When Harriet goes to stay with a schoolfriend on the Dorset coast, she finds herself becoming involved with a young runaway named Birney, an escapee from a reform school who is hiding out in the sea-caves nearby. As the two become closer, leading to shared confidences and feelings, Harriet also attempts to discover the meaning and history behind an inscription she discovers on a memorial slab near the caves. But when the story of Ambrose Briddle, who died "After Candlemas" in 1890, seems to be replaying itself with Birney, Harriet knows she must act...

The supernatural elements in this novel are minimal, serving as a means of exploring the issue of "belonging," or as Gramma Cobbley would put it, of being "inside." Arthur seems to imply that those who participate in ancient celebrations like Candlemas, or who turn to "witchcraft," do so because they are "outside;" and the story as a whole functions as a narrative about bringing someone from the "outside" - Birney - to the "inside." This is accomplished through friendship and love, acceptance and forgiveness. Although I have become a great fan of Arthur, and do like the theme of acceptance, I couldn't rate this title as highly as some of her others. I felt that the "witch's sabbat" theme lacked any real suspense, and was troubled by the implication that all those who take interest in pagan rituals are somehow dysfunctional (and no, I am NOT a pagan, neo- or otherwise). Of course, it's Ruth M. Arthur, so it's still worth reading, but I think that the tension between pagan and Christian themes is far better explored in Elizabeth Marie Pope's The Perilous Gard. ( )

5/2011 Stet.

2/2009 Yesterday was Candlemas, so of course I had to pull this down from the shelves. I think it's one of Arthur's weaker books- not goose-bump-inducing spooky, not sweeping over generations- but it's a solid meditation on belonging. That being said, I was struck again by the decidedly intolerant feel of this piece where the witches are unrelievedly evil. I adore Margery Gill's illustrations. Arthur's sure hand with setting, as well as her precise ear for dialog, redeem the book for me. ( )