Fabulous!
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This is RJ Ellory's first novel, published in 2004. After reading both A Quiet Belief In Angels and A Simple Act of Violence, I just knew I had to go and read his back catalogue.
Dealing with the story of two friends in 1960s and 70s southern America, I was gripped all the way through. Daniel is on death row, found guilty of murdering Nathan his best friend. Daniel is white and Nathan was black. The story starts with Daniel awaiting his execution and is related back to the reader when Daniel tells his story to Father Rousseau whilst in his cell.
The reader accompanies Daniel and Nathan on their journey through life, from meeting as 8 years old, having their first girlfriends, dodging the Vietnam draft whilst experiencing racism and hate along the way.
Roger Ellory is masterful in creating full developed, believeable characters and setting a scene so that you are transported there.
The momentum is really built up towards the end of the book, I raced through to the end, holding my breath along the way.
I also loved the story of Eve Chantry, the old woman in the town who the boys thought was a witch, yet turned out to be a great friend and influence on Daniel.
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Un-Put-Down-Able!
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Generally, I read at bedtime, because it lulls me off to sleep. Not this book; I read it in two sessions!
I had previously enjoyed very much, R J Ellory's 'Quiet Belief in Angels', which made me want more - otherwise, I probably would not ever have read this book, as I would not normally read thrillers. I was prepared to be disappointed (as 'Angels' was a tough act to follow), but this, his first novel, was equally beautifully written, with believable characters and almost poetic prose. Stunning.
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Another triumph from Ellory
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I too read Candlemoth after loving A Quiet Belief in Angels and was equally captivated. In his review of 11 April, Peter Steward encapsulates the story far more eloquently that I ever could and I agree wholeheartedly with him. Such is Ellory's impact upon me that, since finishing AQB, I've only ever read his books. If you've not experienced it yet, Ghostheart is stunning and I've still got A Quiet Vendetta and City of Lies to look forward to. Ellory's life enhancing, life affirming stories will stay with you long after you've lived them .. .. superb, brilliant, heartfelt and spellbinding.
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Brilliant!!
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I bought Candlemoth off the back of reading Quiet Belief In Angels, which was easily my favourite book so far this year. Being his first novel, I wasn't expecting it to be as good as Quiet Belief as most writer's get better with each book but Candlemoth was just as good which only made me appreciate this author even more. This is not an author who is succeeding on experience and years of working with a professional editor but an author who is truly gifted!! Candlemoth was another deep and involving book that got me hooked from the very first page. It captures the atmosphere of 1960's-1970's America perfectly and there is a real sense of uncomfortable racial tension in the air - something that is thick and heavy but isn't fully understood by 2 teenagers. Ellory's storytelling is absolutely superb. It is engrossing ad emotive and i just couldn't put this book down. Again, there was something beautiful and poetic about the writing style that made me want to read certain parts of the book and certain sentences again and again to really appreciate their significance!! Another book that I would anyone of any age or gender to read!!
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An amazing book
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I don't normally write reviews but I wrote one for A Quiet Belief in Angels (the first book of RJ Ellory's that I read) because I loved it so much. Absolutely the great American novel. But then I read Candlemoth which is his first novel and it is equally as good if not better. The friendship between Daniel & Nathan is extraordinary and consumes the reader. I love Ellory's anti death penalty stance and the descriptions of the terrible conditions on death row. I cried I got angry and then I cried some more and the ending is positively nail biting. R J Ellory is a great great writer and I will not stop until I have read all his books. Can't wait for his next book to come out.
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