Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs
March 2010, Waterbrook Press
Paperback, 454 Pg.
Review Copy
Book Synopsis-
September 1745
Edinburgh is a bustling city of fifty thousand inhabitants. Tongues are wagging over the impending arrival of Charles Edward Stuart—the young pretender to the throne—and his Highland army. Scotland, though bound by English law, is thick with Jacobites, who support the restoration of James and the overthrow of King George II.
Safely ensconced in their well appointed rooms overlooking the High Street are the Kerr’s of Selkirk. Landed gentry from the Scottish Borders, the Kerr’s have called Edinburgh home for a decade, all but abandoning their quiet country estate in Selkirkshire, turning their back on the simple folk of the Borders in favor of Edinburgh’s heady mix of culture, commerce, and political intrigue.
A mother who cannot face her future, a daughter who cannot escape her past.
A timeless tale of loss and redemption, flickering against the vivid backdrop
of eighteenth-century Scotland. (GoodReads)
Review
Lady Marjory Kerr is a widow of substantial means, whose life is defined by her place in society and catering to her grown sons, Donald and Andrew. The men both well known in gentleman society have married well and enjoy the simple life in the walls of luxury.
Elisabeth who is married to Donald, happily enjoys her marriage and adores her husband. In the midst of a pampered life style Elisabeth does harbor some problems. Marjory prefers Janet, Andrew’s wife and finds that approval and friendship don’t come easy with her mother-in-law. Easy to understand-the women have extreme differences- Elisabeth worships pagan moon gods and Naomi worships God from the Bible. Also Elisabeth has painful family secrets she’s hiding and begins to fear that her beloved husband has a wicked weakness for beautiful young maidens. Elisabeth of course hits the nail on the head about Donald, who in the opening of our story is a low-down dirty dog with his cheating ways.
When Elisabeth finally confronts Donald about her fears and shows him evidence to prove the indiscretions, he finally comes clean. Surprisingly once confronted, Donald truly feels remorse and guilt washes over him so intensely that he confesses in a letter all his indiscretions….(yikes, I would hate to get a letter like that, I’d be like ok where does the tramp live) But not Elisabeth who’s character is noble- doesn’t rush to beat the maidens down, but handles herself with grace and humility. I think Donald deeply loved Elisabeth but his lusty ways kept him from true intimacy with her. It’s not until after he goes off to fight in a war that he changes his ways and longs for that intimacy he should have had long ago. And right when change enters his heart and Elisabeth opens hers back up does death- the mighty destroyer- intercede.
With the death of both Donald and Andrew, the women are left unprotected, shunned from society and facing grave danger. Bound by marriage and tragedy, the three Kerr women will soon be forced to depend upon one another.
If you are familiar with Naomi and Ruth’s story from the Bible then of course this story’s outcome will be predictable. Here Burns my Candle delivers an intriguing look at the back story of how Ruth and Naomi’s journey began.
History Lesson
Ruth is my favorite woman out of the Bible. Her character is one to be admired. So for all of you who don’t know the story of Ruth here is a brief rundown.
During the time of the Judges- an Israelite family —Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons Mahlon and Chilion—immigrate to the nearby country of Moab. Elimelech dies, and the sons marry two Moabite women: Mahlon marries Ruth and Chilion marries Orpah. The two sons then die and Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. She tells Orpah and Ruth to return to their mothers, and remarry. Orpah leaves; however, Ruth says, "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.
So together the two return to Bethlehem during the time of the barley harvest, and in order to support them, Ruth goes to the fields to glean. The field she goes to belongs to a man named Boaz, who is kind to her because he has heard of her loyalty to her mother-in-law.
Later, Boaz and Ruth get married and have a son named Obed. In the genealogy, we learn Obed is the descendant of Perez the son of Judah, and the grandfather of King David.
Rating
Exquisitely written and the fictional take on a Bible story mixed with Scottish history gave a very well known character much drama and depth. For any of you who love the historical timepieces this is a perfect addition to add to your shelf.
Adult content centers on infidelity, violence and war, but remains suitable for most readers including mature teens.
4/5 Historical Romance
Thank you to Waterbrook Press for Review Copy, to purchase click here.
I have an award for you.
ReplyDeletehttp://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/03/awards-honest-scrap-and-kreativ.html
I don't read historical romance.
Great review :)
ReplyDeleteCheck out my page.
I have a link to a Free Christian eBook today :)
This wounds like a really wonderful book. I love that it totally fictionalizes the Biblical story but still keeps the basis.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pleasure it was to read your review, Tina. I LOVE that you shared the historical background AND the biblical background. So thorough, so helpful, so very...savvy! ;>) On behalf of novelists everywhere, keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about this book. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the great review. :)
ReplyDeleteBTW: I passed a couple awards over to you here
nice review though i really seldom read historical fiction.. =)
ReplyDelete