Sonderbooks Book Review of The Blue Castle

Reviewed September 30 and September 23, 2001.
A Sonderbooks' Best Book of 2001
September 23, 2001 review:

L. M. Montgomery is my favorite writer, and this is my personal favorite of her books. You’ll probably find it listed as a young adult book, but it was actually written for adults. Since I first read it as an adult at a stressful time in my life, perhaps that’s why I especially like it.

Valancy Stirling has lived a life squashed by her intimidating family. On her thirtieth birthday, Valancy learns that she only has a year to live, so she throws fear to the wind and decides to finally stand up to them. She determines to really live in the time she has left. And she ends up making dreams come true. This is a beautiful, clever, inspiring and funny book. I read it every few years to remind myself to look for the beauty in life, and simply to enjoy a wonderful book. Hmm. I just talked myself into reading it again.

September 30, 2001 review:

This book was last week’s “Old Favorite,” and that got me where I simply had to read it again. I have a few more things to say about it.

This week I was thinking about how movies have a category called “Romantic Comedy,” but that category is only beginning to be used on books. However, the stories themselves have been around for centuries. The Blue Castle is an exquisite Romantic Comedy, with an inspiring message about the importance of living above fear. Tremendous fun. Oh, and I made a mistake--Valancy’s life changes on her 29th birthday, not her 30th!

Reviews of other L. M. Montgomery books:
L. M. Montgomery Reviews

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Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

******The Blue Castle*

by L. M. Montgomery