• Candle in the Darkness

  • By: Lynn Austin
  • Narrated by: Christina Moore
  • Length: 15 hrs and 42 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,574 ratings)

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Candle in the Darkness  By  cover art

Candle in the Darkness

By: Lynn Austin
Narrated by: Christina Moore
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Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2001 Christy Award, Lynn Austin captures the turmoil of the Civil War in this stirring novel. From vast plantations to the cramped closets of the Underground Railroad, it follows one young woman's inspiring journey of risk and sacrifice.

Caroline Fletcher, the daughter of a wealthy family in Richmond, has never questioned her father's right to own slaves. But after a lengthy visit to her uncle's home in Boston, she learns of the abolitionist movement. Now, knowing that slavery is against God's will, she must risk betraying the people she loves to obey her convictions.

Compelling characters and the searing conflicts between North and South create a vivid canvas for Caroline's struggle to make the right decisions. Through Christina Moore's hearfelt narration, Candle in the Darkness burns even brighter.

©2002 Lynn Austin (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A thoroughly engrossing and exciting tale that will appeal to fans of...historical romances." (Library Journal)

What listeners say about Candle in the Darkness

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A different look at the Civil War

This was my first book audible book and I was pleasantly surprised. I found the story to be fascinating and the characters memorable. There were certain areas that dragged, but all in all, a very pleasurable listen.

My children even became involved in the story and couldn't wait to get into the car and hear the next installment! A wonderful way to learn history.

I enjoyed the different perspective on the war, from the women's point of view, from an abolisionist point of view, and from the slaves.

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28 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Candle In the Darkness

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I really felt I got to know the main character, Caroline, and was very concerned with the outcome of the book and her fate. I particularly enjoyed the beginning of the book that discussed her childhood.
A lot of issues were brought up that are not always addressed in a Civil War novel. This book also caused much introspection, and gave me a lot to think about.
I would recomend this book. The narrator is effective and mostly very pleasant to listen to.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best Story of North/South & Struggles of Slavery

I have read (and loved) many historical novels about the civil war, the struggles between the northern and southern states, the ways of the Yankees and the Rebels, and the issue of slavery. This one is the best by far, because it is the only one that has broken down the barriers and prejudices into simple terms. Basic right and wrong. As I listened to this audio book, it became clear to me that the entire civil war, beginning to end, was a GOD THING. And I really have never thought of it in that way at all. I began to grasp the fact that the prayers and actions of a few simple, obedient, God fearing people really does matter. I gained not just head knowledge, but heart knowledge. So many things in this book are absolutely true. The racial prejudices of the north are still much worse than in the south. Yet the southern states are the ones that owned the slaves. Abraham Lincoln, (born in my home state of Kentucky, a state that remained neutral during the civil war), was, I believe a man sent by God to abolish slavery. Yet he was so hated that he was murdered while in office, not long after slavery was abolished. I will not soon forget this book and the simple truths that it brings. Love thy neighbor as thy self. Be a servant, as Christ was also a servant. Forgive others, as Christ has also forgiven you. This book is based on Christian principles, but it never preaches, never judges, never sees just one side. The losses suffered by both the north and south in the civil war was enormous. Many high school students would greatly benefit from reading and studying this in their history classes to gain a better understanding of what the war between the states really was about.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Must Listen to series.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, this is a series that everyone will enjoy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Each and every person plays a role in the book.

Have you listened to any of Christina Moore’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

She is great no matter which book she is reading.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book keeps you interested.

Any additional comments?

This series is called Refiners Fire. Listen to the books in order.
1 - Candle in the Darkness
2 - Fire by Night
3 - A Light to my Path

This is a series that you will feel badly when they are over.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Should have been a series

This book is very detailed. I found myself not able to listen and do other tasks at the same time without missing something. The narrator does a fantastic job with the book. The characters are distinct. The author definetly put a lot of work and research into this book. It is very detailed as I said and should have been a series of books. The reason I think this is because of the amount of time that the book spans and of course the detail. I found myself skipping around alot to hear the climax. It is a wonderful book if you would rather have more historical than romance in your fiction. It was not a predictable book. I felt however that the author rushed at the end and didn't put as much detail in the last hour of the book as she did in the rest of it. Overall, it is a good book.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautifully written story

This book is beautifully written, researched, and narrated. I am particularly interested in Civil War history and Lynn Austin did a fantastic job of conveying the emotional turmoil of the times. Her character was very believable and one grew to love the little band of servants. It is more a book about love than about war. Delightful.

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12 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Enchanting

Lynn Austin is quite the historian as well as story teller. This is my favorite way to study history. Austin teaches as she entertains the Civil War story. I will listen to this audio over and over.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!

This book was so good I couldn't stop listening. Good narrator too.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening

Very inspiring book. Going through some tough times in my own life and this story truly helped to renew my faith and strength. Excellent encouragement in the worst of times.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Shallow Characters. Predictable Plot.

Candle in Darkness is the story of a sweet, innocent, pretty, rich white girl in Richmond, Virginia, just before the Civil War. The protagonist loves her mammy and all the other beautiful and spiritual black people in her home and, therefore, questions the dominant southern beliefs about slavery. There are a few white people in the novel who are depicted as pro-slavery, but not all bad in other ways. However, the depictions are not convincing and provide no real historical or psychological insight. For the most part, Lynn Austin's characters are simple, shallow and boring.

On the bright side, the narration is excellent. I loved the reader's voice and expression.

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4 people found this helpful