Elizabeth Waterston is a 2011 Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada. The final volume of the immensely successful The Selected Journals of L.M. Montgomery covers the years 1935 to 1942, the year of Montgomery's death. No longer dwelling in a farm community or a small rural village, Lucy Maud Montgomery explored life in downtown Toronto. Here she experienced the cultural riches the city had to offer while finding friendship and neighbourliness in the suburb of Swansea. The journal chronicles her hopes and satisfaction with her new home and neighbourhood, but also her struggles with her own and her husband's recurring bouts of depression, her worries about her sons' academic performance, and her thoughts on the world events during these years. The final volume in the series offers an intimate eyewitness account of life in a growing city, a friendly neighbourhood, a changing world, and of a troubling family dynamic from 1935 to 1942, all recorded with Lucy Maud Montgomery's sharp eye and characteristic wit.
These journals provide a unique social history of the times. Lucy Montgomery recounts her schooldays, a year spent in Saskatchewan, her training as a teacher, her infatuation with a man, and the publication of "Anne of Green Gables."
As knowledge of the private life of L.M. Montgomery has grown, readers have become aware that she is a far more complex woman than previously thought, with many hidden corners in her personality. She was previously seen as "just" a children's author; the first edition of her journals reflected this view. Much that was not "upbeat" or fast-moving was removed to save space. But the unabridged journals reveal dark moments, anxieties, deep passions, and above all a drive to write, to shape the ebb and flow of her psychological intensities into the material of narrative. They also reveal her visual imagination, illustrated with some 500 of her own photographs, newspaper clippings, and postcards. The full PEI journal deepens our understanding of L.M. Montgomery, as well as the bygone rural part of maritime Canada she loved so intensely. New notes and a new introduction provide fresh and fascinating context. And a new preface by Michael Bliss draws some unexpected connections.
This publication covers Montgomery's early adult years, including her work as a newspaper editor in Halifax, Nova Scotia; her publishing career taking flight; the death of her grandmother; and her forthcoming marriage to a local clergyman. It also documents her own reflections on writing, her increasingly problematic mood swings and feelings of isolation, and her changing relationship with the world around her, particularly that of Prince Edward Island."--pub. desc.
Lucy Maud Montgomery's scrapbooks from the years 1893 to 1910 provide a revealing look into her life and inspiration during the time she created the beloved character of Anne Shirley while living on Prince Edward Island as a college student, teacher, and writer. In "Imagining Anne," over 100 pages of the scrapbooks are fully and beautifully reproduced in colour, and the significance of the souvenirs and clippings Montgomery collected are explained by Elizabeth Rollins Epperly. This beautiful gift book is a must-have for all Montgomery fans, lovers of Canadian history, and scrapbook enthusiasts.
"The Blue Castle" tells the story of a young woman named Valancy Stirling, who lives a dull and uneventful life in the restrictive and judgmental society of the early 20th century. She is unmarried and lives with her overbearing mother and cousin, and has resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood and conformity. However, everything changes when Valancy receives a devastating medical diagnosis that gives her only a year to live. This news acts as a catalyst, prompting Valancy to break free from the constraints placed upon her and start living life on her own terms. She decides to leave her oppressive family environment and embrace her dreams and desires. Valancy's journey takes her to the fictional Blue Castle, a place of love and freedom that exists only in her imagination. In this imagined space, she meets a mysterious man named Barney Snaith, who becomes a symbol of hope and adventure in her life. Through "The Blue Castle," Montgomery explores themes such as self-discovery, the power of imagination, and the importance of living authentically. The novel challenges societal norms and expectations, highlighting the barriers placed on women during the early 20th century. Valancy's transformation from a meek and submissive woman to a vibrant and independent individual is both inspiring and empowering. Montgomery's writing is vivid and evocative, immersing readers in the beauty of the Canadian landscape and the emotions of the characters. Her descriptions of nature and the Blue Castle itself transport readers to a place of enchantment and possibility. The author's knack for creating memorable characters shines through in Valancy's journey, as well as in the supporting cast that includes eccentric family members and quirky townspeople. "The Blue Castle" stands apart from Montgomery's more famous works due to its departure from the author's usual setting of Prince Edward Island. The novel is set in the fictional Muskoka region of Ontario, providing a fresh and captivating backdrop. This change of scenery adds another layer of charm and uniqueness to the story. Overall, "The Blue Castle" is a delightful and heartwarming tale of self-discovery, courage, and love. It portrays the transformative power of embracing one's true desires and finding joy in unexpected places. Montgomery's masterful storytelling and the endearing characters make this a book you won't want to put down.
