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Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1896-1901
Lucy Maud Montgomery, (always called "Maud" by family and friends) and publicly known as L. M. Montgomery, (1874-1942) was a Canadian author, best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables (1908). In 1893, following the completion of her grade school education in Cavendish, she attended Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. Completing a two year program in one year, she obtained her teaching certificate. In 1895 and 1896 she studied literature at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After working as a teacher in various island schools, in 1898 Montgomery moved back to Cavendish. For a short time in 1901 and 1902 she worked in Halifax for the newspapers Chronicle and Echo. She returned to live with and care for her grandmother in 1902. Montgomery was inspired to write her first books during this time on Prince Edward Island. Her works The Story Girl (1911), Chronicles of Avonlea (1912), The Golden Road (1913), Anne of the Island (1915), Anne's House of Dreams (1917), Rainbow Valley (1919), Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920) and Rilla of Ingleside (1921).
179 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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866 people want to read
About the author
L.M. Montgomery
1,986 books13.4k followersLucy Maud Montgomery was a Canadian author whose novels, stories, essays and poems made her one of the most widely read writers in Canadian literary history. Publishing under the name L. M. Montgomery, she achieved international recognition with the novel Anne of Green Gables, released in 1908, which quickly became a bestseller and introduced readers to the imaginative orphan Anne Shirley. The success of the book transformed Montgomery from a schoolteacher and magazine contributor into a celebrated literary figure whose work reached audiences far beyond Canada. Raised on Prince Edward Island, she drew deeply on its landscapes, rural communities, and storytelling traditions, turning the island into the setting for many of her novels. The popularity of Anne of Green Gables led to numerous sequels, including Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island, establishing a beloved series that followed Anne from childhood to adulthood. Montgomery continued to write steadily throughout her life, producing twenty novels and more than a thousand short stories poems and essays. Her fiction often centered on young women, personal growth, and the emotional ties between people and place, combining gentle humor with reflections on memory, imagination, and belonging. Although she enjoyed enormous popularity, Montgomery also faced personal difficulties, including long periods of depression and the strain of caring for her husband, a Presbyterian minister who struggled with mental illness. Writing became both a profession and a refuge, allowing her to transform memories of childhood and observation of everyday life into vivid storytelling. In addition to the Anne series, she created other notable works, including the Emily novels and several stand alone stories that explored identity, creativity, and attachment to home. Her books were translated widely and attracted devoted readers around the world, helping shape the international image of Prince Edward Island as a place of pastoral beauty and warm community life. Scholars later studied her extensive journals letters and manuscripts, which revealed the complex inner life behind the cheerful tone of many of her books. By the time of her death in 1942, Montgomery had become one of the most successful and influential authors in Canadian literature. Her stories about imagination, resilience, and the search for belonging continue to inspire readers of all ages, and Anne Shirley remains one of the most recognizable characters in children's fiction. Through generations of readers, Montgomery's work has encouraged appreciation for storytelling, nature, and the emotional richness of ordinary life. Her legacy also includes a vast body of diaries and correspondence that document the challenges faced by a professional woman writer in the early twentieth century. Institutions such as the L. M. Montgomery Institute have continued to examine her influence on literature culture and tourism, particularly on Prince Edward Island, where sites associated with her fiction attract visitors from many countries. Adaptations of Anne of Green Gables for film, television, and theatre have introduced new audiences to her stories, ensuring that her characters remain part of global popular culture. Though critical opinion once dismissed her as merely a writer for children, later scholarship recognized the depth of her themes and the enduring craft of her storytelling. Today she is remembered as a central figure in Canadian literature whose imaginative vision gave voice to the beauty of rural life while celebrating the hopes of young dreamers who search for belonging.
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February 4, 2020
Please do note that my annoyed one star rating is NOT in any way meant to be a comment on L.M. Montgomery's wonderful short stories (as for the most part, they deserve a three to five star rating), but on the supremely user-unfriendly way in which Dodo Press has presented and published them. And yes, when I first became aware of the Dodo Press collection of Montgomery short fiction, I was certainly much excited because from the title, from Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1896-1901, it appeared as though the stories would be arranged chronologically. However, while the tales contained in the collection are indeed those written, those penned by L. M. Montgomery from 1896-1901, the stories themselves have been arranged in random (and thus not in chronological) order. So if you were/are looking forward to finally being able to read L.M. Montgomery's short stories in actual order of their chronological appearance, this fact will ot course make your desire, your project, considerably more difficult.
However, what I find even more problematic with Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1896-1901 is the lack of a usable and acceptable table of contents. For while both the stories and their date, their year of appearance are listed at the beginning of the book, Dodo Press has somehow not deemed it necessary to also supply the starting pages for the stories. Thus, if you desire to read a particular story, or if you are actually trying to read the stories chronologically, you will need to guess on which page said story actually and in fact commences. And no, I really and truly do not understand why Dodo Press could not have arranged the stories by year of appearance, and it is simply unacceptable that the table of contents is so user-unfriendly.
And yes, this here collection of L. M. Montgomery short stories is also not going to be of much use for anyone wishing to use it for academic purposes, as there is neither an introduction nor is any of the source material listed. Now an introduction would certainly have been beneficial, but of course also not absolutely necessary, but Dodo Press should really have at the very least listed the diverse magazines, journals etc. in which these stories originally appeared. And while I still mildly enjoyed my reading time, the set-up for and of >u>Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1896-1901 is certainly a major and huge personal disappointment, and I feel that I therefore should warn fans of L.M. Montgomery about the shortcomings of this particular book, of Dodo Press’s Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1896-1901 (and yes, of the sequels as well, as the other books in the Dodo Press collection of L.M. Montgomery short stories ALL have exactly the same issues).
And if indeed, while I also now do realise that Dodo Press has probably just taken these L. M. Montgomery short stories from free online sites such As Project Gutenberg, that still does NOT excuse the user unfriendly format I encountered. Yes, I could likely just as easily (and indeed much more cheaply) have downloaded the short stories and then formatted them myself. However, since I obtained this series (this collection) as printed books (and that they were also much a much appreciated and cherished gift), I can and do expect a reader-friendly format, and this simply does not ever materialise.
However, what I find even more problematic with Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1896-1901 is the lack of a usable and acceptable table of contents. For while both the stories and their date, their year of appearance are listed at the beginning of the book, Dodo Press has somehow not deemed it necessary to also supply the starting pages for the stories. Thus, if you desire to read a particular story, or if you are actually trying to read the stories chronologically, you will need to guess on which page said story actually and in fact commences. And no, I really and truly do not understand why Dodo Press could not have arranged the stories by year of appearance, and it is simply unacceptable that the table of contents is so user-unfriendly.
And yes, this here collection of L. M. Montgomery short stories is also not going to be of much use for anyone wishing to use it for academic purposes, as there is neither an introduction nor is any of the source material listed. Now an introduction would certainly have been beneficial, but of course also not absolutely necessary, but Dodo Press should really have at the very least listed the diverse magazines, journals etc. in which these stories originally appeared. And while I still mildly enjoyed my reading time, the set-up for and of >u>Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1896-1901 is certainly a major and huge personal disappointment, and I feel that I therefore should warn fans of L.M. Montgomery about the shortcomings of this particular book, of Dodo Press’s Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1896-1901 (and yes, of the sequels as well, as the other books in the Dodo Press collection of L.M. Montgomery short stories ALL have exactly the same issues).
And if indeed, while I also now do realise that Dodo Press has probably just taken these L. M. Montgomery short stories from free online sites such As Project Gutenberg, that still does NOT excuse the user unfriendly format I encountered. Yes, I could likely just as easily (and indeed much more cheaply) have downloaded the short stories and then formatted them myself. However, since I obtained this series (this collection) as printed books (and that they were also much a much appreciated and cherished gift), I can and do expect a reader-friendly format, and this simply does not ever materialise.
Read
December 9, 2010Lucy Maud was a romantical sap. If you didn't get that impression from her full-length novels, you'll get it from these. Each is delightful. They make me smile. Her attention to building scene and character are legendary. Each separate character becomes a friend, even when it's so short. And she's witty, beautifully so! Her short stories are quick to read and each draws you in from the start. They're also on librivox, if you'd like to listen to them instead. Either way, they are so worth your time.
October 19, 2015
I did read this short story collection a few years ago when I was laid up sick with the flu. Actually I read all of L.M. Montgomery's free Kindle books stories at that time. One of these days I will post my reviews of the Anne of Green Gable books.
This collection consists of 20 short stories. Some are about the power of friendship, romantic in others, some are ghost stories, and some are even about love that is thwarted.
I will say that I wish that the stories had been linked together in a way that made sense, such as all of the romance stories one after another, then to lost love stories, and maybe to the ghost stories.
I have to say that I really only have four stories that I gave five stars to and the rest after were above average and some I did not care for at all.
A Case of Trespass (1897)-3.5 stars.
A typical feel good L.M. Montgomery story about a young youth who does the right thing and is rewarded by it.
A Christmas Inspiration (1901)- 3 stars.
Since I have read all of the short stories I could get my hands on, I know that I read something similar to this in her other collection. And I swear the whole premise may have been in one of the Anne of Green Gable books.
A Christmas Mistake (1899)- 3 stars.
A very good Christmas story, but there is no real tension at all.
A Strayed Allegiance (1897)-2 stars.
I really hated this whole storyline and did not care for the hero and heroine. I did feel for one of the characters named Marian Lesley. I wish that we could have followed what happened to her.
An Invitation Given on Impulse (1900)-2 stars.
This reminded me of many poor relation finds out they have rich relation so now the world is alright stories that seemed to be common place back then.
Detected by the Camera (1897)-3 stars.
A whodunit story that was interesting.
In Spite of Myself (1896)-5 stars.
This one actually made me laugh a few times. A man meets a woman who is very set in her ways and finds himself falling for her.
Kismet (1899)-1 star.
This was one of my least favorite stories. A horse race decides the outcome of a marriage. Both hero and heroine have been estranged for some time based on this very short story. I noticed that this theme pops up a lot in other stories by L.M. Montgomery.
Lilian's Business Venture (1900)- 3 stars.
An okay story about a young woman determined to start her own business.
Miriam's Lover (1901)-3.5 stars.
An okay ghost story, I have read better, but this one was very anticlimatic.
Miss Calista's Peppermint Bottle (1900)-3 stars.
Once again someone is given a chance after telling the truth. I don't know why, but these stories kind of always made me laugh a bit. Maybe because they actually don't ring true as written.
The Jest That Failed (1901)-5 stars.
A bunch of snobby girls get their comeuppance when a trick they play on a classmate actually goes in her favor.
The Pennington's Girl (1900)-5 stars.
A case of mistaken identity that turns into love. I liked this one a lot as well and it reads like a story that the character Anne Shirley would have swooned over with her bosom friend Diana when they were young.
The Red Room (1898)-4 stars.
Another ghost story that I liked a lot. I wish that the ending had been a bit better. Instead it just kind of plops there. I was waiting for something else to happen.
The Setness of Theodosia (1901)-2 stars.
Another estranged marriage over something that makes no sense.
The Story of an Invitation (1901)- 3 stars.
Once again someone does something that turns out for the best for a character who was listless and disagreeable to start with.
The Touch of Fate (1899)-3 stars.
An okay romantic story. I have never been a fan of two people just not having any sense to tell the other what they feel.
The Waking of Helen (1901)-1 star.
I read this one twice and I still don't get or like it.
The Way of Winning Anne (1899)-5 stars.
I liked this one though I don't think I could have been as patient as the hero Jerome. A very cleverly done romance story.
Young Si (1901)-2 stars.
Beyond stupid. I liked the romantic parts of the story, but the ending where the hero and heroine go off without a word to people because they think that there newfound friends would not understand. Dumb as anything.
I would recommend for fans of Anne of Green Gables to read some of L.M. Montgomery's stories. Themes repeat themselves a lot. And some of the stories are incorporated into the Anne of Green Gable books though with name changes. That part did sadden me a bit since it does seem that L.M. Montgomery recycled a lot of her stories.
This collection consists of 20 short stories. Some are about the power of friendship, romantic in others, some are ghost stories, and some are even about love that is thwarted.
I will say that I wish that the stories had been linked together in a way that made sense, such as all of the romance stories one after another, then to lost love stories, and maybe to the ghost stories.
I have to say that I really only have four stories that I gave five stars to and the rest after were above average and some I did not care for at all.
A Case of Trespass (1897)-3.5 stars.
A typical feel good L.M. Montgomery story about a young youth who does the right thing and is rewarded by it.
A Christmas Inspiration (1901)- 3 stars.
Since I have read all of the short stories I could get my hands on, I know that I read something similar to this in her other collection. And I swear the whole premise may have been in one of the Anne of Green Gable books.
A Christmas Mistake (1899)- 3 stars.
A very good Christmas story, but there is no real tension at all.
A Strayed Allegiance (1897)-2 stars.
I really hated this whole storyline and did not care for the hero and heroine. I did feel for one of the characters named Marian Lesley. I wish that we could have followed what happened to her.
An Invitation Given on Impulse (1900)-2 stars.
This reminded me of many poor relation finds out they have rich relation so now the world is alright stories that seemed to be common place back then.
Detected by the Camera (1897)-3 stars.
A whodunit story that was interesting.
In Spite of Myself (1896)-5 stars.
This one actually made me laugh a few times. A man meets a woman who is very set in her ways and finds himself falling for her.
Kismet (1899)-1 star.
This was one of my least favorite stories. A horse race decides the outcome of a marriage. Both hero and heroine have been estranged for some time based on this very short story. I noticed that this theme pops up a lot in other stories by L.M. Montgomery.
Lilian's Business Venture (1900)- 3 stars.
An okay story about a young woman determined to start her own business.
Miriam's Lover (1901)-3.5 stars.
An okay ghost story, I have read better, but this one was very anticlimatic.
Miss Calista's Peppermint Bottle (1900)-3 stars.
Once again someone is given a chance after telling the truth. I don't know why, but these stories kind of always made me laugh a bit. Maybe because they actually don't ring true as written.
The Jest That Failed (1901)-5 stars.
A bunch of snobby girls get their comeuppance when a trick they play on a classmate actually goes in her favor.
The Pennington's Girl (1900)-5 stars.
A case of mistaken identity that turns into love. I liked this one a lot as well and it reads like a story that the character Anne Shirley would have swooned over with her bosom friend Diana when they were young.
The Red Room (1898)-4 stars.
Another ghost story that I liked a lot. I wish that the ending had been a bit better. Instead it just kind of plops there. I was waiting for something else to happen.
The Setness of Theodosia (1901)-2 stars.
Another estranged marriage over something that makes no sense.
The Story of an Invitation (1901)- 3 stars.
Once again someone does something that turns out for the best for a character who was listless and disagreeable to start with.
The Touch of Fate (1899)-3 stars.
An okay romantic story. I have never been a fan of two people just not having any sense to tell the other what they feel.
The Waking of Helen (1901)-1 star.
I read this one twice and I still don't get or like it.
The Way of Winning Anne (1899)-5 stars.
I liked this one though I don't think I could have been as patient as the hero Jerome. A very cleverly done romance story.
Young Si (1901)-2 stars.
Beyond stupid. I liked the romantic parts of the story, but the ending where the hero and heroine go off without a word to people because they think that there newfound friends would not understand. Dumb as anything.
I would recommend for fans of Anne of Green Gables to read some of L.M. Montgomery's stories. Themes repeat themselves a lot. And some of the stories are incorporated into the Anne of Green Gable books though with name changes. That part did sadden me a bit since it does seem that L.M. Montgomery recycled a lot of her stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2016
Earliest collection of Canadian short stories by L.M. Montgomery of PEI. Several written prior to her 25th birthday. Not in chronological order. Find that list at wikipedia for LM Montgomery.
Recorded for librivox by a variety of narrators. I found some of the accents to be strongly American and a bit off-putting to the Canadian stories, knowing the accents of PEI.
Recorded for librivox by a variety of narrators. I found some of the accents to be strongly American and a bit off-putting to the Canadian stories, knowing the accents of PEI.
November 16, 2022
Very enjoyable! I had read a few of these in other collections, but enjoyed hearing them again. There were a couple of stories that ended very abruptly. But considering that these were LMM's first published works, I think she did a great job.
October 1, 2024
5 stars. I enjoyed this collection. It’s really enjoyable to see the ancestors of characters and happenings that come up in Montgomery’s later novels. I don’t agree with everything in these stories, but most of them are sweet, hilarious, romantic, and delightful… just typical Montgomery!
I. A Case of Trespass
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). I love stories about strong upright figures coming out the better through a moral fighting (despite trepidation). And about little family circles struggling with poor times. So this little story was just right up my alley, and it’s so delightful and refreshing! I love Danny and his mother, and Ella May, and Mr. Walters too. This reminded me of Alcott a lot, somehow… It was a quick, enjoyable story with a great lesson.
A Favourite Quote: “You might easily have deceived me in this matter. That you did not do so is the best and only recommendation I require.”
II. A Christmas Inspiration
5 stars. What a sweet Christmas story! It reminded me of some Alcott short stories, being about four girl friends in a boardinghouse, some of which work and support themselves. The characters aren’t drawn very deep but they’re darling, and though the story is short it has a perfect Christmas message, I love the gifts, and the ending is splendid.... It just perfect for a quick, light, engaging Christmas read. <3
A Favourite Quote: “I never felt so really Christmassy in my inmost soul before.”
“I suppose that it is because we have discovered for ourselves the old truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I've always known it, in a way, but I never realized it before.”
III. A Christmas Mistake
5 stars. Ah yes. This story is hilarious and so cute and sweet and Christmassy and heart-warming and old-fashioned... there. All that. XD I loveeee old books with a host of child characters, specially siblings. This story is reminiscent of Five Little Peppers & How They Grew, or Little Men —a large, loving family in financial difficulties and facing a sad Christmas, with some redemption and friendship thrown in. The teacher should show up again, because he’s awesome, and Miss Cornelia is delightful. Actually, everyone is, and I wish there were a full-blown story about them!
A Favourite Quote: “I’ll make a famous bread pudding, and you can boil some molasses taffy and ask those little Smithsons next door to help you pull it. They won’t whine for turkey, I’ll be bound. I don’t suppose they ever tasted such a thing in all their lives. If I could afford it, I’d have had them all in to dinner with us. That sermon Mr. Evans preached last Sunday kind of stirred me up. He said we ought always to try and share our Christmas joy with some poor souls who had never learned the meaning of the word.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: When she returned it was to find Hannah groaning in and over the kitchen and the schoolteacher dreamily trying to clean some molasses off his boots with the kitchen hairbrush. Long-suffering Miss Cornelia rescued her property and despatched Mr. Palmer into the woodshed to find the shoe-brush.
IV. A Strayed Allegiance
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I have always been fascinated by this story. Mostly because of the gorgeous imagery. The setting is so, so rich and beautiful… and Magdalen & Marian are both stunning in their own ways. The passion and drama appeals to me—the struggle between souls, between mind and heart.
Esterbrook was wrong—and yet he didn’t really love Marian, and it’s well that they discovered that… but he was very weak regardless, and also irritated me because he is pretty forceful of his own way. There’s a good deal of talk about “being masterful.” Masculine men are quite excellent but Esterbrook pushed it a little too far. In Magdalen’s place, I’d be furious he didn’t listen when I told him to leave. Fitzwilliam Darcy could teach Esterbrook a few things. Yet Magdalen should have, could have done better… and poor Marian really did splendidly but suffered the most. I’m not at all sure Esterbrook really loved Magdalen or just was blown away by her beauty and spirit… I can’t quite make up my mind.
Overall, it’s just a very intriguing, fascinating story and I can’t help loving it despite its flaws…
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: For a few moments they faced each other so, eyes burning into eyes with mute soul-probing and questioning. The sun had disappeared, leaving a stain of fiery red to mark his grave; the weird, radiant light was startlingly vivid and clear. Little crisp puffs and flakes of foam scurried over the point like elfin things. The fresh wind, blowing up the bay, tossed the lustrous rings of hair about Magdalen's pale face; all the routed shadows of the hour had found refuge in her eyes.
V. An Invitation Given on Impulse
4 stars. This is a sweet, short story, heartwarming and satisfying, with very good characters, plot, and setting for such a little thing! I love school stories—though this one doesn’t take up MUCH time at school—and I love the reunion at the end, though it may be a little stretched… and I really like Ruth and applaud Carol.
VI. Detected by the Camera
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). This is a pretty small story, but quite interesting. I really appreciated how Montgomery revealed so much about Amy simply by her voice, even if Amy hardly said anything about herself. And I really appreciated all the information on daily life and camera usage. The plot was unique and quite interesting—a great idea for a mystery novel. ;) I was also interested by the thief, and how his family and the village perceptive of them might play into his actions. In this it reminded me a little of Neil from Kilmeny of the Orchard.
VII. In Spite of Myself
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I love Montgomery’s rueful, sly humorous stories, and this was one of them. It’s also one of Montgomery’s comedic romances, and it didn’t quite go as I expected at first! Our hero’s discomfiture by Gussie’s perfection is amusing, as was the enemies-at-first-sight-and-right-to-the-end relationship. And I loved the country setting! The subtle plot and the fun characters were really enjoyable and I chuckled several times. ;)
VIII. Kismet
3 stars. This story was quite short, but Montgomery did a good job of describing setting, characters, and plot in such little time. It’s not her typical thing either, but it reminds me of An Unconventional Confidence in that the characters are nameless. It was a rather fascinating story, about an amicable separation, and the ending was satisfactory… but it held a lot to think about.
IX. Lillian’s Business Venture
5 stars. Three cheers for Lillian! I loved her story—such grit and perseverance, such a good lesson! And she was such an awesome girl herself. Seriously, I really enjoy this story. And I loved seeing a concrete example of a girl supporting herself in the 1890s. Besides, we all know I adore stories set in the country, and of course Montgomery has great side characters and humour. ;)
X. Miriam’s Lover
1 star. Ghosts, telepathy, and general spiritualism… But Miriam definitely sounds gorgeous.
XI. Miss Calista’s Peppermint Bottle
4 stars. Miss Calista reminds me a lot of Miss Cornelia from Rainbow Valley, etc! I think Montgomery had that character mulling around and showing up in various short stories before she incorporated her in the Anne books. Anyways, I enjoyed the story, which was humorous, interesting, and sweet. Montgomery has several stories of brisk or crusty older ladies caring for young boys (such as The Running Away of Chester and The Softening of Miss Cynthia ), and I love them all. I liked Miss Calista a lot, and I felt so sorry for Ches!
XII. The Jest that Failed
4 stars. This is a small but sweet story with such a good ending. A couple of mean college girls decide to “snub” a classmate because she dresses poorly and boards herself, and hit upon the brilliant plan of embarrassing her by sending her a prom invitation by the handsomest, richest young man in college… and the ending is such as nobody suspects. I loved Grace! She’s such a bright, plucky, inspirational thing. Sidney was a perfect gentleman, and his family was just lovely. I rather wish Edna & Co. had got a better lesson, though. But the open ending is perfect…
XIII. The Penningtons’ Girl
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts) Another ruefully humorous romance with a good deal of sweetness after all Nelly & Winslow were pretty cute together… and I’m so proud of Winslow for standing up for her… and their story was quite enjoyable.
XIV. The Red Room
2 stars. This is a dark, wild, Gothic story, more so than Jane Eyre ... more along the lines of Rebecca. Actually, it reminded me quite a bit of that book. It’s a sad story, full of misery and wrongdoing, beautifully written and rather haunting, with strong characters and a good little message or two tucked subtly away… but I can’t get over the fact that it’s told by a grandma to her grandchild… or the fact that the grandma was a grandchild herself when she witnessed all this…
Content: Married woman in a very immodest dress & husband is displeased. Lots of passion and hatred. Murder.
XVI. The Setness of Theodosia
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). It’s not my favourite Montgomery story, but I still enjoy it. It’s saddening to think of how much time and happiness Dosia and Wesley wasted, but I appreciate the moral. And stories of time passing always fascinate me somehow…
XVII. The Story of An Invitation
4 stars. It’s a tiny story, but so sweet and heartwarming! I love Bertha for her unselfishness, and Grace sounds SO lovely, and I love Aunt Meg… Also, for some reason I love college stories.
XVIII. The Touch of Fate
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I remember that I’ve always been rather fascinated by this story. It’s the only one of Montgomery’s that includes the NWMP (that I recall), so of course that had my appreciation right there. ;) But I’m also fascinated by the story of the society belle and the lonely government man who never loved anyone in his life… and I’m very interested by their courtship. I liked John, too… he was a good man, I think. And the slight fun poked at the Major’s wife is amusing. ;)
Content: contains some racism (derogatory comments towards Native women).
XIX. The Waking of Helen
2.5 stars (2/10 hearts). This story is sad and sober and a little… sweet, somehow? I can’t help liking the fascination of it, and there’s even beauty, but the suicide is so sad and wrong. I wish there was another ending…
XX. The Way of Winning Anne
4.5 stars (4/10 hearts). Oh my, yes, this story is so funny and sweet! I love Montgomery’s stories about stubborn maids. XD Why can’t romcoms be written like this anymore? The humour is epic, I love the setting, and Jerome is so amusing.
XXI. Young Si
5 stars. Okay, I don’t care if this is sappy and contrived. I love it. I always have. It’s beautiful, and sweet, and interesting, and humorous, and so seashore-y. I love Young Si and his mystery, I love Ethel and Agnes and Agnes’ parents, I love the descriptions and the writing, I love the plot and the setting and the ending and…
I just love it so much.
I. A Case of Trespass
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). I love stories about strong upright figures coming out the better through a moral fighting (despite trepidation). And about little family circles struggling with poor times. So this little story was just right up my alley, and it’s so delightful and refreshing! I love Danny and his mother, and Ella May, and Mr. Walters too. This reminded me of Alcott a lot, somehow… It was a quick, enjoyable story with a great lesson.
A Favourite Quote: “You might easily have deceived me in this matter. That you did not do so is the best and only recommendation I require.”
II. A Christmas Inspiration
5 stars. What a sweet Christmas story! It reminded me of some Alcott short stories, being about four girl friends in a boardinghouse, some of which work and support themselves. The characters aren’t drawn very deep but they’re darling, and though the story is short it has a perfect Christmas message, I love the gifts, and the ending is splendid.... It just perfect for a quick, light, engaging Christmas read. <3
A Favourite Quote: “I never felt so really Christmassy in my inmost soul before.”
“I suppose that it is because we have discovered for ourselves the old truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I've always known it, in a way, but I never realized it before.”
III. A Christmas Mistake
5 stars. Ah yes. This story is hilarious and so cute and sweet and Christmassy and heart-warming and old-fashioned... there. All that. XD I loveeee old books with a host of child characters, specially siblings. This story is reminiscent of Five Little Peppers & How They Grew, or Little Men —a large, loving family in financial difficulties and facing a sad Christmas, with some redemption and friendship thrown in. The teacher should show up again, because he’s awesome, and Miss Cornelia is delightful. Actually, everyone is, and I wish there were a full-blown story about them!
A Favourite Quote: “I’ll make a famous bread pudding, and you can boil some molasses taffy and ask those little Smithsons next door to help you pull it. They won’t whine for turkey, I’ll be bound. I don’t suppose they ever tasted such a thing in all their lives. If I could afford it, I’d have had them all in to dinner with us. That sermon Mr. Evans preached last Sunday kind of stirred me up. He said we ought always to try and share our Christmas joy with some poor souls who had never learned the meaning of the word.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: When she returned it was to find Hannah groaning in and over the kitchen and the schoolteacher dreamily trying to clean some molasses off his boots with the kitchen hairbrush. Long-suffering Miss Cornelia rescued her property and despatched Mr. Palmer into the woodshed to find the shoe-brush.
IV. A Strayed Allegiance
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I have always been fascinated by this story. Mostly because of the gorgeous imagery. The setting is so, so rich and beautiful… and Magdalen & Marian are both stunning in their own ways. The passion and drama appeals to me—the struggle between souls, between mind and heart.
Esterbrook was wrong—and yet he didn’t really love Marian, and it’s well that they discovered that… but he was very weak regardless, and also irritated me because he is pretty forceful of his own way. There’s a good deal of talk about “being masterful.” Masculine men are quite excellent but Esterbrook pushed it a little too far. In Magdalen’s place, I’d be furious he didn’t listen when I told him to leave. Fitzwilliam Darcy could teach Esterbrook a few things. Yet Magdalen should have, could have done better… and poor Marian really did splendidly but suffered the most. I’m not at all sure Esterbrook really loved Magdalen or just was blown away by her beauty and spirit… I can’t quite make up my mind.
Overall, it’s just a very intriguing, fascinating story and I can’t help loving it despite its flaws…
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: For a few moments they faced each other so, eyes burning into eyes with mute soul-probing and questioning. The sun had disappeared, leaving a stain of fiery red to mark his grave; the weird, radiant light was startlingly vivid and clear. Little crisp puffs and flakes of foam scurried over the point like elfin things. The fresh wind, blowing up the bay, tossed the lustrous rings of hair about Magdalen's pale face; all the routed shadows of the hour had found refuge in her eyes.
V. An Invitation Given on Impulse
4 stars. This is a sweet, short story, heartwarming and satisfying, with very good characters, plot, and setting for such a little thing! I love school stories—though this one doesn’t take up MUCH time at school—and I love the reunion at the end, though it may be a little stretched… and I really like Ruth and applaud Carol.
VI. Detected by the Camera
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). This is a pretty small story, but quite interesting. I really appreciated how Montgomery revealed so much about Amy simply by her voice, even if Amy hardly said anything about herself. And I really appreciated all the information on daily life and camera usage. The plot was unique and quite interesting—a great idea for a mystery novel. ;) I was also interested by the thief, and how his family and the village perceptive of them might play into his actions. In this it reminded me a little of Neil from Kilmeny of the Orchard.
VII. In Spite of Myself
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I love Montgomery’s rueful, sly humorous stories, and this was one of them. It’s also one of Montgomery’s comedic romances, and it didn’t quite go as I expected at first! Our hero’s discomfiture by Gussie’s perfection is amusing, as was the enemies-at-first-sight-and-right-to-the-end relationship. And I loved the country setting! The subtle plot and the fun characters were really enjoyable and I chuckled several times. ;)
VIII. Kismet
3 stars. This story was quite short, but Montgomery did a good job of describing setting, characters, and plot in such little time. It’s not her typical thing either, but it reminds me of An Unconventional Confidence in that the characters are nameless. It was a rather fascinating story, about an amicable separation, and the ending was satisfactory… but it held a lot to think about.
IX. Lillian’s Business Venture
5 stars. Three cheers for Lillian! I loved her story—such grit and perseverance, such a good lesson! And she was such an awesome girl herself. Seriously, I really enjoy this story. And I loved seeing a concrete example of a girl supporting herself in the 1890s. Besides, we all know I adore stories set in the country, and of course Montgomery has great side characters and humour. ;)
X. Miriam’s Lover
1 star. Ghosts, telepathy, and general spiritualism… But Miriam definitely sounds gorgeous.
XI. Miss Calista’s Peppermint Bottle
4 stars. Miss Calista reminds me a lot of Miss Cornelia from Rainbow Valley, etc! I think Montgomery had that character mulling around and showing up in various short stories before she incorporated her in the Anne books. Anyways, I enjoyed the story, which was humorous, interesting, and sweet. Montgomery has several stories of brisk or crusty older ladies caring for young boys (such as The Running Away of Chester and The Softening of Miss Cynthia ), and I love them all. I liked Miss Calista a lot, and I felt so sorry for Ches!
XII. The Jest that Failed
4 stars. This is a small but sweet story with such a good ending. A couple of mean college girls decide to “snub” a classmate because she dresses poorly and boards herself, and hit upon the brilliant plan of embarrassing her by sending her a prom invitation by the handsomest, richest young man in college… and the ending is such as nobody suspects. I loved Grace! She’s such a bright, plucky, inspirational thing. Sidney was a perfect gentleman, and his family was just lovely. I rather wish Edna & Co. had got a better lesson, though. But the open ending is perfect…
XIII. The Penningtons’ Girl
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts) Another ruefully humorous romance with a good deal of sweetness after all Nelly & Winslow were pretty cute together… and I’m so proud of Winslow for standing up for her… and their story was quite enjoyable.
XIV. The Red Room
2 stars. This is a dark, wild, Gothic story, more so than Jane Eyre ... more along the lines of Rebecca. Actually, it reminded me quite a bit of that book. It’s a sad story, full of misery and wrongdoing, beautifully written and rather haunting, with strong characters and a good little message or two tucked subtly away… but I can’t get over the fact that it’s told by a grandma to her grandchild… or the fact that the grandma was a grandchild herself when she witnessed all this…
Content: Married woman in a very immodest dress & husband is displeased. Lots of passion and hatred. Murder.
XVI. The Setness of Theodosia
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). It’s not my favourite Montgomery story, but I still enjoy it. It’s saddening to think of how much time and happiness Dosia and Wesley wasted, but I appreciate the moral. And stories of time passing always fascinate me somehow…
XVII. The Story of An Invitation
4 stars. It’s a tiny story, but so sweet and heartwarming! I love Bertha for her unselfishness, and Grace sounds SO lovely, and I love Aunt Meg… Also, for some reason I love college stories.
XVIII. The Touch of Fate
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I remember that I’ve always been rather fascinated by this story. It’s the only one of Montgomery’s that includes the NWMP (that I recall), so of course that had my appreciation right there. ;) But I’m also fascinated by the story of the society belle and the lonely government man who never loved anyone in his life… and I’m very interested by their courtship. I liked John, too… he was a good man, I think. And the slight fun poked at the Major’s wife is amusing. ;)
Content: contains some racism (derogatory comments towards Native women).
XIX. The Waking of Helen
2.5 stars (2/10 hearts). This story is sad and sober and a little… sweet, somehow? I can’t help liking the fascination of it, and there’s even beauty, but the suicide is so sad and wrong. I wish there was another ending…
XX. The Way of Winning Anne
4.5 stars (4/10 hearts). Oh my, yes, this story is so funny and sweet! I love Montgomery’s stories about stubborn maids. XD Why can’t romcoms be written like this anymore? The humour is epic, I love the setting, and Jerome is so amusing.
XXI. Young Si
5 stars. Okay, I don’t care if this is sappy and contrived. I love it. I always have. It’s beautiful, and sweet, and interesting, and humorous, and so seashore-y. I love Young Si and his mystery, I love Ethel and Agnes and Agnes’ parents, I love the descriptions and the writing, I love the plot and the setting and the ending and…
I just love it so much.
December 10, 2014
I'm an old woman and a sap. These are adorable, quick reads. My favorite author, for sure.
February 7, 2017
One day I told myself that since I consider Lucy Maud Montgomery one of my favorite authors of all time, I should have a sit-down with her and read ALL of her short works. And so I began with this collection.
In short, it's wonderful. There's a lot of treasurable gems in here. Some of them sad, some filled with happiness. One or two went down the Victorian gothic route, and I was (still pleasantly) surprised to experience such from Montgomery. It seems I don't know her as well as I thought.
There's a couple of fabulous little Christmas stories in here. In both I became acquainted with the term "[her] face was a study"... in which the mentioned character is struck in awe (I had a good laugh over that phrase and it's a now a favorite of mine!)
Some of my other favorites in this volume include "Detected by the Camera", "In Spite of Myself", "Miss Calista's Peppermint Bottle", and "The Waking of Helen".
I'm excited for the next collection!
In short, it's wonderful. There's a lot of treasurable gems in here. Some of them sad, some filled with happiness. One or two went down the Victorian gothic route, and I was (still pleasantly) surprised to experience such from Montgomery. It seems I don't know her as well as I thought.
There's a couple of fabulous little Christmas stories in here. In both I became acquainted with the term "[her] face was a study"... in which the mentioned character is struck in awe (I had a good laugh over that phrase and it's a now a favorite of mine!)
Some of my other favorites in this volume include "Detected by the Camera", "In Spite of Myself", "Miss Calista's Peppermint Bottle", and "The Waking of Helen".
I'm excited for the next collection!
February 17, 2019
It is such a joy reading these stories, transporting to a different time...but people are rather the same as today, their desires, fears, longings, small pleasures...love her simple storytelling and focus mainly on common people and life's small wonders.
February 2, 2014
In this collection of short stories by L. M. Montgomery, chronicling her published stories during the years 1896-1901, she displays the God-given gift for writing that would later maker her world-famous when writing of a certain spunky redheaded girl. But that is a few years in the future. At the point where she started her career, the stories are decidedly more adult, if you will.
I say this not to suggest that her work is “adult” in the sickening way we define the term in contemporary times wherein it describes materials that are juvenile and disgusting in the extreme. I mean “adult” as in not to the exact liking of multiple generations as the Anne Shirley books are.
The stories chronicle suffering and evil, such as adultery, murder, and suicide, for instance. Oh, there are whimsical tales as well, and the vast majority of the stories are “happy” ones. Even these happy endings (with rare exception) are more mature in theme. Again, not the sick modern idea of mature, but simply more complex characters with deeper issues and more “rough around the edges”, if you will. For that matter, not everything is always quite as neatly wrapped up as in Montgomery's more popular works.
That is great, I would suggest. Once the reader gets over his or her shock over the differences in tone, the stories can be read for what they are, as can the books. Just think of the whole group of Montgomery's literary works as one large spectrum. On one end is a more cynical, yet hopeful, look at human nature, where not all endings are happy, though many are; and on the other end is a more whimsical set of stories, where happiness is found at the end of the struggles.
Let no one doubt that Montgomery was limited in her storytelling scope. As this set of short stories shows, she was certainly not.
Highly Recommended.
I say this not to suggest that her work is “adult” in the sickening way we define the term in contemporary times wherein it describes materials that are juvenile and disgusting in the extreme. I mean “adult” as in not to the exact liking of multiple generations as the Anne Shirley books are.
The stories chronicle suffering and evil, such as adultery, murder, and suicide, for instance. Oh, there are whimsical tales as well, and the vast majority of the stories are “happy” ones. Even these happy endings (with rare exception) are more mature in theme. Again, not the sick modern idea of mature, but simply more complex characters with deeper issues and more “rough around the edges”, if you will. For that matter, not everything is always quite as neatly wrapped up as in Montgomery's more popular works.
That is great, I would suggest. Once the reader gets over his or her shock over the differences in tone, the stories can be read for what they are, as can the books. Just think of the whole group of Montgomery's literary works as one large spectrum. On one end is a more cynical, yet hopeful, look at human nature, where not all endings are happy, though many are; and on the other end is a more whimsical set of stories, where happiness is found at the end of the struggles.
Let no one doubt that Montgomery was limited in her storytelling scope. As this set of short stories shows, she was certainly not.
Highly Recommended.
January 1, 2023
L.M. Montgomery is a genius. Probably many people have said that, but I mean it. I've been absorbing all her short stories over the past four days, and though I like the 'him-her' ones best, they're all fantastic.
In the later ones there's hints of Anne's House of Dreams and Anne of Avonlea, and even an entire chapter from Anne of Green Gables, but I don't mind. And wouldn't it be funny if that 'short story' is what prompted all of Anne?
The stories are from 1899 to 1928, and there are certain threads that pass through all of them. There's the Christmassy stories— making Christmas cheerful for someone who can't afford it, women-haters or man-haters who become reconciled to the opposite sex in time, old maids getting married, long-lost loves that come back, orphans who find a family member after all (rich, at times), and all sorts of absolutely delicious things.
2023
I enjoyed this just as much as ever.
In the later ones there's hints of Anne's House of Dreams and Anne of Avonlea, and even an entire chapter from Anne of Green Gables, but I don't mind. And wouldn't it be funny if that 'short story' is what prompted all of Anne?
The stories are from 1899 to 1928, and there are certain threads that pass through all of them. There's the Christmassy stories— making Christmas cheerful for someone who can't afford it, women-haters or man-haters who become reconciled to the opposite sex in time, old maids getting married, long-lost loves that come back, orphans who find a family member after all (rich, at times), and all sorts of absolutely delicious things.
2023
I enjoyed this just as much as ever.
September 15, 2011
When read together, Montgomery's stories reveal a saccharine sameness in style and subject matter that I found to be far less interesting than her long form pieces, especially the Anne and Emily series. A few amusing stories, and if I pretend I'm a woman eagerly awaiting the next story in a magazine in 1900 I'm much better pleased, but on the whole I think you can skip this collection.
November 20, 2018
Utterly saccharine, entirely wholesome, and a pleasant diversion from heavier reads.
November 15, 2024
Some stories were good and some were not so much, so overall I would give this collection 3.5*
You can really tell that these stories were written at the start of L.M.M. writting career and they do not compare in craft and storytelling to her novels or other later works.
So I would not recommed this as the introduction to L.M.M. works.
But for me as a person who is familiar with her more popular novels and short story collections, this collection gives great insight on how she evolved over time as a writer. I can imagine that these were the kinds of stories that her popular heroines Anne and Emily would write.
There are some repetitive storylines, most of them naive and romantic. One was tragic, one had a gotic feeling. So you could see how L.M.M. was trying her hand in different kinds of storytelling and gaining her confidance as a writer.
So not the best story collection on it's own but great as a deep dive in writer's collective works.
You can really tell that these stories were written at the start of L.M.M. writting career and they do not compare in craft and storytelling to her novels or other later works.
So I would not recommed this as the introduction to L.M.M. works.
But for me as a person who is familiar with her more popular novels and short story collections, this collection gives great insight on how she evolved over time as a writer. I can imagine that these were the kinds of stories that her popular heroines Anne and Emily would write.
There are some repetitive storylines, most of them naive and romantic. One was tragic, one had a gotic feeling. So you could see how L.M.M. was trying her hand in different kinds of storytelling and gaining her confidance as a writer.
So not the best story collection on it's own but great as a deep dive in writer's collective works.
September 15, 2023
Since I read the 1909-1922 collection first, this one feels less elaborate, with some stories hardly more than unfinished sketches. But many are pretty good too.
January 16, 2011
Typical LMM, sweet little short stories set on PEI.
And since this is the first thing I've read on my kindle, here is a little review of kindle reading:
Love it! Best Christmas gift ever (thanks Ash & Mom!)
The pros: you can carry a bunch of books around on one little small device (good for me since I like to read more than one thing at a time); the kindle returns to the same spot in each book where it was when you exited the book (good for me because I always lose bookmarks); the dictionary! Oh, this is just great. When you come across a word that you want defined, just move the cursor to the word and the definition pops up. Press enter for a longer more detailed definition. So, if you read "Levant" and think from the context that it must be part of the middle east somewhere, you can easily know that it is "the eastern part of the Mediterranean with its islands and neighboring countries".; it is also very easy to highlight passages which get clipped to a notes and clippings folder; same thing with notes, it's very easy to add notes.; and you can download some games to it like Minesweeper! and some word games, but no tetris :-(
The cons: it would be nice if had a built in light; it would be nice if all books were free, but with millions of free books available (I've already downloaded 150+) there's plenty free books, it's just not going to replace the library. And now everyone knows what to get me for every present occasion (an Amazon gift card) hint hint everyone. :-)
And since this is the first thing I've read on my kindle, here is a little review of kindle reading:
Love it! Best Christmas gift ever (thanks Ash & Mom!)
The pros: you can carry a bunch of books around on one little small device (good for me since I like to read more than one thing at a time); the kindle returns to the same spot in each book where it was when you exited the book (good for me because I always lose bookmarks); the dictionary! Oh, this is just great. When you come across a word that you want defined, just move the cursor to the word and the definition pops up. Press enter for a longer more detailed definition. So, if you read "Levant" and think from the context that it must be part of the middle east somewhere, you can easily know that it is "the eastern part of the Mediterranean with its islands and neighboring countries".; it is also very easy to highlight passages which get clipped to a notes and clippings folder; same thing with notes, it's very easy to add notes.; and you can download some games to it like Minesweeper! and some word games, but no tetris :-(
The cons: it would be nice if had a built in light; it would be nice if all books were free, but with millions of free books available (I've already downloaded 150+) there's plenty free books, it's just not going to replace the library. And now everyone knows what to get me for every present occasion (an Amazon gift card) hint hint everyone. :-)
September 7, 2018
"When she came out they started off, and presently found themselves walking down a grassy, deep-rutted lane that ran through mown hay fields, green with their rich aftergrowth, and the sheets of pale ripening oats and golden-green wheat, until it lost itself in the rolling sand hills at the foot of the slope."
This is the earliest of L. M. Montgomery's short story collections (and available, like the others, for free on Kindle). Compared to the few later collections that I've read, the stories here seem slightly more simplistic and less refined. Generally, the stories hold to the "soothing, harmless" descriptors that I used for my last Montgomery review. Everything is wrapped up tidily and happily in the end, and bursts of nature-descriptions and large-eyed, pale heroines abound.
However, this particular collection surprised me by having a couple of things to take pause at, namely, a rather nasty sentence containing a few racial pejoratives ("squaws" and "half-breed" women being contrasted unfavorably with apparently more-beautiful-by-default white women), and a story ending with a romantically-portrayed suicide.
This is the earliest of L. M. Montgomery's short story collections (and available, like the others, for free on Kindle). Compared to the few later collections that I've read, the stories here seem slightly more simplistic and less refined. Generally, the stories hold to the "soothing, harmless" descriptors that I used for my last Montgomery review. Everything is wrapped up tidily and happily in the end, and bursts of nature-descriptions and large-eyed, pale heroines abound.
However, this particular collection surprised me by having a couple of things to take pause at, namely, a rather nasty sentence containing a few racial pejoratives ("squaws" and "half-breed" women being contrasted unfavorably with apparently more-beautiful-by-default white women), and a story ending with a romantically-portrayed suicide.
November 16, 2015
I personally really enjoyed this collection. No, they are not some of Montgomery's best, but most of them are innocent and wholesome, with an inward joy and homey-ness that some of her later works lack. I skipped three of the stories because I had already read them. (and two of the ones that I skipped--"A Strayed Allegiance" and "The Waking of Helen"--are two of my least favorite Montgomery short stories ever, so I definitely wasn't going to read them again)
The stories are short, and not many of them have much of a plot, but are rather little snapshots into the lives of people. Surprisingly few of them were love stories, although I admit that my favorite story was probably "The Touch of Fate," which was one. (although, for whatever reason I also liked "Kismet" and "Lilian's Business Venture" despite the vagueness in the first and the lack of plot in the second.) The first story, "A Case of Trespass" was also pleasant, moral-wise.
Most of the stories have happy endings, and while some might find them sappy, I find them refreshing.
The stories are short, and not many of them have much of a plot, but are rather little snapshots into the lives of people. Surprisingly few of them were love stories, although I admit that my favorite story was probably "The Touch of Fate," which was one. (although, for whatever reason I also liked "Kismet" and "Lilian's Business Venture" despite the vagueness in the first and the lack of plot in the second.) The first story, "A Case of Trespass" was also pleasant, moral-wise.
Most of the stories have happy endings, and while some might find them sappy, I find them refreshing.
June 13, 2017
I don't usually care for short story collections, but because I loved The Anne of Green Gables series of books, I wanted to read more by LM Montgomery. They are charming little stories, and if I had children or was a schoolteacher, these are the things I would want them to learn. Of course they can make me think as well. Now as I have read further, I realized that some of the stores are not just for young children but would be appropriate for teenagers as well although most of them these days would probably roll their eyes because some of the morals and objects of the stories are quite old-fashioned. However I think most of them leave something to be desired since our society today is definitely lacking...
July 16, 2012
I really enjoyed reading these short stories by L.M. Montgomery. Life has enough sorrow and seriousness, so I really appreciate the fact that 99% of Montgomery's stories have happy endings. Lots of sweet love stories and romances rekindled. It's certainly not "serious reading", but she's a good author with a great knack for description and memorable characters. The stories are short, so if you only have a few minutes to read, you can easily get through one or two stories before going back to work. If you haven't read it - I recommend getting the free Kindle version for your phone or e-reader.
July 14, 2014
Written before the phenominally successful Anne of Green Gables (1908) these stories are very much a young author learning her craft. Plot themes are mostly star-crossed lovers finding each other, people unexpectedly finding long-lost relatives or discovering those they didn't know about, or poor or troubled people finding an end to their worries. Occasionally they descend into a maukish sentimentality, but there's still the hint of her wonderful descriptive prose and brilliant wit so evident in her later works. Almost always they contain a real humanity and warmth. Definitely worth a read, if just for a mood lift.
June 21, 2011
Having these short stories on your e-reader means that whenever you are somewhere and need to pass some time of unknown length - such as a city-bus ride, you always have wonderful entertainment at hand. I prefere this short story collection because you get to follow L.M.M.'s writing development through all sorts of different topics. There are tales of achivement, matrimonial tales, tales by the shore, holiday tales and tales over the miles, even a murder story and a ghost story! All in all a great collection. For once I have a very hard time picking my favorite. Perhaps the tale of Young Si.
January 18, 2013
I've always loved Anne of Green Gables (and the rest of the series) and was happily surprised to see a collection of short stories for the Kindle.
These are all quaint, sweet, feel-good stories. You forget the innocence and simplicity of these old stories. It's nice to have a book you could listen to and not worry about your kids hearing profanity or sex. Not that they would be interested, of course, but it is a nice change.
These are all quaint, sweet, feel-good stories. You forget the innocence and simplicity of these old stories. It's nice to have a book you could listen to and not worry about your kids hearing profanity or sex. Not that they would be interested, of course, but it is a nice change.
September 27, 2010
Little uplifts one like a L.M. Montgomery story.
March 27, 2012
Delicious little short stories, much the same in style and theme but still delightful!
September 16, 2012
Short, sweet little stories. This was great to read during a very busy time in my life - I must read the rest of these collections!
Read
March 11, 2013Just not the type of book that I enjoy reading.
September 22, 2013
At first I was a little unsure about these stories but after a few I had a hard time putting them down. Just delightful...I needed something like this to read ;)
May 3, 2015
That's 3 1/2 stars. I didn't like these so well just because I thought they eould have something to do with Avonlea and the didn't really. At least nothing to do with Anne.
Want to read
January 8, 2014Recommended by Petra
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