinary moments. The collection contemplates what it means to be human while focusing on wonder, surprise, and thoughtful reflections. Boreham's writing style uses strong images and thoughtful ideas that prompt thinking about how we see things, the flow of time, and the difficulties of being alive. The book begins with Boreham's memories of first seeing New Zealand and feeling lonely because of its wild landscapes. However, this feeling turns into a wider discussion of connection, showing that our lives have unexpected surprises. The author insists that it is important to keep the wonder of a child and be amazed by the world, which he claims our ability to do shrinks as we age. Boreham paints pictures of simple life by describing a baby learning about the world and adds personal stories, making this the starting point for the book's main ideas.