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Monday, January 6, 2020

"The Blue Castle" by L. M. Montgomery (yet again)

This is my fourth time reading The Blue Castle.  This is the fourth time I have inhaled this book in two days.  I simply cannot read it slowly.  I really thought I was going to savor it over the course of a week or so this time, since I reread it last spring.  But nope.  Nothing doing.  Started it January 1 and finished it January 2.

 Valancy Stirling continues to astonish me with her depth of character development.  I love characters who undergo a metamorphosis, and that's her whole story.  Dowdy, mother-hen-pecked, and joy-starved old maid at the beginning, she blooms into a contented, happy, useful, loving woman.  And her transformation is totally believable.  Wow, such good writing.

 Also, Barney Snaith is officially my favorite fictional romantic hero.  Sorry, Mr. Rochester. 

 Word to the wise: don't get buy the copy with the cover I've featured here.  It's riddled with typos. Very disappointing.  The edition from Tundra books is much better.  So is the one from Sourcebooks Fire -- I recommend either of those ones.
(Mine from my Bookstagram)

 Particularly Good Bits:

 She brushed the old years and habits and inhibitions away from her like dead leaves.  She would not be littered with them (p. 91).

 If This was a Movie, I Would Rate It: PG for a couple of old-fashioned curse words, alcohol use, and discussion of an unmarried girl becoming pregnant.
on

6 comments:

  1. lissaJan 6, 2020, 7:52:00 PM

    I only read it twice and I love it. I think it's a wonderful book to re-read from time to time. I still think Barney is way too perfect and yet, I think we all want a guy like him. I also like his carefree ways and how he just enjoys life and not really bother by what people says about him.

    My favorite quote is the one where Valancy speaks about not having lived - "You see — I've never had any real life, I've just — breathed."

    I had read the Tundra edition and there is an error with Barney's last name but it's hardly noticeable.

    Have a lovely day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hamlette (Rachel)Jan 11, 2020, 5:09:00 PM

      Lissa, yes, it's just the perfect book to reread from time to time. I don't find Barney perfect because he's too secretive and can be untruthful, so there's that.

      One error I can blink an eye at. Even two. Copyeditors are only human. But more than a dozen? Grr. So yeah, I much prefer the Tundra.

      Delete
  2. BronaJan 8, 2020, 6:04:00 AM

    Oh this could be the comfort read I’m desperately in need of right now. Time with Valancy in a more innocent time, and cool fire-free Canada - sounds like heaven.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hamlette (Rachel)Jan 11, 2020, 5:10:00 PM

      Brona, go for it! This is such a pick-me-upper kind of book :-)

      Delete
  3. Skye HoffertJan 22, 2020, 12:15:00 AM

    I need to read this one this year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hamlette (Rachel)Jan 22, 2020, 4:41:00 PM

      Skye, YES, YOU DO. It's a very fast read. Just try it!

      Delete

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