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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
Read this for book club and honestly went in with pretty low expectations. But I loved it. Valancy might be one of my new favorite heroines. So fun, heartwarming, funny and surprisingly relevant a hundred years later. Reminded me of something Glennon Doyle said in her most recent book Untamed: "I guess women have to almost die before we give ourselves permission to live how we want."
From the end of the book: "It's really disgusting that Doss' crazy adventures should have turned out like this. It makes one feel that there is no use in behaving properly."
I'll always and forever love books about women living their own lives on their own terms.
From the end of the book: "It's really disgusting that Doss' crazy adventures should have turned out like this. It makes one feel that there is no use in behaving properly."
I'll always and forever love books about women living their own lives on their own terms.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved it!!! It was like a hug and warm cup of tea <333 I read it while looking at mountains which I can only recommend ;)
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
For a book written a century ago it feels quite fresh and almost contemporary!
Valancy's character development is so beautiful and realistic. The way she yearns and dreams and uses John Foster's books as a coping mechanism, not to mention how she essentially was her family's scapegoat add a realism you wouldn't expect when starting this story. Her ''letting loose'' was really just embracing care and love for others and fighting for herself. That and sassing her relatives. I cannot even fault her for not questioning her diagnosis too much because with family like hers you too would want to get away from them in any way possible.
Also Barney is the best man because he is a proud parent to two cats.
I do must mention that the book has Christian themes, but they're subtle enough and not really egregious.
Valancy's character development is so beautiful and realistic. The way she yearns and dreams and uses John Foster's books as a coping mechanism, not to mention how she essentially was her family's scapegoat add a realism you wouldn't expect when starting this story. Her ''letting loose'' was really just embracing care and love for others and fighting for herself. That and sassing her relatives. I cannot even fault her for not questioning her diagnosis too much because with family like hers you too would want to get away from them in any way possible.
Also Barney is the best man because he is a proud parent to two cats.
I do must mention that the book has Christian themes, but they're subtle enough and not really egregious.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief
Minor: Child death
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One of my favorite L.M. Montgomery novels--it actually stands up to rereading even now due to its great characters (Montgomery, like Georgette Heyer, is particularly skilled at creating awful aunts and tedious cousins) and hilarious pastiches of pretentious nature writing. The ending is pure melodrama, but what leads up to it makes it well worth while.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Delightful, utterly delightful, and simply lovely. This book transcends the ages and wraps its way around my heart threefold.
The language is beautiful, humorous, and completely enthralling. I'm new to older books, so I struggled a little, but I was so hooked I picked up on it easily enough.
Valancy is a truly wonderful main character; she feels timeless, relatable, and real, and I love her wit. All the characters are perfectly suited for the story(Cissy is so dear to me </3) . Every scene, I feel as if I'm in it myself. Experiencing the world with Valancy was such a joy; her journey was so pleasant, and I found myself beaming as I read. I went into this book knowing there'd be a happy ending, yet still found myself hiding behind a pillow during the tense scenes and pleading with the characters during Valancy's unhappiness.
I have never been much for romance, but I didn't mind this book at all - I was rooting for it, even.
It's just shy of 5 stars for me. The plot twists were predictable and underwhelming, especially the main one; it felt weak and brushed past. There were also a few scenes that dragged on a little too much, but I think that's mostly on track for the genre, so it's just a personal preference, and it was still done in a way that was enjoyable. There are other nitpicks, but for both the time and the time this is set in, I can dismiss them.
I went in looking for something saccharine, whimsical, and short, and I found it. Definitely a book to reread. Valancy inspires much in me, and L.M. Montgomery's lyrical writing, especially the nature descriptions, is breathtaking to envision. The comedy is a highlight, too.
It's curious that this is a children's book. Reading it as an adult, I understand Valancy and the predicaments and emotions she faces in a way I never could have as a child. In any case, I'm off to read L.M. Montgomery's other works now!
The language is beautiful, humorous, and completely enthralling. I'm new to older books, so I struggled a little, but I was so hooked I picked up on it easily enough.
Valancy is a truly wonderful main character; she feels timeless, relatable, and real, and I love her wit. All the characters are perfectly suited for the story
I have never been much for romance, but I didn't mind this book at all - I was rooting for it, even.
It's just shy of 5 stars for me. The plot twists were predictable and underwhelming, especially the main one; it felt weak and brushed past. There were also a few scenes that dragged on a little too much, but I think that's mostly on track for the genre, so it's just a personal preference, and it was still done in a way that was enjoyable. There are other nitpicks, but for both the time and the time this is set in, I can dismiss them.
I went in looking for something saccharine, whimsical, and short, and I found it. Definitely a book to reread. Valancy inspires much in me, and L.M. Montgomery's lyrical writing, especially the nature descriptions, is breathtaking to envision. The comedy is a highlight, too.
It's curious that this is a children's book. Reading it as an adult, I understand Valancy and the predicaments and emotions she faces in a way I never could have as a child. In any case, I'm off to read L.M. Montgomery's other works now!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Great for people pleasers!