The Radiant Boy

[anteros_lmc]

Collingwood, E., (2010), The Radiant Boy ~ Four Ghost Stories from the Age of Sail, The Penny, Dreadful & Tarbottom Series, Books on Demand.

I read Emma Collingwood's The Radiant Boy ~ Four Ghost Stories from the Age of Sail last week while traveling and I have to say I thought it was a charming little book. The stories are perfectly painted little miniatures and they each set their various scenes perfectly and concisely. All four tales are quite different in character but most of the ghosts that appear here are benign or even benevolent. The first story, "The Radiant Boy", is really very touching and I have to confess it moved me shed a tear at the end. Which is no mean feat considering I was on a 7am commuter flight to Birmingham at the time. Not the best environment for conjuring an atmosphere! The final tale "Last Service" is also lovely, it's funny and affectionate and clever all at the same time.

The thing that I enjoyed the most about this book though is the way it's presented; from the curse at the beginning, the "Young Bucks" vignettes that link the stories and Amandine de Villeneuve gorgeous illustrations, to the clever epilogue and funny and informative "Notes for the Curious" at the end. The whole book is a perfect little gem.

One peculiarity...I have a recording of the author reading one of these stories, which nodbear and I won in a charity auction last year. When I read the book I found it was the author's voice I was "hearing" rather than my own reading voice. I don't think I've ever experienced this before and it definitely added to the supernatural nature of these tales!

Comments

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

'Course you do :)

[esteven]

It is a charming little book which compelled me to buy Lieutenant Samuel Blackwood (deceased). Contrary to The Radiant Boy, the ghost is less benign. It also profits from Amadine de Villeneuve's illustrations.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Oh yes I've read that one too and very much enjoyed it. I seem to remember I was in bed with a cold when I read it so I never got round to writing a review :/

[esteven]

Why not do it now? I feel the author would appreciate seeing that on her return. :D

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Y'know I might just do that :) May need to read it again though, I was a bit out of it when I read if first time!

[esteven]

What joy! It is a charming book and deserves to be re-read. :D

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

Just joining in - and admiring intensely anteros_lmc new icon *wants one -a frigate of her own that is *

Molly's story which I was lucky to win jointly with Anteros in an auction last year is compelling and I would agree estevan about the very lovelly illustrations.
And Lieutenant Smuel blackwood too - what a baddie :(
but again it is a delightful book and I found the hero of that one suchu a very life affirming young man,
Thanks for reviewing for us and thanks Molly many times over...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Definitely worth reading The Radiant Boy if you enjoyed Samuel Blackwood :)

[emmacollingwood.livejournal.com]

I found the hero of that one suchu a very life affirming young man

Thanks a lot for that comment; that's what I wanted him to be, and it's great that you read him that way. :)

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

He is - boundlessly lovely young man !
Every bealeagured captain who so inclines should have one..

it is a lovely tale - thank you often and again !

[emmacollingwood.livejournal.com]

What a lovely thing to come home to! Thanks so much for your review. It's great to know you enjoyed "The Radiant Boy"; as the book has a special place in my heart, the so-far positive reception makes me very happy. It was written in a time when I thought a lot about death and its consequences, and I guess that's why the ghosts are "friendly": good people certainly wouldn't return to do scare their loved ones (if they return, that is...)

I don't think I've ever experienced this before and it definitely added to the supernatural nature of these tales!

I blame it on my accent. Let's hope this will pass! ;)

The whole book is a perfect little gem.

Thanks so much; not only for buying and reading the book, but also for taking the time to review it. Much appreciated. :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome m'dear, I thoroughly enjoyed the book so it was a pleasure to review it :)

I blame it on my accent. Let's hope this will pass! ;)
You have a lovely accent!

Maybe I should include "can make readers shed a tear on a 7am commuter flight to Birmingham" in my CV...?
Be my guest!