Scan barcode
A review by erikars
Maud: A Novel Inspired by the Life of L.M. Montgomery by Melanie J. Fishbane
3.0
This is very much a "based on a true story" rendition of L.M. Montgomery's teenage years. It was a fun read and does help bring Maud to life as a person during a period not as well covered in biographies and her journals. It's definitely a YA novel and, if it weren't about my favorite author, is probably one I would have passed by as an adult, but given the subject, I enjoyed it.
I appreciate how Fishbane included a section at the end discussing where she took liberties. The only one I disagree with was softening Montgomery's attitude toward the indigenous groups out in Saskatchewan. While Montgomery might have been a bit more sympathetic than most, her views were colored by the racism of the time, and the kinship Maud felt in the novel rang false to me, as someone who has read some of Montgomery's stories which haven't aged as well. Even if this is a YA novel, I don't think that's something we should ignore. Beyond that, the liberties Fishbane took were perfectly reasonable for turning messy real life into a story.
I appreciate how Fishbane included a section at the end discussing where she took liberties. The only one I disagree with was softening Montgomery's attitude toward the indigenous groups out in Saskatchewan. While Montgomery might have been a bit more sympathetic than most, her views were colored by the racism of the time, and the kinship Maud felt in the novel rang false to me, as someone who has read some of Montgomery's stories which haven't aged as well. Even if this is a YA novel, I don't think that's something we should ignore. Beyond that, the liberties Fishbane took were perfectly reasonable for turning messy real life into a story.