Emily of New Moon (Emily, #1) in Around the World in 80 Books

Nov 20, 2006 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: canada, childrensbooks, fiction

This is the first of my favorite trilogy from adolescence. The same author as Anne of Green Gables wrote this series. I prefer the Emily books. Emily is an orphan who grows up with grouchy distant relatives. She dreams of becoming an author and gradually falls in love with her dear friend Teddy; in the third book he becomes an illustrator. The main character is odd and dreamy, with a stubborn streak and a sense of whimsy. She has adventures with the crotchety types that seem to be abundant in Ca This is the first of my favorite trilogy from adolescence. The same author as Anne of Green Gables wrote this series. I prefer the Emily books. Emily is an orphan who grows up with grouchy distant relatives. She dreams of becoming an author and gradually falls in love with her dear friend Teddy; in the third book he becomes an illustrator. The main character is odd and dreamy, with a stubborn streak and a sense of whimsy. She has adventures with the crotchety types that seem to be abundant in Canada, and gets into trouble with the locals whenever a story seems too vivid to be pure fiction.

From Wikipedia:
Similar to her earlier and more famous Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily novels depicted life through the eyes of a young orphan girl, Emily Starr who is raised by her relatives after her father dies of consumption. The series was less romanticized and more realistic than the Anne novels. Montgomery considered Emily to be a character much closer to her own personality than Anne, and some of the events which occur in the Emily series happened to Montgomery herself in real life. Emily is described as having black hair, pale skin, and a unique "slow" smile.

Emily Starr is sent to live at New Moon Farm on Prince Edward Island with her aunts Elizabeth and Laura Murray. She makes friends with Ilse Burnley, Teddy Kent, and Perry Miller, the hired boy, who Aunt Elizabeth looks down upon because he was born in 'Stovepipe Town', a poorer district. Each of the children have special gifts. Emily was born to be a writer, Teddy is a gifted artist, Ilse is a talented elocutionist, and Perry has the makings of a great politician. They also each have a few problems with their families. Emily has a hard time getting along with Aunt Elizabeth, who doesn't understand her need to write. Ilse's father, Dr. Burnley, ignores Ilse most of the time because because of a dreadful secret concerning Ilse's mother. Teddy's mother is jealous of her son's talents and friends, fearing that his love for them will eclipse his love for her. As a result, she hates Emily, Teddy's drawings, and even his pets. Perry isn't as well off as the other three, so his Aunt Tom once tries to make Emily promise to marry Perry when they grow up, threatening that unless Emily does so, she won't pay for Perry's schooling.

Other unforgettable characters are Dean "Jarback" Priest, a quiet, mysterious cynic who wants something he fears is ever unattainable, fiery Mr Carpenter, the crusty old schoolteacher who is Emily's mentor and honest critic when it comes to evaluating her stories and poems, "simple" Cousin Jimmy, who recites his poetry when the spirit moves him, and strict, suspicious Aunt Ruth who yet proves to be an unexpected ally in times of trouble.
...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 22, 2016 Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: travel-the-world

Years ago I read the Anne of Green Gable series (maybe the first four books). I have always wanted to read the Emily trilogy. Although, I didn't enjoy this first book as much as the first Anne book, I am glad I read it, and plan to read the rest of the trilogy. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2012 Vicky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own-pre-konmari, novel, young-adult

It was hard to click with Emily of New Moon even though I related to her character more than Anne of Green Gables. Both girls are orphans, have active imaginations, and get into trouble but always resolve it somehow, but I had heard and read that Emily is darker, sadder, which I was looking forward to reading. Plus Emily seems more introverted and wants to be a writer, like me.

The beginning of the story which sets up the death of Emily's father and how she came to live on New Moon with Aunt Eli ...more

Like · see review

Sep 16, 2020 Erica rated it it was amazing

I'm surprised I loved this as much as I did. It grows better and more complex (and a bit odd/jarring/intriguing through some characters) as the book develops. I'll read #2 in the series for sure. ...more

Like · see review