Emily of New Moon (The Emily Books, Book 1)

This review is based on a hardcover edition of this novel which I believe to be unabridged. I came to the book due to the recent Canadian Television Series, and though I've enjoyed that series very much, I find the book is altogether quite different from the series. It held my interest from the first page, and I was deeply moved by the entire achievement. Little Emily in this novel is a writer, a child with the heart and soul of a poet/prose writer who is immensely sensitive to the beauty around her on Prince Edward Island where she is growing up. Her closest friends, Teddy and Ilse, are also highly creative; and the soul of the novel has to do with the passion and courage of Emily in a world where vulnerable creative personalities meet with general bias as well as specific obstacles to their development every day. For me, the strongest and most arresting passages in the book have to do with nature as Emily sees it and moves through it.... trees, woodlands, coastal areas, gardens both natural and created, and the neverending panorama of changing skies. It is worth noting that Emily sees as much beauty in winter around her as she sees in spring or summer; and when she feels deeply, her joy is mingled with pain. Her soul opens when she is given opportunities to write down her thoughts; and the act of writing is therapeutic for her; and over the course of the novel she grows in insight and strength. ----- ------- There is much more to be said about this book. It is part of group of novels of the period that dealt with appealing orphans placed in homes where they had to win over the unsympathetic guardians who burdened with their care. And much can be said about the metaphor of the orphan, and why these books attained such popularity. ---- Another key aspect of the novel is that it takes the mind and soul of a child completely seriously, and does not shrink from strong condemnations of those who are rude and abusive to children. It is not written per se for children; but it is written by some one for whom the child is a full human being. ----------- I do want to explore those aspects of the book (and others) as I continue to read Lucy Maud Montgomery but the primary value of this novel for me is that Emily is a writer; and I think there is much here to comfort, encourage and inspire writers of all ages. The novel rings true. The novel is not just for children. The novel transcends time. I recommend this to anyone interested in the dilemma or the adventure of the creative child, the child who is a dreamer, the child who sees miracles in the physical world all around her, the child whose soul longs to write or paint or make art in any form. This is lovely novel, and it is a strong one and reading it was a rare pleasure. ------ One last note. When I finished it I thought at once of "Martin Eden" by Jack London. That is a book about an adult, and a much darker book. It is wholly different book, and it provides a deeply disturbing ending that many might find disappointing. But "Martin Eden" also about a writer, about the anguishing struggles of a sensitive soul who longs to be surrounded by beauty and to make beauty. ----- I recommend both books very much.

I loved this book as a tween girl and I love it as an adult. Lucy Maud Montgomery was an exceptional writer! A very charming story of a young girl growing up in PEI, an island in eastern Canada. The rest of the series, Emily Climbs and Emily's Quest make this 3 part series very touching and heat-warming. Any girl 10-90 will love all three books in this trilogy.

Fit for the dreamers., the misfits, the odd ones. Story declines at the end, but the descriptive writing is worth the time.

I recognized the authors name but couldn't remember her books for a short time until I connected the name to Anne of Green Gables which I read many times when I was young. Her characters are so colorful and interesting.

So I read this because Natasha Lyonne name-checked it in Russian Doll — “don’t read Anne, read Emily, she’s dark” — and I think as a result I may be the first person to ever read Emily of New Moon before Anne of Green Gables. Every time I mention a plot point to my partner she tells me that there’s something equivalent that happens in Anne, which is, well, it’s unfortunate. But I suspect when I finally get around to Green Gables I’ll find Anne dishwater dull.

Loved this book and honestly didn't think I would. Emily is clever, sassy and mature beyond her years. very well written and kept my interest. Read it for our women's book club at church. Recommend!

It's definitely a classic and well written . But somehow it just misses the must read status of say Anne of Green Gables or Rebecca of Sunnybrook farm. Keep in mind this is from the male perspective . I put it in the same field but above The Story Girl and Golden Road. It has a nice period feel with an engaging orphan character as well as an interesting collection of supporting characters . While it takes place on P.E.I it does have a different feel to it. It's worth rounding out you're reading it just may not be a title you'll revist like LM Montgomery's other books.

It's a birthday gift, I'm sure it will be well received.I love the design of the front page, it's beautiful, I kind of felt that I would like to keep it for myself.Highly recommend

Ich freue mich über einen Klassiker in englisch zu diesem Preis. Das Buch sieht neu aus und kam pünktlich und unbeschadet an. Die Seiten sind sehr dünn und ich mag das. Ideal zum mitnehmen, da platzsparend.

This author had not been really known in my country and I enjoy reading this story. I first watched the anime that's how I got to read this. I had a lot of fun following the characters and see the bonds between Emily and the family but also with her friends. I am enthralled by her passion for writing and it is interesting to see the feedback she received. It's also good for amateur writers to follow the advice given. Realistic story.

Ho letto tutta la saga di Anna dai capelli rossi e mi sono innamorata di questa scrittrice.. incuriosita da questa trilogia ho acquistato il primo romanzo e devo dire che l'ho adorato! Mi è piaciuto forse anche di più di Anna.. e non vedo l'ora che esca il secondo romanzo. Consigliatissimo!

Lovely read! Just loved it. I picked up this book after Anne of green gable which is very famous book of Lucy Maud Montgomery. I know she wrote most of her stories around orphan life so i was little doubtful if it would be like reading the same story in disguise of different characters. But i liked it more than Anne with e. Emily is just quite different character when Anne happens to be lucky to find good people around her Emily is not. There are very few people who are kind to her and mostly people are mean and torment her without any fault of hers. Poor unlucky child is she. Story is very interesting, i don't understand why people did not like it as much as Anne. Story is quite interesting from the beginning and I just loved this. I did not read series of Anne but i am going to read next book of Emily.