This week’s backlist book pick is The Blue Castle, by L.M. Montgomery.
Many people have read and loved the Anne of Green Gables series, but very few people have read or even heard of the other books and stories that L. M. Montgomery wrote.
Besides Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery also wrote the Emily of New Moon series, The Blue Castle, and quite a few other novels and stories.
Anne of Green Gables might have made her famous, but her other books are worth reading as well.
The Blue Castle is definitely a backlist book. It was first published in 1926. It has endured the test of time.
The book The Blue Castle was written by L.M. Montgomery for adults, not kids. It is considered historical fiction or historical romance. It is also the only L.M. Montgomery book set entirely outside of Prince Edward Island.
Grace read Anne of Green Gables as a kid, but after reading The Blue Castle a few years ago, she declared it her favorite L.M. Montgomery book.
The Blue Castle follows the life of Valancy Stirling who lived on a quiet street in an ugly little house and never dared to go against her domineering mother and her unforgiving aunt. Then she gets a letter from the doctor and decides that things need to change. For the first time in her life, she does exactly what she wants to. She moves out, takes a job, and lives her life as she wants to.
If you love Anne of Green Gables, but haven’t read The Blue Castle it is time to add it to your to be read list.
It so well written. It captivates the reader into the life of Valancy. If you need a well written love story without some of the annoying stuff in modern books, this is it. It may be old, but it still rings for readers today.
And because this is an older book there are quite a few different versions of the cover and book. I think the cover could use a more modern update. We only have this in ebook form, so I might have to keep my eye out for an older edition of this one.
If you want to know more about L.M. Montgomery be sure to listen to The History Chicks podcast episode all L.M. Montgomery.
And if you haven’t read or heard of the book Marilla of Green Gables, you can read my full review of it.
I loved this book. I read most of L.M. Montgomery’s books when I was growing up—with the exception of her ghost stories because I don’t enjoy ghost stories. (I didn’t like the Emily of New Moon series as much, for that reason.) The Blue Castle was one of my favorites. I also especially liked Kilmeny of the Orchard and Jane of Lantern Hill.
The only ones that I have read are the Anne Books. I started Emily of New Moon but never even finished the first book. Maybe I need to go back and try it again. I definitely need to read The Blue Castle since Grace and other readers like you say they love it.
Read that book years ago! I think I have read most of her books, but it’s been years. Loved them all, but yes, I also remember thinking this one was my favorite!
I am glad to know that Grace is not alone in loving The Blue Castle!