Hello friends! Thumb update: it is much improved, typing is much easier now!! (It’s still got some healing to do, but it definitely is better.) Work is rather busy and stressful, so I’m very much enjoying my escape into LMM’s world. No matter how tough things are, there is a peace that our world lacks.
I have to say, I've been letting myself read 1-2 chapters an evening before bed, and it is a lovely treat. I'm always keen to head back to New Moon for at least a little bit before I have to go to sleep!
New Moon feels like it has far more lore than Green Gables. We have the missing diamond and there are other stories, it appears to be shrouded in mystery. While GG feels much cosier, New Moon gives me the impression that it will play a more active role in Emily's story.
I am comparing Emily's teacher to the beloved Miss Stacy, but dang, she is a jerk of a teacher. She felt very cold and unfeeling (absolutely a theme throughout).
Rhoda, Rhoda, Rhoda. There always has to be a mean girl, I suppose- I always picture her as an Edwardian Regina George. (Seems nice at first buuuut she will come back to haunt you....) I will say, I love how both the Anne and Emily books build up beautifully in layers as we visit more places and are introduced to more characters!
I was inspired by our AoGG reread so I've forged ahead and am rereading the whole series. I'm up to House of Dreams. And yes, things always do work out for Anne! She can soothe and charm the fiercest misogynist, she is always slim and starry-eyed and has admirers, and everywhere she goes she gets to live in the best houses! It's starting to bug me. So I do like Emily better, always.
But her story is darker, I'd agree. The loss of her father, and Aunt Elizabeth's incomprehensible inability to expect her to be grieving, struck me anew. How they all acted as if she was supposed to just be instantly over this huge loss! And Aunt Elizabeth is certainly no-nonsense and too strict, and Laura is kinder but also needs to grow a spine. I see these things much more clearly than I did as a child. On the other hand, it's clearly shown that tyrannical fathers (as in Elizabeth and Laura's father) leave lasting imprints on their children, which is quite psychologically astute of LMM.
The scene where Elizabeth does not want Emily to sleep with her anymore than Emily wants to sleep with Elizabeth had unexpected humor this time though! I was actually able to feel sympathy for Elizabeth, who is doing her best to not shirk unpleasantness or to pass it on to Laura. But of course how horrible for Emily to have to share not just a bedroom but a bed with this remote, strict older woman!
I enjoyed Emily's fated friendship with Rhoda, always too sweet to be trusted, and then the arrival of Ilse. I love Ilse's character so much! She's a breath of fresh air in children's lit. Ilse is so good for Emily, who has been too sheltered and isolated by her father's illness.
So glad your thumb is on the mend! Hope it's all the way better soon!
Oh, I am so glad to hear that you are also re-reading! I finished up Anne of the Island a couple of weeks ago and will be starting Anne of the Windy Poplars this weekend. (I have to admit, I also re-read the Emily trilogy every summer, so it seems fair that I give Anne's books a re-read every once in a while ha!)
I found it startling how cruel they were after her father's death. I understand that a) they had a different relationship with Douglas Starr than Emily did and b) that we handle death and grieving differently now, but WOW. I couldn't imagine how much worse they would be if they actively hated the child.
I do love that Maud gave Elizabeth a few moments of kindness, to make her somewhat human! However, I am always amazed at how cold and formal she can be with Emily, even in the later books. It is very much a reflection of who raised them as you say, but dang, it can be hard to read sometimes.
Glad to hear that the thumb is doing much better!!
1. I definitely feel Emily’s story is darker! The adults’ behavior and emotions vary wildly and it pitches poor Emily back and forth. And Anne, while not exactly wished for, was still wanted. Emily just seems to be a nonstop burden to her family. The commentary about different relatives and neighbors, especially the Doctor, feels very brutal as compared to the slightly judgy comments on Green Gables neighbors.
2. While Marilla was stern and occasionally harsh, we knew she wanted the best for Anne and in time, she softened up. Ditto for people like Ms. Rachel. Aunt Elizabeth feels more than stern and almost cruel. Aunt Laura seems to care about Emily but is rather passive. I’m not sure about the poet uncle just yet.
3. I love animals in stories! I can watch movies or documentaries where 100 people die, but a dog dies? Forget it! Charlotte’s Web is a big one that sticks with me, but Winn Dixie, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and Where the Red Fern Grows comes to mind. Why even the toad in Tuck Everlasting!
Emily's story of bouncing around with family members very much mimics Maud's, and it always gives me pause- what it would have felt like to be a burden on those who have to care for you. And I will say, I do love both Aunt Laura and Cousin Jimmy but Aunt Elizabeth definitely rules with an iron fist, there isn't the same kind of softening that we see with Marilla. As you say, it is a very brutal view on them!
I also can't watch anything if an animal dies or gets hurt!! I am always more connected to a character if they have a pet, though, no matter what pet it is. I feel like it gives you more insight into the character (what kind of pet do they have, how did they get it, how do they treat it?). I found it interesting that Anne's story doesn't really have any animals in it!
I have to say, I've been letting myself read 1-2 chapters an evening before bed, and it is a lovely treat. I'm always keen to head back to New Moon for at least a little bit before I have to go to sleep!
New Moon feels like it has far more lore than Green Gables. We have the missing diamond and there are other stories, it appears to be shrouded in mystery. While GG feels much cosier, New Moon gives me the impression that it will play a more active role in Emily's story.
I am comparing Emily's teacher to the beloved Miss Stacy, but dang, she is a jerk of a teacher. She felt very cold and unfeeling (absolutely a theme throughout).
Rhoda, Rhoda, Rhoda. There always has to be a mean girl, I suppose- I always picture her as an Edwardian Regina George. (Seems nice at first buuuut she will come back to haunt you....) I will say, I love how both the Anne and Emily books build up beautifully in layers as we visit more places and are introduced to more characters!
I was inspired by our AoGG reread so I've forged ahead and am rereading the whole series. I'm up to House of Dreams. And yes, things always do work out for Anne! She can soothe and charm the fiercest misogynist, she is always slim and starry-eyed and has admirers, and everywhere she goes she gets to live in the best houses! It's starting to bug me. So I do like Emily better, always.
But her story is darker, I'd agree. The loss of her father, and Aunt Elizabeth's incomprehensible inability to expect her to be grieving, struck me anew. How they all acted as if she was supposed to just be instantly over this huge loss! And Aunt Elizabeth is certainly no-nonsense and too strict, and Laura is kinder but also needs to grow a spine. I see these things much more clearly than I did as a child. On the other hand, it's clearly shown that tyrannical fathers (as in Elizabeth and Laura's father) leave lasting imprints on their children, which is quite psychologically astute of LMM.
The scene where Elizabeth does not want Emily to sleep with her anymore than Emily wants to sleep with Elizabeth had unexpected humor this time though! I was actually able to feel sympathy for Elizabeth, who is doing her best to not shirk unpleasantness or to pass it on to Laura. But of course how horrible for Emily to have to share not just a bedroom but a bed with this remote, strict older woman!
I enjoyed Emily's fated friendship with Rhoda, always too sweet to be trusted, and then the arrival of Ilse. I love Ilse's character so much! She's a breath of fresh air in children's lit. Ilse is so good for Emily, who has been too sheltered and isolated by her father's illness.
So glad your thumb is on the mend! Hope it's all the way better soon!
Oh, I am so glad to hear that you are also re-reading! I finished up Anne of the Island a couple of weeks ago and will be starting Anne of the Windy Poplars this weekend. (I have to admit, I also re-read the Emily trilogy every summer, so it seems fair that I give Anne's books a re-read every once in a while ha!)
I found it startling how cruel they were after her father's death. I understand that a) they had a different relationship with Douglas Starr than Emily did and b) that we handle death and grieving differently now, but WOW. I couldn't imagine how much worse they would be if they actively hated the child.
I do love that Maud gave Elizabeth a few moments of kindness, to make her somewhat human! However, I am always amazed at how cold and formal she can be with Emily, even in the later books. It is very much a reflection of who raised them as you say, but dang, it can be hard to read sometimes.
Glad to hear that the thumb is doing much better!!
1. I definitely feel Emily’s story is darker! The adults’ behavior and emotions vary wildly and it pitches poor Emily back and forth. And Anne, while not exactly wished for, was still wanted. Emily just seems to be a nonstop burden to her family. The commentary about different relatives and neighbors, especially the Doctor, feels very brutal as compared to the slightly judgy comments on Green Gables neighbors.
2. While Marilla was stern and occasionally harsh, we knew she wanted the best for Anne and in time, she softened up. Ditto for people like Ms. Rachel. Aunt Elizabeth feels more than stern and almost cruel. Aunt Laura seems to care about Emily but is rather passive. I’m not sure about the poet uncle just yet.
3. I love animals in stories! I can watch movies or documentaries where 100 people die, but a dog dies? Forget it! Charlotte’s Web is a big one that sticks with me, but Winn Dixie, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and Where the Red Fern Grows comes to mind. Why even the toad in Tuck Everlasting!
Emily's story of bouncing around with family members very much mimics Maud's, and it always gives me pause- what it would have felt like to be a burden on those who have to care for you. And I will say, I do love both Aunt Laura and Cousin Jimmy but Aunt Elizabeth definitely rules with an iron fist, there isn't the same kind of softening that we see with Marilla. As you say, it is a very brutal view on them!
I also can't watch anything if an animal dies or gets hurt!! I am always more connected to a character if they have a pet, though, no matter what pet it is. I feel like it gives you more insight into the character (what kind of pet do they have, how did they get it, how do they treat it?). I found it interesting that Anne's story doesn't really have any animals in it!