THE COLD FLAME

by James Reeves

A novelization of the Grimm fairy tale "The Blue Light", a version of the story of Aladdin, but with a bitter twist. A passionate and violent tale originally illustrated with the stark line drawings of Charles Keeping.

Genres: Childrens

Hardcover

First published June 30, 1970

About the author

John Morris Reeves, later known as James Reeves, was an English writer principally known for his poetry, plays and contributions to children's literature and the literature of collected traditional songs. His published books include poetry, stories and anthologies for both adults and children. He was also well known as a literary critic and broadcaster.

He was born in Harrow, and educated at Stowe School and at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he read English and co-founded with Jacob Bronowski the literary magazine Experiment. He began his writing career as a poet in 1936, and in 1945 turned his attention to writing for young readers. His first book of poems for children, The Wandering Moon, appeared in 1950, illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, with whom Reeves sustained a lifelong friendship and collaboration. Reeves worked as a teacher until 1952, when his failing eyesight forced him to retire and he became a full-time writer and editor.

He succeeded Bronowski as editor of Epilogue: a critical summary (Riding, Graves). He was also an editor of some of the works of Robert Graves. His prose work for children commenced in 1956 and included short stories. "His real achievement, however, lies in his poetry, which is generally regarded as the best British 'serious' children's verse since Walter de la Mare - though the poems are usually far from serious in subject-matter."(Carpenter, Prichard)

- from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Farah Mendlesohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very adult re-telling of the Dancing Princesses. I do wonder if this is a book Diana Wynne Jones read as I can see likenesses with Castle in the Air. (editor Kaye Webb).

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

exactly what i needed it to be. picked it up at greenwich market and read it on the flight home. dropped a star for the racism and misogyny though

[David Kiersh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing retelling of a Brothers Grimm story. I picked this one up because of the beautuful illustrations. A 25 year old down on his luck soldier encounters a witch. He tries to do her a favor and ends up in the bottom of a well, left to die. With all hope abandoned, the soldier lights a pipe while waiting to die. A crazy tiny man appears out of the smoke and grants the soldier any wish he desires. To amuse himself, the soldier requests that the princess come at night to do his housework. The King eventually finds the soldier and puts him on trial. Before the soldier is to be killed, the phantom manikin appears and slays the king's men. The soldier chooses to be King even though he knows he will probably make a poor leader. I loved the dark, nihilistic tone of this magical story!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up for Charles Keeping's illustrations, and I stayed around for the writing.

If you really liked Tinder, by Sally Gardner and the illustrations in it, I would recommend this book.