Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
I can't recommend this. I have, of course, read it before, years ago and I don't remember reacting the way I did this time. I think then it just left me cold.
But now, well, Montgomery's classism is flying high with a good bit of something that looks an awful lot like - racism. And never mind the way Kilmeny is discussed. She may or may not be illegitimate, probably "beneath" the main character class-wise (whatever), and "defective" (since she cannot speak) but this is all forgiven because she is perfectly beautiful. Because of her beauty she is an acceptable love interest for the older, male, college-educated rich white dude.
I mean, barf. She is also very very very white. So is everyone else, except for the one bad guy, who is only bad because of "what's bred in the bone" and by that I mean he is Italian. And has darker skin than everyone else. (He was also adopted.)
I'm laying it on thick, yes. I know when this was written. But that attitude was as wrong then as it is now.
So while her writing is as gorgeous as ever, this one is just not worth your time. Go read The Story Girl, which is what she was wanting to write when she beefed up this short story to make her publisher happy.
But now, well, Montgomery's classism is flying high with a good bit of something that looks an awful lot like - racism. And never mind the way Kilmeny is discussed. She may or may not be illegitimate, probably "beneath" the main character class-wise (whatever), and "defective" (since she cannot speak) but this is all forgiven because she is perfectly beautiful. Because of her beauty she is an acceptable love interest for the older, male, college-educated rich white dude.
I mean, barf. She is also very very very white. So is everyone else, except for the one bad guy, who is only bad because of "what's bred in the bone" and by that I mean he is Italian. And has darker skin than everyone else. (He was also adopted.)
I'm laying it on thick, yes. I know when this was written. But that attitude was as wrong then as it is now.
So while her writing is as gorgeous as ever, this one is just not worth your time. Go read The Story Girl, which is what she was wanting to write when she beefed up this short story to make her publisher happy.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“The sunshine of a day in early spring, honey pale and honey sweet, was showering over the red brick buildings of Queenslea College, and the grounds about them, throwing through the bare, budding maples and elms, delicate, evasive etchings of gold and brown on the paths, and coaxing into life the daffodils that were peering greenly and perkily up under the windows of the co-eds' dressing-room.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Kilmeny of the Orchard
Eric Marshall is planning to take over the family visit but first begins with a small break on the quaint Canadian island of red cliffs, Prince Edward Island. While substitute teaching, he meets a charming young woman, Kilmeny, and falls head over heels for her.
Kilmeny is not only appealing to one's eye but also has intellect and artistic talent, but she's mute and thinks nobody will have her.
The story is far more than that brief synopsis; a reader will be treated to dramatic events, romance, and poetic language.
I recommend this read to fans of LM Montgomery that wish to discover more of her world outside Anne of Green Gables (which is also a fabulous series).
Just reread and dropped this to 2 stars. Reads like a first attempt by Montgomery - the characters are shallow and the story is sickly sweet. Way too much time is spent on how beautiful and innocent Kilmeny is. And Eric is too perfect as well.
This is one of Montgomery's weirdest stories, and it's written in a specific style that I didn't particularly enjoy. Kilmeny also doesn't quite measure up to my standard of interesting heroine -- this is more along the lines of traditional literature of the time, and doesn't have much of Montgomery's trademark subversity and pre-feminist concepts... or even much of her sense of fun.
My second time through this one and I think I enjoyed it even more the 2nd time. I've read dozens of stories by Montgomery and this is one that stands out for it's charm and beauty. It is a romantic story in the most classical sense of that word.
Ugh. I usually love L.M. Montgomery, but this was sentimental tripe from start to finish. A rather overwrought romance that relies on the one of the worst of sexist romance-novel tropes; rich, intelligent young man falls madly in love with untouched, sheltered poor young girl and will do anything to win her. Give it a miss.
This was such a beautiful short little read! Definitely read it! Cried a little too and loved the ending!