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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book and the character development of these old friends from Prince Edward Island. Although there were some similarities between Anne's (well known) story and that of Marilla, it was just enough to render them kindred spirits. ❤️
As a book on its own, I enjoyed it. But tied to Anne of Green Gables, it was disappointing. There were inconsistencies that bugged me.
A touching prequel to the Anne of Green Gables series, Marilla of Green Gables provides an insight into how Marilla's past shaped her actions in the Anne of Green Gables series. I won't spoil it, but the last line was particularly touching. A coming of age story about a girl who does not have the luxury of a female role model to teach her about love, and who promised her mother to stay and take care of the family, Marilla is trapped between two sides of her heart. A strong setting and beautiful language set this book apart. And knowing of Marilla's future, the stories of the book take on new depth. I do strongly suggest reading Anne of Green Gables first, as it helped guide me through the feelings of this story. To fans of Anne of Green Gables and Little House in the Woods, this is a wonderful book that will bring back your childhood.
4.5*
I loved the Anne of Green Gables books as a child. I reread them recently and enjoyed them again from the perspective of an adult. But there haven't been new books in many years, so I was excited to come across this book about Marilla, the lady who adopts Anne.
In the official books, we only see glimpses of Marilla's life before Anne joins her and her brother at Green Gables. This book goes back to Marilla's childhood to explore her relationships with her parents, her brother, the townspeople (including neighbor Rachel Lynde and beau John Blythe). Even though you know where she ends up based on the canon stories, I enjoyed this imagining of her early years.
Even though this book is written by a different author, the source material is treated with great respect and the voice felt in keeping with the originals. It's a nice addition to the world of Avonlea.
I loved the Anne of Green Gables books as a child. I reread them recently and enjoyed them again from the perspective of an adult. But there haven't been new books in many years, so I was excited to come across this book about Marilla, the lady who adopts Anne.
In the official books, we only see glimpses of Marilla's life before Anne joins her and her brother at Green Gables. This book goes back to Marilla's childhood to explore her relationships with her parents, her brother, the townspeople (including neighbor Rachel Lynde and beau John Blythe). Even though you know where she ends up based on the canon stories, I enjoyed this imagining of her early years.
Even though this book is written by a different author, the source material is treated with great respect and the voice felt in keeping with the originals. It's a nice addition to the world of Avonlea.
82 \\ Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy
I received this book as a Christmas present many years ago and just picked it up a few weeks ago to buddy read with a friend. I really wanted to read it, but was also nervous that it wouldn’t live up to my hype. I love the Anne books, even without reading the entire series, so I wanted to love this as much.
I did. It helps explain Marilla, her hopes, dreams, past, hurts, grief, love, and desire for a child, which she finds in Anne. This is not a love story, not a romantic one, even though John Blythe is a major figure in the book. This is a story about a woman who never marries, but finds fulfillment in her life.
Feels like the closest thing to my story that I’ve ever read. That’s why I loved it, I feel like my life choices are okay, even celebrated. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I feel seen in literature this week.
Also there’s an amazing storyline featuring the Underground Railroad, Canada’s response to the Civil War, and a tribute to the many men and women who gave refuge to runway slaves, helping them become Free Black men and women, as they always should have been.
I received this book as a Christmas present many years ago and just picked it up a few weeks ago to buddy read with a friend. I really wanted to read it, but was also nervous that it wouldn’t live up to my hype. I love the Anne books, even without reading the entire series, so I wanted to love this as much.
I did. It helps explain Marilla, her hopes, dreams, past, hurts, grief, love, and desire for a child, which she finds in Anne. This is not a love story, not a romantic one, even though John Blythe is a major figure in the book. This is a story about a woman who never marries, but finds fulfillment in her life.
Feels like the closest thing to my story that I’ve ever read. That’s why I loved it, I feel like my life choices are okay, even celebrated. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I feel seen in literature this week.
Also there’s an amazing storyline featuring the Underground Railroad, Canada’s response to the Civil War, and a tribute to the many men and women who gave refuge to runway slaves, helping them become Free Black men and women, as they always should have been.
This book gives readers a picture of what Marilla's life could have been like before Anne Shirley stepped foot into her life. From a family tragedy as a girl into young womanhood, it shows how both Marilla and her brother Matthew ended up single. McCoy uses the picture Montgomery painted of Marilla and Matthew and builds upon those character traits. It was sad to see how not resolving minor incidents due to stubbornness and pride, or, in Matthew's case, painful shyness, changed their future happiness forever.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is Marilla's friendship with Rachel Lynde. I had never pictured the two of them being friends since girlhood but it was really satisfying reading about how healthy and positive their friendship was. Another of my favorite aspects of the book was Marilla's relationship with John Blythe. I wish that Marilla had owned up to her mistakes so she could have had what she wanted most in life.
There were some attempts at addressing issues Montgomery didn't address such as American slavery and an interracial relationship in 1860s Nova Scotia. I'm not sure how much this fit in with Montgomery's view of Marilla's story. I feel uncomfortable when authors build upon another's work and change the author's intentions.
I'll be thinking of this book even after I've put it down.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is Marilla's friendship with Rachel Lynde. I had never pictured the two of them being friends since girlhood but it was really satisfying reading about how healthy and positive their friendship was. Another of my favorite aspects of the book was Marilla's relationship with John Blythe. I wish that Marilla had owned up to her mistakes so she could have had what she wanted most in life.
There were some attempts at addressing issues Montgomery didn't address such as American slavery and an interracial relationship in 1860s Nova Scotia. I'm not sure how much this fit in with Montgomery's view of Marilla's story. I feel uncomfortable when authors build upon another's work and change the author's intentions.
I'll be thinking of this book even after I've put it down.
As a huge fan of Anne of Green Gables, I wasn’t sure if I was going to regret reading this book but I think the love and respect that the author has for the originals shines through in this.
We meet Marilla when she is about 12. Her mother is pregnant and her Aunt comes to Green Gables to help out. Sadly, there is a tragedy and Marilla makes a promise that changes so many things.
Many thanks to Edelweiss for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
We meet Marilla when she is about 12. Her mother is pregnant and her Aunt comes to Green Gables to help out. Sadly, there is a tragedy and Marilla makes a promise that changes so many things.
Many thanks to Edelweiss for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.