The Blue Castle

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Summary: Beautiful story
Review: I am a great fan of L M Montgomery and read this book several times in my teens. While I haven't seen it for several years, I would love to buy it and enjoy it again as an adult. "The Blue Castle" is definitely not a children's book. It is a beautiful novel, very funny and romantic, in an understated way. I love the character of Valancy and the transformation she goes through, and Barney Snaith is great too. This book shows a side of early 20th century life which isn't really shown in other L M Montgomery books. I didn't know anyone else who had read "The Blue Castle", it's cool to find out that so many others have.

Rating:
Summary: The Blue Castle
Review: I have loved Lucy Maud Montgomery's books since I was a little girl, although I didn't find the Blue Castle until I was fourteen or so. Once I did, I proceeded to read it at least three or four times a year, if only to remind myself that when one is true to oneself, life really does get better. It is hard to remember that sometimes- I used to be much more of a Doss than a Valancy.
Another reason I loved this book in particular, above the Anne and even the Emily series, is that Montgomery has such a way with words- she makes everything seem like living poetry. Also, despite the fact that she espoused personal liberty and freedom, Valancy didn't run out and get pregnant, kill anyone, or join a cult. All positive things. That's a bonus of Montgomery's Victorian background- bad things may happen to people, but one did not write about them.
I've recommended this book to everyone I know, although so far there are no takers. I'm surprised and pleased that there are so many people in the world who have also read it.

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Summary: A real page-turner!!!
Review: I have read all the "Anne" and "Emily" series and a few more of LMM's books and I enjoy reading them over and over. They are adventurous yet peaceful. The Blue Castle is wonderful!

Valancy gets tired of having to deal with her mother and stuffy relations. Her relatives complain about how she isn't this or that and isn't married. She's considered an old maid around 30. So she basically tells them to stuff it! with little digs of her own and is out to make the most of the world! Working for Roaring Abel she meets Barney Snaith. Valancy thinks he would be such fun to be around and as they spend more and more time together, getting to know one another for what they truly are they find they like what they've found. Valancy finds out something terrible for her but would have been considered good if she wasn't in the spot she found herself stuck in. It's up to Barney to save the day ... and themselves.

This is a good book for all ages, smoothly written and fantastic!!!

Rating:
Summary: L.M.M.'s greatest book!
Review: The Blue Castle is L.M.M.'s greatest book! I started reading it and I just couldn't put it down. It's about an old maid named Valancy who has never had a chance for romance. She is controlled by her family and can find no escape. When she recieves a letter from Dr.Trent saying she has a year or less to live, she decides to speak her mind and please herself. Valancy goes to help an old friend who lives with her father(who is nice even if he's drunk all the time). The girl is dying and Valancy comforts and helps her. And while she is there, Valancy meets Barney Snaith, and discovers the love and romance she never knew. I won't say any more about that because it would ruin the plot if you haven't read it. All the time her family feels disgraced and thinks she has gone crazy, which makes the book very interesting and funny. Then when Valancy recieves some shocking news, her world falls apart, and she decides to return to her previous life with her family. To find out if true love really does conquer all,and if Valancy returns to her Blue Castle, read this book and discover a whole new world.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite L.M.M. book
Review: What can I say? This is my favourite book. I've read it over and over and have never tired of it. The characters are very real, and very relatable. The hero, Barney Snaith, is one of Lucy's most believable heros. Valancy is by far her most believable heroine. Everything just seems to click with this book. The chemistry of Valancy and Barney, the hilarious descriptions of Valancy's clan, everything. It's different from many of her other works in that love is not this instantanious thing between Barney and Valancy, where at first sight they are smitten with each other. It takes awhile to grab Valancy, and much longer still for Barney to realise his feelings for her.
Of course, the romance isn't the only reason why this book is great. It's also great because of all of the things Valancy overcomes and triumphs, such as fear, predjudice, etc. I find myself cheering her on every time I read it.
I would also agree with another reviewer who stated that he/she wished "The Blue Castle" to become a movie. I've thought that for some time now. Provided it was done well, I really think it would be great and would allow more of the country to experience what I believe to be L.M. Montgomery's greatest work.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect :: Classic L.M. Montgomery at Her Best
Review: Years ago, I read L.M. Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" and loved it. I read it again and still loved it. I watched the movies and loved those as well. So when I got myself a copy of "The Blue Castle" a few months ago, I was eager to start, but didn't get around to it until last week. When I did, though, I was not disappointed. This tops the Anne books for me.
Valancy Stirling is proclaimed an old maid by her family members, who pick at her mistakes and require her to act dutiful and proper at all times, even harping on some raspberry jam she "stole" from her aunt and uncle's when she was just a kid. On her 29th birthday, Valancy ("affectionately" called Doss by her clan) is about ready to give up herself; she sinks into depression and tosses and turns all night. But then she makes a decision that, as mentioned many times in the novel, will change her life completely, and it does so in a way that is entirely unexpected and surprisingly refreshing. I thought I knew what the ending would be like, but I kept reading anyway because of the pages that are drenched with Valancy's dry humor. Yet when twist after twist came at the end, I found that the ending I had guessed did not do the real ending justice at all. To give away more would ruin it - word of warning to the reader, do NOT read ahead!
Back to the topic of her decision: Valancy decides to go see Dr. Trent about pains that she's been having in her heart. For her, this was quite rebellious because he was not her clan's "approved" family doctor. His diagnosis that she will live at most for another year causes her to throw convention, caution, and especially fear to the wind. She shocks her relatives with her newfound daring in not only speech but in actions as well, when she decides to move in and become housekeeper to Roaring Abel. Soon she will meet the man who is instrumental to her new take on life, perhaps more than she may initially know.
In addition to the captivating plot, clearly-defined characters, and humor that prevails after Valancy decides "to hell with the Stirlings!", L.M. Montgomery's beautiful, vivid language fills every single page of the novel. I never saw nature described so beautifully as in this book. It begins with flavor, carries on splendidly, and then ends with a series of satisfying punches. Very highly recommended.

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Summary: Valancy's Blue Castle
Review: You know those books you read at least once a year to cheer yourself up or to remind yourself of how great the author or the story is? This is one of them. At least once a year I pick up this book and giggle over the pomposity of her annoying family, the wonderfully funny dinner party and her uncle's awful riddles.

Valancy is 29 years old and 'undesired by a man', cajoled and cowed by her dominating mother and warty aunt, she finds solace in John Foster's 'nature' books. After discovering she has only a year to live she throws caution to the wind, and goes to nurse her consumptive schoolmate. Her parents promptly think her mad and continue to think so when she is seen about town with the 'jailbird' Barney Snaith.

Valancy's journey through the Mistawis has wonderful touches of humour: the dinner party and the mesmerising finger of the minister always stand out for me. So do the characters: Barney's secretive yet charming manner, Olive is the kind of person that you really hated at High School, and Valancy's aunts and uncles are a joy.

A book for adults or older teenagers rather than Montgomery's usual audience, this has the more mature touches of "A Tangled Web (Aunt Becky Began It)" or her short story collections.