Status
Checked out
Series
Publication
Laurel Leaf (1983), 352 pages
Description
Classic Literature. Historical Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: "I love Emily."�??Madeleine L'Engle Featuring one of L.M. Montgomery's most beloved characters, Emily Starr moves to New Moon Farm after the death of father, lost. But as she gets to know the people of New Moon she thinks she may end up finding a place to belong. Orphaned after her father's death, thirteen-year-old Emily Starr is sent to live with her snobbish relatives at New Moon Farm. At first, Emily's miserable under all the rules from her stern Aunt Elizabeth. And being the new girl at school is not easy. At least New Moon provides plenty of material for the short stories she loves to write. With her quick wit and lively imagination, it's not long before she finds friends in tomboy Ilse and artist Teddy. And even though Emily can't seem to stay out of trouble for long, New Moon may just start to feel like home after all... This new edition of a classic favorite restores the original, unabridged text and includes an all-new, exclusive introduction with special memories from L.M. Montgomery's granddaughter. What Readers are Saying: "For the millions of girls who love Anne of Green Gables, this series provides a glimpse at another girl who is just a little different." "Although I love Anne of Green Gables, Emily of New Moon is my favorite creation of Lucy Maud Montgomery."… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
It seems almost inevitable that anyone seeking to review L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon will find themselves comparing it to the author's most famous literary creation, Anne of Green Gables. Both books tell the story of a young orphan-girl who is sent to stay with elderly people on a Prince
But although Emily of New Moon and Anne of Green Gables follow a similar narrative trajectory, and although comparisons are only natural, there are significant differences between the two novels, and it is perhaps not entirely accurate to treat Emily and Anne as if they were simply two examples of the same character-type. Not only are they emotionally quite different - Emily an introvert and Anne an extrovert - they seem to be on widely divergent spiritual journeys.
While Anne travels from the interior to the exterior - replacing imaginary friends with real ones, and learning not to overindulge her imagination - Emily is better able to balance the demands of the interior and exterior, making real-life friends without sacrificing as much of her dream-world. She is after all, a poet and a writer, a vocation that is affirmed at the close of the novel.
I have seen this book described as "dark," or "serious," and many have noted that Emily is the most autobiographical of Montgomery's characters. I confess that Anne is my favorite - probably because I encountered her first - but there are unquestionably some areas in which Emily's narrative is the superior one. I found the supporting cast, particularly Emily's friend Ilse Burnley, far more engaging than their counterparts in Anne of Green Gables. The writing may be a little uneven, with a few vaguely purple passages, but there were also moments of intense emotional impact. I cannot read When the Curtain Lifted without feeling shivers down my back.
There is a bone-deep integrity to Emily that is very moving. I appreciate the fact that she seems better able to look past some of the religious identity-issues that are so dominant in Montgomery's world, from her friendly interaction with the marvelous Father Cassidy, to her sensitive and respectful attitude toward Ilse's atheism. All in all, she makes for an engaging heroine, more than equal to the famous Anne (my nostalgic loyalty notwithstanding).
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Edward Island farm, both feature a highly imaginative heroine who is appreciative of beauty and sensitive to ridicule, and both detail how that heroine wins a true home and family for herself.But although Emily of New Moon and Anne of Green Gables follow a similar narrative trajectory, and although comparisons are only natural, there are significant differences between the two novels, and it is perhaps not entirely accurate to treat Emily and Anne as if they were simply two examples of the same character-type. Not only are they emotionally quite different - Emily an introvert and Anne an extrovert - they seem to be on widely divergent spiritual journeys.
While Anne travels from the interior to the exterior - replacing imaginary friends with real ones, and learning not to overindulge her imagination - Emily is better able to balance the demands of the interior and exterior, making real-life friends without sacrificing as much of her dream-world. She is after all, a poet and a writer, a vocation that is affirmed at the close of the novel.
I have seen this book described as "dark," or "serious," and many have noted that Emily is the most autobiographical of Montgomery's characters. I confess that Anne is my favorite - probably because I encountered her first - but there are unquestionably some areas in which Emily's narrative is the superior one. I found the supporting cast, particularly Emily's friend Ilse Burnley, far more engaging than their counterparts in Anne of Green Gables. The writing may be a little uneven, with a few vaguely purple passages, but there were also moments of intense emotional impact. I cannot read When the Curtain Lifted without feeling shivers down my back.
There is a bone-deep integrity to Emily that is very moving. I appreciate the fact that she seems better able to look past some of the religious identity-issues that are so dominant in Montgomery's world, from her friendly interaction with the marvelous Father Cassidy, to her sensitive and respectful attitude toward Ilse's atheism. All in all, she makes for an engaging heroine, more than equal to the famous Anne (my nostalgic loyalty notwithstanding).
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LibraryThing member ctpress
There’s a lot of similarities between Anne og Green Gables and Emily of New Moon (the title being one of them). Both orphaned girls being adopted into new families where they have a hard time to fit in. Both fond of creating a dream world of their own, both aspiring writers.
I thought it might be
I liked the letters Emily writes to her father (who has just passed away), letters in which she pours out her heart like small laments, trying to make sense of her new life at New Moon.
Emily meet “kindred spirits” (phrase taken from Anne) and one in particular who understands her and who talks of fairies and the make-believe. That’s a beautiful moment in the story.
Last week I read an essay about the difference between being childish and childlike. I think Emily learns something of this too. I think that’s why I like children’s books so much. It reminds me of the importance of being childlike - and not grow into an old cynic. Not to have a frozen heart like aunt Elizabeth - but like Emily to write poems of the wonder of nature and small details of life.
I thought it might be
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difficult to separate the stories and not think of Anne all the time, but quickly Emily emerged as her own unique, lovely character, timid, with a poetic mind, a strong sense of justice and inability to understand the grown up world. She has several battles with her “nemesis”, the strict aunt Elizabeth, but both learn valuable lessons living under the same roof. I liked the letters Emily writes to her father (who has just passed away), letters in which she pours out her heart like small laments, trying to make sense of her new life at New Moon.
Emily meet “kindred spirits” (phrase taken from Anne) and one in particular who understands her and who talks of fairies and the make-believe. That’s a beautiful moment in the story.
Last week I read an essay about the difference between being childish and childlike. I think Emily learns something of this too. I think that’s why I like children’s books so much. It reminds me of the importance of being childlike - and not grow into an old cynic. Not to have a frozen heart like aunt Elizabeth - but like Emily to write poems of the wonder of nature and small details of life.
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LibraryThing member ErlangerFactionless
A long time fan of Anne of Green Gables and the subsequent 7 "Anne Books," I've always been hesitant to read the "Emily Books." However, I've also been intrigued after hearing for many year that the "Emily Books" were more closely autobiographical than the "Anne Books," and I finally gave them a
I quite enjoyed this little tale of the sometimes fiesty, always misunderstood Emily Starr. She's not quite as immediately lovable as Anne and doesn't get into nearly the same number of humorous "scrapes" that make Anne of Green Gables such a fun read, but Emily is a charming character and Montogomery's writing and descriptive capabilities are, as usual, superb. The ending, I'm afraid, includes a somewhat ludicrous prescient vision that, if you aren't a believer in Divine Providence, might not sit right, but it is a small part of the story. And despite this, Emily remains a somewhat more realistic heroine than Anne.
A good gentle read for precocious readers or for tweens, but might be best for folks who are already Montgomery fans.
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shot. I quite enjoyed this little tale of the sometimes fiesty, always misunderstood Emily Starr. She's not quite as immediately lovable as Anne and doesn't get into nearly the same number of humorous "scrapes" that make Anne of Green Gables such a fun read, but Emily is a charming character and Montogomery's writing and descriptive capabilities are, as usual, superb. The ending, I'm afraid, includes a somewhat ludicrous prescient vision that, if you aren't a believer in Divine Providence, might not sit right, but it is a small part of the story. And despite this, Emily remains a somewhat more realistic heroine than Anne.
A good gentle read for precocious readers or for tweens, but might be best for folks who are already Montgomery fans.
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LibraryThing member whitreidtan
What a delightful story. Anne of Green Gables will always own my heart with her flights of fancy but Emily of New Moon can have a sliver of it too, showing that Montgomery could write more than one charming young girl series. The book opens with Emily being told, rather brutally, that her father is
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dying. Never having gone to school and having had her mother die when she was very small, her father has been Emily's whole world. After his death, her mother's estranged relatives come to collect her and draw straws to see which of them will have to take her, they being the Murrays and always concerned with doing the proper thing as a result of their pride. Emily and her Aunt Elizabeth get off on the wrong foot as Emily knows she is simply a duty to Elizabeth, not a dearly beloved niece but there is hope in the shape of Aunt Laura and Cousin Jimmy. This tale of Emily's life the first several years at New Moon Farm is charming and Emily is, in her own way, as appealing a little miss as Anne, writing poetry and novels (her worry about how to spring one of her characters from a convent, not being Catholic herself and so not quite certain of the rules governing convents, is quite funny) and giving her heart to those who will only love her back. The book also contains delightful stories about the inhabitants of rural PEI, their hopes and dreams and the way that the community intereacts. The book is probably old-fashioned but for those children who appreciate the historical and would like to have had the chance to read by candlelight or wear pinafores and button-up boots, this will be a happy reading experience. I wish I'd found it when I was devouring all the Anne books but I am just as happy to be reading it now as an adult, enjoying the simplicity and sense of peace that pervades the story telling. I will definitely be reading the remaining books in the trilogy. Show Less
LibraryThing member Wanderlust_Lost
I absolutely 100% unequivocally love Emily and the Emily books more than Anne. I think that this series was Lucy Montgomery's best. I am too emotionally attached to this book to provide a good analysis of it. All I know is that my copies are so worn that I've had to buy new ones so as to preserve
Read these books!
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the original and beloved copies for posterity.Read these books!
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LibraryThing member hphhtig
I also feel like I am too attached to this book to write a review. Despite the purple prose of the time, Emily's character, life and literary ambitions were so appealing to me. I named my only daughter after Emily, choosing the name when I was a teenager and sticking with it even when Emily became
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the popular name of the year she was born. I know at least one other Emily named after this heroine. Show Less
LibraryThing member puttocklibrary
I have always preferred the Emily books to the more famous Anne of Green Gables. The first copy of Emily of New Moon that I owned, I read so often that it fell apart--quite literally. I loved the way Emily thought about and dealt with the world--and then wrote about it in such a quirky and
Reading this book always inspired me to want to write in my own journal--never as well or as faithfully as Emily--but it always inspired me. You don't have to be a child to enjoy this charming story, the beginning of a trilogy about Emily's growth to adult-hood in small-town eastern Canada.
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dedicated way.Reading this book always inspired me to want to write in my own journal--never as well or as faithfully as Emily--but it always inspired me. You don't have to be a child to enjoy this charming story, the beginning of a trilogy about Emily's growth to adult-hood in small-town eastern Canada.
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LibraryThing member ilovecookies
Emily is an aspiring writer who is orphaned and forced to live with her strict spinster aunt. Although not as famous as Anne of Green Gables, Emily of New Moon has all the qualities of an L.M. Montgomery book that we all love.
LibraryThing member rainbowdarling
Emily and Anne are the most well-known of L.M. Montgomery's heroines, and among fans there is disagreement over which is the better character.
I am torn. Emily's character is less fanciful in some ways than Anne's character, but also less grounded. She has her head in the clouds and is oblivious, it
Emily's story seems darker overall than Anne's, which makes the stories hard to compare. Emily's story succeeds by its own merit, though, and doesn't pale by comparison to Montgomery's other heroines.
I am torn. Emily's character is less fanciful in some ways than Anne's character, but also less grounded. She has her head in the clouds and is oblivious, it
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seems, to many things that Anne takes to heart.Emily's story seems darker overall than Anne's, which makes the stories hard to compare. Emily's story succeeds by its own merit, though, and doesn't pale by comparison to Montgomery's other heroines.
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LibraryThing member onlyhope1912
The first in the Emily series. Emily is much like Anne; but she's different and I like this book better. Emily moves to New Moon with her two Aunts and Cousin Jimmy. There are fascinating stories of long dead Murrays and the lost Diamond. She has many wonderful adventures like staying at Wyther
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Grange, and discovering the tragic story of the Queen of Hearts. Emily dreams one day of becoming a writer, so be sure and read the sequel to find out if she can. Show Less
LibraryThing member linda-irvine
"The Flash" is real. I still can't decide who was a better friend to me: Anne or Emily. I recently re-read the entire Emily series. It was even better than I remembered as a girl.
LibraryThing member jedisluzer
I have the sacreligious opinion of liking Emily a little bit more than Anne. I think this is because Emily is a writer, and loves gray cats, and is a bit proud and strange... well, Anne is those things too, but so much more social. Emily isn't a charmer like Anne. But I get along with her.
LibraryThing member Siusaidh
This was a fav LMM book.
LibraryThing member keycat
What a wonderful, timeless story. I have yet to read Anne of Green Gables but after reading this lesser known book by L. M. Montgomery I plan to read it soon.
LibraryThing member lfae
Though I have only read them each once, I think I was fonder of Emily than Anne - given that I actually read all of the Emily books as opposed to only Anne of Green Gables. Penny recommended this to me in grade five or six.
LibraryThing member sablelexi
I love this story as much as the Anne series. It's somewhat more realistic, and some of the things that happen to Emily are much darker and sadder than the things that happen to Anne. Her ability to deal with what life throws at her is not extraordinary (she doesn't always overcome everything
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easily), but that makes for a good story. If you enjoy the Anne series I highly recommend this one. If you've never read the Anne serie, I still think there's a good chance you'll enjoy this one. And, if you didn't enjoy the Anne series, don't rule this one out, since it is more like real life it might be interesting to you. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Emily is every bit as interesting and attractive as Anne of Green Gables ever was - and is completely different from her as well - though they both have a fondness for their "reflection friends". Where Anne dabbles in writing, Emily is born to it and is dedicated to it in a way that is compelling.
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I liked seeing how Emily is drawn to her family heritage and does find love in her family. Show Less
LibraryThing member satyridae
I liked this one better than the second Anne book. I found the characters interesting- the secondary characters more so than Emily, I must confess. Montgomery's prose dips into the purple every now and then, but not nearly on the scale it does so in the later Anne books. I suspect I'd have liked
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this much better had I read it as a girl. I'm glad I read it, CLM, thanks. Show Less
LibraryThing member rubyslippersreads
Though perhaps not as famous as Anne of Green Gables, this is my favorite L.M. Montgomery book (and one of my favorite books of all time).
LibraryThing member amelish
One of my favorites growing up. She's crazy and wants to be a writer! How cute.
LibraryThing member lfae
Though I have only read them each once, I think I was fonder of Emily than Anne - given that I actually read all of the Emily books as opposed to only Anne of Green Gables. Penny recommended this to me in grade five or six.
LibraryThing member Bduke
Just re-read for about the hundredth time. I do love my Emily! Most people prefer Anne, but Emily has always held a special place in my heart, and I understand that L.M. Montgomery has said that Emily is more true to her real life than Anne. Someday I am determined to visit Prince Edward Island, as
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I have grown to love it through reading these books. Show Less
LibraryThing member pathan.fiza
EMILY OF NEW MOON : CLASSIC
Where books are concerned these days, we notice that the ‘series style’ is in vogue which right now does not seem to want to go. Where L.M.Montgomery is concerned however, she wrote her series of the way back in the early part of the 20th century……& her works are
However, children & teenagers these days don’t fancy the innocent Emily of New Moon……they prefer action packed dramas between people & creatures that are not real. The modern day fiction characters have dug the grave of many real life characters & Emily is sadly one of them. However, Emily in her sort of coma stage is still quite immortal as her life story is as real as ours…even though she is just a character in a book. Her story is constantly being repeated in society & so she though not remembered today…..can never really be forgotten.
The drama of Emily’s life is unfurled very tenderly by the pen strokes of Montgomery ; Emily’s dreams, wishes, imagination, friends, teachers etc., are the planets which revolve around a true classic story. The author goes also to the extreme of indirectly indicating Emily’s spelling mistakes & how they improve as the years go by………as we turn the page & get mature just like little Emily. Compared to ‘Anne Shirley’ who is a popular character among Montgomery books , Emily is very impulsive but also very secretive like all artists are. Her child like emotions are at times not so child like if the reader sinks deeper into the storyline.
Many situations in the book are quite similar to ‘Anne Of Green Gables’ but the personalities of both the protagonists are different & this difference has been maintained by the author throughout the book which still can capture the readers attention. It is a profound work which captivates a reader where dialogues & emotions are concerned. There are also many ironical parts in the book, none greater than the last chapter where Mr. Carpenter (Emily’s school master) actually mocks Emily’s poems which when WE read them seem outstanding. Indirectly, Montgomery indicates to the reader that poetry is quite a subjective concept which can only be understood by tuning in on the emotional side of the verse.
Many other short stories or tales are carefully introduced into the manuscript by the author like the tale of Isle’s mother, Cousin Jimmy’s sad accident, Teddy’s peculiar mother etc., all which add on to the central theme & not diverting our attention. These short incidents are wholesome which digests into the reader’s system. These characters are shadowy however, & much of their descriptions portray them to be people who have been hurt physically, mentally & even emotionally in the past. Emily’s ‘descriptions’ throughout the narrative at times makes us laugh & at other times makes us ponder over our own hidden phantoms. Like Anne of Green Gables, Emily too makes quite a few mistakes but…they are fewer in comparison.
All in all however I must conclude that ‘Emily Of New Moon’ is a classic which can live on as we grow up…day by day…minute by minute……second by second.
Where books are concerned these days, we notice that the ‘series style’ is in vogue which right now does not seem to want to go. Where L.M.Montgomery is concerned however, she wrote her series of the way back in the early part of the 20th century……& her works are
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classics. L.M.Montgomery’s book ‘Emily Of New Moon’ has always according to me been a source of inspiration where writing has been concerned. The book revolves around the character of Emily who loses her father by age seven & is by lot adopted by the spinster clan of her mother’s family at New Moon. The storyline is gentle & careful where details are concerned, making the book a wonderful read.However, children & teenagers these days don’t fancy the innocent Emily of New Moon……they prefer action packed dramas between people & creatures that are not real. The modern day fiction characters have dug the grave of many real life characters & Emily is sadly one of them. However, Emily in her sort of coma stage is still quite immortal as her life story is as real as ours…even though she is just a character in a book. Her story is constantly being repeated in society & so she though not remembered today…..can never really be forgotten.
The drama of Emily’s life is unfurled very tenderly by the pen strokes of Montgomery ; Emily’s dreams, wishes, imagination, friends, teachers etc., are the planets which revolve around a true classic story. The author goes also to the extreme of indirectly indicating Emily’s spelling mistakes & how they improve as the years go by………as we turn the page & get mature just like little Emily. Compared to ‘Anne Shirley’ who is a popular character among Montgomery books , Emily is very impulsive but also very secretive like all artists are. Her child like emotions are at times not so child like if the reader sinks deeper into the storyline.
Many situations in the book are quite similar to ‘Anne Of Green Gables’ but the personalities of both the protagonists are different & this difference has been maintained by the author throughout the book which still can capture the readers attention. It is a profound work which captivates a reader where dialogues & emotions are concerned. There are also many ironical parts in the book, none greater than the last chapter where Mr. Carpenter (Emily’s school master) actually mocks Emily’s poems which when WE read them seem outstanding. Indirectly, Montgomery indicates to the reader that poetry is quite a subjective concept which can only be understood by tuning in on the emotional side of the verse.
Many other short stories or tales are carefully introduced into the manuscript by the author like the tale of Isle’s mother, Cousin Jimmy’s sad accident, Teddy’s peculiar mother etc., all which add on to the central theme & not diverting our attention. These short incidents are wholesome which digests into the reader’s system. These characters are shadowy however, & much of their descriptions portray them to be people who have been hurt physically, mentally & even emotionally in the past. Emily’s ‘descriptions’ throughout the narrative at times makes us laugh & at other times makes us ponder over our own hidden phantoms. Like Anne of Green Gables, Emily too makes quite a few mistakes but…they are fewer in comparison.
All in all however I must conclude that ‘Emily Of New Moon’ is a classic which can live on as we grow up…day by day…minute by minute……second by second.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
If I had discovered this book when I first read the Anne of Green Gables series, I would probably love it even now. However, coming to it late in life I found Emily less charming than Anne (though probably closer to L.M. Montgomery herself). Jess Nahikian does a good job with the narration.
LibraryThing member MickyFine
When eleven-year-old Emily Starr's beloved father dies, she is left in the care of her mother's side of the family, the Murrays. Renowned in their community of Blair Water for their excessive pride, Emily goes to live with her aunts, Elizabeth and Laura, at New Moon Farm. There she often finds
As charming as one would expect from an L.M. Montgomery, this introduction to Emily and her world is lovely to read. While her world is filled with a few more antagonists than some of Montgomery's other characters face, Emily remains optimistic in the face of it all and an entrancing personality with whom to spend time. Not the starting point I'd recommend if you're dipping into L.M. Montgomery for the first time, but still an excellent read for established fans of her work.
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herself at odds with Aunt Elizabeth but she finds a small circle of beloved friends who support her as she grows up and begins her career as a poet and author.As charming as one would expect from an L.M. Montgomery, this introduction to Emily and her world is lovely to read. While her world is filled with a few more antagonists than some of Montgomery's other characters face, Emily remains optimistic in the face of it all and an entrancing personality with whom to spend time. Not the starting point I'd recommend if you're dipping into L.M. Montgomery for the first time, but still an excellent read for established fans of her work.
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Subjects
Awards
IBBY Honour Book (1986 & 1990)
Palmarès Communication-Jeunesse (1989-1990)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1923
Physical description
352 p.; 4.19 inches
ISBN
055323370X / 9780553233704