Candles for Elizabeth [Paperback]

Caitlin R. Kiernan (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Meisha Merlin Pub (P); 1st MM Pub. ed edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965834581
• ISBN-13: 978-0965834582
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Caitlin R. Kiernan was born near Dublin, Ireland, but has spent most of her life in the southeastern United States. In college, she studied zoology, geology, and palaeontology, and has been employed as a vertebrate palaeontologist and college-level biology instructor. The results of her scientific research have been published in the JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALAEONTOLOGY, THE JOURNAL OF PALAEONTOLOGY and elsewhere. In 1992, she began writing her first novel, THE FIVE OF CUPS (it remained unpublished until 2003). Her first published novel, SILK (1998), earned her two awards and praise from critics and such luminaries as Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Peter Straub, and Poppy Z. Brite. Her next novel, THRESHOLD (2001), was also an award-winner, and since then she has written LOW RED MOON (2003), MURDER OF ANGELS (2004), DAUGHTER OF HOUNDS (2007), and, forthcoming, THE RED TREE. She is a prolific short fiction author, and her award-winning short stories have been collected in TALES OF PAIN AND WONDER (2000), WRONG THINGS (with Poppy Z. Brite; 2001), FROM WEIRD AND DISTANT SHORES (2002), and TO CHARLES FORT, WITH LOVE (2005), ALABASTER (2006), FROG TOES AND TENTACLES (2005), TALES FROM THE WOEFUL PLATYPUS (2007), and, most recently, the sf collection, A IS FOR ALIEN (2009). She has also scripted comics for DC/Vertigo, including THE DREAMING ('97-'01), THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE DEATH ('98), and BAST: ETERNITY GAME ('03). Her short sf novel THE DRY SALVAGES was published in 2004, and has published numerous chapbooks since 2000. Caitlin also fronted the goth-rock band Death's Little Sister in 1996-1997, once skinned a lion, and likes sushi. She lives in Providence, RI with her partner, Kathryn, and her two cats, Hubero and Smeagol. Caitlin is represented by Writer's House (NYC) and United Talent Agency (LA).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, wow, wow, and wow again..., August 7, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (USA-LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candles for Elizabeth (Paperback)

Caitlin has an excellent eye/ear for character details and nuance. Dreamlike horror flipsides oddly transcendant moments. A Story for Edward Gorey is a must read for Ogdred Weary saucepan fans everywhere (you know who you are); Last Child of Lir, a moving portrait of a dying street kid; Postcards from the King of Tides, an elegently surreal and ever so slightly lovecraftian excursion into some spooky woods. Definately an exciting discovery for "horror" fans that like their strangeness in subtle and haunting doses. Check out her novel SILK Great style!! More please!!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Chapbook that is worth its weight in gold, October 19, 2000

By 

Sarah E. Golding (Lowell, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Candles for Elizabeth (Paperback)

I had never read a word of Caitlin R. Kiernan until this book found its way into my hands. I knew of Kiernan from several Poppy Z. Brite acknowledgements in her books. I liked Poppy so I decided to give Kiernan a try. This book is great. The writings contained in this chapbook are like little holidays. I say this because after you finish reading them you almost feel guilty for enjoying yourself so much. They are definately dark little tales that explore complex emotional and intellectual features that make up the human mind. It is like Kiernan allows you to simply see inside the life and the mind of her characters for duration of the story. The short stories contained in this little book draw the reader into them. I found myseld wishing there were more, yet as I wished this I realized that one of the best features of Kiernans writing is her restraint. She shows you just enough to allow you to form an image in your mind, or a feeling in your heart. Then the stories end--sometimes abruptly, yet perfectly. A great buy. Worth it weight in gold!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a good place to start, November 23, 2001

By 

Emily Strange (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Candles for Elizabeth (Paperback)

Although two full-length collections of Caitlin Kiernan's short stories are available (as well as two novels), this chapbook is a good place for the uninitiated to start. It contains three of her short stories, including one that was chosen for Best New Horror. Creepy, creepy good.