Light A Single Candle

by Beverly Butler

Book Overview

When Cathy lost her sight at the age of fourteen, she faced a very different way of life. It took courage and alertness to explore a new, uncharted world where her other senses had to take over the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671443852
• ISBN13: 9780671443856
• Release Date: January 1970
• Publisher: Simon and Schuster (Pocket Books)
• Length: 217 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

used book purchase

Product was exactly as described (slightly used) and was delivered very promptly.Packaged well so no further damage would be sustained.

an excellent read

I read this years ago, and it has stuck with me. The basis for the title is an old proverb to the effect of "It is better to light a single candle that sit and curse the darkness." Cathy, through losing her sight, faces darkness. The book details how people react to her differently, and how she reacts. It details the choices she makes, and her reasons behind them. I believe that this book was written before mainstreaming of special education students became mandatory. The book also mentions Cathy using books on records, which we now use as books on tape or CD, so modern young persons reading this might need a quick history lesson. I would one day like to teach elementary school, about 4th grade level, and this would be an ideal book to read, as Cathy is only a few years older than they. The title of the book have stuck with me over 25 years, since I read it in middle school, and I intend to purchase a copy soon. A wonderful read to have and to pass on to one's children around the age of 12 or so, or to read with youngsters over 10. I can't say enough about it.

Fantastic book!

I read this book when I was in junior high school, and loved it. When I was recently diagnosed with glaucoma, I remembered the book, and re-read it. Even at age 44, I still loved it!

Am now 28 and still enjoy this one!

I am near sighted and one of my worst fears in this world is going blind. This book, however, showed me that most of our fears are only fed by the society we live in. Cathy's triumph in overcoming this obstacle is a sure way of showing anyone the true meaning of living. Enjoy this book and cherish it...Share it but don't give it away. I bet you'll need it again some day!

A timeless good read

Like some of your other reviewers I first read this book when about 14, the same age as the book's subject, Cathy, when she loses her sight. I would say that I have re-read it since at least a dozen times, getting something different from it each time with the different perspective of age. It stays with you vividly - I can remember very clearly where I was when I first read it. I only wonder however whether it will still appeal to 14-year olds today - I don't think it has dated but maybe I'm nostalgic. What it has to say about the difficulties of being a teenager and growing up to my mind are just as relevant (it was several reads before I could read about Cathy's experiences with Earl without squirming). To sum up, I was miserable when someone borrowed my copy and lost it and delighted when on holiday in Washington the Library of Congress traced it for me. Learning that there is a sequel was a mixed blessing - I want it desperately - as another reviewer says, it's a book that leaves you feeling good and wanting to know what happens to Cathy.