Reading Through The Year With L. M. Montgomery (2022-23) discussion

Similar to her earlier and more famous Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily novels depicted life through the eyes of a young orphan girl, Emily Byrd Starr, who is raised by her relatives after her father dies of tuberculosis. Montgomery considered Emily to be a character much closer to her own personality than Anne, and some of the events which occur in the Emily series happened to Montgomery herself. Emily is described as having black hair, purply violet eyes, elfin ears, pale skin, and a unique and enchanting "slow" smile.

Emily Starr is sent to live at New Moon Farm on Prince Edward Island with her aunts Elizabeth and Laura Murray and her Cousin Jimmy.

This book is one of my favourites of Maud's books and I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I do.

I enjoyed this book when I read it a few years ago. I'll join in for the second book. Enjoy!

This is not only my favorite of Maud’s books, but my favorite book of all time.

I loved this book as a child. LM Montgomery creates the most beloved characters. I did not love Emily as dearly as I loved Anne, but she was perhaps more realistic. Great choice.

Just read this beautiful quote in Ch13:
Emily saw a dear, friendly star winking down at her. Far away the sea moaned alluringly. Oh, it was nice just to be alone and to be alive. Life tasted good to her again—"tasted like more," as Cousin Jimmy said.
Such an apposite quote, don't you think, as we start a new year? There is indeed so much 'more' to enjoy as we march into 2023.

(I had to skip reading the last comment because I haven't gotten that far along yet)
I just started Emily of New Moon. So far it hasn't held the magic that Anne of Green Gables (book 1) did for me, but that could change. I didn't really like all the funeral description in the beginning. I'm enjoying the book more now that I've gotten past that. I think what I love most about L.M. Montgomery's books is the descriptions of nature seen through an imaginative young girl's mind.

Fiona wrote: "Just read this beautiful quote in Ch13:
Emily saw a dear, friendly star winking down at her. Far away the sea moaned alluringly. Oh, it was nice just to be alone and to be alive. Life tasted good t..."

Beautiful thoughts Fiona. Thank you for posting.

Meghan wrote: "(I had to skip reading the last comment because I haven't gotten that far along yet)
I just started Emily of New Moon. So far it hasn't held the magic that Anne of Green Gables (book 1) did for me..."

I think Maud experienced a lot of funerals and death was very close always in her life. I think Maud made the Emily books more true to life and it is a different experience to the Anne books. If you find you don't like the Emily books because of this we will be reading more magical books after this trilogy and I am sure you will enjoy some of those.

Meghan wrote: "(I had to skip reading the last comment because I haven't gotten that far along yet)
I just started Emily of New Moon. So far it hasn't held the magic that Anne of Green Gables (book 1) did for me..."

I've picked it up again and still need to get fully past the funeral etc. Emily isn't charming me like Anne did; in fact sometimes she reminds me of Eloise. But it's early days, and everyone else's love for it gives me confidence that I just need to push past chapter 4 to get to wonderfulness.

D.N. wrote: "I loved this book as a child. LM Montgomery creates the most beloved characters. I did not love Emily as dearly as I loved Anne, but she was perhaps more realistic. Great choice."

I agree with your comment. Anne is the most magical but we see a different side of Maud's writing in the Emily books and I think it's important to read them to see life as I think Maud herself saw life. She wanted life to be like Anne's but her life was like Emily's.

I finished the book yesterday and it really grew on me. I don’t mind reading about characters dying in books, I’m just the kind of person that wishes I could just be left in the nature somewhere when I die. I don’t like funerals or caskets. I’m on to the next Emily book now. :)