Post by Claire on Nov 10, 2007 13:00:32 GMT 1
CAN I GET THERE BY CANDLELIGHT by JEAN SLAUGHTER-DOTY
(Review by Ree)
PLOT OVERVIEW…
Can I get there by Candlelight? by Jean Slaughter Doty is the tale of a young girl and her pony who are mysteriously transported back in time.
Gail and her parents are temporarily renting a very old home whilst waiting for their new home to be built. We learn that their home was originally the coachman’s cottage of the once beautiful Babylon estate. One day whilst riding her pony Candlelight (Candy) through the nearby woods, Gail discovers a decrepit iron gate which is almost hidden from sight by plant overgrowth. Curious to see what is hidden beyond, Gail opens the gate and steps through, only to discover that both Candy and herself have been transported back in time to the original Babylon of a century past.
MAIN CHARACTERS...
Gail Simmons - The heroine, a teenage girl.
Hilary Blake - A girl of a similar age to Gail, but in other ways worlds apart!
Candlelight - Gail’s beloved pony.
REVIEW...
As an avid reader and collector of pony fiction books, I was intrigued with the concept of Candlelight. I had heard how unusual a story it was, so you can most probably understand and share in my delight when I finally located a copy standing rather forlornly on a dusty shelf, hidden away at the rear of a second hand bookshop. I must say that finding my copy in this manner seemed to tie in perfectly well with the historical content of this book. Like our main character Gail, I felt as though I too had stumbled upon something mysterious which would be forever etched in my mind.
This is a haunting and original novel which appealed to me primarily due to its mixed storyline. Although a relatively short novel, it is extremely well paced and features terrific suspense. The storyline has been kept simple and has not been run away with. As well as in keeping with the popular theme of bond between a young girl and her beloved pony, the author has successfully managed to weave a few other plots into the story. All in all this creates a most unusual novel. For not only do we have a historical element which features times and ways of centuries past, at the same time we also have an intriguing fantasy/mystery regarding time travel on our hands. We ponder possible links as to why Gail was able to travel back and forth in time and wonder if there was a specific reason was for her journey. I felt there were many clues provided throughout the novel, however I could not pinpoint a solitary answer which in my opinion made the story all the more mysterious. In this sense, I feel the author has encouraged the use of our own imagination in order for us to provide our own personal conclusion. A further highlight to me was the book’s profound sense of eeriness. I felt the author was artistic in creating a strong supernatural element, which in my opinion allowed for a wonderful atmospheric background to the story.
In this book, the contrast between two worlds (ie the present and the past) is displayed in vivid detail. We have two completely different worlds which we are transported through. In the beginning of the book we are exposed to Gail’s world which includes modern everyday realities such as property development and suburban growth, her busy businessman father enduring lengthy travels for his job in order to support his family and a family starting a new life together in a strange town. We therefore explore a lonely young girl’s take on life in the modern world. In direct contrast to this, we are also given an insight into the days of yesteryear. Joining Gail on her journey back in time, we discover what life may have been like for our predecessors. We are introduced to Gail’s friend Hilary, and learn how Hilary’s world represents our past. Thus we are introduced to another young girl’s viewpoint on life, only this time to the days of yesteryear. I feel the author has gone to great lengths to study the days past. The description of Hilary’s life at Babylon was distinct and clear - it felt as though I too, had mysteriously stepped back in time. For instance, I could clearly envisage myself dressed in a habit and riding sidesaddle, being under control of a governess and also spending my days as a lonely girl wandering through a large estate looking for something to occupy my time with. In a personal sense, this aspect of the novel made me appreciate the many simple luxuries and associated freedom which we often take for granted in today’s modern world. It made me realise just quickly the world has changed over a relatively short space of time. In my opinion, this was an exciting aspect of the novel cleverly encouraging for the use of our imaginations once again. Thus this was not a story that I simply read for the sake of reading, it was also a novel which made me think outside the square, so to speak.
Another plot device which I felt the author mastered successfully was that which concentrates on the theme of friendship. We are given an insight as to how special friendships evolve and learn that sometimes, due to situations beyond our control, how they can also sometimes sadly fail. We explore Gail’s feelings in this respect in her friendship with Hilary. Gail, having travelled back and forth through time, is aware that her relationship with Hilary cannot ultimately last forever, yet she is happy to continue her friendship with Hilary. This element lends a slightly dark tone to this book, however in my opinion it was also uplifting in the sense that it made me realise that we must treasure what we have, whilst we have it.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. To me, the conclusion of the novel was slightly abrupt however I do feel the author has instigated this move on purpose in keeping with the element of mystery. I felt it was a highly unusual story which should appeal to those who not only love ponies, but also to those who enjoy a story filled with magic, mystery and imagination. In my opinion it has been cleverly constructed, the plot is simple yet will allow your mind to ponder in an unrestricted sense, as such I would be most interested to learn your own thoughts of this masterful novel. Candlelight has been aimed at captivating the younger reader but I can most definitely see it appealing to the more mature reader as well. Spine-tingling stuff! I would rate this novel 4 horseshoes.
(Review by Ree)
PLOT OVERVIEW…
Can I get there by Candlelight? by Jean Slaughter Doty is the tale of a young girl and her pony who are mysteriously transported back in time.
Gail and her parents are temporarily renting a very old home whilst waiting for their new home to be built. We learn that their home was originally the coachman’s cottage of the once beautiful Babylon estate. One day whilst riding her pony Candlelight (Candy) through the nearby woods, Gail discovers a decrepit iron gate which is almost hidden from sight by plant overgrowth. Curious to see what is hidden beyond, Gail opens the gate and steps through, only to discover that both Candy and herself have been transported back in time to the original Babylon of a century past.
MAIN CHARACTERS...
Gail Simmons - The heroine, a teenage girl.
Hilary Blake - A girl of a similar age to Gail, but in other ways worlds apart!
Candlelight - Gail’s beloved pony.
REVIEW...
As an avid reader and collector of pony fiction books, I was intrigued with the concept of Candlelight. I had heard how unusual a story it was, so you can most probably understand and share in my delight when I finally located a copy standing rather forlornly on a dusty shelf, hidden away at the rear of a second hand bookshop. I must say that finding my copy in this manner seemed to tie in perfectly well with the historical content of this book. Like our main character Gail, I felt as though I too had stumbled upon something mysterious which would be forever etched in my mind.
This is a haunting and original novel which appealed to me primarily due to its mixed storyline. Although a relatively short novel, it is extremely well paced and features terrific suspense. The storyline has been kept simple and has not been run away with. As well as in keeping with the popular theme of bond between a young girl and her beloved pony, the author has successfully managed to weave a few other plots into the story. All in all this creates a most unusual novel. For not only do we have a historical element which features times and ways of centuries past, at the same time we also have an intriguing fantasy/mystery regarding time travel on our hands. We ponder possible links as to why Gail was able to travel back and forth in time and wonder if there was a specific reason was for her journey. I felt there were many clues provided throughout the novel, however I could not pinpoint a solitary answer which in my opinion made the story all the more mysterious. In this sense, I feel the author has encouraged the use of our own imagination in order for us to provide our own personal conclusion. A further highlight to me was the book’s profound sense of eeriness. I felt the author was artistic in creating a strong supernatural element, which in my opinion allowed for a wonderful atmospheric background to the story.
In this book, the contrast between two worlds (ie the present and the past) is displayed in vivid detail. We have two completely different worlds which we are transported through. In the beginning of the book we are exposed to Gail’s world which includes modern everyday realities such as property development and suburban growth, her busy businessman father enduring lengthy travels for his job in order to support his family and a family starting a new life together in a strange town. We therefore explore a lonely young girl’s take on life in the modern world. In direct contrast to this, we are also given an insight into the days of yesteryear. Joining Gail on her journey back in time, we discover what life may have been like for our predecessors. We are introduced to Gail’s friend Hilary, and learn how Hilary’s world represents our past. Thus we are introduced to another young girl’s viewpoint on life, only this time to the days of yesteryear. I feel the author has gone to great lengths to study the days past. The description of Hilary’s life at Babylon was distinct and clear - it felt as though I too, had mysteriously stepped back in time. For instance, I could clearly envisage myself dressed in a habit and riding sidesaddle, being under control of a governess and also spending my days as a lonely girl wandering through a large estate looking for something to occupy my time with. In a personal sense, this aspect of the novel made me appreciate the many simple luxuries and associated freedom which we often take for granted in today’s modern world. It made me realise just quickly the world has changed over a relatively short space of time. In my opinion, this was an exciting aspect of the novel cleverly encouraging for the use of our imaginations once again. Thus this was not a story that I simply read for the sake of reading, it was also a novel which made me think outside the square, so to speak.
Another plot device which I felt the author mastered successfully was that which concentrates on the theme of friendship. We are given an insight as to how special friendships evolve and learn that sometimes, due to situations beyond our control, how they can also sometimes sadly fail. We explore Gail’s feelings in this respect in her friendship with Hilary. Gail, having travelled back and forth through time, is aware that her relationship with Hilary cannot ultimately last forever, yet she is happy to continue her friendship with Hilary. This element lends a slightly dark tone to this book, however in my opinion it was also uplifting in the sense that it made me realise that we must treasure what we have, whilst we have it.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. To me, the conclusion of the novel was slightly abrupt however I do feel the author has instigated this move on purpose in keeping with the element of mystery. I felt it was a highly unusual story which should appeal to those who not only love ponies, but also to those who enjoy a story filled with magic, mystery and imagination. In my opinion it has been cleverly constructed, the plot is simple yet will allow your mind to ponder in an unrestricted sense, as such I would be most interested to learn your own thoughts of this masterful novel. Candlelight has been aimed at captivating the younger reader but I can most definitely see it appealing to the more mature reader as well. Spine-tingling stuff! I would rate this novel 4 horseshoes.
