TORTOISE BY CANDLELIGHT

by Nina Bawden

Book by Nina Bawden

Genres: Fiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Nina Bawden was a popular British novelist and children's writer. Her mother was a teacher and her father a marine.

When World War II broke out she spent the school holidays at a farm in Shropshire along with her mother and her brothers, but lived in Aberdare, Wales, during term time.
Bawden attended Somerville College, Oxford, where she gained a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Her novels include Carrie's War, Peppermint Pig, and The Witch's Daughter.

A number of her works have been dramatised by BBC Children's television, and many have been translated into various languages. In 2002 she was badly injured in the Potters Bar rail crash, and her husband Austen Kark was killed.

Bawden passed away at her home in London on 22 August 2012.

Reviews

[Cecily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 60s? Story of a 14-year old girl trying to hold her dysfunctional family together through a period of change (growing up, sick grandmother, new neighbours). Slightly dated punctuation and some self-consciously "clever" phrases.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

When mooching around charity shops I always keep my eyes peeled for Virago Modern Classics, especially the green spines. I’m glad I found this one. Or perhaps it found me? This is publishing from a different era, when quality and talent were what counted. Novels were also allowed to be short! Nina Bawden was a fabulous writer and I love this novel. It has so much depth, and heart, and wonderful observations. I enjoyed her children’s books and her adult fiction is equally good. Her characterisation is excellent and this novel is delightfully sharp and profound. Intelligent and emotionally-mature writing for intelligent and emotionally-mature readers. Highly recommended.

[Janet B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather strange and somewhat childish book about family relationships. I didn’t find the characters very credible but it was a quite engrossing read. ‘Comforting’ though, definitely not. I found the relationships between the adults and children very disturbing and the book finished abruptly, leaving many unresolved plot lines.

[Girl with her Head in a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review: https://girlwithherheadinabook.co.uk/...

Another Virago Modern Classic here and my first time reading Nina Bawden’s adult fiction. Emmie Bean is trying to hold the household together in her mother’s absence and with her father a well-meaning drunk. Her siblings do not help. Her home is in a state of squalor. Even those she does reach out to do. As with so much of Bawden’s young adult novels, there is the same sense of the young people existing in a different world to the adults, their concerns passing unnoticed. Still, the characters were not as striking as those in Bawden’s better known fiction such as Carrie’s War and although I did enjoy the novel, the finer details have rapidly faded from memory.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this coming of age story/family saga. It reminded me of another book I loved, 'I capture the castle' by Dodie Smith. Although sad in parts (eg the children are somewhat neglected) it is a very good study in human nature, life and society and has plenty of uplifting moments too.

[Alexandra Daw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. A bit unusual but not too unusual. Easy to read.

[Ayreon · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Clewchuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was about young people. If it was supposed to be a kids book, of that I’m not sure. The characters seemed quite real, and I’m always a fan of the antihero, which Emmie is.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Nina Bawden so much!
More constructive review to follow!

[Lisa Bywell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first foray into Nina's adult books, and I loved it.