How much can one expect of 80 pages? Within such a limited number of words and sentences how much can be said of importance? How many words are necessHow much can one expect of 80 pages? Within such a limited number of words and sentences how much can be said of importance? How many words are necessary in order to create a fully fleshed story?
I don't know. I honestly didn't expect much. But what I found was extraordinary.
"The Pearl" is almost a fable, a story of greed and corruption, riches and all the possibilities that riches can offer you. It is told in a simple manner, but the complexity of it is real. Steinbeck touches upon topics such as the importance of education, and the breaking of a vicious circle created by power and uncertainty. Steinbeck's small eco system is destroyed by a glimmering pearl; by a man who dares to hope to become something more than the society he is a product of.
This is the best 80 pages I have ever read. ...more
This is such a classic Montgomery-fable. Even though I've never read it before, not even as a child, it felt like a sweet reunion with something that This is such a classic Montgomery-fable. Even though I've never read it before, not even as a child, it felt like a sweet reunion with something that I've loved and known before.
"Magic for Marigold" is, as the title implies, filled with childhood magic. Marigold is a charming, fanciful and silly little girl who gets herself into a world of trouble while trying to be as good as she can be. She has a vivid imagination and becomes sick at the very thought of losing her imaginary friend, Sylvia. Marigold is surrounded by a loving and stern family and her main conflict lies between wanting to have splendid adventures and wanting to honor the family traditions. Therefore the story is filled with wonderful episodes of childish mischief cause by good intentions. It is quite lovely to read.
The ending of the book was what I liked the most. Montgomery gives her story a touch of bittersweetness as Marigold grows up and grows out of the dreamworld she has built for herself. The story concludes with Marigold being a young girl of 13 years, but Montgomery silently hints what lies ahead for Marigold; a world of hope, loss, love and wonder....more
“But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”
God, I love Yeats. I love“But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.”
God, I love Yeats. I love his poetry. His way with words. His evocative writing style, turning political discussions into fairy tales, and sickenly sweet declarations of love into something unearthly beautiful.
Yeats' poetry is of course worthy of every star I could possibly fill this review with. His poems are old favorites of mine; words that I return to over and over again and find some sort of odd comfort in. But this was actually the first time I read his prose – and even of his plays. While it certainly was interesting, it also felt a bit repetitive, like less powerful renderings of his beloved poetry.
“A mermaid found a swimming lad, Picked him up for her own, Pressed her body to his body, Laughed; and plunging down Forgot in cruel happiness That even lovers drown.”
Almost all of the included fairy tales share the same structure; Yeats sets up a frame, where he claims a neighbor or friend of his has experienced something supernatural – usually something involving fairies – and then proceeds to tell the story as a real event or a distant memory. Some research tells me that Yeats did in fact believe in fairies and even were a member of a few occult societies, experimenting with magic. This explains quite a lot; the mythic atmosphere in his poetry and the obsessive exploration of fairies in his prose. Yet it also steals away a bit of the magic; taking the fairy tales out of their magic realm and into Yeats' personal belief system.
I did find it interesting to read Yeats' prose – even though it also confirmed that I mainly admire him for his poetry. ...more
Pat hates change, but change is inevitable. Change comes whether one welcomes it or not. And Silver Bush is no exception to this rule.
"Mistress Pat" iPat hates change, but change is inevitable. Change comes whether one welcomes it or not. And Silver Bush is no exception to this rule.
"Mistress Pat" is a rather slow book. It takes place over many years and simply documents the many changes that occur at Silver Bush. The many changes that makes Pat's life unbearably hard. Minor catastrophes and small tragedies haunt Silver Bush, souring the life for Pat and the people she loves. While all of Pat's choices in life has been made in order to protect Silver Bush, she suddenly wonders if perhaps she was striving for the wrong thing. Perhaps a life confined to the edges of Silver Bush's poplar trees isn't enough.
The novel is bittersweet, filled with longing, hoping and clinging to a distant dream of what life was supposed to be. ...more
I've fallen in love with Montgomery's books all over again. Montgomery's fictional world is beautiful, her heroines are so endearing and Montgomery's I've fallen in love with Montgomery's books all over again. Montgomery's fictional world is beautiful, her heroines are so endearing and Montgomery's places vibrates with love and life. No one can build a home as wonderful as Montgomery's home, made of words.
And "Pat of Silver Bush" is a novel about a home. About belonging to a place, loving a place and holding on to a place as the main source to one's identity. Pat does not only think of Silver Bush as her home, to her it is the entire world. Pat isn't adventurous or ambitious. She is rather simple and desperately clings to her love of the familiar. She considers change evil and doesn't want anything to change. Not now, not ever. Weddings are frightening to her, because it takes her relatives away, and every time something wonderful happens it is tinged with a hint of melancholia, because Pat knows that even wonderful changes is a change nonetheless.
There's a huge difference between a home and a home, and that's what Montgomery emphasizes. Hillary builds houses, but he can't build a house for Pat, as she simply wants a home. And Silver Bush is that home – Silver Bush is in fact a description of the idealized home where we all want to live. A place where pies are constantly in the oven, where myths and legends are a part of the legacy and where a large family join together in a joyful talk over dinner. This is a novel of domestic bliss....more
As heartwarming, wonderful and beautiful as one would expect any story by Louisa May Alcott to be. Like a comforting cup of cocoa this little book filAs heartwarming, wonderful and beautiful as one would expect any story by Louisa May Alcott to be. Like a comforting cup of cocoa this little book filled me with warmth, hope and Christmas cheer just when I needed it the most.
“Life, deal gently with her ... Love, never desert her.”
Jane Stuart surprised me. She is unlike any other of Montgomery's starry-eyed heroines. Jane “Life, deal gently with her ... Love, never desert her.”
Jane Stuart surprised me. She is unlike any other of Montgomery's starry-eyed heroines. Jane Stuart is not a dreamer, a whimsical creature or an aspiring writer. She is a homely and practical little girl, who wants to be useful and helpful to the people surrounding her.
Sadly enough, there is no one that will allow her to care for them, and therefore Jane is a broken spirit. She is repressed by her grandmother, constantly being scorned and is repeatedly told how insignificant she is. The first part of this novel is really an evil one, and I could feel my heart ache for dear Jane.
Luckily the story turns. Montgomery is a writer of hopeful stories, and all of the novels I've read by her has been about changes and chances; Montgomery writes about lives that are turned around by death, loss or love and often accompanied by a change of scenery. In "Jane of Lantern Hill" this change of scenery is essential. When Jane spends a summer on Prince Edward Island with her father, she comes to live. The repressed girl finds her own voice and her own confidence when she is removed from the toxic environment her grandmother has created. She finally learns what it means to be loved.
Of course there's a love story as well. The relationship between Jane's mother and father reflects that of Romeo and Juliet; it is a traditional story of two people who has been forced apart by their families. And now, it's up to Jane to bring them back together again, as they still have an undying love for each other.
In reality the story is beautifully simple; it is a story of hope, second chances and living the life one chooses for oneself. ...more
Lately I have been rediscovering my love for L. M. Montgomery. Her books are witty and charming, sentimental and ironic, filled with atmospheric placeLately I have been rediscovering my love for L. M. Montgomery. Her books are witty and charming, sentimental and ironic, filled with atmospheric places and nuanced characters. "A Tangled Web" is so brilliant because Montgomery introduces a broad variety of characters; old lovers, confirmed bachelors, young girls and forgotten spinsters.
"A Tangled Web" begins when Great Aunt Becky dies. She leaves a family heirloom behind, a dark jug which has been in the family for generations. The two branches of her family, the Darks and the Penhallows, are at war with each other and both parties feel entitled to the jug. However the heir will not be revealed until a years has passed and in those 12 months scandals occur, lovers drift apart, lovers reunite, old secrets are spilled and dreams come true.
Through a magnitude of characters, Montgomery shows characters from every stage in life and writes with a heartfelt understanding of their struggles, hopes and dreams. While many of the characters in this book are ridiculous, they are always treated with compassion. Some of Montgomery's characters has an austenesque flavor to them and the overall storyline is filled with an irony and a sentimentality that is Austen worthy.
Montgomery wrote few stories for adults, but the ones she did write were extraordinary. "A Tangled Web" is no exception. ...more
I read the Emily-books for the first time when I was about 10 years old. And while I didn't understand them fully, I loved them dearly. I remember howI read the Emily-books for the first time when I was about 10 years old. And while I didn't understand them fully, I loved them dearly. I remember how my heart ached, whenever I had to return Emily to the library, and once I actually forced my father to photocopy some of the chapters in Emily's Quest, because I couldn't bear to part with them. For days, I slept with my favorite chapters under my pillow – which now seems strangely similar to something Emily would do.
Emily always seemed so devastatingly real to me. She leapt off the page with all of her quirks, her writing fits, and her strangely accurate teenage-journal. The journal which I've later learned was based on Montgomery's own. Apparently Montgomery was copying her journal from her own teenage years, while she was writing the Emily-books. She actually lifted several passages from her own journals, putting a bit of herself into Emily. Perhaps this is why, Emily always seemed more like a friend than a fictional character to me.
“There isn't any such thing as an ordinary life.”
Emily Climbs is the tale of a child growing into a young woman. It is surprisingly recognizable, as Emily, opposed to so many others fictional heroines at the time, is receiving an education. She is sent off to high school, and while she is under the supervision of her horrible aunt, she has a bit of freedom to roam about as she likes. This of course creates painful lessons, heartbreak, disappointments, quarrels –and ultimately, victories. Emily is on her way to becoming the writer she always dreamed she would be.
While I do adore this book, I've always found it to be the weakest part of the series. Perhaps because its main purpose is to lay the groundwork for Emily's later writing career. Or perhaps because it lacks romance and retains a much more sensible focus on everyday life. In this volume, Emily is forbidden to write fiction – and in consequence, it is much less fanciful.
Looking back, I've never given much thought to the character of Dean "Jarback" Priest. I've always thought of him as a mentor for Emily; as a child I merely regarded him as a friendly old man. Upon rereading the series, I found him to be something much more sinister and eerie. Not because of his infatuation with Emily, but because of his longing. He is a desperately lonely man his later actions are acts of desperation. (view spoiler)[Once again, I can't help but notice the similarities between Montgomery's own life and Emily's. Many have speculated that Dean is a reincarnation of Montgomery's own husband, who she married out of friendship – and who ended up trying to sabotage her writing career, and demanding her constant care of his fragile mind. While Emily certainly doesn't fare as bad as this, the similarities are there. Dean becomes more and more sinister; posessive, pitiful, jealous, sabotaging Emily and her work. Not from evil; but from desperation. (hide spoiler)]
“He was so lonely that he laughed at himself.”
Overall, this is such a lovely book and such a personal and insightful account of the life of an aspiring writer. Emily's tale is first of foremost a tale of an artist, trying to find a way to express her inner life. And only after this, is it a tale of love and laughter. I guess this I what I didn't fully understand as a 10-year old, and why this book seemed boring to me. Now, I appreciate it for what it is: a beautiful account of a writing process. Of words and dreams and hope ... and love....more
This was fun! Jolly good fun, I'm almost tempted to say.
All in all, "The Bell Family" is a typical, old-fashioned children's story. Streatfeild tellsThis was fun! Jolly good fun, I'm almost tempted to say.
All in all, "The Bell Family" is a typical, old-fashioned children's story. Streatfeild tells the tale of a very charming, loud and noisy family and their everyday struggles and adventures. The Bell family is not exactly poor - they do not starve and they live in a very comfortable house. However they cannot afford the small luxuries in life. The eldest daughter Jane is pining for dance lessons, the youngest daughter Ginnie has a desperate need for a new dress, and the summer holiday is quiet and dreadful, as the family cannot afford to go anywhere. The Bell family is constantly contrasted with their relatives who are rich but very obnoxious. While the Bell family isn't glamourous, they are good people who deserves lovely lives. As you read the story you cannot help but root for them; Jane deserves to succeed as a dancer, the family deserves a nice holiday and the eldest son Paul should be allowed to become a doctor.
Streatfeild works magic as she unfolds her story. "The Bell Family" is a charmingly simple tale of a large family and their little hopes and sorrows....more
“Were you some particular person because people recognized you as that?”
What a lovely little story. It captures the very child-like enchantment of th“Were you some particular person because people recognized you as that?”
What a lovely little story. It captures the very child-like enchantment of the world, and Charlotte and Emily are such likable characters.
While the story does involve time-travel, it isn't about time-travel at all. "Charlotte Sometimes" is a story of identity, of learning and knowing who you are, wherever you may be, and whatever the circumstances you may find yourself in. It is also a very real tale of loneliness and helplessness; of harboring some dreadful secret that you cannot tell anyone.
The time-travel aspect itself is very beautifully done, and the story borders on the line to historical fiction, as it shows how the world looked for a child living during WWI. I found it very heartfelt and deeply thought-provoking....more
What a surprise. What a beautiful, wonderful, hopeful little surprise. The story is almost reminiscent of Austen's "Persuasion".What a surprise. What a beautiful, wonderful, hopeful little surprise. The story is almost reminiscent of Austen's "Persuasion"....more
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