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7th out of 68 books
—
53 voters
Candlenight
by
Phil Rickman
Journalist Giles Freeman and his wife Claire are thrilled when they inherit a cottage far from the noise of the city. And though the locals are slow to welcome them, the Freemans believe that in time they will be accepted. But the Freemans have fallen under an ancient Celtic curse--and soon they will learn the truth about what it means to be outsiders. HC: Pan (UK).
Paperback, 463 pages
Published
September 1st 1995
by Jove
(first published September 1st 1991)
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There's always something about novels set in small towns in the countryside, that are inherently spooky. Candlenight was not the normal I have come to expect from most horror novels but it was still pretty interesting. By normal I mean it wasn't a blood fest or full of dead bodies. It reminded me of how superstitions and towns really give power to certain forces. I felt this when I read Rickman's book Curfew. The town warns people to stay away by not telling them to stay away. Instead of everyon...more
Not as good as either Curfew or December. Welsh nationalism is more than a little distracting from the supposed supernatural element here (actually Welsh nationalism is the all-too-prosaic inspiration for the supernatural agents, as well).[return][return]As always, Rickman creates interesting and likable characters, but there is a feel that maybe Rickman rushed this one a bit. One opportunity he missed is the main English character, who he unwisely kills off. Rickman's lead characters are often...more
This is the author's first novel and although good it lacked something and seemed to slow right down towards the end.
Back Cover Blurb:
For Bethan, the schoolteacher, the old superstitions woven into the social fabric of her West Wales village are primitive and distasteful. Which is why she's pleased to welcome the sophisticated newcomers, London journalist Giles Freeman and his wife Claire. Surely they'll let in some fresh air? But the Freemans are keen to absorb this different culture, a whole...more
Back Cover Blurb:
For Bethan, the schoolteacher, the old superstitions woven into the social fabric of her West Wales village are primitive and distasteful. Which is why she's pleased to welcome the sophisticated newcomers, London journalist Giles Freeman and his wife Claire. Surely they'll let in some fresh air? But the Freemans are keen to absorb this different culture, a whole...more
Phil Rickman has long been a favourite author of mine, I love his Merrily Watkins series, this however, is a darker more supernatural book... He takes a rural paradise and underlies it with a sinister and malevolent structure of locals who on the surface seem pleasant enough... He does his usual trick of making you believe that something otherworldly is happening, but with an undercurrent of making you doubt it at the same time... To quote a character from the book...' not possible is it really,...more
I thought the book was awesome.
I wanted to read his series but I thought I should see what kind of a writer he is so I chose this book "Candlenight" for our book club. Two out of the three of us finished it. The two of us loved it. The other one was having a hard time with the language. I actually took notes to remember what every thing meant. It was worth it. One of our longest book club discussions to date. I will jump into his series now. Candlenight
I wanted to read his series but I thought I should see what kind of a writer he is so I chose this book "Candlenight" for our book club. Two out of the three of us finished it. The two of us loved it. The other one was having a hard time with the language. I actually took notes to remember what every thing meant. It was worth it. One of our longest book club discussions to date. I will jump into his series now. Candlenight
I have read quite a lot of Phil Rickman's later books and really enjoyed them so I was interested to read his first novel. It was scary - I didn't read it at night - and very gripping. I liked the Welsh legendary background and the now somewhat dated Welsh nationalist agenda of the English pricing locals out of housing as they bought second homes. I am looking forward to reading more.
Very good book, nice character development and story line. Doesn't really become a horror novel until the last 50 or so pages though. More of a dark fantasy/thriller/suspense novel but still an enjoyable read from an impressive author. The Welsh folklore and small town setting are interesting. Rickman definitely captured the essence of what its like to live in a small town. Worth the time
Good - creepy & atmospheric, not my usual sort of read but it got me hooked really quickly. Phil Rickman is particularly good at giving the reader a sense of place, though in this case its put me off visiting Wales for a bit!
Not *quite* as good as "Curfew", but still a VERY good read with some deliciously creepy parts. Highly recommended.
I found this book intriguing. Not sure I "liked" it really. I'd have to read it once or twice more to REALLY get the nuances, but I did like the macabre feel of it. It was mildly disturbing.
Phil Rickman writes really scary books set in the borderlands near Wales.
The first in a series of supernatural Celtic mysteries which take place in Wales. Slow start, but a quick finish leaves me wishing the second book would hurry up in the post.
I finsihed reading this book at the weekend and I was completely enthralled with. I love anything to do with mythology and this book has plenty of walsh mythology and legend and Phil Rickman sets a brilliant atmosphere and a sutble horror surrounds the village and the people that inhabit the place. I decided to look up the legends that are mentioned within the book and found loads of sites and bits of information on the internet. A great book.
My first venture into Welsh Horror and I wasn't disappointed. One of the things that I liked about the book was the way it kept the creepiness about it without much happening in the way of exlicit horror, but in the atmospehere. I also found it to be a nice change of pace in regards to not having an actual protagonist but instead a few main characters (but not all of them amking it to the end).
Like all of Rickmans books, this one deals with local legends and mores.
This time it's in a small town in Wales called Y Groes. I found it interesting to read
about the druidic ritual lore and corpse candles as well as hearing more about some
of the Welsh legends, i.e. Owain Glyndwyr. While not as fast paced as his other works or nearly as bloody this one has its merits.
This time it's in a small town in Wales called Y Groes. I found it interesting to read
about the druidic ritual lore and corpse candles as well as hearing more about some
of the Welsh legends, i.e. Owain Glyndwyr. While not as fast paced as his other works or nearly as bloody this one has its merits.
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. But there were far too many characters to keep up with, and it lost me around the middle. I kept pushing on, since I had so much time invested, though.
I kept seeing Phil Rickman books at the used bookstore, and decided to give him a try. I did. I'm in no hurry for more, but I may try another a bit later.
I kept seeing Phil Rickman books at the used bookstore, and decided to give him a try. I did. I'm in no hurry for more, but I may try another a bit later.
Not nearly as scary as I would have liked but definitely had moments of bone chilling terror as only Mr. Rickman can deliver. Really this was more like 4 stars, but I gave it an extra because I believe this is Mr. Rickman's first novel and it reads like it's written by a seasoned professional.
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Meh...this got really good reviews and I wanted to like it, but it wasn't actually scary. At first, I was hoping for a ghost story and I was really excited and then...not so much. Disappointing.
A not very horrific book, but the details about Wales and Welsh superstitions kept me reading. I'll def. try another of his works
Very enjoyable as all Rickman books are
May 22, 2013
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aka Will Kingdom, Thom Madley.
Phil Rickman, born in Lancashire, has won awards for his TV and radio journalism. After five acclaimed novels, he introduced the fascinating Merrily Watkins series with The Wine of Angels. He is married and lives on the Welsh Border.
More about Phil Rickman...
Phil Rickman, born in Lancashire, has won awards for his TV and radio journalism. After five acclaimed novels, he introduced the fascinating Merrily Watkins series with The Wine of Angels. He is married and lives on the Welsh Border.
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“The door of the judge's house was opened to him by a huge, bearded man who informed the reporter in a conversational tone that if he did not leave the village immediately he would not leave it with his arms unbroken.”
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