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Candyfloss Guitar

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Thousands have found inspiration reading Candyfloss Guitar,
an Amazon #1 international bestseller.

Choose Your Way...

"Stephen R. Marriott takes us on a journey through the eyes of Diego, a young guitarist, as he struggles to find his path in life. It's a touching tale which will not only have you reaching for the next in the series, but maybe your backpack as well." - Richard Paul Evans, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Diego is drifting. He has been content with living his life in a sun-scorched village that lies on the route of the pilgrim path: The Camino de Santiago. But one stormy night, change is forced upon Diego when his father, Eduardo, the local candyfloss maker, unexpectedly catches him entertaining a captivated crowd with flamenco guitar rhythms. At that moment, Eduardo lets go of the ghosts from his past and realises it's time for Diego to find his path in life.

Eduardo arranges for Diego to live and work on a farm and sends him on his way with the gift of his old Spanish guitar.

Will Diego commit to working on the farm, or will he confront his destiny on the road where a million pilgrims have passed before him?

- - - - WARNING (By Candyfloss Guitar Readers) - - - - -

"Very inspirational!"
"I could NOT PUT IT DOWN!!"
"Loved it"
"great characters"
"A great read!"
"This story sucks you right in."
"Very well crafted, and executed."
"I would recommend this story to everyone."
"A very enjoyable read."
"Excellent storytelling..."
"I am looking forward to hearing more"
"Fascinating story!"
"swept away in this story about self-discovery"
"I wanted more, much more."
"Thought provoking!"
"a fantastic story about self-discovery."
"I absolutely loved it."
"I definitely recommend reading this."
"Filled with lushly descriptive language"
"Surprised me with both its subject and quality."

The people Diego encounters on the way and the faith they share will take him on a much longer journey, one that once would have seemed unimaginable.

Candyfloss Guitar is the first book in the Reluctant Pilgrim series about one man's journey of self-discovery and the hope he will eventually bring to others. A journey both physical and spiritual, guided at times by the unlikeliest of angels!

43 pages, ebook

First published August 11, 2014

26 people are currently reading
364 people want to read

About the author

Stephen R. Marriott

3 books34 followers
Stephen R. Marriott is a British author whose creative spirit is inspired by travel and walking the roads less travelled. His debut book, CANDYFLOSS GUITAR, has climbed the Amazon Best Sellers list and has been ranked #1 in several categories.

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5 stars
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45 (42%)
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16 (15%)
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5 (4%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Profile Image for Hend.
178 reviews925 followers
November 9, 2014

a spiritual novella about life, and Man's search for his road ,signs he would see which may be mistaken for bad luck ,however at last it may turn to be a blessing....

about father-son relationship, and for those whom we love and could speak to our souls wherever we are when they knew we need them...
Profile Image for Scatterbooker.
166 reviews35 followers
January 1, 2021
Candyfloss Guitar is a delightful novella by Stephen Marriott who is a traveler as well as a wonderful author. When Diego’s father sends him off to make his own way in the world with his trusty old guitar a series of unplanned circumstances have him decide to walk the pilgrim path, The Way of Saint James (Carmina de Santiago) rather than head off to work on his cousin’s farm as he planned. Diego’s journey becomes not just a physical one but a quest to find his destiny in life and he meets many interesting characters along the way.

The author’s descriptions of Spain are beautifully done and I can tell he holds a great love for the country and the people there. While reading Candyfloss Guitar I was very tempted to pack my bags of embark on a pilgrimage myself until I remembered how rubbish I am at walking long distances!

Originally posted at https://scatterbooker.wordpress.com/2...
Profile Image for Patricia.
384 reviews46 followers
May 31, 2015
this is a wonderful short story/novella that is beautifully written. The book strives, and succeeds, throughout it's pages to bring the Road to Santiago de Compostela alive in our imagination. The reader is encouraged to visualise every step of the way, to communicate with other travellers and share the interactions between them and the guitar man. It also draws us towards how life takes roads we cannot or do not envision unless we are prepared to follow and commit to the pathway ahead. The story brings us the opportunity to search within ourselves for our own personal pilgrimage to follow, be it travelling the world or sitting down to learn something we always wished to know. The Road to Santiago de Compostela as travelled by the candyfloss guitar man can be as real to the reader as it is to the character - we simply need to listen and hear our own personal tune. The ending brings us full circle in life with the knowledge that we can always find our dream if we are prepared to seek it whether in this life or after and it brings with it the realisation that it is never too late to correct an injustice or wrong doing.

The author provided me with an e-copy of Candyfloss Guitar in exchange for an honest review
111 reviews6 followers
August 28, 2015
I received this book for an honest review and the first thoughts that came to mind after reading was that this was an undated version of The Pilgrim's Progress.

The book is well written and follows Diego on his journey of enlightenment. Diego begins on the path after being given the guitar by his father and asked to either make his way in the land or work for his cousins. Diego friends want to travel to Madrid to find easy women and make easy money. Whilst Diego is choosing his future we meet one of the many travels on the Pilgrim's path, Way of Saint James, who lead his journey the correct way. At several points in the story, when Diego starts to drift from the path, another character appears to either offer charity or help and guide Diego back on the right path.
Profile Image for Lee.
602 reviews13 followers
March 27, 2015
What an enjoyable story! I was immediately caught up in this book, Candyfloss Guitar. As the story begins, Diego's father encourages him to decide what to do with his life, so Diego goes on a journey to find his path. It's a fascinating account of the people he meets and the various things that happen to him. The author of this novella is very good at making the reader see the culture and surroundings of this Spanish village and the road to Santiago. It's easy to care for Diego and his destiny as he goes on the walk. I recommend this book. Thanks to the author, Stephen Marriott for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
309 reviews47 followers
June 17, 2015
I was sent an email copy of this by the author in return for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this quite short story about Diego who doesn't really know what to do with his life. His father tries to point him in the right direction and the story centres round Diego's journey from his Spanish village and the people he meets and the effect they have on him. A very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
66 reviews44 followers
June 7, 2015
I was gifted a PDF copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review. This novella is beautifully written and a fantastic story about self discovery. I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Chelsea.
62 reviews2 followers
January 30, 2016
Candyfloss Guitar by Stephen Marriott

I was approached by Stephen himself to review his new book Candyfloss Guitar; which made me incredibly happy, so thank you.
Candyfloss Guitar is a very short yet sweet story about taking the first steps of a life-changing journey. Diego lives with his father, Eduardo, the local candyfloss man, in a Pueblo, secretly performing to crowds of people throughout the night. On finding out about Diego’s little hobby, Eduardo sends him on his way to work on a farm along with his old guitar.
I found this story to be a very sweet, easy and enjoyable read. One specific element that I like was the way in which the author described the moments when Diego was playing his guitar by creating a scene of beauty: ‘He tenderly stroked the strings with his middle fingers and the music that emerged was like the sound of a small brook flowing with ease. But suddenly clouds burst and Diego’s hand raced up and down the neck to the guitar and the brook was now a torrent of water, being hit by a rain storm; a fast-paced Latino sounding rumba danced around the meadow. Diego tilted his head back, locked his jaws and closed his eyes. The storm reached a crescendo; a pluck on the strings suggested an abrupt end, as a noted resonated in the air. However, before the note died, the brook began to find its way and flow more gently. Diego slowly caressed the strings of the guitar with the gentleness of a lover and the water bobbled around pebbles and raindrops fell lightly and rhythmically onto the brook.’ That’s amazing descriptive writing right there.
The only thing that I don’t like is the title of the book. Although I do understand where it’s come from and why it seems like a good idea, but it’s not exactly eye-catching and attention grabbing. But other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this read.
Profile Image for Ashley.
3 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2015
Note: I received an e-book copy of this, in return for an honest review.
Note**: Review May contain Spoilers


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Although this story is very short, it is very inspiring. This story is about love, lost and finding yourself. It is such a beautiful story. We all want love and to find what our destiny is in life and this is what this book is about.

Eduardo had found his path in life. He found the love of his life, had his chosen career and had a son who ultimately was lost after the death of his wife/mother.

In a sense Eduardo wanted to help Diego find his purpose in life. That's why he gave him the ultimatum to go to his cousins or go be a guitarist. The choice was his.

Diego's guardian Angel to help him show his way in life comes into his life the day he's supposed to become a farmer.

Like our lives, this book is a journey. We all need to find our loves, our passions and of course along the way, we will loose our way, wanting to do other things because we get stuck and we will loose people who mean the world to us. But that is life.

This book has given me inspiration. I have lost my dreams and passions and lost sight of love. But it has shown me that I need to push on regardless. Make everything I ever dreamt come true.

I do recommend this book to everyone. I do wish it was a little longer or for a sequel to see what happened if Diego stayed where he was or if he made it to Santiago and what happened after that.
Profile Image for Marina Costa.
Author 23 books84 followers
April 13, 2020
I usually don't do book reviews, because I know others do them better than me. I am not good at reviews, but I am good at reading and certain books need recommended. One of them is Candyfloss Guitar by Stephen R Marriott. I read it for free from Bookfunnel and I loved it.

It is read quickly, since it has only 70 pages, and it gives an image of contemporary Spain, mainly the one of small towns and villages, and especially a part of the route known as Camino de Santiago, the milenary pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. 

A young guitarist is reluctantly making the pilgrimage, first thinking he'd go just until the next village with a pretty foreign girl. Step by step, the pilgrimage takes another dimension and he keeps going farther and farther along. We see the lack of perspectives for provincial youth in the economic environment of today, but also the kindness of strangers and the value of an initiatic road.

The writer, who has done the pilgrimage himself, years ago, caught subtle aspects, both in the relationship between Catalans and Spaniards (Arnau and Eduardo) and in the fact that, for certain generations, the Civil War and Franco years are very alive in their memories and social values. Being familiar with the Spanish culture, I kept discovering subtle gems in Diego's story, along, like hidden Easter eggs. 

I wholeheartedly recommend this novella to everyone, and its next volume, further showing Diego's adventures as a guitarist wishing for affirmation.
Profile Image for Tony Parsons.
4,156 reviews102 followers
April 21, 2015
Eduardo (father, Spanish, retired Republican soldier) was a vendor who made his living with a 1949, Cotton Candy Machine. Anna Maria (wife/mother had died.
Diego their son was wasting his life away in the Bar Paradiso.
Eduardo made arrangements with Pedro (cousin) for him to go work on a farm.

With his dad’s guitar & money he sets of on a journey to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
He finds out Eduardo passed away.
Diego however tries new things, meets different PPL & never makes it.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written cultural spiritual novella book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great cultural movie, or mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Profile Image for Olive Ziegert.
140 reviews7 followers
December 4, 2015
At first thought, this is a book about an elderly gentleman, Eduardo, who is just finding out who he is and how long the road took to get there. However, after a few pages, it is way more than that.

This short story is packed full of a young man, Diego, on a pilgrimage he did not know he would take. He ends up finding himself and new friends along the way. He starts out thinking he is chasing someone and finding he is chasing after himself.

It was a delight to read and a very pleasant one at that! A must read for anyone, especially someone that is finding himself/herself lost and needs help figuring out where to go next.
Profile Image for TS.
198 reviews
April 26, 2015
I am enjoying this novella immensely. I just adore Diego. Something about a young Spanish man with a guitar. The author portrays him so well. I have enjoyed the camina (walk) with Diego and have taken a few things away from it. My favorite quote is on page 43: But what if one doesn't have that eureka moment, what if we are just one of a million stars lost without any purpose?" Within this story, Diego is trying to discover his destiny or purpose. Just like all of us, on any adventure or challenge we take on.
p44Leonardo smiled and said, “Each and every one of those
stars above us has a purpose. And your purpose, I believe, is
right under your nose and you don’t even see it!”
Profile Image for John Naylor.
929 reviews22 followers
May 15, 2015
I received a PDF copy of this from the author directly in exchange for a review.
I not sure if a PDF copy counts as the paperback or Kindle version for review purposes but I am reviewing it here any way.

I have noted in the past that I find it harder to read books electronically as my brain skips things on the screen and that might have happened here too. I enjoyed what I did pick up on and the tone of the book.

It is a travel and coming of age book which despite being short does explore a few different relationships the main character has. It was a nice little walk through Spain and one that most people could enjoy for an afternoon.
Profile Image for Allison Corbin.
16 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2015
This is a beautifully written short story about Diego, a young man nudged by his father on the path toward determining what he will make of his life. As Diego walks along the a Road to Santiago de Compostela, he makes the acquaintance of a series of other pilgrims, strangers to him, who offset his initial misfortunes and continue to guide him towards self-actualization. Filled with lushly descriptive language that brought the story to life, I only wish the story had been longer!

A copy of this story was provided to this reader through the First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Alyssa Marie.
58 reviews7 followers
May 10, 2015
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the Good Reads Giveaway. :)

Candyfloss Guitar is a nice novella that I truly couldn’t put down as I read it. The writing and descriptions are beautiful, the characters are likeable and interesting, and the story flows at such a nice pace. It’s a novella that is easily relatable, to anyone in this world who is figuring who they are and their purpose in life. It has all the words it needs to be an inspiring journey and a great read. I definitely recommend reading this.
Profile Image for Helena Halme.
Author 28 books223 followers
February 5, 2017
Stephen brings us heart-warming characters in a beautifully written coming of age tale set on a Pilgrimage in Spain. Diego is a young man with a dream. He wants a career in music, which his wise grandfather convinces him to follow. But as he leaves the small village of San Pedro, he meets different Pilgrims. Each one teaches him a different lesson in life. This is an uplifting story and has a great sense of place and time. From the very first page, you feel the heat of the Spanish sun on your face. The Candyfloss Guitar is an equally good read for a cold January day and a beach holiday!
Profile Image for John Hanscom.
1,169 reviews17 followers
April 22, 2015
There is an old joke, probably told in many forms, about a young cowboy on his first cattle drive, asking an old-timer what it is like. The older cowboy said, "There is bad news and there is good news. The bad news is the food is really, really awful. The good news is there is plenty of it."

This book was like that, but in reverse. The good news is the writing is beautiful, lyrical, almost prose poetry. The bad news is there is so little of it.
Profile Image for Mark.
33 reviews21 followers
April 22, 2015
Read this yesterday whilst sitting in the sun overlooking the South Downs. It evoked lots of images of Spain for me and I could feel the sunshine coming through the page. A short but wonderfully touching book. The characters were interesting and well written. I'd like to see a longer book next time from Stephen as It finished way too soon but it is a great read whilst sitting at a National Trust property watching the world go by. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Marissa.
3,572 reviews46 followers
May 14, 2015
PDF Copy from Author for Review

This is about one man’s pilgrimage after the death of his father as he seeks to find himself.

Diego finds himself on the road with his father’s guitar. He finds himself playing it to survive on his journey. Along the way he learns to move past his ghosts and the dreams he once held.

We are swept away in this short story about self discovery and being true to oneself in the end.
88 reviews5 followers
May 23, 2015
Inspirational, enchanting and enlightening. A delight to read and a welcome break, many life lessons are illustrated within this story. A surprisingly easy read considering the deeper implications and meaning within. I enjoyed it immensely. Loved the writing style. Left me wanting to read more, much more by Stephen Marriott.
Profile Image for Morgan.
127 reviews2 followers
August 29, 2015
The author provided me an e-copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this novella. With its beautiful writing style and descriptions it was able to tell such a wonderful story in just 60 pages. I loved the pace of the journey, the characters and the setting as well as the themes. Really a well crafted and worthwhile novella that I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Harley.
Author 17 books107 followers
October 3, 2015
This short novella surprised me with both its subject and its quality. I enjoyed it immensely and wish it had been longer. It is set in Spain and is about one man's pilgrimage on the road to Santiago. I have read Paulo Coelho's narrative of his journey and enjoyed it. Also, a speaker I know recently returned from her pilgrimage. So, to read a fictional version was fascinating.
Profile Image for Jamie.
471 reviews7 followers
March 27, 2015
GREAT novella. I could NOT OUT IT DOWN!! I received an ARC from Stephen and was blown away at this great fast paced story about a young man who really finds himself in the world and how he did it! AMAZING!!! Thanks Stephen.
Profile Image for Rosalinda.
64 reviews35 followers
May 17, 2015
I received this short story/novella as a free e-book; It has a supernatural element in it which I liked & made me want to plan a trip to Spain really soon, preferably to a small village with lots of wine, tapas & good music.
38 reviews59 followers
July 8, 2015
I loved reading about the characters and their tales as this young man journeys to his destination.
Profile Image for Nancy Jones.
930 reviews52 followers
April 22, 2015
Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review. This was a great story about self discovery. I would recommend this story to everyone.
Profile Image for Sarah.
377 reviews
Want to read
February 27, 2015
I just won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways. After I've received my copy, read it, and formulated my opinions, I'll post an honest review. Stay tuned!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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