Scan barcode
splashcat360's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
yedidah72's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting story, but doesnt compare to the Anne books.
t_bonzey's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️{Kindle}
This prequel is cozy, lovely and transports you right back to timeless Avonlea and childhood. And now I want to visit PEI even more. Anne of Green Gables series has always been one of my favorites, growing up. It’s always an easy re-read and I also love the TV series that was created with Megan Follows in the 80s.
This prequel is cozy, lovely and transports you right back to timeless Avonlea and childhood. And now I want to visit PEI even more. Anne of Green Gables series has always been one of my favorites, growing up. It’s always an easy re-read and I also love the TV series that was created with Megan Follows in the 80s.
moorlady's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
erine's review against another edition
5.0
A rather long-winded, but extremely satisfying answer to Anne’s question: “Oh, Marilla—and what happened?”
After a clunky beginning, in which Marilla and the storytelling both seem a little wooden, the story picks up and smooths out, giving a delightfully plausible backstory for one of my favorite characters, while at the same time offering innumerable nods to the original Anne Shirley series. We learn how Marilla (still a version of Colleen Dewhurst in my mind) and Rachel become friends, we get a sense of how Matthew became so retiring, and of course we get the rundown on John Blythe and Marilla’s relationship which is the author’s acknowledged reason for the whole thing.
Despite knowing where this story was headed the entire time, I was not one whit disappointed by the journey. I thought McCoy sets Marilla up nicely, coaxing out her competent efficiency, her devotion to duty and family, as well as her compassion. She has a strong sense of right and wrong and a lot of self-imposed guilt and repression, that combine into a strict and dutiful demeanor underpinned by continually offering assistance to children and distant relatives.
Matthew’s gentle insight appears occasionally, seasoning his otherwise shy and quiet personality. I though his brief foray into courtship went a long way toward explaining his painful shyness later in life.
And Rachel Lynde is friendly and outspoken with a gloriously generous heart. She doesn’t begrudge her friend for attracting the most desirable beau, but instead sets her sights on another. Her nosiness and management of others’ affairs are in full swing by the end of this tale.
I thought Marilla‘s romance was a hair too steamy for her more reserved personality and her age, which was between thirteen and fifteen. I don’t think Anne even kissed Gilbert until they were officially engaged (going to check now...yup, there it is at the end of Anne of the Island). And I think Matthew’s story could have benefitted from a little more flesh (not bodice-ripping flesh, but story-meat). His pursuit of Joanne Andrews is mostly hints and sneaky eavesdropping.
The light hints at other characters — Miss Lavender and Mr. Irving, the Blairs, the Andrews family and many others — were just lovely.
I appreciated the inclusion of the Canadian rebels, the American civil war, and the fugitive slaves. Besides the fact that Montgomery herself frequently injected larger politics into small-town island life, these events ground the story in its time and serve to remind modern readers that issues of freedom and race relations aren’t new. These are problems that have haunted the human race forever.
The final paragraph had me sobbing.
After a clunky beginning, in which Marilla and the storytelling both seem a little wooden, the story picks up and smooths out, giving a delightfully plausible backstory for one of my favorite characters, while at the same time offering innumerable nods to the original Anne Shirley series. We learn how Marilla (still a version of Colleen Dewhurst in my mind) and Rachel become friends, we get a sense of how Matthew became so retiring, and of course we get the rundown on John Blythe and Marilla’s relationship which is the author’s acknowledged reason for the whole thing.
Despite knowing where this story was headed the entire time, I was not one whit disappointed by the journey. I thought McCoy sets Marilla up nicely, coaxing out her competent efficiency, her devotion to duty and family, as well as her compassion. She has a strong sense of right and wrong and a lot of self-imposed guilt and repression, that combine into a strict and dutiful demeanor underpinned by continually offering assistance to children and distant relatives.
Matthew’s gentle insight appears occasionally, seasoning his otherwise shy and quiet personality. I though his brief foray into courtship went a long way toward explaining his painful shyness later in life.
And Rachel Lynde is friendly and outspoken with a gloriously generous heart. She doesn’t begrudge her friend for attracting the most desirable beau, but instead sets her sights on another. Her nosiness and management of others’ affairs are in full swing by the end of this tale.
I thought Marilla‘s romance was a hair too steamy for her more reserved personality and her age, which was between thirteen and fifteen. I don’t think Anne even kissed Gilbert until they were officially engaged (going to check now...yup, there it is at the end of Anne of the Island). And I think Matthew’s story could have benefitted from a little more flesh (not bodice-ripping flesh, but story-meat). His pursuit of Joanne Andrews is mostly hints and sneaky eavesdropping.
The light hints at other characters — Miss Lavender and Mr. Irving, the Blairs, the Andrews family and many others — were just lovely.
I appreciated the inclusion of the Canadian rebels, the American civil war, and the fugitive slaves. Besides the fact that Montgomery herself frequently injected larger politics into small-town island life, these events ground the story in its time and serve to remind modern readers that issues of freedom and race relations aren’t new. These are problems that have haunted the human race forever.
The final paragraph had me sobbing.
chloe16's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
beckyb16's review against another edition
5.0
I was skeptical but this book DID NOT disappoint. As a long-time Anne of Green Gables fan, I found this enthralling. Marilla’s story fills in so many gaps and leaves me with a broken heart FOR her. I just loved everything about this!
chloepfrimmer's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I was skeptical because of my love for the Anne books, but McCoy did a phenomenal job at staying true to the source material and made me feel like I was reading a book by Lucy Maud Montgomery herself. A delightful look into the life of a younger Marilla, with a bittersweet ending that yearns for a spunky red head.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Slavery, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: War
ngb1980's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0