A Candle in Her Room
| Company type | Publisher |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
A Candle in Her Room is a children's book published in 1966, authored by Ruth M. Arthur with illustrations by Margery Gill and released by Atheneum Books. The story is set in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and centers on the influence of an enchanted doll affecting three successive generations of young women.
Summary
The plot revolves around a sinister doll uncovered in the attic of a coastal manor, which exerts its influence over three generations of young women until one ultimately frees them from its curse. The tale delves into themes such as familial heritage and the struggle between light and darkness.
The narrative is divided into four sections, each told from the perspective of a different character spanning various time periods. The first part follows Melissa from the family's arrival at Old Court through the First World War. The second section is narrated by Dilys, Judith's daughter, who returns to Old Court with her mother following Carew's passing. The third segment revisits Melissa about a year later, extending into the post-Second World War period. The final part is narrated by Nina, daughter of Dilys.
Plot
After inheriting Old Court upon Aunt Lucia's death, Melissa’s family relocates to the mansion. Briony discovers a wooden doll named 'DIDO' in the attic, which soon begins to affect her behavior until Judith finds it and causes its removal. Subsequently, Judith grows more withdrawn and secretive, spending much of her time in London.
Melissa and Carew develop a romantic bond and intend to marry. However, after Melissa suffers an injury resulting in partial paralysis, Carew eventually departs with Judith to marry in London, leaving Melissa at Newcove under Miss Emmy’s care.
Dilys is raised at Old Court alongside Aunt Liss (Melissa) and Emmy, sensing her mother's emotional detachment. She has a brief encounter with Dido and becomes aware of its sinister influence. As World War II looms, Dilys falls in love with Bron, a Polish man living nearby, and they pledge their commitment to each other.
Melissa receives delayed correspondence from Dilys, who has joined the Polish resistance. Following Judith’s death, Melissa and Emmy attempt to locate Dido for destruction but are unsuccessful. Melissa begins experiencing visions of Dilys’s daughter Nina, which fuels her resolve to regain mobility and find the child.
Twelve-year-old Nina, orphaned due to the war and raised in refugee camps, is brought to Old Court by Aunt Liss. She opts for Judith’s former attic room despite its eerie reputation. Nina discovers Dido concealed there and becomes conscious of its manipulative hold over her behavior.
Understanding Dido’s part in Judith’s troubled history and recognizing its danger to Melissa, Nina ultimately destroys the doll by burning it on the beach, thereby ending its harmful influence.
Characters
- Melissa Mansell – eldest sister who moves into Old Court before WWI
- Judith Mansell – middle sister under Dido’s control
- Briony Mansell – youngest sister who later emigrates to Canada
- Emmy Lee – devoted maid and lifelong companion to Melissa
- Dr. Mansell – father of the three sisters
- Mrs. Mansell – their mother
- Aunt Lucia – Dr. Mansell's aunt who left Old Court to the family
- Young Rees Owen – local neighbor and handyman
- Old Rees Owen – father of Young Rees
- Mrs. Owen – Young Rees’ mother with healing skills
- Carew Grenville – wealthy suitor who marries Judith despite his love for Melissa
- Dilys Grenville – daughter of Carew and Judith
- Bronislav Kostarski – Polish resident near Old Court who marries Dilys
- Miranda – Briony’s daughter
- Dilly Rolska – alias used by Dilys Grenville in the Polish resistance
- Anya – orphanage friend of Nina
- Nina Melissa Rolska | Nina Melissa Kostarska | Nina Melissa Grenville – daughter of Dilys and Bron; final possessor of Dido
- David Lewis – new neighbor to the Grenville family
Malevolent Doll - Dido
Dido is an ancient wooden figure featured in A Candle in Her Room, described as meticulously carved from a dense wood such as holly, with a surface worn smooth and polished by countless hands. Her finely crafted visage reveals a "complex blend of wisdom, cunning, and mystery." Discovered by Briony within a vintage trunk at the Old Court, Judith later fashioned an elaborate collection of clothing for Dido and frequently captured her likeness in paintings. These artworks depicted Dido adorned in sumptuous velvet gowns, bearing a commanding and sinister demeanor—paintings that played a significant role in establishing Judith’s reputation as an artist.
Critically examined by Rose Michael and emphasized by Ellen Datlow as one of the most unsettling dolls in literature, Dido is characterized as a witch’s talisman intended to incite discord and anguish. Those who possess Dido often sense her as animate, feeling compelled to dress and portray her. Failure to comply results in disturbing nightmares and obsessive behaviors, which gradually alter the owner’s character and disrupt personal relationships.
Dido’s formidable presence highlights underlying themes of domination and malevolence throughout the story, solidifying her function as a trigger for conflict and psychological strain.
Publication history
Originally released in 1966 by Atheneum Books in the United States and McClelland & Stewart in Canada, this book has been reissued several times but is presently out of print. It is also recognized under the title The Witch Doll.
1966 - London - Victor Gollancz Ltd - Juvenile Audience 1966 - New York - Atheneum 1968 - London - Victor Gollancz Ltd 1970 - London - May Fair Books 1972 - London - Victor Gollancz Ltd 1980 - Sevenoaks - Hodder & Stoughton - Juvenile Audience 1980 - Sevenoaks - Knight Books - Juvenile Audience
Reception
Kirkus Reviews commended the author’s ability to evoke "an atmosphere of dark sorcery," noting particularly gripping scenes where characters face encroaching evil, although it described the protagonist Melissa as somewhat "underwhelming." The novel is acknowledged for its distinctive, eerie ambiance. Cynthia Zarin of The New Yorker referred to it as a haunting piece that instills lasting discomfort. Author Lucy Ellmann identified it as a cherished childhood favorite, praising its intricate multi-narrative style and emotional depth.