Discussion 4 (Conclusion) ~ Emily of New Moon Read-Along

Welcome to the fourth and final discussion of the Emily of New Moon read-along! ♥ If this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can learn more about the schedule in this invitation post.

Today we're going to discuss chapters 25-31. If you've already read them, you can share your thoughts in the comments section or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Emily of New Moon read-along tag.) If you still need to catch up, you're welcome to check in whenever you're ready. :)

Hope you enjoy the discussion!

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Emily of New Moon: Chapters 25-31

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and five questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes

• "I can pray in my mind—I'm sure God can hear thoughts as well as words. It is nice to think He can hear me if nobody else can."

• "You look like a star—you have a radiant sort of personality shining through you—your proper habitat should be the evening sky just after sunset—or the morning sky just before sunrise. Yes. You'd be more at home in the morning sky."

• "If everybody had always been happy there'd be nothing to read about."

• "Teddy will paint pictures and I will write poetry and we will have toast and bacon and marmalade every morning for breakfast—just like Wyther Grange—but never porridge. And we'll always have lots of nice things to eat in the pantry and I'll make lots of jam and Teddy is always going to help me wash the dishes."

• "Time went on and autumn passed and winter came with its beautiful bare-limbed trees, and soft pearl-grey skies that were slashed with rifts of gold in the afternoons, and cleared to a jewelled pageantry of stars over the wide white hills and valleys around New Moon."

• "Though I may not be very good-looking now, when I go to heaven I believe I'll be very beautiful."

• "Elizabeth Murray had learned an important lesson—that there was not one law of fairness for children and another for grown-ups."

• "For heaven's sake, girl, don't write what you can't understand yourself."

General Impressions

Confession time: I finished Emily of New Moon about a week ago and promptly proceeded to read Emily Climbs and Emily's Quest (completing the trilogy). I was eager to see what happened to Emily and her friends and how the series ended! Don't worry; I won't talk about those other two books and spoil anything here. ;) But if anyone else reads them and wants to chat, please feel free to comment below or message me through Goodreads or via email (amberstokes@corban.edu)! I'd love to hear your further thoughts on these characters and their lives. ♥

As for the end of the first book, I definitely found it intriguing. Emily has a couple of near-death experiences: one that leads to her friendship with Dean Priest, and another that leads to solving the mystery behind Ilse's mother's death.

Dean...I'm so torn about him! In some ways, his friendship with Emily is so charming and heartwarming. In other ways, some of the things he says when he first meets her (after saving her life) are a bit...shocking. But then, big age gaps in relationships are not uncommon in my family, and there's even a story I heard about my great-great grandparents (I believe) wherein my great-great grandfather saw my great-great grandmother when she was a little girl and he was a young man, and he knew right then he was going to marry her someday. So...! It's definitely not an unheard of thing, but it does feel a little jarring, hearing Dean hint at romance with a girl who could be his preteen daughter. Especially when he talks possessively. And yet, I couldn't help but be intrigued by what might come of it all in time. Maybe, down the road...?

Speaking of romance... Again, I realize Emily is a little young yet! But there are some really sweet moments with the boys in her life in these last chapters. Teddy and Emily share a secret adventure in the Disappointed House. While Emily doesn't seem to like the idea of marriage at this point, I think their daydreams of delicious breakfasts and helping each other with the dishes is pretty adorable. :) And then there's Emily's illness and the way Perry keeps watch through the night, so worried about her and wanting to know she'll be all right. ♥

We must talk about the new teacher in town! I love that Mr. Carpenter turns the education system upside down, just like Muriel Stacy in Anne of Green Gables. And I love the way he balances encouraging and challenging Emily in her writing, even if the challenges come off more strongly than the encouragement. ;) I'm so glad that these kids finally get a different teacher who is able to joke, wants to help the students excel in what they're best at, and doesn't treat them like Miss Brownell!

I loved seeing the relationship between Aunt Elizabeth and Emily grow and mature at the end. Aunt Elizabeth recognizes how she wronged Emily and actually asks for forgiveness! And Emily hurts when she realizes she hurt Aunt Elizabeth. It's realistic to know things don't become perfect after that scene, as is said in chapter 30: "Their points of view were so different that there were bound to be clashes; they did not speak the same language, so there was bound to be misunderstanding." And yet, I'm happy that there's been such progress and there is such hope for them. :)

As with other sections in this book, so much happens and develops in these chapters. And as I mentioned earlier, the introduction of these characters and their adventures made me want to read more and finish the trilogy to see how it all turns out! Also, isn't it neat how these last chapters set up the title of book 2, Emily Climbs? :)

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all five of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. What did you think of Emily's first meeting with Dean Priest (and the near-death experience that brought it about)?

2. How would you feel about having Mr. Carpenter as a teacher? Do you agree with his teaching methods and how he critiques Emily's works?

3. Were you surprised by the truth about what happened to Ilse's mother? How did this chapter ("When the Curtain Lifted") make you feel?

4. Which scene in this book was the most adorable (or romantic) to you?

5. What was your favorite part of Emily's story? What are you hopes or predictions for what will happen to her in the rest of the series?

Thank you for joining us for the Emily of New Moon read-along! I loved chatting about the book with you! 

Discussion 3 ~ Emily of New Moon Read-Along

Welcome to the third discussion of the Emily of New Moon read-along! ♥ If this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can learn more about the schedule in this invitation post.

Today we're going to discuss chapters 18-24. If you've already read them, you can share your thoughts in the comments section or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Emily of New Moon read-along tag.) If you still need to catch up, you're welcome to check in whenever you're ready. :)

Hope you enjoy the discussion!

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Emily of New Moon: Chapters 18-24

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and five questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes

• "I'm in a scrape and I've been in it all summer. You see"—Emily was very sober—"I am a poetess." "Holy Mike! That is serious. I don't know if I can do much for you. How long have you been that way?"

• "Of course, it was trash. Father Cassidy knew that well enough. All the same, for a child like this—and rhyme and rhythm were flawless—and there was one line—just one line—'the light of faintly golden stars'—for the sake of that line Father Cassidy suddenly said, 'Keep on,—keep on writing poetry.'"

• "A queer feeling came into me and I thought 'What would I feel like if I was stuck before a big crowd of people like this? And besides the honour of the school is at stake,' so I whispered it to her because I was quite close. She got the rest all right. The strange thing is, dear Father, that now I don't feel any more as if I hated her. I feel quite kindly to her and it is much nicer. It is uncomfortable to hate people."

• "'I love Revelations.' (And I do. When I read the verse 'and the twelve gates were twelve pearls' I just saw them and the flash came.)"

• "A certain thing happened at New Moon because Teddy Kent paid Ilse Burnley a compliment one day and Emily Starr didn't altogether like it. Empires have been overturned for the same reason."

• "Everybody who has ever lived in the world and could string two rhymes together has written a poem on spring. It is the most be-rhymed subject in the world—and always will be, because it is poetry incarnate itself."

• "The air seemed to be filled with opal dust over the great pond and the bowery summer homesteads around it."

• "Aunt Nancy says the way to be healthy is to eat just what you want and never think about your stomach."

• "I can bear it when other people have a bad opinion of me but it hurts too much when I have a bad opinion of myself."

General Impressions

As you can see, I had a lot of favorite lines in this section...and there are so many more I could have included! I don't know if this will horrify you, but I've been underlining and writing in my used copy of the book. (I know!) But I enjoy doing that, especially for a read-along, as it makes it much easier to find lines I liked or remember my impressions. :) Anyway, if you looked at my copy, you'd see a good amount of "Ha!," "LOL," smiley faces, and exclamation points in the margins for this group of chapters.

I suppose it would make sense to start with Father Cassidy, as chapter 18 is all about Emily's encounter with him. I absolutely love his sense of humor, which is balanced so well with his kindness and respect for Emily. Yes, he does poke fun at her, in a sense, but he encourages her and speaks her language (as the narrator notes on page 194 in my copy). He listens to her and appreciates the gravity of her request to save the bush and of her passion for poetry. And he even writes her a letter, which means so much to her! He serves as an example to me of caring for children and their interests. :)

I also enjoyed seeing Lofty John humble himself (to some degree) and Aunt Elizabeth laugh some more and stand up for Emily at the Christmas gathering. Progress!! Speaking of progress, it's lovely to see Emily growing and maturing in her perspective of others (like in that third quote above regarding her archenemy Rhoda). But Emily still has plenty of growing left to do.

In the Teddy vs. Perry competition, I found it funny that Emily noted in one of her letters, "Teddy's [Christmas gift] was a little the nicest." She seems to be aware whom she favors of the two at this point in time. ;) Which explains why she really doesn't like Teddy complimenting Ilse (fifth quote above). LOL.

But oh my goodness! Perry's aunt Tom asking Emily to marry him when they're older...that scene was both unnerving (at the beginning) and hilarious (when Perry shows up). Perry telling Emily, "Ilse is better looking of course, and I don't know why I like you best but I do"...oh boy! But Emily's retorts are great, capped off by Perry's threat to knock Teddy's head off again. ;)

And then we end up at Wyther Grange. When Aunt Nancy asks Emily for a visit, it totally reminded me of Anne (in Anne of Green Gables) winning over Diana's great-aunt Josephine. (I confess that even though I've read the book, the images from the 1980s adaptation are ingrained in me!) Anyway, Aunt Nancy is quite a character, as is Caroline. Aunt Nancy says some absolutely hilarious things, like "The Murrays have keep-your-distance eyes" and "I never held with inflicting kisses on defenseless creatures simply because they were so unlucky as to be my relatives." LOL.

But as funny as Aunt Nancy can be, I don't really see her being a good influence on Emily, and I don't really care for how she treats poor Caroline, even if Caroline dishes it back some. While Emily notes the similarities between their friendship and hers with Ilse, I feel like there's an extra layer of meanness with these adults. Still...they do keep each other company and stick together, so there's that, I guess! I'm not sure what to think about Emily breaking the Jacobite glass... It was an accident, so I'm glad she wasn't punished severely, but perhaps there should have been some consequence? While Aunt Nancy's response isn't really instructive, it is funny, and I can't blame her for being relieved! ;)

One last note: It was interesting to see the reference to Gothic romances at the beginning of chapter 23. Yep, there seems to be a flavor of that in Emily's story, and it's fun to see the author mentioning that genre!

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all five of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. What are your impressions of Father Cassidy? What do you like or not like about how he interacts with Emily?

2. If you could pick a line from these chapters that resonates with you the most—that makes you think, That's me!—what line would it be and why?

3. How did you feel about the Murray Christmas gathering described in chapter 20? How is it different from or similar to some of your own family Christmases (from childhood or more recently)?

4. What was something fashionable when you were younger that you really wanted, like Emily's desire for bangs? Have your tastes changed since then?

5. If you were invited to visit Wyther Grange for a while, would you want to go? What might you think of the place and its occupants?

Join us next Sunday for our last discussion! 

(Chapters 25-31)

Discussion 2 ~ Emily of New Moon Read-Along

Welcome to the second discussion of the Emily of New Moon read-along! ♥ If this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can learn more about the schedule in this invitation post.

Today we're going to discuss chapters 11-17. If you've already read them, you can share your thoughts in the comments section or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Emily of New Moon read-along tag.) If you still need to catch up, you're welcome to check in whenever you're ready. :)

Hope you enjoy the discussion!

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Emily of New Moon: Chapters 11-17

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and five questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes

• "I should not write fassinating again because you told me I must not use the same word too often but I cant think of any other that deskribes my feelings so well."

• "The call always had an odd effect on Emily; it seemed to her that it fairly drew the heart out of her body—and she had to follow it. She thought Teddy could have whistled her clear across the world with those three magic notes."

• "Ilse glanced happily around her—poor little neglected Ilse, who found in Emily's companionship what she had hungered for all her short life and who was, even now, being led by love into something of her rightful heritage."

• "Old Kelly thought that the surest way to please a female creature of any age was to tease her about getting married."

• "Perry was away with Cousin Jimmy all day and when he came home at night he said to me, very feerce, Who has been making you cry. I said I had been crying—a little but not much—because I was not let go to the party because I had laughed at prayers. And Perry marched right up to Aunt Elizabeth and told her it was all his fault that I laughed."

• "There is a beautiful fringe of isikles along the cookhouse roof. But there will be much more beautiful things in heaven."

• "Spring is such a happyfying time isn't it, Father."

General Impressions

For a sweet but emotional coming-of-age story, these chapters sure seem action packed! We get to know Ilse much better, and we also meet Teddy and Perry. There are lovely scenes with the children playing and spending time together, and then there are scenes full of excitement and horror—like when Emily thinks she's been poisoned, or when the teacher decides to be very awful (and completely unprofessional) and reads Emily's poetry aloud to the class in a mocking way. (Just...ugh!!)

Did anyone else think the scene where Emily gets locked in the spare room as similar to the red-room scene in Jane Eyre? There does seem to be a bit of Gothic flair to this story!

Overall, I'm really enjoying getting to know Emily's new home, family, and friends. The moment when Aunt Elizabeth actually cracks a smile over Emily's dramatic near-poisoning suggests there might be hope for her to grow more tender in time. (A very, very small ray of hope, but still!) As always, Aunt Laura is a dear, and I absolutely love when Cousin Jimmy speaks up and reminds Aunt Elizabeth and Miss Brownell that no human should kneel before anyone but God in that way. (Go, Jimmy! And I'm so glad Elizabeth listened and changed her mind.)

I'm pretty sure I would be like Emily in having to adjust to the constant tantrums and fights with a friend, but I must admit that Ilse is hilarious and charmingly genuine in all she thinks and feels. I love how her friendship with Emily is helping her grow and opening her eyes to truths beyond her dad's opinions.

As for Teddy and Perry... Goodness, I like both of them. ♥ I love Teddy's gentleness and sweet friendship, and I love Perry's forthrightness and protective nature. Perry standing up for Emily makes my romantic heart happy, even though I realize they're a little young to be thinking too romantically yet. ;) (This is making me want to find out what happens in the rest of the trilogy though!)

There are so many humorous lines and scenes in this section of the book, and it's really fun to get some of Emily's point of view through her letters to her father. I'm looking forward to reading more and seeing how Emily's friendships and writing develop!

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all five of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. If you could have Ilse, Teddy, or Perry as your friend, which one do you think you would get along with the best? Which one do you think would help you grow the most?

2. What did you think of Emily's response when Lofty John suggests she's eaten poison? How might you have reacted similarly or differently?

3. Which scene did you find the most humorous in these chapters? What part particularly made you laugh or smile?

4. Imagine yourself as a student in the classroom when Miss Brownell is reading Emily's poetry—or in the house when Miss Brownell comes to speak with Aunt Elizabeth. How would you feel, and what might you do to come to Emily's aid during or after the incident?

5. If you lived at New Moon, which season would be your favorite to experience?

Join us next Sunday for our third discussion! 

(Chapters 18-24)

Discussion 1 ~ Emily of New Moon Read-Along

Welcome to the first discussion of the Emily of New Moon read-along! ♥ Before we get started, if this is the first you've heard of the read-along, you can learn more about the schedule in this invitation post.

Today we're going to discuss chapters 1-10. If you've already read them, you can share your thoughts in the comments section or in your own post! (Feel free to use the image above, linking back to the Emily of New Moon read-along tag.) If you still need to catch up, you're welcome to check in whenever you're ready. :)

Hope you enjoy the discussion!

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Emily of New Moon: Chapters 1-10

Discussion format: your favorite quotes, general impressions, and five questions to answer for each week's reading

Favorite Quotes

• "Darkness and hobgoblins were nothing when you had plenty of company. But to be alone—ah, Emily shivered with the delicious horror of it!"

• "It had always seemed to Emily, ever since she could remember, that she was very, very near to a world of wonderful beauty. Between it and herself hung only a thin curtain; she could never draw the curtain aside—but sometimes, just for a moment, a wind fluttered it and then it was as if she caught a glimpse of the enchanting realm beyond—only a glimpse—and heard a note of unearthly music."

• "Your mother thought Emily the prettiest name in the world,—it was quaint and arch and delightful, she said."

• "Everything we had was small except our love and our happiness."

• "One couldn't be afraid or bitter where love was—and love was everywhere." 

• "Nobody who was loved as much as he was could be a failure."

• "Books were Emily's friends wherever she found them."

General Impressions

I'm fairly certain this will be my first time reading through Emily of New Moon... (Unless I'm forgetting something!) I think it's felt familiar so far because I might have tried starting it when I got this copy and especially because I watched some of a mini-series based on this book with my uncle and grandparents when I was younger. (Not entirely sure how far we got through that!)

Anyway... ;)

Some elements remind me of Anne of Green Gables: the fact that Emily is orphaned, her love for nature and describing it through lovely words, and the way she feels different from everyone else. But Emily definitely seems to be her own character, and I appreciate her love for cats, her passion for writing, and her desire to honor her father's memory.

Her three new guardians are also quite different from Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert (from Anne of Green Gables), although Emily is still getting a mix of strict upbringing and secret kindness. I really hope Aunt Elizabeth softens and starts to see what a blessing she has in Emily. I love Aunt Laura and her gentle ways! And Cousin Jimmy... I do like the thoughtfulness and generosity he shows Emily, although I'm not sure what to think about the times a switch seems to flip and he frightens Emily with his intensity (not meanness, though, thank goodness!).

New Moon itself seems charming, if a bit dark with the stories it holds and the fact that they only use candlelight at night. I hope Emily will come to love the sound of the sea. :) And I'm eager to see how this place, with the nearby fairy path and Jimmy's beautiful garden and the property's dear quirks, becomes home to her.

Of course, there's also school and making "friends." The back cover description assures me there are more true friends to come on the scene, which gives me hope! It's not all that fun to read about how "children can be the most cruel creatures alive" (a quote from chapter 8). Ugh! Makes me think of Lord of the Flies by William Golding (thank goodness things aren't that bad in Emily's story...but still!), which is a book I had to read for school once upon a time that I really, really didn't like. But I guess all this serves as a reminder that we humans are sinful beings from birth and in desperate need of God's grace and mercy.

Chapter 10 ends with a sweet little poem and a promise of great big trouble to come...

Discussion Questions

Answer any or all five of these questions in the comments section or in your own blog post!

1. What did you think of Emily's life before her father passed away? What stood out to you as wonderful or sad?

2. Which of Emily's Murray relatives has made the greatest impression on you so far in either a positive or negative way? What is it that makes their character so striking?

3. Are you a cat person? What did you think of Emily's choice between Saucy Sal and Mike?

4. Are you a fan of poetry like Emily? If you enjoy reading it, do you prefer blank-verse or rhyming poetry? What's your favorite poem you've read or written?

5. What are your thoughts on Emily's school experience so far? If you could step in and make changes to the system, what might you do?

Join us next Sunday for our second discussion! 

(Chapters 11-17)

You're Invited to the Emily of New Moon Read-Along!

March is on its way...and here's hoping that means spring is coming soon too! :) In the new month, I'll be hosting a read-along for L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon. Whether this will be your first time reading it (like me!) or your gazillionth, I'd love to have you join me in cherishing and discussing this classic!

For this read-along, I've decided not to worry about a hashtag for Twitter/Instagram. We'll keep things simple and stick around the blogosphere. Here are some further details...

• We'll read 1 chapter per day (31 days / 31 chapters). Love when the numbers work so well! 

• Discussions will take place here on Sundays (the 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st). 

• I'll provide ideas and questions, and you can take part through commenting on my discussion posts or creating your own blog posts!

Here are some examples of past read-alongs I've hosted: Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, Emma, Pride & Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Sense & Sensibility, The Silver Chair.

So excited to begin reading Emily of New Moon and to exchange thoughts with you! Let me know if you'll be joining the fun by commenting below or posting on your blog. :) (Feel free to use the image in this post and share it wherever you'd like!)

Green Gables Read-Along | Discussion 3

Happy (almost) Easter and the last day of March! Today's discussion for the Anne of Green Gables read-along covers chapters 27-38 (the last part of the book). The main discussion is happening at Jenni Elyse. You can hop over there to leave a comment! Of course, you're totally welcome to comment here, as well. :)

Here are Jenni's fun questions to conclude the read-along, as well as my responses:

1. Is this your first time reading Anne of Green Gables, or is it a reread? Either way, what did you think about it?

My Thoughts: I believe I read this when I was younger. I'm not sure if I read it again before now...but I'm very familiar with the basics of the story from the movie version with Megan Follows. :) It was really sweet to read the book now, though! I enjoy L.M. Montgomery's descriptions of scenery and characters. And it's fun to know you're enjoying a book along with a group of fellow readers!

2. If this is your first time reading Anne of Green Gables, do you plan to read the rest of the series? If you've read Anne of Green Gables before, have you read the rest of the series? What do you think about it?

My Thoughts: Again, I believe I read the whole series (or most of it?) when I was younger, but if I did, it's been a long time. I remember my grandparents having the series on their shelf in my grandma's art room in back of the den. :) Right now, I think I only have books 1 and 3. I'd like to read/reread Anne of the Island sometime soon-ish! I also got Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery at a library sale last fall, and I want to read that one soon-ish too!

3. Who is your favorite character and why?

My Thoughts: I adore Marilla and Matthew, how they take Anne in and fall in love with her. Matthew is a total sweetheart! And it's endearing, the way Marilla takes her responsibilities so seriously, yet she can't help but enjoy Anne's spirit and misadventures.

It's hard to pick a favorite, though! I really like Anne, and everything centers around her in the book. But then there's also such lovely characters like Mrs. Allan, who lives out her faith with care and joy, and Miss Stacy, who makes school and learning a delight. And Gilbert...who, as we all seemed to agree, needed a bigger role in this story!

4. Who is your least favorite character and why?

My Thoughts: Hmmm... It's difficult to like Josie Pye, with the many ways she puts down Anne. And of course, Mrs. Blewett, even with how little we see her in the book, hardly seems like a nice person!

5. What was your favorite scene and why?

My Thoughts: Oooh, that's a tough question! There are so many memorable scenes, like when Matthew has a dress with puffed sleeves made for Anne, or when Anne pretends to be the lily maid. So cute and funny! But I also love those moments when Anne simply admires the view and world around her. Those descriptions of the coast or the woods or the twilight air are simply delightful.

6. What did you think about the last third of the book and why?

My Thoughts: It's bittersweet! In some ways, it's lovely to see Anne growing up, being a help and comfort to Marilla, excelling in school, facing her future with joy and courage, and even (finally!) forgiving Gilbert and making friends with him. But it's also sad to see her leave childhood behind, as Marilla notes too...and Matthew's death is tragic. He died as he wanted to, and there's peace in his passing, but it's difficult to see Anne and Marilla lose such a dear loved one and struggle through their grief.

I'll add that while the ending wraps up nicely with a hopeful but open finish, it does leave plenty of room for the books that follow, and lots of eagerness to read more of Anne's life and adventures!

* * *

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the last part of the book...

• "'As for your chatter, I don't know that I mind it—I've got so used to it.' Which was Marilla's way of saying that she liked to hear it."

• "She had an odd, newly awakened consciousness under all her outraged dignity that the half-shy, half-eager expression in Gilbert's hazel eyes was something that was very good to see. Her heart gave a quick, queer little beat."

• "There is no sweeter music on earth than that which the wind makes in the fir-trees at evening."

• "The best of it all was the coming home."

• "It's nicer to think dear, pretty thoughts and keep them in one's heart, like treasures."

• "I'm not a bit changed—not really. I'm only just pruned down and branched out. The real me—back here—is just the same. It won't make a bit of difference where I go or how much I change outwardly; at heart I shall always be your little Anne, who will love you and Matthew and dear Green Gables more and better every day of her life."

• "Anne has as many shades as a rainbow and every shade is the prettiest while it lasts."

• "She had looked her duty courageously in the face and found it a friend—as duty ever is when we meet it frankly."

• "I shall give life here my best, and I believe it will give its best to me in return."

• "If the path set before her feet was to be narrow she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it." {So fun to come across the title of my dear friend Kara's blog! Now I know where this line comes from. :D}

* * *

Many thanks to Suey, Kami, and Jenni for hosting this read-along! If you'd like details about the Twitter chat tonight or the watch-along on April 6th, head over to Jenni's blog!

Green Gables Read-Along | Discussion 2

Woohoo, it's Friday and the start of the weekend! Today's discussion (technically, yesterday's) for the Anne of Green Gables read-along covers chapters 14-26. The main discussion is happening at Kami's blog, Kami's Library Thoughts. You can hop over there to leave a comment! Of course, you're totally welcome to comment here, as well. :)

Here are Kami's great questions and my responses:

1. Anne has a gift for loving nature in all its forms. She even gives it delightful names. Do you find yourself appreciating nature more as you read this?

My Thoughts: I adore the way nature is described in this book! The White Way of Delight, the wooded paths in all their seasons, the way Anne puts flowers in her hat or her new teacher sends the boys up into trees to look for nests... Everything feels so vibrant and gorgeous in how L.M. Montgomery wrote it. I think it does make me appreciate nature more—or at least want to do so!

2. We have finally met Gilbert! What do you think of him? Do you think Anne is justified in hating him so much?

My Thoughts: I think Gilbert's infatuation with Anne is adorable, and I like that he's competitive, but good-natured about it. He's smart, and he seems genuinely contrite when he realizes how angry he's made Anne. I'm hoping to see more of him in the book, though. ;) Right now he's sort of a hovering presence, affecting Anne without her willing to acknowledge him. I don't think Anne's attitude toward him is justified. It may be understandable, knowing how sensitive Anne can be, but her cold shoulder feels unforgiving and over the top.

3. Anne's imagination finally got the better of her in the Haunted Wood. Do you think she learned anything from that experience? Do you think she'll tone down her imagination a bit?

My Thoughts: Based on Anne's reaction after being forced to walk through the Haunted Wood at night and her conversation with the reverend's wife (I believe?), it really does seem like she understands she went too far. But I don't know if her imagination will be toned down...maybe just redirected for now. ;) Although I'm sure as she continues to grow up and have real-world experiences, she'll find (and maybe already is finding) that life is worth experiencing in its own glory.

4. What do you think of Diana and the other schoolgirls? Do you think Anne chose wisely for her bosom friend?

My Thoughts: They're quite a group! :) It's fun to read about their schoolgirl antics and dramas. Diana seems like a very loyal and loving friend, and I think she and Anne suit each other well. I like that Diana appreciates Anne for who she is, while also not being afraid to point out when she thinks Anne is going too far (like the situation with Gilbert, even if Anne doesn't necessarily listen).

5. I've always dreamed of visiting Prince Edward Island someday. Do you want to visit there also? What other real-life literature places do you want to visit?

My Thoughts: Definitely! I grew up watching The Road to Avonlea series and the Anne of Green Gables movies with my grandparents and uncle, and visiting Prince Edward Island would be a dream come true, for sure. :) I can't decide if I'd rather visit in the fall or the spring... I bet both would be delightful! As for other real-life literature places...that's a great question! I'm not really sure. Perhaps some places in Europe? (Not very specific, I know!)

* * *

It's so sweet to see Anne finding her place at Green Gables and among her new friends and family. It's also fun to spot the similarities and differences between the book and the movie (starring Megan Follows). I confess I really liked the movie's subtle changes to the scenes with Matthew getting Anne a dress with puffed sleeves. :) If you've seen the movie, are there scenes you like better in the film adaptation versus the book?

Finally, here are some of my favorite quotes from the last section of reading...

• "It was a little narrow, twisting path, winding down over a long hill straight through Mr Bell's woods, where the light came down sifted through so many emerald screens that it was as flawless as the heart of a diamond."

• "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

• "Ruby Gillis says when she grows up she's going to have ever so many beaux on the string and have them all crazy about her; but I think that would be too exciting. I'd rather have just one in his right mind."

• "'When I am grown up,' said Anne decidedly, 'I'm always going to talk to little girls as if they were, too, and I'll never laugh when they use big words.'"

• "There was a magnificent sunset, and the snowy hills and deep blue water of the St Lawrence Gulf seemed to rim in the splendour like a huge bowl of pearl and sapphire brimmed with wine and fire."

• "I never knew before that religion was such a cheerful thing. I always thought it was kind of melancholy, but Mrs Allan's isn't, and I'd like to be a Christian if I could be one like her."

• "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"

• "'The trouble with you, Anne, is that you're thinking too much about yourself. You should just think of Mrs Allan and what would be nicest and most agreeable for her,' said Marilla, hitting for once in her life on a very sound and pithy piece of advice. Anne instantly realized this."

Green Gables Read-Along | Discussion 1

Hope you all are having a delightful Sunday! Today's discussion for the Anne of Green Gables read-along covers chapters 1-13. The main discussion is happening at Suey's blog, It's All About Books... You can hop over there to leave a comment or learn about the upcoming Twitter chat! Of course, you're totally welcome to comment here, as well. :)

Suey noted that the following questions came from various websites:

1. In chapter 2, when Matthew is driving Anne back to Green Gables, she asks him: “Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive.” Given her tragic childhood, how do you think Anne is able to maintain such a positive attitude?

My Thoughts: It is pretty incredible to see how positive Anne tends to be despite everything she's endured! But then, she seems to be the kind of person who feels everything in extremes, from the joyful moments to the "depths of despair." I definitely think her big imagination and eager mind help her find a positive side to her difficult circumstances.

2. Anne is insistent on renaming places and inanimate things. Why do you think she does this?

My Thoughts: I think Anne has a deep need for friends and a sense of belonging. As Anne says in chapter 5, "I like things to have handles even if they are only geraniums. It makes them seem more like people." When she names place and objects, she gives them personality and endears them more to herself. But I'm glad Anne now has a chance to make more friends and feel at home. :)

3. Marilla gives several reasons for finally deciding to keep Anne. What reason do you think most changed her mind?

My Thoughts: I guess it was probably Marilla's conscience that really swayed her. She had gotten to know Anne a bit, and it bothered her to think of leaving her with someone who would be unkind to her and mistreat her. But Matthew's love for Anne and Marilla's own growing fondness for her certainly played a part...perhaps the greater part? But it seems like she was fairly determined to send Anne back until she knew what Anne's lot would be if she left Green Gables.

4. If Anne grew up today, would she have been happier with how she looked? What would she have pined for, looks- and fashion-wise? What is our society's equivalent of plumpness, dark hair, and puffed sleeves?

My Thoughts: I think Anne still would find ways to compare herself and come up lacking. It's something we all can struggle with! If her story were contemporary, she might long for a more graceful figure, tame but attractively wavy hair, and the latest jeans or most stylish tops or accessories.

5. How would Anne have turned out if Marilla had let Mrs. Blewett take her? Would that life have crushed Anne's imaginative spirit, or would she have changed in a different way?

My Thoughts: I'm sure Anne would have found ways to hold on to hope, as she had in the other places she'd lived. She would have invented friends and found opportunities to daydream and imagine a different life for herself. But she might not have blossomed and flourished the way she does at Green Gables; she might have spent an unhealthy amount of time in her imaginings and never known real love and family.

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I'm really enjoying rereading this sweet story (I'm sure I've read it at least once!) and immersing myself in the beauty of Green Gables/PEI, along with the quirky but lovable ways of Anne Shirley and her new family and friends. Here are some of my favorite quotes so far...

• "Not even a brook could run past Mrs Rachel Lynde's door without due regard for decency and decorum."

• "Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive."

• "Listen to the trees talking in their sleep.... What nice dreams they must have!"

• "What good would she be to us?" "We might be some good to her."

• "It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will."

• "Down at the base of the cliffs were heaps of surf-worn rocks or little sandy coves inlaid with pebbles as with ocean jewels."

• "It gives you a lovely, comfortable feeling to apologize and be forgiven, doesn't it?"

• "Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them."

Don't forget to stop by Suey's blog for information about the upcoming Twitter chat! And please do share your thoughts about these topics or your favorite lines from the first 13 chapters of Anne of Green Gables. :)

Will You Join Me in the Anne of Green Gables Read-Along?

Some Twitter friends are participating in an Anne of Green Gables read-along next month (waving to Jenni and Kara ♥), and I think I'd like to join the fun! I'm fairly certain I read most of the Anne series when I was much younger... But I'm pretty sure it's been ages since I've read any of the books, and I have this absolutely gorgeous copy of the first book that I'd love to dive into!

I know I'm not the only one who has fallen in love with this cover/edition. :) Raise your hand if you own this copy too!

I'm also a huge fan of the Anne of Green Gables movies with Megan Follows (particularly the first two; the third is just so intense and bittersweet!). The read-along hosts are doing a watch-along/movie party after the read-along, if you're also a fan and that interests you!

Reading Schedule

• Chapters 1-13: March 1-11
• Chapters 14-26: March 12-22
• Chapters 27-38: March 23-31

Discussion Schedule

• March 11 on Suey's blog (It's All About Books)
• March 22 on Kami's blog (Kami's Library Thoughts)
• March 31 on Jenni's blog (JenniElyse)

To learn more about the read-along/movie party and to sign up, click HERE.

Whether you're new to Anne or wanting to re-read this first book for the thousandth time, it would be so great to have you join us! Let me know in the comments if you're signing up too. :)