The candle man door Catherine Fisher

Title: The Candle Man

Author: Catherine Fischer

Number of pages: 147

Before you start reading:

Why did you choose this book?

• It looked nice and thin ….. (I might as well admit I’m a lazy bum)
• Somebody had told me to read it.
• I thought the title was cool.
• I liked the illustrations.
• Reading the backflap text made me curious.
• This is just the kind of book I like.
• Other reason; the picture on the front side was funny, I wanted to know the story behind that picture.

While reading:

• I found it got better and better (teachers love this kind of answer)
• I found it was not what I had expected.
• I realized I kept forgetting what I had read before (even though I’m not even 15…)
• I made notes. 
• I came across a lot of words I had to look up
• I often put the book aside to do other things

And what’s more:

• I finished the book in one go, I just simply couldn’t put it down
• There was a lot to laugh about in the story
•  I told other people about the book

The story:

1. Who are the main characters?

The main characters are Conor, Sara, Hafran, and of course Meurig.

1. Explain briefly why their actions are important.

Because the story starts when Meurig moves into town. Meurig is the key-person; the whole story is about Meurig. When Meurig was born, Hafran,  the river godess, damned his life to the life of a candle. When the candle is burned away Meurig will die. But Meurig lost the candle and Sara and Conor are going to help him get the candle back. Unfortunately Conor lost the candle – again! Hafran got it. She would only give it back when Meurig would open the sluices (then the whole area would flood). He  hasn’t planned to do so...

1. Did you think the main characters likeable persons?

Conor and Sara are very likable persons, they’re just teenagers like we are. I only think the fact they don’t go to school is weird. Every day they can do what they want! Hafran isn’t a likable person. She’s the goddess of the river. She is used to people bringing sacrifices to her, but nowadays no one believes in Hafran. Every year she takes 3 lives because she’s upset she doesn’t get any sacrifices. I don’t think this is very realistic... Meurig is a quite realistic person, he could be real. Only that his life is as long as the candle burns is quite unrealistic.

1. Why?  (If there are more main characters, choose your favourite.)

I already told why I think the characters are realistic or why they’re not. My favourite character is Sara, she’s a smart girl. I like the way she act; she is used to think of the best ideas, most of the time she’s the brain behind the actions. Conor usually calls her ‘clever,’,  he says: ‘All right, clever. I suppose you’ll find it.’ when he can’t find the candle. Once Sara says: ‘I’ll be like that spy in the film last night. Beautiful and clever.’ But she’s not selfish, oh no! She says this as a joke. She’s also good in joking, actually.

1. Describe the event /part of the book you liked best.

I like the part where Conor and Sara are helping Meurig to steal the candle back the best. It’s exiting, they have to take care of Mr. Caristan, who’s new in town. Once Meurig had tried to steal the candle himself, but he ended in prison for two years (that part is only briefly mentioned in the book). Conor and Sara have only short time to look for the candle, because they told Mr. Caristan they came to help him arranging his new furniture. But they find the candle and change him for a not-magic one.

Opinion: (Now is the time to be frank)

1. Could this story happen in real life?

I don’t think the story can happen in real life. It’s about a candle that represents the life of a man! That’s not possible! And do river goddesses exist? No! And luckily; I don’t think you want to meet Hafran!

1. Why do you think so?

Because I think there are no water goddesses, and I think it’s only in stories that candles predict someone’s life. I’m sure that it isn’t very common!