Candyman's War

by Michael Crump

1982-1983. Candyman's War depicts Candelaria's transformation from an amiable, hard-working graduate student to a guerrilla during the most violent years of the Guatemala Civil War. Candyman is already an enigma when we meet him. A Guatemalan Q'uiche Mayan, an evangelical Christian and a scientist, he returns to his home country looking for a site to conduct botanical research. Radicalized by what he finds in Dos Erres and other Indigenous villages, he participates in assassination attempts, political intrigue and atrocities. The circumstances trigger his life-changing struggle with unexpected consequences. The story is told years after by his two closest friends during the time.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2014

Reviews

[K. Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As promised in the blurb, this is a fast paced thriller. But it is also a history of a part of the world, a people and situations I knew little about. Beyond that though, Candyman's War, by Michael Crump is an in depth study of interpersonal dynamics.

The storyline was interesting and the characters who populate Candyman's War drew me to them instantly. I wasn't too many pages into the book before I HAD to know what happened to them. The author also has a way of drawing scenes that are compelling and visually authentic in ways I've not seen before.

I recommend Candyman's War by Michael Crump.

[Chris Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are excellently crafted and revealing descriptions of characters and the dilemmas they face. The plot is an exciting page turner about the Guatemalan civil war of the 1970s. This is an exotic setting for me. As a reader and I felt I was there and felt the pains and issues faced by the protagonists.