Ben Carter
A Candle in Her Room, written by Ruth M. Arthur and illustrated by Margery Gill, is a 1966 children's book that explores the effect of a bewitched doll on three generations of young women. The story, set in Pembrokeshire, Wales, revolves around the discovery of an old wooden doll named Dido, whose evil influence creates an eerie atmosphere. The novel has received acclaim for its ability to convey a sense of black magic and the compelling nature of its characters and setting. Reviews from readers who enjoyed the book as children and re-read it as adults highlight its chilling and haunting nature. However, some reviewers found it too terrifying for younger readers, recommending it for middle school libraries rather than third graders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Ruth M. Arthur |
| Illustrator | Margery Gill |
| Year of first publication | 1966 |
| Publishers | Atheneum Books, McClelland & Stewart, MacMillan Publishing Company |
| Setting | Pembrokeshire, Wales |
| Main characters | Melissa Mansell, Judith, Briony Mansell, Dilys, Nina |
| Other characters | Emmy Lee, Carew, Jan, Bron |
| Themes | Love, family across generations, good vs. evil, black magic, the power of love, reality, flow of generations |
| Narration style | First-person, multi-generational |
| Tone | Haunting, eerie, creepy, foreboding, sad, poignant, melodramatic |
| Suitability | Middle school and above |
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What You'll Learn
A chilling and creepy children's book
A Candle in Her Room, written by Ruth M. Arthur and illustrated by Margery Gill, is a chilling and creepy children's book that will leave readers enthralled and spooked. Set in the eerie backdrop of Pembrokeshire, Wales, the story revolves around a bewitched doll named Dido, who casts a dark spell on three generations of young women, bringing evil and tragedy to the Mansell family.
The plot unfolds through the eyes of multiple narrators, each offering a unique perspective on the mysterious and malignant presence of Dido. The first narrator, Melissa Mansell, sets the tone by introducing the strange wooden doll, which she believes brings evil to her family. Her younger sisters, Judith and Briony, also play pivotal roles in the story, with Judith becoming almost possessed by the doll and Briony discovering it in the attic.
As the story progresses, we meet Dilys, Judith's daughter, who has her own brief encounter with Dido. Dilys's daughter, Nina, becomes the third narrator, sharing her experiences in an orphanage after her mother's death. Nina's choice of Judith's old room in the attic despite its hostile presence adds to the chilling atmosphere. The final narrator is Melissa once again, as she searches for Dilys's child following World War II, experiencing visions of a child in the room with her.
The book explores themes of family love across generations, good versus evil, and the complex nature of time and memory. With its eerie atmosphere, multi-generational saga, and malevolent doll, A Candle in Her Room has become one of Arthur's most powerful and well-known works, leaving a lasting impression on readers young and old.
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The story's multi-generational plot
'A Candle in Her Room' is a multi-generational plot that follows three generations of women in the Mansell family, whose lives are influenced by a malevolent doll named Dido. The story begins with the three Mansell sisters, Melissa, Judith, and Briony, who discover the old wooden doll in their father's inherited house in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
The doll has a strange and mysterious presence, and each time she surfaces, there is disaster and tragedy within the family. Judith, the most affected by Dido's influence, becomes almost possessed by the doll, leading to her running off with Melissa's boyfriend, Carew. The narrative then shifts to Dilys, Judith and Carew's daughter, who has a brief encounter with Dido and senses her evil nature. Dilys's story is marked by tragedy, as she loses her partner, Bron, to the Polish underground resistance movement during World War II, and subsequently passes away herself, leaving her daughter Nina in an orphanage.
The final part of the story is narrated by Nina, who, at twelve years old, is sent to live with her Aunt Melissa at the Old Court in Pembrokeshire. Nina has endured a traumatic past, having lost her parents to the Nazis and suffering from nightmares that she attributes to Dido's influence. Nina discovers Dido hidden in the attic and must confront the doll's hold on her family, ultimately destroying her in a bonfire.
The multi-generational aspect of the plot allows the exploration of how the doll's evil influence impacts different family members across time, creating an eerie and compelling narrative that has haunted readers since its publication.
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The character of Melissa Mansell
Melissa Mansell is one of the central characters in the novel 'A Candle in Her Room' by Ruth M. Arthur. She is one of three sisters, the others being Judith and Briony, and she is the first narrator of the story. Melissa's family moves from London to the Old Court in Pembrokeshire before World War I. She has a romantic attachment to Carew Grenville, but after an accident leaves her paralysed, he runs off to London with her sister Judith, whom he marries.
Melissa is convinced that a wooden doll named Dido is the source of evil in her family, bringing disaster and tragedy to three generations. She believes that the doll exerts a malevolent influence, impacting the behaviour of those around her. This is reflected in the odd behaviour changes observed in Briony after she discovers the doll, and in Judith's growing moodiness and detachment from the family.
In the novel's structure, Melissa's narrative is divided into two parts. The first part concludes with Melissa confined to a wheelchair, while the second part takes place about a year after the events of the previous section, with Melissa awaiting news from Dilys, Judith and Carew's daughter. This section ends about 13 years later.
While Kirkus Reviews considered Melissa to be a "disappointingly bland" character, the novel as a whole has been praised for its ability to convey a sense of black magic and evil, with the doll Dido creating an eerie atmosphere that captures the reader's imagination.
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The book's exploration of good vs. evil
"A Candle in Her Room", written by Ruth M. Arthur, is a book that explores the theme of good vs. evil through the lens of a bewitched doll's impact on multiple generations of young women. The story revolves around three generations of the Mansell family: sisters Melissa, Judith, and Briony, and Judith's daughter, Dilys, who is later joined by her own daughter, Nina.
The central evil force in the story is the doll, Dido, who is described as malevolent and possessing an eerie presence. She is said to bring evil to the family, causing disaster and tragedy across three generations. The doll is discovered by Briony in the attic of their house in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and it is Judith who becomes almost possessed by it, creating an extensive wardrobe for the doll and constantly painting her. Melissa is convinced that it is Dido who brings evil to their family, and the narrative explores the impact of this belief on her life and the lives of those around her.
The exploration of good vs. evil in the book is heightened by the inclusion of counterforces to Dido's evil. One such force is the power of love, which is shown to be a strong theme in the book. Despite the evil influence of Dido, the characters in the story still experience love and family bonds. This is evident in the way Melissa perseveres in her search for Dilys and her potential child, even after the disasters caused by Dido. The story also ends with Nina destroying Dido in a bonfire, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Another way the book explores good vs. evil is through the use of multiple narrators and perspectives. The story is told from the points of view of Melissa, Dilys, and Nina, each of whom has a unique relationship with Dido and is affected by her in different ways. This allows the reader to see the impact of Dido's evil from multiple angles and to understand the complexities of good and evil in the story. The matter-of-fact narration style also contributes to the feeling of foreboding, making the exploration of evil in the story even more compelling.
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The author's ability to convey a sense of black magic
The doll, Dido, is discovered by the characters in an old trunk in the attic, and her physical description adds to the eerie atmosphere. She is made of smooth, polished wood, with intricate carvings of hair and features, and her expression is described as "wise, sly, enigmatic, and wicked." This sense of foreboding surrounding the doll is a testament to the author's skill in conveying a sense of black magic.
The multi-generational impact of the doll creates a sense of enduring evil that permeates the story. The narrative spans different time periods and is told from the perspectives of three different characters, each affected by the doll in their own way. This structure allows the author to explore the flow of generations and the dimensions of reality, as the characters grapple with the supernatural influence of the doll.
The sense of black magic is further emphasized by the contrast between innocent childhood experiences and the underlying darkness that unfolds. The story begins with the discovery of the doll by young girls, creating a sense of intrigue and curiosity. However, as the story progresses, the true nature of the doll is revealed, and the characters become aware of the malignant spread of evil, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
The author's use of vivid descriptions and attention to detail brings the sense of black magic to life. The illustrations by Margery Gill, which accompany the text, also contribute to the overall eerie atmosphere of the story. The combination of the narrative and visual elements creates a lasting impression on the reader, leaving them with a sense of unease, as mentioned in reviews that describe the book as memorably frightening and creepy.
In conclusion, the author's ability to convey a sense of black magic in "A Candle in Her Room" is remarkable. Through the portrayal of the bewitched doll, Dido, and her impact on multiple generations, the story captures a sense of enduring evil, blurring the boundaries between fantasy and reality. The author's keen sense of place, complex character development, and attention to detail create a compelling and chilling reading experience that has left a lasting impression on readers of all ages.
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Frequently asked questions
'A Candle in Her Room' is a children's book written by Ruth M. Arthur and published in 1966. The story follows three generations of women in a family who are haunted by a malevolent doll named Dido. The doll is discovered by the Mansell sisters—Melissa, Judith and Briony—in the attic of their new home in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Each time the doll is found, it brings disaster and tragedy to the family.
Kirkus Reviews praised the author's ability to "convey a sense of black magic" and create a "malignant spread of evil". The New Yorker's Cynthia Zarian described the book as "memorably frightening". Many Amazon reviews also describe the book as "chilling" and "haunting". However, some reviewers found the book too scary for younger readers, recommending it for middle school libraries rather than elementary school libraries.
'A Candle in Her Room' was written by Ruth M. Arthur, a UK writer known for her Gothic novels for girls in the 1960s and 70s. Arthur's other notable works include 'Dragon Summer' (1962), 'Requiem for a Princess' (1967), and 'The Saracen Lamp' (1970).
