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quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
2022 reread: Maybe 3/12 this go-around? In some ways, this book has held up better than some others. It's one where various things about it have stuck with me, since the time I originally read it. There are still a pretty overwhelming number of characters and it's difficult to get a handle on them all. And I in know way think this qualifies as a children's book, despite the fact that Montgomery wrote it and some kids read/have read it. It can still feel too slow and wordy and I rolled my eyes a lot at these characters and it still ends with a racist joke. But I did find it easy to settle in and immerse myself in it once it got going.
Original: It's pretty easy to see why this is not one of L.M. Montgomery's most famous and well-loved - although the plethora of gushy four and five star reviews here are evidence enough that it is still very beloved. If I'd read it when I was younger, I might be among them but today - not so much. It's incredibly slow and hard to get into. I think I actually started it at least three time before finally feeling it and that's mostly due to the fact that it's pretty confusing for the first third of the book. There are literally dozens of characters and they're all related and thus have very similar names and they are all super-invested in inheriting a jug. I think a little befuddlement and incredulity is warranted.
That said, once I hit about the forty percent mark, I was all in and I devoured the rest of the book with gusto. It's definitely melodramatic and it reminded me a lot of Peyton Place, if everyone was Canadian, related to each other and not quite so scandalous. But there are certain characters and story lines that resonated in a very satisfying way.
But then we came to the end and the book, quite literally, ends on a racist joke. Which - totally not expecting and while I know it is a product of its time was still really jarring and disappointing.
Original: It's pretty easy to see why this is not one of L.M. Montgomery's most famous and well-loved - although the plethora of gushy four and five star reviews here are evidence enough that it is still very beloved. If I'd read it when I was younger, I might be among them but today - not so much. It's incredibly slow and hard to get into. I think I actually started it at least three time before finally feeling it and that's mostly due to the fact that it's pretty confusing for the first third of the book. There are literally dozens of characters and they're all related and thus have very similar names and they are all super-invested in inheriting a jug. I think a little befuddlement and incredulity is warranted.
That said, once I hit about the forty percent mark, I was all in and I devoured the rest of the book with gusto. It's definitely melodramatic and it reminded me a lot of Peyton Place, if everyone was Canadian, related to each other and not quite so scandalous. But there are certain characters and story lines that resonated in a very satisfying way.
But then we came to the end and the book, quite literally, ends on a racist joke. Which - totally not expecting and while I know it is a product of its time was still really jarring and disappointing.
quoththegirl's review
4.0
Good times with L.M. Montgomery, author of the Anne of Green Gables books. This book tells the story of two clans on PEI, the Darks and the Penhallows, and I savored every quirk and idiosyncrasy of these two families. Highly enjoyable, delicious Montgomery. If you love the Anne books, please check this one out.
barbarajean's review
funny
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? Yes
4.5
kateshark's review
4.0
A dated but wonderful book -- a friend and I attempted to adapt it as for the musical stage in college. The comedy and tragedy within a huge extended family comes to a head when the matriarchal figure, Aunt Becky, decides that she's lived long enough and plans to leave one of them a valuable heirloom (but who will it be?). As they all wrangle for her notice, their individual stories play out. There is love, betrayal, absurdity, offense, scandal, style, sweetness, craziness... everything you can think of is packed into this one. Some of the language has become offensive to the modern ear (the n-word is used with great emphasis as the punchline to one story), and reader's have to keep the author's context (white Scottish-Canadian society at the turn of the century) in mind. But overall the book succeeds because of Montgomery's trademark strength: subversive wit and excellently crafted characters.
crazypkc's review
4.0
This was such a satisfying book to read. Its been a while since I read any book that made me feel so content with it. Not everyone may get what they want but everyone gets what they deserve. And you can't tell till the end if those two are the same things for everyone. But you smile at it no matter.
charisegrace's review against another edition
4.0
Very entertaining with a huge cast of characters but I'm taking off one star for just how neatly absolutely everything was wrapped up at the end.
grace_exists_'s review
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? Yes
3.25
burialshroud's review
3.0
There were some real OOF! moments in this book:
1) Nan steals Gay's fiancé and throws a sandwich at her.
2) Forlorn orphan Brian's kitten is strangled.
3) The whole book ends on a racist joke.
1) Nan steals Gay's fiancé and throws a sandwich at her.
2) Forlorn orphan Brian's kitten is strangled.
3) The whole book ends on a racist joke.
tess_reading's review
adventurous
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
the_daydreamologist's review
5.0
This book is hilarious! Even though I've already read it twice, I still keep laughing at the same places . In my opinion, this book is one of Montgomery's best works. It doesn't focus on one character, it looks at the same scene from all directions.