It was sad, haunting, memorable, sweet, tragic and SO many other impactful things! Even as you're gutted, and questioning what's happening, you're swept up in the magic of a true rarity... That of an all encompassing, utterly immersive tale!! One which captures you until you're in a fever pitch state!! That is, until you're able to quell the flame, only by reaching the final page... But, it still won't let you go. It's ghostly flame won't be snuffed out so easily. It will stay with you long after!! I originally read this book many years ago, and it still burns in my memory as one of the best novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading! I've read A LOT, too!! Michael McDowell had so much more talent to give, so much more life to live. Sadly the author's death was extremely premature. Thankfully, Tabitha King saw its haunting beauty, and was able to complete Michael's masterpiece of a book, "Candles Burning". Mrs. King was given the gift of a phenomenal unfinished novel, and she took it to its burning conclusion, by infusing it with an aching beauty that many will never achieve. She certainly did Mr McDowell, and his eerie work proud by taking the story to even deeper depths!! I really love this one, and will be rereading it, yet again, soon!