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Book Review: Before Green Gables

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One of literature’s most famous foster children/adoptees is Anne Shirley, of Green Gables, Avonlea, Prince Edward Island… Many special editions of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s original series are being released this year in honor of the 100th anniversary of the first novel’s publication. This year brings something new: a “prequel” of vastly higher quality than the average prequel or sequel. The first original book begins with the adolescent Anne Shirley arriving at the farm of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. This brother and sister, lifelong bachelor and spinster, have requested a boy from an orphanage to help on the farm. Yet, observing … Continue reading →

Rilla of Ingleside – L.M. Montgomery

With “Rilla of Ingleside,” we come to the last installment of the “Anne of Green Gables” series. Rilla is the youngest daughter born to Anne and Gilbert Blythe, named after Marilla Cuthbert and definitely the pet of the family. She has Gilbert’s dark coloring and a dimple in her lip. World War I, called The Great War at the time, is looming over the land and Canada is being asked to send over support. Nan, Di and Rilla begin knitting bandages and preparing aid baskets for the effort, while the boys enlist. This is the only book in the series … Continue reading →

Anne of Ingleside and Rainbow Valley – L.M. Montgomery

For the first five books of the “Anne” series, our favorite redhead is the star of the show. We see her escapades, we meet her friends, we fall in love with Gilbert right along with her. In the two volumes I’m reviewing today, the focus shifts dramatically from Anne to her children, and if you’re not prepared for that shift, these books could prove to be disappointing. In “Anne of Ingleside,” the Blythes have purchased a large home in Glen St. Mary and are the parents of five, expecting their sixth. The insufferable Aunt Mary Maria has come for a … Continue reading →

The Emily of New Moon Series – L.M. Montgomery

Allow me to diverge from the Anne of Green Gables series for a brief moment to tell you about L.M. Montgomery’s other famous heroine – Emily Starr. An orphan, like Anne, an aspiring author, like Anne, determined to marry the wrong man, like Anne, but Emily is definitely in a class by herself. In “Emily of New Moon,” we become acquainted with Emily, a spirited girl, full of life and imagination. When her father passes away, she is left an orphan, and feels that life can hold no more joy for her. She is taken in by family at New … Continue reading →

Anne’s House of Dreams – L.M. Montgomery

After many years of medical school, Gilbert Blythe is a doctor, and he has found a practice away from Avonlea. Taking his new bride, Anne Shirley Blythe, he moves and settles down in a new house, which Anne immediately sets about making their very own. She loves being a doctor’s wife, but more importantly, she loves being Gilbert’s wife, and they quickly adapt to their new life together. While out taking a walk one night, Anne spies a beautiful young woman out driving her geese, and becomes curious who she is. She finds out that the woman is Leslie Moore, … Continue reading →

Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars – L.M. Montgomery

I’m writing a review about these three books together as they all cover a certain segment in the life of Anne Shirley, irrepressible redheaded heroine written about by L.M. Montgomery. In “Anne of Avonlea,” Anne has grown out of most of her awkwardness but still makes shocking mistakes from time to time, causing Marilla to sprout even more gray hair. The book is full of sweet and funny moments from Anne’s days teaching school and her interactions with the children. Anne also experiences what it’s like to finally belong to a large family, as Marilla adopts orphans Davy and Dora, … Continue reading →

Kilmeny of the Orchard — L.M. Montgomery

Set on Prince Edward Island (an LM Montgomery trademark) “Kilmeny of the Orchard” is the story of Eric Marshall, a young man who comes to the village of Lindsay to work as a substitute school teacher. Walking in the orchards one day, he hears the beautiful sound of violin music, and follows the sound until he reaches the source, a young woman with jet black hair and graceful arms who plays the instrument as though it was made for her. He stands and watches her for several minutes, but then she sees him and runs away, leaving him wondering who … Continue reading →

100 Greatest Novels

I found a list of the 100 Greatest Novels and just had to share it here. I love to read. My plan is to read as many novels on this list as possible. Care to join me? 1. 1984 by George Orwell 2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 3. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 4. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien 5. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald 7. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky 8. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller 9. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov … Continue reading →

Yes, I Confess, I’m a Stay-at-Home Wife

Jade Walker is proving to be more than a muse to me. To borrow a term often used by one of my favorite literary characters, Anne Shirley, she’s proving to be a kindred spirit. And somewhat of a healer. I’m Not Alone Shortly before my mom died, Jade sent me a link to a new blog about caring for elderly parents with a note that said, “Remember: You are not alone.” She thought I might find it useful since I was in the midst of caring for my mom. It was easy to feel alone back then, but notes like … Continue reading →

Daddy-Long-Legs – Jean Webster

I’ve heard about the book “Daddy-Long-Legs” on several occasions, and knew there was a Fred Astaire-Leslie Caron movie based on it, but it wasn’t until the other day that I finally picked it up. You know I’m a big Louisa May Alcott/L.M. Montgomery/Gene Stratton-Porter fan – this book fits right into that genre and I was captivated immediately. Jerusha Abbot has lived her entire life at the John Grier Asylum for Orphans. Now that she is seventeen, she’s lived there longer than most of their wards. The trustees have been at quite a loss to know what to do with … Continue reading →