Review by LuciusM -- Spirit of the Season by Brian Lamont

[LuciusM]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Spirit of the Season" by Brian Lamont.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Spirit of the Season by Brian Lamont is a simple tale of a young candle maker living in the early years of industrialization. Having mastered the skill of candle making from his late father, he lived in an idyllic English country and made candles for a living. He had then improved the techniques and reformed the workshop that his father had left. Working at nights and resting throughout the day, the young candle maker was able to supply candles beyond the districts to homes of the wealthy and the cathedral in the great city. Uneducated and having been in the company of his late father for many years, the young candle maker is brought out to exhibit an antisocial behavior.


One day, he saved a man who had broken his leg. Squire, as he came to know his name later, appreciates the young candle maker’s humane act by gifting him a horse which helps him win the heart of a young woman, daughter of a storekeeper. They both marry and after a few years, through a twist of fate, his newly wedded bride dies during child birth together with the infant. Forsaken and feeling the despair of his life, the candle maker is forced to suppress his past by locking himself in his cottage for many years just warming by the hearth and drinking wine.


I enjoyed reading through the first five chapters of the novel because of its simple language and a straightforward plot. The narration was also consistent. I liked the way Brian Lamont portrayed the friendship between the young candle maker and the storekeeper’s daughter and how it graduated to love. It was really refreshing to see how the two worked and supported one another.


I disliked this novel and I had several issues with it. After the death of the candle maker’s wife, the conflict of the novel seems to have been resolved in the preliminary chapters and the story begins to bore. It appears to me as if the author shifted from narrating the story to giving a biography of the protagonist. It was disappointing that the last chapters did not reignite my interest in the book. I absolutely disliked the fact that there were no significant plot twists.


I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. There were a few things that I felt could have been improved upon. To start with, some adventures by the protagonist were not necessary as they did not affect the progress of the story. It is easy for a reader to skip a chapter and still catch up with the storyline. I also felt that the book did not have a satisfying ending that could blow me away. The ending was hastily arrived and left me with questions. Nevertheless, I recommend the book to lovers of historical books.

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Spirit of the Season
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[MuthoniMuriithi]

I am hooked by reading through your review. Keep up

[Josep22]

The story sounds quite intriguing. Definitely worth a read.

[Honest-reviewer]

The plot seemed good at the beginning. But sorry to know that the last chapters were not as expected. Thanks for your honest review.

[keiyoshi]

Congratulations on your first review! It's a shame that your first had to be something you didn't like much. However, based from your review, it seemed as though the book is monotonous and that might contribute a lot to the book's impression. Thanks on the great review! Looking forward to hearing (or should I say reading) more from you.

[LuciusM]

The story sounds quite intriguing. Definitely worth a read.

Thanks so much. I hope you will read and give me your feedback.

[LuciusM]

The plot seemed good at the beginning. But sorry to know that the last chapters were not as expected. Thanks for your honest review.

Thank you and most regards.

[LuciusM]

Congratulations on your first review! It's a shame that your first had to be something you didn't like much. However, based from your review, it seemed as though the book is monotonous and that might contribute a lot to the book's impression. Thanks on the great review! Looking forward to hearing (or should I say reading) more from you.

Thanks for the compliment. Am on an endeavor to explore more books. I hope they will be captivating.

[Panfov]

Sounds like a good plot, it’s too bad the become became boring though. Thanks for the great review.

[LuciusM]

Sounds like a good plot, it’s too bad the become became boring though. Thanks for the great review.

Thanks so much. I would like to hear from you if you get to read the book.

[Elvis Best]

The plot sounded interesting to me, too. Too bad about its challenges. Thanks for such an honest review. Good job!

[Christabel Uzoamaka]

It’s a shame that the story was already resolved from the very start. I appreciate its simplicity though.

Nice review!

[LiLj]

I really liked the plot of this book, I wish that it wasn’t a bore after the first five chapters though, I think I’ll have to pass on this book. Thanks for the informative review.

[jennydelacruz]

It' sad that the author failed to keep the momentum of such a potentially interesting story. Thank you for your honest and detailed review

[Mukukamm30]

I had envisioned a compelling story initially. A great disappointment for a seemingly gripping tale of the candle maker.