Jean F. Mercier
Even for young readers, [After Candlemas] will lack interest. Though suspense and romance are hinted at and the essentials of entertainment are here, they are never developed past simplicity. (p. 56)
Jean F. Mercier, in Publishers Weekly (reprinted from the March 25, 1974, issue of Publishers Weekly by permission of the critic, published by R. R. Bowker Company, a Xerox company; copyright © 1974 by Xerox Corporation), March 25, 1974.
Harriet [the main character in After Candlemas] holds the story firmly together; her personality emerges mainly from her contacts with Gramma Cobbley, the old lady who eases her into village life and its secrets, and Birney, the runaway. Harriet finds some excitement in her unconventional behaviour: helping to hide and protect a young criminal has its frightening moments but caring has its compensations. All ends happily, of course … but without any irritating twists of fortune or probability.
Punctuation, especially of conversation, seems to have gone awry. (p. 161)
The Junior Bookshelf, June, 1974.
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