Customer Reviews

Candle In The Darkness

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Caroline Fletcher was twelve years old on the day in 1853 when she realized just how different she was from everyone else. She had grown up feeling like the slaves were part of her family. She loved her "mammy," Tessie, and spent her days playing with Tessie's son, Grady, who was like a little brother to Caroline. But when her father sells Grady, Caroline realizes her views on slavery are not the same as those shared by the rest of Virginia. The time she spends in Philadelphia with relatives after the death of her mother only cements her view that slavery is a moral wrong that must be ended. But returning to Richmond, she realizes that will be a lot harder than she imagined. Against her own will, Caroline finds herself falling in love with Charles St. John, the son of a wealthy Richmond businessman and a defender of slavery. Caroline and Charles become engaged to be married, but the Civil War breaks out just three months before their wedding was to take place. Charles goes off to fight for the Confederacy, even though Caroline begs him not to. When her father leaves as well, Caroline finds herself alone in Richmond and torn in two. She struggles with her conflicting loyalties to her home and family, and to the cause she so strongly believes in.

This was an excellent historical novel. Caroline was a wonderful and very human character who came alive through her first-person narrative. Her struggles felt very real to me. The author brought to life Virginia just before and during the Civil War very well. Although this book was very long, I never lost interest in it. My one complaint is that the final thirty pages were told in a third-person point of view. I would have liked the whole book to be narrated by Caroline; it felt odd after four hundred pages for the viewpoint to change. However, it doesn't really take away from the book that much; overall, I still loved it. I highly recommend this novel to adults and older teens who enjoy historical fiction about the Civil War.

I was very impressed with the entire story!

I thought the characters were fantastic. The spiritual insight given to Eli, particularly, was deep and inspiring. It shows Lynn Austin's understanding of how God works in and through all circumstances, both good and bad.

Although it is a work of fiction, it seemed as if it could well have been a true story. I was even challenged in my own trust in God as I read about Caroline's courage to follow her convictions no matter the cost and surrendering 'Thy will be done' to God, as well as the slaves' deep love for God and their faith in His sovereignty and love for them in spite of very unjust suffering. (Not to mention that I enjoyed the history lesson of the Civil War.)

I thought it was a wonderful book of loyalty, courage, selflessness and forgivenss in a world of injustice, pride, prejudice and bitterness. I really enjoyed this book - so much so that I just purchased another from the same author.

I can't even remember the last book that brought tears to my eyes, but this book didn't just make me misty-eyed...it made me weep! It is so full of beauty, truth, and wisdom. I can't imagine anyone, young or old, male or female, whatever religious beliefs or background, not loving this inspiring tale. Austin weaves incredibly real characters together with history, creating a story that has meaning even in our modern, every day life. A true "must read!"

I actually had a hard time putting this book down, and it was a really well written book.....very reminiscent of Gone With the Wind - some scenes especially - I loved the book and am glad I read it, but there was a nagging thought in my head that, yes, in retrospect, it WAS God's will for the North to win, and for slavery to be abolished since that IS what happened. But it bothered me that is seemed God approved of Caroline's obvious betrayal of her government and her family when God's word says to obey governing authorities, and I wondered if this could send a wrong message about being faithful. As a Southerner I was a little bothered by her betrayal of the South, too. But the story is well-told, and probably parallels the truth of someone's life back then, even though this is a fictional account, and it did give me a different perspective of the civil war and the realities of the day. I could not put this book down once I started it.

Lynn Austin is one of the most amazing authors I have ever read. She has the power to captivate you while you read the story and to captivate you when you're finished. The characters and plot stay alive in your mind as you consider the things you learned and experienced.

I hate movies on the Civil War, but books like Killer Angels and this one introduce you to real people and intimate situations that remind you of this: If it happens to one, it happens to all. The Civil War is part of American history, and therefore part of my history.

Highly recommended.

I really enjoy Christian fiction books and I always have a hard time choosing the right one. For some reason this book really stood out at the book store and I bought it without realizing what the book was fully about. It is such a strong book about going after what you truly believe in and standing up for what is right! After I finished it I wanted to read more and more about Caroline and I also found myself researching more about the Civil War. It is a hard book to put down! One of my good friends borrowed it & fell in love with it immediately! :0)

Caroline Fletcher was brought up in a family and a state that believed slavery was a biblically-tolerant designation. In her world, the slaves were more like members of her family.

She loved them unconditionally and received that same type of love in return. In some instances, they were more like kin to her than her own parents.

Caroline's world was shattered, however, when one morning her best friend, the son of her mammy, was dragged away kicking and screaming to the slave auction as his mother and the others watched in helpless abandon.

Following this horrible experience, Caroline was forced to re-examine everything she had previously taken for granted. What she saw, especially upon visiting "slave row" on her aunt and uncle's estate, was beyond her imagining.

Unable to ignore what she now viewed as a deplorable existence, Caroline found herself becoming a firm believer of the abolitionist movement. Through years of personal turmoil and a raging war between the states, she was able to always keep hold of her faith and let God guide her way thanks to the wise words of her good friend and confidante, Eli...It's not our will be done, it's Thy will be done.

THis book draws you in and locks you in. As you can tell from the tital, I couldn't get out of it. I enjoyed it very much. But though I like a little romance(as every girl does) I thought there was just too much.to be blunt,there is just too much kissing.even if Caroline is engaged. I know people will disagree with me.But I don't think it was necessary for Mrs. Austin to have Caroline and Charles kiss in almost every seen they are involved in together.It is a very fine piece of work besides that though. It's compelling and hits every emotion a girl has.
I was surprised at how much Austin displays God and His power. I know it is Christian but other Christian romance/ fiction books I've read mention God and how He will bring it all together but you can't really see His hand moving through the lives' of the characters. Things seem to all come together with more of a human strength than Christ's abidding love and awsome power. Where as Candle in the Darkness did portray this and I am very pleased with that. I would reccomend this book for girls fourteen and up.
This is the first of Lynn Austin's books I've read and I am impressed. Very, very good book. One of my favorites. I highly reccomend this for a young woman who is looking for a good historical romance with a strong Godly foundation.

I have a hard time getting into Christian novels. I do not know what it is, but there just seems to be a quality in writing and story from secular novels. I received Candle in the Darkness free on my Kindle, so I decided to give it a shot. I am SO glad that I did! This story had me mesmerized from beginning to end. Caroline is a character that I think any person can see themselves in, and real life struggles that we can all relate to. We may not be dealing with the issue of slavery, but we are constantly faced with decisions of what God's will for our lives is, and whether we would risk life and reputation to do His will. I did not think that the book was overly "preachy" which tends to come with some Christian novels. Most of the Biblical conversations comes from one of Caroline's slaves, Eli. He is a very lovable character and his talks about Christ and the Bible are not long winded or too cheesy. I actually was very touched and humbled by many of his talks.

This book has it all action, romance, comedy, inner battles between right and wrong, forgiveness, and more. For someone looking for a Christian historical novel that will keep you up late at night reading: this is a great one! I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the series. I think I may read a different book before I dive into number 2 though...I want to savor the series:) When I find a good series, I try to make it last as long as I can. I am hoping that books 2 and 3 do not disappoint!

Candle in the Darkness is well written and maintains high interest throughout the story. It grapples with the real struggles of Christians in the North and the South as they faced the difficult repercussions of war, suffering, separation, and struggle. It challenges the reader to ask themselves if their own actions are based in habit and cultural opinion or love for their fellow human beings. There are wonderful insights from the African American point of view and painful ones as the "church people" of the day wrestle with God's will.