Mundie Moms

Sunday, March 24, 2019

The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery / Book Review #thebluecastle





By: L.M. Montgomery
Published by: Sourcebooks Fire
Released on: March 4, 2014
Purchase link: amazon | book depository
Add it to goodreads
Source: Purchased
Rating: 5 stars

An unforgettable story of courage and romance. Will Valancy Stirling ever escape her strict family and find true love?

Valancy Stirling is 29, unmarried, and has never been in love. Living with her overbearing mother and meddlesome aunt, she finds her only consolation in the "forbidden" books of John Foster and her daydreams of the Blue Castle--a place where all her dreams come true and she can be who she truly wants to be. After getting shocking news from the doctor, she rebels against her family and discovers a surprising new world, full of love and adventures far beyond her most secret dreams.



When Stephanie Perkins recommends a book on instagram, I immediately order it. Here's what Stephanie said:

This novel features characters named Valancy (Valancy!) and Barney Snaith (Barney Snaith!!!), a host of horrid relatives, the ecstasy of leaving them behind, the quiet singing joy of exploring the Canadian wilderness, and a cottage on a remote lake island that is filled with books and cats and cozy fires. I mean, honestly. What more could a reader possibly want? This is one of Montgomery’s lesser-known adult novels, which is a shame, because it’s perfect. One hundred percent. A+
Although, the protagonist is a little older than our usual YA heroine, the story is so lovely and relatable that it will definitely hold both a teen's and a mom's attention. I think teens, in particular, will find the story very relatable as they try to settle into their rebellious moments.

Valancy's family is messy, prejudiced, completely overwhelming and so controlling. I completely related to Valancy's feelings of OMGSODONE. This novel is so rich in description and setting that I wanted to be ensconced in the Canadian wilderness with cats and cozy dinners and books to read. Doesn't that sound divine? But, it's the characters that steal the show. Valancy's over-the-top meddling relatives, her reaction to them, the kindness she finds when she breaks free are all tropes that (when done well) hold me entranced in their plot.

The twists were a little predictable as you can imagine. But, I found comfort in their predictability  rather than annoyance, because of the characters and setting. I completely adored plucky, unstoppable Valancy.

In these dreary days, where Spring can't quite make it self known in most of our hemisphere, The Blue Castle is the perfect book to curl up with while sipping that big pot of tea. Oh, and you may just need a cat. My doggos, while ready to curl up with me, weren't quite the same comfort as a cat.

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