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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
I have to admit, I loved this book.
It was sort of terrible, don't get me wrong, but it was so terrible that it seemed like a tongue-in-cheek joke from beyond the grave. This was published right between Anne of Avonlea and The Story Girl, so it's not like Montgomery wasn't writing strong, funny, charming female characters around the time.
The issues with it (nonsensical romance, racism, florid prose, medical opinions, etc) were so over-the-top that the entire thing felt like a parody.
Read Kilmeny, but go into it with a sense of humor. There is some lovely writing in there to enjoy.
It was sort of terrible, don't get me wrong, but it was so terrible that it seemed like a tongue-in-cheek joke from beyond the grave. This was published right between Anne of Avonlea and The Story Girl, so it's not like Montgomery wasn't writing strong, funny, charming female characters around the time.
The issues with it (nonsensical romance, racism, florid prose, medical opinions, etc) were so over-the-top that the entire thing felt like a parody.
Read Kilmeny, but go into it with a sense of humor. There is some lovely writing in there to enjoy.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
I have yet to be disappointed by any of Montgomery's books! Each story is wholesome and entertaining. Kilmeny of the Orchard is no exception. It speaks of innocent romance interwoven with a sense of mystery. It is a quaint and refreshing love story that is a joy to read! This book stands as yet another testimony of L.M. Mongomery's imagination and gift of story telling!
This book is my least favourite of LM Montgomery's works. It annoys me for an unfathomable reason, and if it wasn't for the fact that it was written by my favourite author, I would never have read it.
The plot isn't the best; Eric is weak; Kilmeny is nothing like any of Maud's other heroines; the love story is sickeningly sweet; what's the story with Neil?; and I honestly can't stand the husband who gossips.
The plot isn't the best; Eric is weak; Kilmeny is nothing like any of Maud's other heroines; the love story is sickeningly sweet; what's the story with Neil?; and I honestly can't stand the husband who gossips.
Tiene drama, un personaje diverso con una discapacidad y un prometido que regala libros. ¿Qué más se puede pedir?
Estoy enamorada de las novelas de la Maud
Estoy enamorada de las novelas de la Maud
I never thought I would rate one of Montgomery's books in this manner but I have to be honest with myself: it was awful. The characters are one dimensional and unlikable, the plot is contrived and the dialogue is simply terrible. The blatant racism is also surprising as that is not an issue with her later books. I gave it two stars instead of one only for the rare glimpses of brilliant writing that gave such color to Anne and Emily. I'm sorry to say that this is a book to skip unless you just really have to read everything an author publishes.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
L.M. Montgomery never fails to describe the Canadian countryside in a way that makes you homesick for it, even if you've never been. This book is full of all the lovely descriptions of nature that hallmark her works.
However there's a reason this isn't one of Montgomery's better-known books. First of all, the main character is creepy. I don't care that this was written over a hundred years ago, emphasizing how childlike and ignorant of the ways adults interact with each other is not romantic. In fact, he doesn't shut up about it. He even says he thinks of her as a child then the next second turns around and wants to marry her. Creepy.
Secondly, the tone of the book is overtly xenophobic/racist. The villain is an Italian boy, and the only reason he's the villain is because he's Italian and "can't help what's in his bones." He's even lovingly raised with Kilmeny by her aunt and uncle, but nope, can't be good.
THIRDLY, the main conflict is that Kilmeny is mute, which I guess makes her less suitable for marriage somehow?? No reason is really given except that Eric is rich and it wouldn't be good for him to have a mute wife in society. Like, I guess but if you're already marrying below your class why would that matter?
I know Montgomery did not want this book to be published, or at least not this version, but still. It shows the uglier side of her viewpoints and time period.
However there's a reason this isn't one of Montgomery's better-known books. First of all, the main character is creepy. I don't care that this was written over a hundred years ago, emphasizing how childlike and ignorant of the ways adults interact with each other is not romantic. In fact, he doesn't shut up about it. He even says he thinks of her as a child then the next second turns around and wants to marry her. Creepy.
Secondly, the tone of the book is overtly xenophobic/racist. The villain is an Italian boy, and the only reason he's the villain is because he's Italian and "can't help what's in his bones." He's even lovingly raised with Kilmeny by her aunt and uncle, but nope, can't be good.
THIRDLY, the main conflict is that Kilmeny is mute, which I guess makes her less suitable for marriage somehow?? No reason is really given except that Eric is rich and it wouldn't be good for him to have a mute wife in society. Like, I guess but if you're already marrying below your class why would that matter?
I know Montgomery did not want this book to be published, or at least not this version, but still. It shows the uglier side of her viewpoints and time period.
MY OPINION: ****
I remember reading this book a REALLY long time ago. It's very refreshing to read a shorter classic since I'm reading SO many right now (I don't know why, I've just really gotten into them lately). This book was definitely not LM Montgomery's best writing but it was a fun, cute read that's easy to read in a couple of days.
CHARACTERS
Eric Marshall. He is a man who is easily influenced by love though he claims to be above it all. Through this book, I think we can easily see character changes and maturation as a person. He falls for a girl who is not the ideal girl for him in society's eyes and he learns to ignore what people think and go with what his heart says.
Kilmeny Gordon. She's mute and is repeatedly considered "dumb" by the people around her. Her mother sinned before she was born and it's to this fact that her muteness is attributed. Only something incredibly moving can help her to speak. She thinks she's ugly and I think that she was a very innocent character who barely knew what love meant until she met Eric.
Neil Gordon. Well, what can I even say about him? I can't honestly say I empathized with him but to some degree, there was an understanding as to what possessed him to attempt what he did. And it's a good way to show that a bad deed can be a good deed for somebody else
ENDING
I thought it was a very nice ending to the book and gave readers a sense of closure. Eric and Kilmeny were so obviously meant for each other that you couldn't deny their chemistry.
I would recommend to readers looking for a short classic romance.
Main Character: Eric, Kilmeny
Sidekick(s): David, parents, Gordons, Williamsons, etc
Villain(s): Neil, etc
Classic Elements: A beautiful classic from a time long ago.
I remember reading this book a REALLY long time ago. It's very refreshing to read a shorter classic since I'm reading SO many right now (I don't know why, I've just really gotten into them lately). This book was definitely not LM Montgomery's best writing but it was a fun, cute read that's easy to read in a couple of days.
CHARACTERS
Eric Marshall. He is a man who is easily influenced by love though he claims to be above it all. Through this book, I think we can easily see character changes and maturation as a person. He falls for a girl who is not the ideal girl for him in society's eyes and he learns to ignore what people think and go with what his heart says.
Kilmeny Gordon. She's mute and is repeatedly considered "dumb" by the people around her. Her mother sinned before she was born and it's to this fact that her muteness is attributed. Only something incredibly moving can help her to speak. She thinks she's ugly and I think that she was a very innocent character who barely knew what love meant until she met Eric.
Neil Gordon. Well, what can I even say about him? I can't honestly say I empathized with him but to some degree, there was an understanding as to what possessed him to attempt what he did. And it's a good way to show that a bad deed can be a good deed for somebody else
Spoiler
as his deed helped Kilmeny to be able to speak.ENDING
I thought it was a very nice ending to the book and gave readers a sense of closure. Eric and Kilmeny were so obviously meant for each other that you couldn't deny their chemistry.
I would recommend to readers looking for a short classic romance.
Main Character: Eric, Kilmeny
Sidekick(s): David, parents, Gordons, Williamsons, etc
Villain(s): Neil, etc
Classic Elements: A beautiful classic from a time long ago.
Patronizing & All too Predictable
I found myself frustrated by this book mainly because of how patronizingly the male characters spoke about the female protagonist, but also because the foreshadowing was so obvious there was very little mystery in how the plot would develop. It was a disappointing read for such a big L.M. Montgomery fan as myself.
I found myself frustrated by this book mainly because of how patronizingly the male characters spoke about the female protagonist, but also because the foreshadowing was so obvious there was very little mystery in how the plot would develop. It was a disappointing read for such a big L.M. Montgomery fan as myself.