Product Description

This is a beautiful, moving tale from the bestselling author of the "Flashman Papers". To the young Lady Margaret Dacre, raised in the rich security of Queen Elizabeth's court, the Scottish border was a land of blood and brutal violence, where raid and murder were commonplace, and her broad inheritance lay at the mercy of the outlaw riders and feuding tribes of England's last frontier. Beyond the law's protection, alone but for her house servants and an elderly priest, she could wait helpless in her lonely manor, or somehow find the means to fight the terror approaching from the northern night!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32627 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 180 pages

Review
'The Candlemass Road' is a simple tale, beautifully told; and very moving withal! It's an afternoon's reading that'll stick in the memory for long afterwards. Hooray for George Macdonald Fraser!' SPECTATOR 'It's George MacDonald Fraser is top form on the Borders, juggling lairds and outlaws in bitter battling over disputed territory.' MAIL ON SUNDAY, 'Books of the Year' 'A bravura performance! fine, taut, sinewy! Meat never came redder.' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'George MacDonald Fraser is such a good storyteller! we get bowled along in the twists and scrapes of the action.' GLASGOW HERALD

About the Author
The author of the famous 'Flashman Papers' and the 'Private McAuslan' stories, George MacDonald Fraser has worked on newspapers in Britain and Canada. In addition to his novels he has also written numeous films, most notably 'The Three Musketeers', 'The Four Musketeers', and the James Bond film, 'Octopussy'. George Macdonald Fraser died in January 2008 at the age of 82.

Customer Reviews

A beautifully drawn tale
First of all, this is far removed from Fraser's Flashman books - though the eye for character and dialogue is just as acute. It is not a rollicking adventure story and the plot itself is quite slim. I don't mean it's shallow, but it's about what was, for the sixteenth century Borders, a fairly minor affair - a Reiver raid (or 'Road'). It's far more about the evocation of place and time, though it also has it's share of exciting bits (well done, as you'd expect from Fraser). The feel for place and time is created with exceptional skill: the language is archaic without being incomprehensible and Fraser knows his history (see The Steel Bonnets for that). As for the ending, yes it might not satisfy all - it's reminiscent of the ambiguity of Mr American more than anything else he's written, but it's still quite powerful.
So then, if you want a fast-paced swashbuckling, this probab;y isn't for you. If you want something that shows you how historical (or any) fiction should be done, you won't regret buying this.

An interesting work of almost-fiction
George MacDonald Fraser has given us, in "The Candlemass Road", an intriguing little book. There is certainly interest attached to the story as it's a working of somebody's historical diaries from a fascinating period of turmoil, not simply a straight novel.

The book is a worthwhile buy for a number of reasons, not least because it's very well written (although one could argue 'too well written', as it's presented in period style and quite a jar when you first get into it). Also, it turns out to be one of those books that linger in the memory long afer you've put them down. The only real downside I can tell you about is that the 'climax' of the story happens way before the end - I suppose this is the way with true-life accounts - and the final sections of the novel do little more than tidy the story up.

Still, it's a brilliantly-written piece, nicely paced for the most part, and extremely atmospheric. The characters are brought to life beautifully and the sense of time-and-place are conjured wonderfully.

This is certainly not a 'must', but you won't regret buying it if you're interested in historical fiction.

History brought to life
Once again, George Macdonald Frazer has shown us what a master of the historical novel he is.
The setting, in the 18th century Border country, is perfectly drawn and the sense of unease and ever-present danger, caused by the Border Rievers (savage warring bands, loosely based on families) who could and did strike at will is put over most powerfully. The plot line is simple but gripping and holds the reader to the very last page.