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ashnichole's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
hayleyccc4's review against another edition
4.0
Fishbane did a marvelous job exploring L.M. Montgomery's youth and carving the beloved author a story of her own. I loved learning about Montgomery's life through a fictional lens and being back in the setting of late 19th-century Canada. You can clearly see in this novel where Montgomery got her inspiration for Anne from, and just how much whimsy she had in her head. I really enjoyed the book, and I have now been overcome by a very strong urge to read everything Montgomery has ever written, so I'm going to have to work that plan out...
serenitylive's review against another edition
5.0
The execution of this long-anticipated read did not disappoint, though Maud's story often does. For me, the voice occasionally feels constrained by reality, (but that may be because Maud herself was), and after reading I feel I understand Maud's world much better but that I may never fully understand *her*. I remain especially saddened and confused about her ideas of love and marriage. I really wish I could see Maud navigate my century instead of her own. I love her fictionalized versions of the late 1800s and early 1900s, but her reality in those decades makes me long for escape. I like the way this author portrays that is exactly what Maud did through her writing.
knynas1's review against another edition
5.0
5 ⭐️
Enchanting and well researched, a fictional account based on Maud's real life. The writing was very reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables. It was easy to see the inspiration for many of the characters and places in the Anne books. I highly recommend for any Anne fans!
Enchanting and well researched, a fictional account based on Maud's real life. The writing was very reminiscent of Anne of Green Gables. It was easy to see the inspiration for many of the characters and places in the Anne books. I highly recommend for any Anne fans!
missmary98's review against another edition
4.0
This is very well written and I'm glad that I read it, but it also has made me very sad. Like overly so. Good book though. And I now want to go and reread alllll the L. M. Montgomery books.
themaritimereader14's review against another edition
4.0
This totally read a bit like LM Montgomery's actual works, and that was fun. I knew next to nothing about her family life and upbringing and definitely did not know that she spent part of her youth out in Prince Albert. This semi-biographical fictional novel was fascinating, fun, and enjoyable. I would highly recommend it if you are a fan of the author or interested in her life.
erikars's review against another edition
3.0
This is very much a "based on a true story" rendition of L.M. Montgomery's teenage years. It was a fun read and does help bring Maud to life as a person during a period not as well covered in biographies and her journals. It's definitely a YA novel and, if it weren't about my favorite author, is probably one I would have passed by as an adult, but given the subject, I enjoyed it.
I appreciate how Fishbane included a section at the end discussing where she took liberties. The only one I disagree with was softening Montgomery's attitude toward the indigenous groups out in Saskatchewan. While Montgomery might have been a bit more sympathetic than most, her views were colored by the racism of the time, and the kinship Maud felt in the novel rang false to me, as someone who has read some of Montgomery's stories which haven't aged as well. Even if this is a YA novel, I don't think that's something we should ignore. Beyond that, the liberties Fishbane took were perfectly reasonable for turning messy real life into a story.
I appreciate how Fishbane included a section at the end discussing where she took liberties. The only one I disagree with was softening Montgomery's attitude toward the indigenous groups out in Saskatchewan. While Montgomery might have been a bit more sympathetic than most, her views were colored by the racism of the time, and the kinship Maud felt in the novel rang false to me, as someone who has read some of Montgomery's stories which haven't aged as well. Even if this is a YA novel, I don't think that's something we should ignore. Beyond that, the liberties Fishbane took were perfectly reasonable for turning messy real life into a story.
denakaye's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
gingeraffe21's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
nanceoir's review
4.0
A novel about my favorite author, L. M. Montgomery? Um, yes please!
Even though I was pre-sold on this book, that didn't mean I warmed to it straight away. The first book (the novel is split into several books, each chronically a different time period) actually felt a little distant to me, but I can't pin down why. I was thinking that, much as I wanted to love the novel, it just wouldn't work for me. Things turned around in Book Two, though, and I really started getting into it. By the time I was done, I found I had a really nice journey.
If you already love L. M. Montgomery's books, you'll definitely find things to love here. And if you enjoy well-researched historical fiction that gets into a person's head, you'll have a good time with this one.
Oh, one random detail I particularly enjoyed was when Maud's clothing became more adult and there's talk of how much time it takes to get all those clothes on. It's not something I'm accustomed to seeing mentioned in books, but I so appreciate it.
Even though I was pre-sold on this book, that didn't mean I warmed to it straight away. The first book (the novel is split into several books, each chronically a different time period) actually felt a little distant to me, but I can't pin down why. I was thinking that, much as I wanted to love the novel, it just wouldn't work for me. Things turned around in Book Two, though, and I really started getting into it. By the time I was done, I found I had a really nice journey.
If you already love L. M. Montgomery's books, you'll definitely find things to love here. And if you enjoy well-researched historical fiction that gets into a person's head, you'll have a good time with this one.
Oh, one random detail I particularly enjoyed was when Maud's clothing became more adult and there's talk of how much time it takes to get all those clothes on. It's not something I'm accustomed to seeing mentioned in books, but I so appreciate it.