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gemgem123's review
1.0
Not really related to Chovid 19 and really not realistic for what people are going through now. I'm not worrying about my investment portfolio or buying a second property for retirement, I'm worried about if I can pay my mortgage next month and how I'm going to keep up my car repayments.
Not a helpful book for right now and just cashing in on people's worries about Coronavirus.
Not a helpful book for right now and just cashing in on people's worries about Coronavirus.
erikars's review
5.0
"New" short stories from L.M. Montgomery! It's long been known that Montgomery had published many more short stories than had been found. Because these were largely published in periodicals and circulars, they were difficult to find, even with Montgomery's extensive records. This book contains 21 stories which have not been republished since their original publication. Some, but not all, of these stories are available in the Ryrie-Cambell online collection[1].
In some ways, there is little new about these stories. Montgomery tended to reuse elements over an over again, whether that be general elements like orphan children or more specific plot lines. But despite some reuse, these stories are delightfully fresh. Like most of Montgomery's writings, they highlight the beauty and joy of life while hinting at some of its darker themes, e.g., family estrangement that leads to some parts of a family living in poverty while others enjoy luxury.
Any fan of L.M. Montgomery who has wished that there were more stories to read will be delighted by this collection (only available through the University of PEI website).
[1] http://www.kindredspaces.ca/
In some ways, there is little new about these stories. Montgomery tended to reuse elements over an over again, whether that be general elements like orphan children or more specific plot lines. But despite some reuse, these stories are delightfully fresh. Like most of Montgomery's writings, they highlight the beauty and joy of life while hinting at some of its darker themes, e.g., family estrangement that leads to some parts of a family living in poverty while others enjoy luxury.
Any fan of L.M. Montgomery who has wished that there were more stories to read will be delighted by this collection (only available through the University of PEI website).
[1] http://www.kindredspaces.ca/
lynnaeaowens's review
3.0
This collection of short stories felt very uneven. There are some delightful and creative stories, mixed in with the simplistic and predictable. This is understandable, as some are written for young children with a clear agenda in mind ("be kind kids"). However, even the more complex and compelling stories begin to get repetitive, with common themes reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet (true love, warring families) without the tragic ending. All the stories end up tied up in a nice bow.
3/5 - recommended for Montgomery fans, may be more enjoyable if consumed slowly over several months (rather than my strategy reading one a night).
3/5 - recommended for Montgomery fans, may be more enjoyable if consumed slowly over several months (rather than my strategy reading one a night).
jlwoolverton's review
4.0
I enjoyed most of the stories. Wish that some of the original illustrations had been included too.
eupomene's review
3.0
I regarded this book as a surprise treat (I didn't realize there were still undiscovered stories by her out there) but I'll tell you - you really need to be a major fan to enjoy it. Many of these stories will sound very familiar, as Montgomery reused much of her work from short stories in her novels. Still, just discovering that is fun, in my world.
awall14's review
4.0
I have never read any of Montgomery’s short stories so I was really excited to read through this collection. All the stories were amazing — some were simple children’s stories, others were amazing, complex short stories. My favourites were “For the Good of Anthony” “Hill Of the Winds” and “The Mirror”
I would love to read more of her short stories — the Anne series is one of my all time favourites also and I am revisiting those as well!
I would love to read more of her short stories — the Anne series is one of my all time favourites also and I am revisiting those as well!
luckipenni's review
5.0
At first I thought these short stories were childish and slightly boring and then I realized I loved them and they were witty and cute. I’m going to try and read more LM Montgomery now.
bmedvid's review
3.0
I received a copy of After Many Years from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I requested After Many Years by Carolyn Strom & Christy Woster because I am a big L.M. Montgomery fan. This collection of her short stories did not disappoint. They were classic Montgomery stories and featured many of her favorite and common topics like orphans, family relationships, love, schools/education, lighthouses, and the simple beauty and joys of both nature and childhood. The stories are set on her beloved PEI and feature well-known settings like lighthouses, coastlines, flower blooming lover's lane, gardens, and benches for couples. Every store comes with a simple moral or lesson.
These stories take the reader back to a simpler time and era which is a refreshing reprieve from the troubles and divisions of today. Similar to all her stories and novels, Montgomery is a master of evoking a period of history. Her descriptions are so well written and strong that I felt like I was on PEI in the early 1900s. The commentary, provided by Strom and Woster, at the end of each short story offers informative context for both what was happening in Montgomery's life and the world when the story was originally published. I found the commentary to be particularly interesting and valuable.
Fans of L.M. Montgomery will find these stories familiar, comfortable, and like returning home. They will enjoy reading this book and I highly recommend it. However, for readers not familiar with L.M. Montgomery, I do not think this book will interest or entice them. I do not think this is a good introduction to L.M. Montgomery. I recommend starting with one of her novels, like Anne of Green Gables or Emily of New Moon. If those are enjoyed, then give this book a read - it will be enjoyed.
I requested After Many Years by Carolyn Strom & Christy Woster because I am a big L.M. Montgomery fan. This collection of her short stories did not disappoint. They were classic Montgomery stories and featured many of her favorite and common topics like orphans, family relationships, love, schools/education, lighthouses, and the simple beauty and joys of both nature and childhood. The stories are set on her beloved PEI and feature well-known settings like lighthouses, coastlines, flower blooming lover's lane, gardens, and benches for couples. Every store comes with a simple moral or lesson.
These stories take the reader back to a simpler time and era which is a refreshing reprieve from the troubles and divisions of today. Similar to all her stories and novels, Montgomery is a master of evoking a period of history. Her descriptions are so well written and strong that I felt like I was on PEI in the early 1900s. The commentary, provided by Strom and Woster, at the end of each short story offers informative context for both what was happening in Montgomery's life and the world when the story was originally published. I found the commentary to be particularly interesting and valuable.
Fans of L.M. Montgomery will find these stories familiar, comfortable, and like returning home. They will enjoy reading this book and I highly recommend it. However, for readers not familiar with L.M. Montgomery, I do not think this book will interest or entice them. I do not think this is a good introduction to L.M. Montgomery. I recommend starting with one of her novels, like Anne of Green Gables or Emily of New Moon. If those are enjoyed, then give this book a read - it will be enjoyed.
sonshinelibrarian's review
5.0
Although I'm sure I've read several of these before, the whole idea of lost stories being found in magazines even now is fascinating. Classic Montgomery to be found here.
avalinahsbooks's review
3.0
I've been slowly making my way through the Anne series this summer, and as I saw this book mentioned on someone's blog, I just couldn't pass it through. Luckily, I found it up for request on NetGalley, and I got it right away.
I have to say, Montgomery's stories are definitely pleasant to read, but you can't read too many of them. There's just something a little too cutesy and sugary about them – especially the early ones. It's not hard for me to understand why they are like that – they were published in Christian magazines and were supposed to 'inspire children to be kind', but if you think Anne of Green Gables was a bit much at times – trust me... You haven't seen Montgomery's early stories.
But this might sound like I didn't like it – I did! Although it's a firm 3 stars, and no more. There were definitely some wonderful stories, and it's truly surprising to see Montgomery's writing and topic choices start changing throughout her life – it's strange reading about cars and [almost] self-sufficient ladies in her books, and it's even stranger to read Montgomery write about the war. (Although, I have to say, it was truly amusing to read how much they abhorred the automobile in Prince Edward Island! Cars have always been a given to me, although thought of as a thing that brought progress, I couldn't have thought people feared and hated them! To the extent of campaigning against them..? Wow!)
Anyway. 3 stars it is, but there's still something truly magical about reading stories that have been lost and found, and were written by no less but one of the biggest Canadian literary miracles. If you are a fan of Montgomery's, you will surely enjoy this.
This review does not appear in my blog, but drop by to visit it for other reviews:
My Bookish Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
I have to say, Montgomery's stories are definitely pleasant to read, but you can't read too many of them. There's just something a little too cutesy and sugary about them – especially the early ones. It's not hard for me to understand why they are like that – they were published in Christian magazines and were supposed to 'inspire children to be kind', but if you think Anne of Green Gables was a bit much at times – trust me... You haven't seen Montgomery's early stories.
But this might sound like I didn't like it – I did! Although it's a firm 3 stars, and no more. There were definitely some wonderful stories, and it's truly surprising to see Montgomery's writing and topic choices start changing throughout her life – it's strange reading about cars and [almost] self-sufficient ladies in her books, and it's even stranger to read Montgomery write about the war. (Although, I have to say, it was truly amusing to read how much they abhorred the automobile in Prince Edward Island! Cars have always been a given to me, although thought of as a thing that brought progress, I couldn't have thought people feared and hated them! To the extent of campaigning against them..? Wow!)
Anyway. 3 stars it is, but there's still something truly magical about reading stories that have been lost and found, and were written by no less but one of the biggest Canadian literary miracles. If you are a fan of Montgomery's, you will surely enjoy this.
This review does not appear in my blog, but drop by to visit it for other reviews:
My Bookish Blog | My Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
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