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jcubifer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
goose_friends's review against another edition
3.5
This was so beautiful to read. It's so clear how much Anne was born in the heart of Lucy Maud. It was also so lovely to read about how she grew up and moved through her life, considering she was a woman in a time that it was not that easy to be a woman, especially one with career goals. Of course, she was incredibly privileged in many ways, which can't go unsaid. The sprinkles of Canadian patriotism were a little much, and also some of the naivety-driven comments about people of colour were pretty cringey.
All that being said, I really enjoyed the parts where she talks about her experiences writing and dreaming up Anne, of her time living in Halifax and working on the newspaper, and also her childhood and how her experiences growing up fed the stories she later dreamed of. I feel like a lot of Lucy Maud's experiences were pulled from in the writing of Anne with an E which was really cool to see. It seems like the writers really blended fact and fiction in the liberties they took when re-writing Anne's story, in ways that would very much compliment Lucy Maud if she lived today.
All that being said, I really enjoyed the parts where she talks about her experiences writing and dreaming up Anne, of her time living in Halifax and working on the newspaper, and also her childhood and how her experiences growing up fed the stories she later dreamed of. I feel like a lot of Lucy Maud's experiences were pulled from in the writing of Anne with an E which was really cool to see. It seems like the writers really blended fact and fiction in the liberties they took when re-writing Anne's story, in ways that would very much compliment Lucy Maud if she lived today.
thatokiebird's review against another edition
3.0
I purchased this book back in 2013, and it has sadly sat on my shelf unread since that time. In the midst of my apparent Lucy Maud Montgomery book marathon this spring/summer, I finally picked this book up to learn a little more of the life and career of one of my favorite authors.
It was quite short, just under 100 pages, and made for a quick and simple read. Maud originally wrote these short chapters as autobiographical essays published in a Canadian magazine in the early 1900's. Therefore it doesn't quite translate into the most captivating book ever published, but I still enjoyed learning more about her in her own words.
It was quite short, just under 100 pages, and made for a quick and simple read. Maud originally wrote these short chapters as autobiographical essays published in a Canadian magazine in the early 1900's. Therefore it doesn't quite translate into the most captivating book ever published, but I still enjoyed learning more about her in her own words.
unusualsnowunicorn's review against another edition
2.0
This publication did not feel like a story of her career, or a story of her life, but an attempt to do a little bit of both but never fully committing to either. She does cover her struggles with publishing her first novel, but quickly glazes over publishing others in passing; in a similar way as she describes having to care for her grandmother and glazing over ending it; or focusing too much on honeymoon diary entries, while barely mentioning having met the man before marriage (while with a little research post-reading I easily learned she had been engaged for the five years leading up).
I'm not sure why she did it this way; if it was a self-bias, editing, trying to prevent and limiting gossiping, what she or editors thought would be interesting, I could only begin to guess, but was simply a let down to what I had hoped would be a grand look into a great authors life.
I'm not sure why she did it this way; if it was a self-bias, editing, trying to prevent and limiting gossiping, what she or editors thought would be interesting, I could only begin to guess, but was simply a let down to what I had hoped would be a grand look into a great authors life.
belinda31's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book would detail more of her history to become a writer so I was a bit disappointed. It was more about her childhood and contained diary excerpts.
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
For fans of L.M. Montgomery's work, this short memoir is a joy to read. It was so fascinating to get a small glimpse of her childhood and early writing career and especially to see how many things from her own life and relatives' lives she wove into her work. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to get a small picture of an extraordinary woman's life.
robbyrose's review against another edition
5.0
Very interesting to read a memoir in her own words, however it seemed oddly scattered. I have to wonder if it was heavily edited to remove the negative aspects of her life, as her journals were.
laurenw's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
This book would be a delight to any fans of Montgomery’s work. It presents fun insights into the background to her story (including the true story that inspired Anne of Green Gables!). Reading her words on her history, one can note just how much of herself she has written into her books, from Anne’s trademark place-naming to the Story Girl’s penchant for tale weaving. Her love for the environment around her, so prevalent in her writing, is never more apparent than in this memoir. Interesting anecdotes abound, including Montgomery’s time working at a newspaper in Halifax. All in all, an entertaining read, especially for those for whom her books hold a special place in their hearts.
briannasbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I've been a fan of L. M. Montgomery since I first read Anne of Green Gables as a child. I can't believe that it took me so long to pick up this little memoir. It is a very quick read but full of the lovely prose you expect from Ms. Montgomery. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in this author's life in her own words. Reading her journals will definitely be next on my list.