Hi y’all!

I hope you’re having a great February! We’ve had a lovely first part of the month with celebrations, snow, and a bit of warm weather too.

Today I am excited to share my review of Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery as part of my 2nd Classics Club list! After finishing the full Anne of Green Gables series a few years ago, I have wanted to read more of Montgomery’s work. And they have been amazing!

I enjoyed this first of the Emily novels. Emily reminds me of Anne Shirley, and I enjoyed very much hearing about her adventures and misadventures as she finds a home and grows up.

Book Summary: “Emily Starr never knew what it was to be lonely—until her beloved father died. Now Emily’s an orphan, and her mother’s snobbish relatives are taking her to live with them at New Moon Farm. She’s sure she won’t be happy. Emily deals with stiff, stern Aunt Elizabeth and her malicious classmates by holding her head high and using her quick wit. Things begin to change when she makes friends: with Teddy, who does marvelous drawings; with Perry, who’s sailed all over the world with his father yet has never been to school; and above all, with Ilse, a tomboy with a blazing temper. Amazingly, Emily finds New Moon beautiful and fascinating. With new friends and adventures, Emily might someday think of herself as Emily of New Moon.”

Emily is a likable, fun protagonist. I enjoyed her poetry writing and her strong relationships with those she loves most. At times, she is so much like dear Anne Shirley and at others she is clearly her own person. Her letters to her dead father as so enjoyable to read. We get to know her so well through those letters! She has had a hard life losing both her father and mother at an early age. But I loved how she is able to blossom and learn and grow in the best ways. She begins writing more and more at New Moon and discovers what really matters to her. I loved her journey! Also I loved her developing friendships with Teddy, the talented artist, Perry, the hired help turned family, and Ilsa, the best friend Emily always wanted. These friendships feel so real (they argue, make up, write and draw, and play pretend) and so fun to read about.

Relationships are at the heart of all of Montgomery’s novels, and I really enjoyed seeing how Emily interacts with everyone around her. There are many people that become important to her starting with her dear, departed father. After his death, I love that Emily is able to connect with so many people at New Moon. Her relationships with her friends are fun, and I hope to see more of them in future books in the series. Also loved her relationship with cousin Jimmy who always saw the best in Emily and loved his gardening and poetry writing too. Also loved Aunt Laura and her sweet, devoted kindness. She was always there for Emily and I loved that. And even Aunt Elizabeth who perhaps I love more because she reminds me of Marilla. No nonsense with a clear vision for how to raise a child. But also so devoted to Emily and I loved seeing how she changes and wants to do right by Emily throughout the book.

New Moon is another beautiful, idyllic setting from Montgomery. There is something so unique yet simple about Montgomery’s settings. They aren’t complex or imaginary. Yet they feel magical. New Moon is so special and seems to be the perfect place for a child to grow up with imagination, adventure, and nature surrounding them. We as readers explore this place with Emily and her friends. We experience everything with her which is so fun. How I long to walk the paths around this home and explore the club house in the trees and hear the Wind Woman in the chimney. There is something so magical about Montgomery’s settings. I would very much like to see Prince Edward Island one day.

I loved this feel good story chronicling Emily’s early time at New Moon. I enjoyed learning about her experiences at school, with friends, reading and writing, saving the trees with the help of a Catholic priest, visiting her great aunt, and even her bout of the measles and the mysteries that are discovered at that time. Again, she reminds me of Anne Shirley and it’s fun to be back in a world created by LM Montgomery! I hope to read the other Emily books soon!

Which are your favorite L.M. Montgomery novels?
Do you have a preferences between Anne and Emily?

This is my 3rd classic finished on my 2nd list for The Classics Club!
Check out my full list here. To see my completed first list, click here. For more info on the club, click here.