Andrea Ashworth

Andrea Ashworth was born in Manchester in 1969. She is an academic, journalist, and author of the internationally bestselling memoir Once in a House on Fire (Picador 1998), her first book.

“I’m thrilled that Once in a House on Fire is being brought to life on the stage through the fabulous Monkeywood Theatre, and immensely proud that they’re devoting their unique talents and passion to sharing this story.  I can’t wait to see what they do…” Andrea Ashworth

She has studied, taught or held fellowships at Oxford, Yale and Princeton. Andrea has written fiction and non-fiction for numerous publications, including Vogue, Granta, The Times, The TLS and The Guardian and is currently working on a novel.

Andrea works to raise awareness about domestic violence and promote literacy and education. She is Editor in Chief of Women’s Worldwide Web, an online platform that empowers women, their families and communities, through microfinance, education, mentoring and social networking.

Once in a House On Fire

‘One of the most extraordinary stories you will ever read of the triumph of the human spirit’ Daily Mail

Set in 1970s Manchester, Once in a House on Fire tells the true story of three sisters and their mother, a close-knit and loving family forced to battle with poverty, abuse and the effects of depression. Beautifully written and deeply inspiring it is a book that will stay with its readers for ever.

‘This is a brilliant book. Brilliantly written, brilliantly thought, brilliantly remembered . . . Ashworth has written an extraordinary memoir; the only pity is that she had to live it to make it’ Scotsman

‘Enchanting and thrilling . . . As a chronicle of northern working-class life in the seventies and eighties . . . it would be hard to better this book. It is extremely moving . . . It is also at time surprisingly, and gratifyingly, very funny’ Tim Lott, The Times

‘Full of energy, wit and a child’s wide-open gaze . . . Andrea Ashworth escaped the fire to write a remarkable book’ Blake Morrison, Independent on Sunday

Once in a House on Fire will help to support Women’s Worldwide Web. For more information visit http://www.womensworldwideweb.org.