Green Candles

Green Candles #1-3

by Tom De Haven, Robin Smith (Illustrator)

Receiving in the mail photographs of a green candle that is slowly burning down, accompanied by the threat that her time is running out, schoolteacher Gracy Penny recovers repressed memories of satanic abuse and fears that her tormentor has returned. Original.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Thriller

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

About the author

Tom De Haven is the author of five novels: Freaks' Amour, Jersey Luck, Funny Papers, Derby Dugan's Depression Funnies, and Dugan Under Ground; a collection of three related novellas, Sunburn Lake; and a three-novel series, Chronicle of the King's Tramp, which includes Walker of Worlds, The End-of-Everything Man, and The Last Human. His latest novel for young adults, The Orphan's Tent, was published in 1996, and his latest graphic novel, Green Candles, in 1997. He has previously published two young adult novels, two graphic novels, and various other innovative fiction projects.

De Haven has a richly varied experience as a writer, having worked as a freelance journalist, an editor, and a film and television scriptwriter. His book reviews appear regularly in Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times Book Review. His awards include a fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and he has twice won fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. Before joining VCU's faculty, De Haven taught at Rutgers and Hofstra University.

Reviews

[George K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Σύμφωνα με τα κιτάπια μου, το συγκεκριμένο κόμικ το αγόρασα πριν έξι χρόνια, από κάποιο παλαιοβιβλιοπωλείο. Από τότε μέχρι πριν από λίγη ώρα, ζήτημα να το ξεφύλλισα μια ή δυο φορές. Τελικά, αποφάσισα να το διαβάσω τώρα, γιατί είχα όρεξη για ένα θρίλερ σε μορφή κόμικ. Λοιπόν, πέρασα καλά. Δεν ξετρελάθηκα και τόσο από την πλοκή στο τέλος, γιατί πολλά πράγματα μου φάνηκαν αρκετά προβλέψιμα και τα είδα να έρχονται πριν τελικά έρθουν, όμως πέρασα πολύ καλά, γιατί μου άρεσε ο πρωταγωνιστής (έχω την τάση να συμπαθώ προβληματικούς ιδιωτικούς ντετέκτιβ), μου άρεσαν πολύ τα σκηνικά, βρήκα το σχέδιο πολύ συμπαθητικό και με κάποιες ωραίες... σκηνοθετικές επιλογές, ενώ και η ατμόσφαιρα ήταν η πρέπουσα για ένα ψυχολογικό θρίλερ με νουάρ αποχρώσεις. Και, τέλος πάντων, και η ιστορία γενικά με κράτησε μια χαρά μέχρι το τέλος, έστω κι αν δεν πείστηκα από μερικά πράγματα, έστω κι αν γενικά ήταν προβλέψιμη. Να, νιώθω ότι είδα ένα από αυτά τα θρίλερ της δεκαετίας του '90, που μπορεί να μην σε ξετρελαίνουν, αλλά έχουν αυτήν την ικανότητα να σε κρατάνε μέχρι το τέλος και τελικά να καταφέρνουν να σε ψυχαγωγήσουν. Οπότε γι' αυτό, έστω και την τελευταία στιγμή, θα τσιμπήσει από μένα και το τέταρτο αστεράκι.

[Chris Everson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this in 3 pocket sized graphic novels in black and white.

The story is of Grace Penny, who is being terrorised by someone who is sending her pictures of a green candle slowly burning down. Those of you who know a little about the occult know what it means, though the green candles have many. What could it be? Could it be someone from her past, or could it be more sinister.

This is the story of Grace, but s more about the detective she takes on to try to solve the case. It may be black and white pictures, but it's a tightly-written pice of detective-noir, with twists and turns and surprises, and I enjoyed it muchly.

[mehfuz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good addition to the Paradox mystery, one of the best. Story had enough to span to a fourth book but I think ending was a good one. Glad the author kept the characters to a handful ones because they were developed properly.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written mystery story with tons of great dialogue, great art and an intriguing story and themes. I really have no complaints here. Curl up with this book on a cold winter's night and enjoy.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book at my local comic book store for dirt cheap; it was in one of the 'clearance' bins for $3. I figured from reading the synopsis that it seemed like an interesting book, and it also was cheap, so why not! Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. While the story itself may seem a little choppy at times, keep in mind that it's definitely one that holds your attention. As soon as you begin reading it, and start to play "who could it be?," you just want to know the outcome of the story. I will admit that I kind of figured it out early on, but again, I enjoyed reading to see if I was correct in my suspicions.

While it's not an award winning novel, it's still one that is entertaining to read. I would suggest to anyone who wants a good, fun and quick read.

[Noé Rivera · Rating 3 out of 5]

just keeps getting better

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel was interesting but hard to follow at times. It jumped around a lot across pages and I felt like there were parts missing almost. A generally goo story though.