Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1902-1903
Chronological Montgomery short stories, #2
written by L.M. Montgomery
216 pages // published in 1903 // literary Canadian fiction
BOOK DESCRIPTION
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 include: 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).
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 include: 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).
This is a delightful collection of Montgomery's short works from the years of 1902 and 1903. I'm wanting to read all of her short stories, and making my way through them, year by year. This is the second such volume.
Many of the works included would make great moral stories for young readers. Others feature romance as the driving element, and would be intended for adults (although they're so tame and sweet, teen girls could enjoy them). Some of the themes covered include reconciliation, finding love at last, and in some cases, orphans finding their forever home.
Here's a bit about a few of my favorite stories in this volume:
Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket: A delightful holiday story. While it may or may not be too original, it's charming. Kindness reigns in the end.
Miss Cordelia's Accommodation: Ah! At least, Montgomery's royal and fabled heroine makes her appearance. Cordelia knows she rules as a queen over her four-acre domain. This story just shines with happiness and generosity.
Ned's Stroke of Business: Now, this boy has a head on his shoulders! I found myself so attached to this story... I'm still not sure if it's the thought of the ice skating, or the hard challenge that has to be plowed through, or the genius idea of Ned's... but I liked his story.
The Bride Roses: What a romantic tale... and it ties a family back together again!
The Strike at Putney: Fabulous and hilarious! The people of the Putney church are dividing against the issue of allowing a female missionary to speak at the pulpit. The church splits down the middle, between men and women on the subject. Oh, what fun those women have in battle!
The Unhappiness of Miss Farquhar: I like this one because it's a plain-and-simple story that shows how you get on better in life if you don't mope about your problems.
Why Mr. Cropper Changed His Mind: This plucky schoolteacher knows how to create leverage – by obtaining evidence with her kodak. You go, girl!
These stories may be old-fashioned... but... well, that's part of their charm!
P.S. Like and vote for this review on Goodreads and Amazon.
Last summer I read a collection of Montgomery's works that were lost and discovered recently :) perhaps you'd enjoy it too. It was called After Many Years.
ReplyDeletecute sounding stories
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