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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
I was doubtful that this sequel of sorts would live up to my expectation. After all, later addendums rarely measure up to thr originals (*cough cough,* Alexandra Ripley's Scarlett).
However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The author did an excellent job of writing in a similar style and vein as L.M. Montgomery. The tone is sweetly gentle and the descriptions of P.E.I. are very reminiscent of Montgomery. It was refreshing to see Marilla get into similar scrapes as Anne Shirley later would.
My only quibble is the abolitionist story line. It just didn't seem to ring true to Marilla's character.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The author did an excellent job of writing in a similar style and vein as L.M. Montgomery. The tone is sweetly gentle and the descriptions of P.E.I. are very reminiscent of Montgomery. It was refreshing to see Marilla get into similar scrapes as Anne Shirley later would.
My only quibble is the abolitionist story line. It just didn't seem to ring true to Marilla's character.
3.5
I won a copy of this book here on Goodreads and then took it to book club as my monthly suggestion. It was chosen, so Marilla of Green Gables became our November club read. I devoured it, but had a mixed reaction to it. I loved Anne of Green Gables when I read it as a teen. It would be difficult for this book to compare. I admit that up front. Having said that, I think that if I hadn't been invested in Mathew and Marilla from their association to Anne, I'd have been bored to tears by this book. As it was, I appreciated the stellar writing and thought McCoy gave Marilla an unexpected history, but never never truly lost myself in it.
Mathew and Marilla are quite characters. That's established canon. They feel deeply, but express little. And essentially that's where this fell down for me. This book follows 40 or so years of Marilla's life and we finish the book not really knowing anything more about her than when we started. She's emotionally stunted and unwilling to go after what she wants. Does she do something heroic once in her life? Sure, but mostly that's just arranging for someone else to do all the work. I suppose I had hoped for a bit more than 300 pages of Marilla's stoic navel gazing.
I rated it highly though, because disappointed in it or not, it's beautifully written.
I won a copy of this book here on Goodreads and then took it to book club as my monthly suggestion. It was chosen, so Marilla of Green Gables became our November club read. I devoured it, but had a mixed reaction to it. I loved Anne of Green Gables when I read it as a teen. It would be difficult for this book to compare. I admit that up front. Having said that, I think that if I hadn't been invested in Mathew and Marilla from their association to Anne, I'd have been bored to tears by this book. As it was, I appreciated the stellar writing and thought McCoy gave Marilla an unexpected history, but never never truly lost myself in it.
Mathew and Marilla are quite characters. That's established canon. They feel deeply, but express little. And essentially that's where this fell down for me. This book follows 40 or so years of Marilla's life and we finish the book not really knowing anything more about her than when we started. She's emotionally stunted and unwilling to go after what she wants. Does she do something heroic once in her life? Sure, but mostly that's just arranging for someone else to do all the work. I suppose I had hoped for a bit more than 300 pages of Marilla's stoic navel gazing.
I rated it highly though, because disappointed in it or not, it's beautifully written.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wish this book had existed before I read the others on the series as it is a bit hard to say how it would have felt without the tension of knowing what happens between Marilla and John. But I do feel it does a good job of explaining how Marilla became the person we meet in those other books.
Captured the early life of Marilla perfectly. A wonderful addition to the Green Gables cannon.
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked the book but I must admit Rachel White was not at all how I think Rachel would have been as a child. I also think Marilla was different. Read it with an open mind and perhaps dissociate it from Anne of Green Gables a bit. The story itself is a good read and I would recommend it.
I absolutely love Anne of Green Gables, so I had to listen to the Audible book. It is definitely one of my current favorite books. I highly recommend it!
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Anne of Green Gables is the first book I can remember being read to as a child, the book that made me decide to become a writer before I could even read, and the book I still reread regularly. So, it wouldn’t be surprising I was both excited and apprehensive about a new book in the Anne world.
But unfortunately, this book fell very short. Not only were there were very few moments in this book that seemed true to the Marilla we have learned to love in the Anne series (I assumed, if nothing else, I would find a believable Marilla in this book), but I was truly baffled by the unlikely plot with the Underground Railroad. I wanted to like this book, but it was impossible to do so.
But unfortunately, this book fell very short. Not only were there were very few moments in this book that seemed true to the Marilla we have learned to love in the Anne series (I assumed, if nothing else, I would find a believable Marilla in this book), but I was truly baffled by the unlikely plot with the Underground Railroad. I wanted to like this book, but it was impossible to do so.