Rainbow Valley (Special Collector's)

LMM dedicates Rainbow Valley to three young men who were killed in WWI, and the ending of the novel, with its references to the Piper, foreshadows the war to come. Did you notice anything else in the book that echoes or explores these bookend references to the war?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, CogsOfEncouragement, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

lauraisntwilder Ellen West seems pretty convinced there's something rotten in the state of Germany. 2w

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder And she wasn't wrong! I loved seeing LMM's interest in politics come out in that way. I felt like the Piper stuff was a little heavy-handed, but I liked that little foreshadowing with Ellen. 2w

kwmg40 There were definitely instances of foreshadowing -- references to the politics but also suggestions that the world will change and the current times will be gone forever. 1w

BarbaraJean @kwmg40 Yes! I think that‘s what I had a hard time putting my finger on. There‘s a whole mood of “all this is about to change.” It makes the childhood games and antics that much more nostalgic. 6d

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BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

It was heartbreaking to read the above in LMM‘s journals and to see LMM‘s loss of her cousin and dear friend overshadowing the publication of Rainbow Valley. But I loved hearing the source for both of these Rainbow Valley moments.

What are some of your favorite parts of Rainbow Valley? Favorite episodes or quotes?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, CogsOfEncouragement, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

JenlovesJT47 I can‘t wait to actually sit down and read her journals. Hoping to get to it this week. 💚 She was such an interesting person. 2w

CogsOfEncouragement Throughout the book, it was interesting to me how gossip in the small community played such a role in nearly everything. Sometimes the gossip caused great harm, and sometimes it was the gossip of others that prompted someone to act to everyone's betterment. 2w

BarbaraJean @JenlovesJT47 I hope you end up being able to get to them—I‘ve really loved reading the journals! 2w

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BarbaraJean @CogsOfEncouragement I got so mad at the gossips! Yes, there were times the Meredith kids (AND the Blythes, if we‘re being fair—which the gossips were not) really got up to mischief—like the pig-riding 😂 But it seemed like the things that set off the worst gossip were often innocent mistakes (like cleaning the house on Sunday!) or situations the kids should/would never have been in—if a responsible adult had provided some guidance and care. 2w

BarbaraJean In spite of how much John Meredith (as a father) frustrated me, I really enjoyed the Rosemary + John love story. I was rooting for the kids to have her in their life. I loved her friendship with Faith, and how Una finally brought everything together so sweetly & selflessly. I also loved basically all of the scenes that centered on Faith. Her explanation in front of the church, her letter to the Journal, and the pig-riding!! ⤵️ 2w

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) And I loved Faith‘s response to seeing that condescending minister catch his coat-tails on fire, vindicating poor Adam just a little bit! 2w

kwmg40 I enjoyed the antics of the Meredith kids, and seeing how their “bad behaviour“ usually stemmed from childish impulsiveness, kindheartedness or good intentions. 1w

BarbaraJean @kwmg40 I really loved those kids! It bothered me that the gossips labeled them as such “bad” kids, because they all had such good intentions. 6d

25 likes8 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

For those who are re-reading the series: How was it reading Rainbow Valley right after House of Dreams instead of after Anne of Ingleside?

Does this book feel like an “Anne” book to you? What do you think of the glimpses we do get of Anne and Gilbert?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, CogsOfEncouragement, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

lauraisntwilder I think it makes more sense coming right after House of Dreams. Well, actually, I think it's that Anne of Ingleside makes more sense if you read this one first. LMM introduces all the children in this one, but on my first read through, I read Ingleside first and was a little lost. I think I'll enjoy that one more this time through. 2w

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder Oh, I hadn‘t even thought about that with Ingleside! Even though we get very little development of the Blythe kids here, at least we do get the general introductions. I‘ll definitely be paying attention to how that affects my reading of Ingleside this time. 2w

BarbaraJean Although this doesn‘t feel like an Anne book to me, doing kind of a fast-forward to the next generation made sense to me. And I loved getting to see glimpses of Anne and Gilbert at this stage of their lives. The few moments we get of Anne as a parent (both to her own kids and to the Meredith kids at times) were just lovely. 2w

18 likes3 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

What worked or didn‘t work for you in this book? What did you most enjoy? What did you dislike or find problematic?

We get a bunch of new characters: Anne‘s children and the Meredith family, and various members of the community including the West sisters. Which were your favorites or least favorites? Who would you have liked to read more (or less!) about?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, CogsOfEncouragement, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

CogsOfEncouragement I of course like Rosemary. I was very much frustrated by Ellen not allowing Rosemary out of a promise no one should make, and then again when Ellen was keeping herself and three other people from easy happiness. I enjoyed Norman's character and any scene he was mentioned.

Faith was a favorite, I chuckled as she tried to fix messes she made, only to make things worse in some ways. Her letter to The Journal was a hoot! 2w

lauraisntwilder I was a little confused about when Mrs. Meredith died. I haven't taken the time to look back, but I swear Mr. Meredith has a memory of his wife holding little Una and it sounded like Una was a baby, or a very young toddler, at least. But later Una remembers a speech her father gives them shortly after her mother's death. I wouldn't have thought she be old enough to remember. 2w

lauraisntwilder *she'd be old enough 2w

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TheAromaofBooks We'll see if Litsy lets me comment😑 RV has always been my least favorite of the Anne books, and I think it's because I don't like John Meredith. Can anyone really be this self-absorbed and neglectful? How can you still consider him a “good“ person? I have no patience with his whole “guilt-stricken“ moments that are immediately followed by him pursuing his own interests again. While I love the children, I find John impossible to root for. 2w

BarbaraJean I really like the characters in Rainbow Valley—I love the Meredith kids. But it frustrates me that the Blythe kids are just side characters. And it‘s way too darn hard to remember which Blythe is which, because they‘re not at all fleshed out, and then Nan and Di are named after Anne and Diana, which confuses me! 2w

BarbaraJean @CogsOfEncouragement Faith was my favorite! I loved her boldness to stand up to the gossips, both with her church announcement and her letter to the Journal. My jaw literally dropped with some of her comments in her letter—but most of what came across so harshly was said truthfully and without malice. Like her comment about the yarn!! I love Rosemary, too—and Ellen‘s stubbornness and hypocrisy infuriate me. 2w

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder I found that memory of Cecilia and Una—it‘s halfway through Ch. 14: “the child whom the dying mother had clasped to her heart… Cecilia had clung to her baby until the gates of death had shut between them.” I was confused, too—“her baby” sounds like Una was either an infant or the youngest, but we know Carl is younger than Una. The AoGG fandom wiki says Jerry was 8 when his mother died, which would make Una 6 at that point. 2w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks YES about John Meredith. I liked Rainbow Valley more on this reading than before, partly because it reminded me so much of the little gang of friends in Story Girl/Golden Road. But John Meredith bothered me SO much more. No matter how much he supposedly cares for his children emotionally, he‘s a crappy father. But I was equally infuriated by the community, who gossip & judge those poor good-hearted, well-meaning kids who have ⬇ 2w

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …absolutely no support or guidance at home. I wanted to cheer at Anne‘s speech about what she‘d say about the Meredith kids, and the way Miss Cornelia took it to heart. But those kids needed more than adults defending them and their father‘s love for them. I think I was rooting for Rosemary & John in part because those kids needed her so badly!! But it also made me really angry that John finding a wife was presented as the best solution ⬇ 2w

BarbaraJean (Cont‘d) …for his failures as a father. Because guess what? If he can‘t remember that he has kids that need caring for, odds are he‘s going to neglect his wife, too. And that‘s going to be a crap marriage if her primary role as a wife is getting him to pull his nose out of tomes of German theology in order to remember he has a wife and kids. (Also UGH to commenting on Litsy via the web right now...) 2w

kwmg40 I enjoyed this book, though not as much as the earlier ones. I agree with others that John Meredith was an infuriating character but I liked all the other characters, even Ellen. One complaint I had about the subplots is that I felt I had seen them all before in earlier books -- the rescued child, the long-separated lovers, etc. 1w

BarbaraJean @kwmg40 Yes, LMM does have certain tropes she uses a LOT! 6d

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CogsOfEncouragement

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

pick

This is a reread for me of Anne of Green Gable # 7. I read it the first time over ten years ago and I didn‘t remember much. A nice happy escape with some laugh out loud moments. I look forward to the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead discussion on Saturday.

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lauraisntwilder

Rainbow Valley (Special Collector's) | L M Montgomery

pick

I think I liked this better the first time I read it, 2 years ago. I still like it because there's something about LMM's writing that always appeals to me. But, this time Ellen West being a terrible sister and the way she talks to her cat irritated me. And then there was Mr. Meredith, who kept wishing a woman would come along and do all his work for him. 🙄

BarbaraJean Uggghh, Mr. Meredith bothered me so much more this time around!! 3w

lauraisntwilder @BarbaraJean I honestly don't think I noticed him much last time I read it. This time, I kept wanting someone to tell him he was being a horrible father. Rachel Lynde would have! 3w

BarbaraJean Miss Cornelia does!! And then he goes and gets lost in German theology and forgets. 🙄 2w

lauraisntwilder @BarbaraJean She does, finally, but it comes SO late in the book. 2w

30 likes4 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

Hello, #KindredSpirits! Checking in halfway through our read of Rainbow Valley!

📚How is your reading going? What are your thoughts so far?
📚What stands out to you from the first half of the book?
📚Any favorite sections or quotes?

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, CogsOfEncouragement, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

CogsOfEncouragement I'm just to chapter seven at this moment, but plan to finish the whole book in time for next week's discussion. This is a re-read for me. I read it once over ten years ago.

I'm struck by the relationship between Susan and Shirley, that he would not go with the rest of the family to Avonlea but with Susan to visit her brother. I can't imagine.

3w

CogsOfEncouragement Chapter One:

“Speaking of gossip...Mrs. Harrison Miller over harbour tried to hang herself...If I had been in her shoes, Mrs. Dr. dear, I would have gone to work to worry him so that he would try to hang himself instead of me.“
3w

CogsOfEncouragement Chapter Four:

Love was the only law at Glen St. Mary manse.

The world isn't a vale of tears, Mrs. Taylor. It's a world of laughter.

Father said in his sermon...we should love everybody...How could we love Mrs. Alec Davis?...Oh, father only said that from the pulpit...He has more sense than to really think that outside. (edited) 3w

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CogsOfEncouragement Chapter Five:

Mr. Wiley used to mention hell when he was alive. He was always telling folks to go there. I thought it was some place over in New Brunswick where he come from. 3w

julieclair I‘m behind as usual… 🙄 3w

lauraisntwilder Just like the last time I read this, I can't help feeling like it's strange to be introduced to all Anne's children and then spend most of the book with an entirely different group of children. I like Meredith children, so I'm still enjoying the book, but it's odd. Gilbert only spoke in one scene so far, that I can remember. I miss him--and Diana and Marilla, and, actually, Anne, too! 3w

BarbaraJean @CogsOfEncouragement I thought it was odd as well, to have Susan take Shirley with her to visit her brother instead of him going with all the other siblings to Avonlea. He and Rilla kind of just disappear from the narrative (well, until the codfish episode with Rilla!). (edited) 3w

BarbaraJean @CogsOfEncouragement I love all the quotes you mentioned. Every one of them was one that caught my eye as well. I loved this especially: “The world isn't a vale of tears, Mrs. Taylor. It's a world of laughter.“ I love Faith Meredith so very much!! 3w

BarbaraJean @lauraisntwilder It IS odd. The first chapter sets up expectations that the book will be about the Blythes, and then the focus completely shifts. Like you, I like the Merediths, but it's such an adjacent-feeling book, rather than an “Anne“ book! Also: I wanted more about Anne and Gilbert's Europe trip! I'd read a whole novel about that! 3w

BarbaraJean @julieclair I get it! Feel free to drop back in when you're able to catch up! 3w

lauraisntwilder @BarbaraJean Yes, would love more on the European trip or the Blythe children with Marilla and Rachel! 3w

TheAromaofBooks I haven't started my reread of this one yet, but I'm planning to read the whole book this week!! We're at the new house with no internet right now, so my Litsy check ins are a little sporadic 😂 Hopefully we'll get things sorted this week!!

It's interesting to read this book directly after House of Dreams instead of after Ingleside. I think that adds to the “why isn't this book about the Blythes“ kind of feeling. 3w

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks You‘ve had just a FEW other things going on in your life… 😆 Looking forward to hearing your thoughts next week, and best wishes on sorting all the things! (Or most of the things… some of the things… a few of the things… 😂) 3w

kwmg40 I've only just started reading this novel so can't say too much yet. It's a reread for me, but I'd first read this so many years ago that it feels like a new experience! 3w

27 likes14 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

“It is never quite safe to think we have done with life. When we imagine we have finished our story fate has a trick of turning the page and showing us yet another chapter.”

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMReread

rubyslippersreads, JenlovesJT47, CogsOfEncouragement, lauraisntwilder, kwmg40, TheAromaofBooks, julieclair

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CogsOfEncouragement

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

“Mr. Wiley used to mention hell when he was alive. He was always telling folks to go there. I thought it was some place over in New Brunswick where he come from.”

- Mary Martha Lucilla Moore Ball Vance, age 12

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

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BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

“There are days when he growls at everybody because he thinks he is fore-ordained to eternal punishment… My own opinion is that he is not sound in his intellect, for none of that branch of the Millers were. His grandfather went out of his mind.”

Well, THAT lands differently after reading last week‘s section of LMM‘s journals. 😳😬😢

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead #LMMJournals #LMMReread

JenlovesJT47, lauraisntwilder, TheAromaofBooks

TheBookHippie 😵‍💫 4w

TheAromaofBooks For real!! 😥 4w

31 likes2 comments

LitsyEvents

Rainbow Valley | L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery

Repost for @BarbaraJean
Next up in the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead our #LMMReread of Rainbow Valley & our #LMMAdjacent read of The Last of the Mohicans. @BarbaraJean will post check ins on Saturdays; full discussion of Rainbow Valley will be March 15 & for Last of the Mohicans it will be on April 12.
All are welcome to join in! Please let @BarbaraJean know if you want to be added to or removed from the tag
list.

BarbaraJean Thanks for re-posting! 1mo

30 likes1 comment

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

Next up in the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead: our #LMMReread of Rainbow Valley, and our #LMMAdjacent read of The Last of the Mohicans.

I‘ll post check-ins on Saturdays; the full discussion of Rainbow Valley will be March 15, and for Last of the Mohicans it will be on April 12.

All are welcome to join in! I‘ll post my tag lists for each book in the comments. Please let me know if you‘re not tagged and you‘d like to be (or vice versa!)

LitsyEvents

BarbaraJean Rainbow Valley:
@julieclair, @TheAromaofBooks, @lauraisntwilder, @CogsOfEncouragement, @rubyslippersreads, @kwmg40, @JenLovesJT47

Rainbow Valley

1mo

BarbaraJean Last of the Mohicans:
@Daisey, @TheAromaofBooks, @julieclair, @lauraisntwilder, @rubyslippersreads, @JenLovesJT47

The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757

1mo

Daisey Looking forward to Last of the Mohicans! 1mo

julieclair Looking forward to both of these! 1mo

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! I'm in for both of these - or at least I've kept them from getting packed 😂 1mo

35 likes5 comments

MaggieCarr

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

pick

Anne is in this title so little. It's good but I miss her.

21 likes

Fammybooks

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

pick

This was a fun read. I quite enjoyed it. It was refreshing to follow the Meredith family for once.

2 likes

Fammybooks

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

I posted about this series on Threads and some people said to skip this book all together. Yet, somehow someway I‘m enjoying it.

2 likes

TheSpineView

Rainbow Valley | L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery

#SummerSoul @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs
#Rainbow

Eggs Lovely 🥰 🌈 💗 9mo

TheSpineView @Eggs 🌞 9mo

60 likes2 comments

lauraisntwilder

Rainbow Valley (Special Collector's) | L M Montgomery

pick

Overall, I liked this one. It's sort of weird that it's considered part of the Anne series, considering Anne is barely in it. While reading Montgomery's bio, I've learned that she was pressured for more Anne books long after she ran out of ideas for her. It was written before Anne of Ingleside, so I sort of understand why there aren't better descriptions of the Blythe kids in that book, even if today Ingleside is numbered earlier in the series.

19 likes

AnneCecilie

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

pick

This is a weak pick.

This book shifts its focus from Anne to her children, but even more to the children at the manse. The minister‘s children can do no right to the villagers and we get to hear all the gossip amongst the adults.

I missed Anne in this one.

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

BarbaraJean

BarbaraJean I‘m glad you were finally able to get a copy and finish it! There really is so little Anne in these later books, but I did enjoy that this one has more of a plot. And I like the manse children so much! 4y

AnneCecilie @BarbaraJean Me too, it took forever to arrive. I think I would I have enjoyed it more if it has been a standalone and not a part of the Anne series, I loved the manse children too. They reminded me of Anne 4y

69 likes2 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Rainbow Valley discussion - part 5

5a. How does Rainbow Valley compare to the other books in the series for you?

5b. How do you feel about the almost complete focus on the children in this book?

5c. What are your thoughts on the references to “the Piper” and the foreshadowing of the ending?

(Any other thoughts on this book you'd like to share?)

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Hooked_on_books, Jerdencon, Bkwrm7, LeahBergen, JenlovesJT47, AnneCecilie, Prairiegirl_reading, Centique, Andrea313, Liatrek, merelybookish, Clare-Dragonfly, EclecticBookLover, slategreyskies, rjsthumbelina, StayCurious, coffeewithbooks, meghathecloud, BookwormDownUnder, MB1994, TheAromaofBooks, Blackink_WhitePaper, dottie.floating.on.words

Clare-Dragonfly I liked this one—it‘s definitely in my top tier of Anne books, even with so little Anne! The references to the “piper” and the war foreshadowing were depressing but I suppose Montgomery didn‘t think she could ignore the existence of the war entirely. 4y

Jerdencon I enjoyed this one. I liked the stories of the Meredith children and thought it went well with the stories of the adults too. 4y

BarbaraJean @Clare-Dragonfly I agree--it's in my top tier, too! I feel like it recaptures some of the feel of the first book with all the scrapes the kids get into, plus a plot to hold it together (unlike Ingleside!!). 4y

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LeahBergen This is a real favourite of mine in the series! 4y

quietjenn I really liked this one alot! Not quite sure yet how is rank them (I'll wait until we finish to maybe do that), but over all found it really delightful. The Piper references did add a bit of melancholy, although it's realistic to know that the war is coming and that can't bode well for everyone. 4y

AnneCecilie I like the book, but think I would have loved if it wasn‘t part of the Anne series. The manse kids, especially the girls, are amazing. But in an Anne book I would expect more Anne. I didn‘t like the ending, it didn‘t seem to fit the rest of the book or the series for that matter. Suddenly things got very serious and dark. @Clare-Dragonfly @Jerdencon @LeahBergen @quietjenn 4y

BarbaraJean @AnneCecilie It‘s funny how expectations are set because it‘s part of a series. I really do feel like the lack of Anne makes Rainbow Valley and Rilla more “companion” books than Anne books. I guess the change of pattern in the title (Anne‘s name goes away in the last two) kind of clues the reader in that it‘s not going to be Anne-centric. Yes, the ending is so foreboding!! 4y

18 likes7 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Rainbow Valley discussion - part 4

4a. We get a little love story in this book with Rosemary West and John Meredith (and for once, Anne isn‘t doing the matchmaking!). What did you think about their romance?

4b. Relatedly, what were your thoughts on the promise between the West sisters? Is it ever justified to hold someone to a promise like this?

BarbaraJean I loved the little romance between Rosemary & John, and I loved Faith's role in it as well. But I hated the reason for their separation/misunderstanding and was SO mad at Ellen for holding her sister to that promise they'd made. I don't think that kind of promise is ever justified--at least, I can't think of a situation where it would be. Ellen's fear of being left alone feels manipulative. She could live with Rosemary & John, for crying out loud! 4y

Clare-Dragonfly I really enjoyed the romance. It developed so sweetly and naturally. I thought Ellen was being incredibly selfish and manipulative. Of course, the only way she would let that promise end is when she suddenly discovers that she could get some benefit out of it, instead of just her beloved sister getting benefit. 🙄 4y

Jerdencon I didn‘t like Ellen at all - so selfish. But I‘m glad Ellen and John ended up together. I knew they would but it took forever. 4y

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BarbaraJean @Jerdencon It was definitely predictable that they'd end up together... it was obvious how it was going to go when it was mentioned that Ellen had been talking with her old beau Norman Douglas (which I think was as early as the night John proposes to Rosemary!). But it did feel like Montgomery would never get back to it! 4y

quietjenn I really like the romance between John and Rosemary. I thought the development of it was very sweet. In contrast, I thought that the promise to Ellen was ridiculous and her decision to hold Rosemary to it (until it was convenient for her not to) pretty awful. It certainly didn't speak to any depth of sisterly love. 4y

AnneCecilie I liked the romance between Rosemary and John. She seemed to able to pull him away from his books. I found Ellen selfish in keeping her sister to that promise, especially when we get the backstory that it was given after they lost their second parent and Ellen was almost dying from grief. Ellen got better as soon Rosemary has given that promise. It‘s even more selfish to walk away from it a year after to forced to sister to turn down a (edited) 4y

AnneCecilie marriage proposal. Why couldn‘t Ellen live with Rosemary and John, when it was given to Ellen that Rosemary would live with her and John. It feels like it is so to ease Ellen‘s conscious. @Clare-Dragonfly @Jerdencon @quietjenn (edited) 4y

15 likes7 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Rainbow Valley discussion - part 3

3a. John Meredith is portrayed sympathetically, but shows a shocking lack of awareness about his children, to the point of neglect. What did you think about him—as a character and as a parent?

3b. What do you think should be the role of a community (or congregation) in a situation like this?

BarbaraJean I have SO MANY thoughts about John Meredith, mostly conflicted. As a character, he's endearing: the absent-minded vicar who's perpetually unaware of his children's antics because he's always lost in his books. But as a parent, he's inexcusable. There's absent-minded and then there's harmful neglect. The number of times that he briefly worries about his children, then does NOTHING because he gets distracted by some volume of theology... 😡 4y

BarbaraJean And yet, there are times he really shines--like his conversation with Mary Vance. She keeps looking back at it and thinking “if only he'd wake up like that more often.“ Although that's even more frustrating, because he has the capacity & heart to notice & take care of a neglected child, but so rarely does that for his own children. And the congregation notices it, but does very little beyond gossip. 4y

BarbaraJean I kept wishing that Miss Cornelia would step up and either talk some sense into John Meredith (or friggin' Aunt Martha), or take the reins and mother those kids herself in whatever way she could. Same with Anne. And Susan. There was so much the community could have done to step in where the father was doing nothing. 4y

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Clare-Dragonfly The community should have stepped up and HELPED THOSE KIDS instead of constantly gossiping about how they were bad and their father should get married, as though a new mom is a perfect cure for misbehavior. 😡 If the problem was they weren‘t being taught, what‘s stopping Cornelia or even Anne from teaching them?! 4y

Jerdencon Yes to all of your comments! I‘m not sure why Anne was not more involved - and John Meredith and Aunt Rachel just seem a little too over the top and detached. Just didn‘t seem realistic. And Anne who in all other books is such a busy body is such a peripheral character. 4y

quietjenn Man, the community made me so mad. Stop gossiping and do something! Or, is you have to talk, talk to Meredith directly, instead of about him. I agree with you all. He is both endearing and suoer infuriating. And the aunt - ugh. 4y

BarbaraJean @Clare-Dragonfly @quietjenn Yep, so disappointed in the community! There were so many people who knew the situation & could've actually helped. @Jerdencon I could almost understand the crotchety old aunt who won't let anyone else help because she still thinks she can “housekeep“ just fine. But it didn't make sense that John Meredith would have such genuine care & concern for his kids and then would just pick up a book and forget about it. 4y

AnneCecilie I agree with all of your comments and in the end the town gossip got a little boring. It‘s easy to talk about young kids, apparently so much harder to do something. I‘m not sure if Mr Meredith is too sensitive towards Aunt Rachel‘s feelings or if he thinks she‘s capable of running the house. @Clare-Dragonfly @Jerdencon @quietjenn 4y

BarbaraJean @AnneCecilie There was a lot of talk by others about Mr. Meredith not wanting to hurt her feelings, but I honestly don‘t think he was even aware that the aunt was so incompetent in running the household! 4y

14 likes9 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead - Rainbow Valley discussion - part 2

2a. There‘s an interesting parallel between Mary Vance in this book, and Anne‘s situation at the very beginning of the series. What comparisons or contrasts do you see between Anne‘s adoption and Mary‘s?

2b. What did you think of Mary‘s storyline, and of her as a character?

BarbaraJean I initially really liked Mary Vance. But as the book went on, I liked her less & less. Miss Cornelia seemed to bring out Mary's busybody side, and not in a good way! We don't get to see Mary's relationship with the Elliots the way we do Anne's relationship with Matthew & Marilla, but it didn't seem like Mary became part of the family the way Anne did. Partly because of Mary's independence, I'm sure, but it felt like she was more of a “project.“ 4y

Clare-Dragonfly Yes, I agree with you. At the beginning she seemed so brave, but then she just kept tormenting the poor Meredith kids! That imagination is much like Anne‘s, but I feel like Diana participated more in the storytelling than the Meredith kids—and she wasn‘t in such a precarious position. 4y

Jerdencon I agree with you @BarbaraJean - Mary became annoying at times. I don‘t know if she is purposely trying to rile up the other children out of jealousy. But I do like how it changes Cornelia for the better. 4y

quietjenn Not a fan of Mary Vance. I felt for her at times, for sure and I wanted to like her, but mostly just didn't. I agree that in living with Miss Cornelia, she became such a busybody, know-it-all. Who often made things worse, in the guise of being helpful. She's totally a "I have to tell you something for your own good" type of person, which ... No, thanks . 4y

AnneCecilie In the beginning I liked Mary, but when she moved in with Miss Cornelia she changed. One of the changes was busybody, I have to tell you something for your own good. The other was that she was so proud of her new outfits and paraded them in front of the manse children. Having lived with them for awhile she should know they could not get those outfits. I didn‘t get any Anne vibes from Mary. @Clare-Dragonfly @Jerdencon @quietjenn 4y

13 likes5 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

It's time for our #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead discussion of Rainbow Valley!

1. What are some of your Rainbow Valley favorites?
~Favorite character
~Favorite escapade/mischief the kids get into
~Favorite quotes
~Favorite scenes

BarbaraJean The standout characters for me are actually not the Blythe family! In this book, I think Faith may be my favorite character. I loved how deeply she cared about her family, and how she kept standing up for herself & her father - even if her attempts to do so often caused more trouble than the original incident/problem! I loved the scene where she confronts Norman Douglas about coming to church & helping pay her father's salary. And the pig-riding!! 4y

Clare-Dragonfly It‘s hard to pick a single favorite character! Can I pick Faith and Una? They are both so sweet and charming in their own way. Though I am also really fond of Mr. Meredith. My favorite escapade is when they mix up the days. They are so earnest! 4y

Jerdencon Definitely Faith - she‘s got spunk and most like young Anne I feel. My favorite escapade was Faith convincing Norman to come to church- I loved their interaction! (edited) 4y

See All 6 Comments

quietjenn I'm in total agreement! I loved the scene where Faith convinced Norman to come to church and when they mixed up the days. I really liked the entire Meredith family. 4y

BarbaraJean @Jerdencon Yes, I definitely got young Anne vibes from Faith! @Clare-Dragonfly Yes, Una is so sweet! I loved how she comforted Mary Vance early on while she was staying at the manse. Both of the Meredith girls were so endearing. And I was very fond of Mr. Meredith overall (except for that whole child neglect thing... 😬) 4y

AnneCecilie Like everyone else my favorite characters are Faith and Una. For the same reasons as well @Clare-Dragonfly @Jerdencon @quietjenn 4y

11 likes6 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

We're coming up on the end of Rainbow Valley, with our discussion on Sunday! I'll be posting questions in the afternoon (Pacific Time), and as usual, feel free to jump in when you can. I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on book 7! Then our chapter-a-day of Rilla of Ingleside will start on Monday. #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

AnneCecilie I‘m still waiting on the book from the library 4y

BarbaraJean @AnneCecilie Oh no! That‘s frustrating! Hope it comes through for you soon. Are you waiting on a copy of Rilla as well? 4y

AnneCecilie Yes, just placed myself on the hold. I hope I don‘t have to wait just as long for that one 4y

28 likes3 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

“‘A suitable woman of suitable age,‘ that unctuous brother of the cloth had said, in his far from subtle hint. For the moment John Meredith had had a perfectly unbelievable desire to rush madly away and propose marriage to the youngest, most unsuitable woman it was possible to discover.”

😂 I feel this... nosy interfering hints deserve extreme contrariness!! #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

LeahBergen This quote stood out for me, as well. 😆 4y

25 likes1 comment

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

The past couple weeks have been so busy, I've gotten behind on my own #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead as well as on Litsy in general! I looked up the buddy read schedule today to see just how behind I was, and discovered it's time for me to post the last third of the schedule. So here you go! Hope you're all enjoying the read (even if you've gotten behind like me).

Jerdencon I am enjoying this book... I‘m a little behind but will try to catch up this week. 4y

LeahBergen I just blasted through the end and finished it. 😆 4y

AnneCecilie I‘m still waiting on the book from the library 4y

23 likes3 comments

Clare-Dragonfly

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

“St. George, purring his disdain of humankind, who did not know that a soft cushion was the only thing that really mattered…”

Pictured: my kitten Magrat, using my cat Gandalf as a soft cushion 😻
#KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

28 likes

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

We're moving along in Rainbow Valley! I'm enjoying this one much more than Anne of Ingleside. Still lots of little stories, but there's more of an ongoing plot with the manse children and Mary Vance (who I'm loving!). I'm also enjoying that we get more of Miss Cornelia in this book. How's everyone else enjoying Rainbow Valley so far? 🌈 #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead

AnneCecilie I‘m still waiting on the book from the library. 4y

Clare-Dragonfly I like it, but all these judgmental church ladies are really infuriating! Why don‘t they help the manse children instead of just criticizing?! 4y

Jerdencon I am liking it too - but I agree with @Clare-Dragonfly - the old biddies drive me crazy! And I would love to hear more of Anne! 4y

LeahBergen I‘m thoroughly enjoying it and really liking the addition of the Manse children and Mary Vance. 😊 4y

quietjenn I'm very much enjoying it and like all the new kids. 4y

29 likes5 comments

quietjenn

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

Getting a slightly delayed start on the next volume of the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead. Just means I can quaff instead of sipping. 😏🌈

LeahBergen Perfect! 👌 4y

BarbaraJean Cheers! 🍻😁 4y

49 likes1 stack add2 comments

LeahBergen

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

I‘m caught up to Book 7 in the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead!

I almost always read my collectible editions and don‘t worry too much about it but this signed LM Montgomery, a gift from my husband, is an exception. Bring out the old reading copy! 😆

#MyPrecious

BarbaraJean

TrishB Gorgeous ❤️ 4y

Tamra Awesome! 4y

BarbaraBB That is quite special 🤩 4y

See All 18 Comments

Hooked_on_books Wow, signed! That‘s incredible! 4y

TheLudicReader How amazing that you have a signed copy. 4y

BarbaraJean 😍 4y

MsMelissa What a lovely gift! I would most definitely keep that one safe and not read it. 4y

ShelleyBooksie Whoa- super cool!! 4y

LeslieO Amazing! 4y

leah152 Nice!! I still have my Gran's collection of Anne stories 😊 4y

batsy That's a special copy indeed 💖 4y

MemoirsForMe Wow! 😍😍😍 4y

Cathythoughts How precious indeed 💫 4y

DivineDiana What a treasure! Read with gloves only! 🙂 4y

LeahBergen @TrishB @Tamra @BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books @TheLudicReader @BarbaraJean @MsMelissa @ShelleyBooksie @LeslieO @batsy @UwannaPublishme @Cathythoughts @DivineDiana Thanks, all! It‘s definitely one of my favourites gifts. 😆 4y

LeahBergen @leah152 Aww, that‘s lovely! 4y

rubyslippersreads That‘s fabulous! 4y

Centique Oh WOW. I‘ve just seen this and I‘m in complete awe. 😍😍😍 4y

87 likes18 comments

BarbaraJean

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

Tomorrow, the #KindredSpiritsBuddyRead moves on to Rainbow Valley—here's the schedule for the first third of the book.

I remember so little about these later books, other than that Rainbow Valley shifts the focus away from Anne and onto her children and their playmates. I'm looking forward to revisiting this one, and to hearing everyone's thoughts as we read!

LeahBergen I‘m looking forward to this one! 👏🏻👏🏻 4y

BarbaraJean @LeahBergen Me too! I‘m also looking forward to seeing whichever lovely vintage edition you have. 😊 4y

Jerdencon Looking forward to this one! 4y

AnneCecilie I‘m still waiting on this one from the library 4y

BarbaraJean @AnneCecilie Hope it arrives soon! 4y

28 likes2 stack adds5 comments

Bookwormjillk

Rainbow Valley | Lucy Maud Montgomery

pick

This one grew on me. At first I was disappointed that Anne was barely even in it, but then I started to like the characters. One more to go! #HeyCarrots #CrushTheRush #BookspinBINGO

thegirlwiththelibrarybag, Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick, Flingogal, TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks This is probably my least favorite of the series just because it's about the Merediths more than it is about the Blythes, but the actual stories and characters are still so delightful. I also love how even as a background character Anne comes through as such a loving & thoughtful person/mother. 4y

thegirlwiththelibrarybag Yass!!! 🥕 4y

Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick You can do it! 4y

39 likes3 comments

janeycanuck

Rainbow Valley | Lucy Maud Montgomery

pick

I know these are young adult books and no young adult is interested in the life of a middle aged lady but man, I get so sad when the focus shifts away from Anne to the children. Still a wonderful classic, though.

#heycarrots

34 likes

Butterfinger

Rainbow Valley | Lucy Maud Montgomery

pick

I was bothered by a racist slur. I think the author was trying to show the rough upbringing of Mary Vance, but it would have been so satisfying to have Jem or Walter fuss at her like they did over everything else.

#BookSpin @TheAromaofBooks
#heycarrots @thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Flingogal

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 5y

thegirlwiththelibrarybag 🥕 5y

28 likes2 comments

AmyK1

Rainbow Valley (Special Collector's) | L M Montgomery

so-so

This is my least favorite of the series so far. It‘s mostly about the Meredith children and their absent, neglectful father.

#heycarrots @thegirlwiththelibrarybag

29 likes

Addison_Reads

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

so-so

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
#HeyCarrots @thegirlwiththelibrarybag

The seventh book in this series is a good book, but I was a little disappointed because there wasn't enough of Anne and her family for my tastes. The book focuses on another family's children who become friends with Anne and Gilbert's children.

Easy, fun read, but I think the author is trying to keep a series going by adding in too many new characters.

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 5y

32 likes1 stack add1 comment

thegirlwiththelibrarybag

Rainbow Valley | Lucy Maud Montgomery

We are somehow up to book 7 (well not me personally because I‘m hopelessly behind at this point but I‘m here to cheerlead you!!!)

#heycarrots : very self paced Anne of Green Gables readalong - join in, think about join in, rewatch the 1985 masterpiece... up to you!

bibliobliss, Bookwormjillk, BookishMe, Q84, Addison_Reads, LinesUponAPage, Butterfinger, ATC, sblbooks, TheAromaofBooks, AmyK1, Charityann, Blackink_WhitePaper, runswithscissors007, fiction_addict

TheAromaofBooks I finished Windy Poplars a couple of weeks ago and will hopefully read House of Dreams... soon 😂 5y

thegirlwiththelibrarybag @TheAromaofBooks - sounds good! ☺️ 5y

Bookwormjillk I got stuck after House of Dreams. Hopefully I‘ll catch up this month! 5y

thegirlwiththelibrarybag @Bookwormjillk - maybe 🧐 🥕 5y

49 likes4 comments

Argon

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

so-so

This book was quite different from the rest of the series because it didn‘t focus on Anne‘s family, like I expected it would. Instead, it focused on the children of the new minister (who did become friends with Anne‘s kids). They were interesting characters and the stories were cute, it just wasn‘t what I expected. 6/10

12 likes

LeahBergen

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

Thanks for the tag, @rockpools ! 😘

1. I worked for one summer (during university) as a samurai warrior extra in a Japanese historical film. I still work occasionally as an extra in locally filmed TV shows and movies (usually bad TV movies 😆).

2. The health of my loved ones.

@vivastory and @Leftcoastzen : you‘re tagged if you haven‘t played already. 😊

Cosmos_Moon_River

Palimpsest @LeahBergen that is so cool! 😊 5y

Cathythoughts No. 1 sounds exciting 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y

KVanRead That‘s so cool!! 5y

See All 21 Comments

Cosmos_Moon_River a samurai warrior! That is amazing!!! 5y

Tanisha_A Oh wow, #1 5y

BiblioLitten Whaaaa!! So cool. *bow* 😍 5y

AlaMich Best summer job EVER! 5y

vivastory Echoing others, #1 is fantastic! 5y

MaureenMc Epic! 🙌 5y

MsMelissa That job! Leah you could have been famous. 5y

Megabooks That‘s a cool job! 5y

batsy Well that must have been so cool!! Maybe exhausting, as well? 🙂 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Exciting summer job! And you‘re still starring in tv shows?? You must be locally famous! 💫 5y

LeahBergen @Palimpsest @Cathythoughts @kvanreads @Cosmos_Moon @Tanisha_A It was so fun. We trained with several weapons for 4 days and then spent the rest of the time sprawled in a field playing cards (tucked into our samurai garb and against the rules 😆). 5y

LeahBergen @BiblioLitten @AlaMich @vivastory @MaureenMc It was great! My height (5‘4) and dark hair and eyes got me hired as a front line (masked) samurai. 😆😆 5y

LeahBergen @Book_Fiend_Melissa Could have is right! 😂😂 5y

LeahBergen @Megabooks It was so fun! 5y

LeahBergen @batsy It was! And it was tiring. Super long days where you sat around in full samurai garb (in the heat!) waiting for the director to call ‘action‘. The good thing was that I was so exhausted that I couldn‘t spend any money and went back to school in the autumn with a nice little stash. 😆 5y

LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm Definitely not. 😆 I only apply for crowd scenes and non-speaking roles. 😂 5y

rockpools Yay! I somehow knew you‘d have the *best* answer for 1! 5y

Centique @LeahBergen @batsy I think the position of #bookwarrior is hereby filled 🙌 (or maybe #guardianofthebooks ) 5y

58 likes21 comments

Naya

Rainbow Valley | L. M. Montgomery

pick

12/2020

bookandbedandtea

Rainbow Valley (Special Collector's) | L M Montgomery

#ispy a basket on the cover. Thanks for the tag @chrissyreadit the search was fun!

If you would like to play @robinb @katy4peas @staci.reads can you find a book with tulips on the cover? 🌷

katy4peas pretty picture! 😍 5y

Chrissyreadit Ohhh!!!! One of my favorite books ever! 5y

28 likes2 comments

EmilieGR

Rainbow Valley (Special Collector's) | L M Montgomery

so-so

The kids aren‘t as interesting as Anne

1 like

MelissaSue81

Rainbow Valley | L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery

How does my library only have one copy of this in the entire 32 library system? 🤔. I know they‘re in the public domain at this point but I‘ve been doing the series as a read aloud with my 10 year old and she likes to have the physical books .

Cortg That‘s a BIG library system! 6y

MelissaSue81 @Cortg - I just double checked.. it‘s actually 37 libraries! 6y

Cortg Wow! I thought ours was pretty big with 16 😂 6y

MicheleinPhilly @Cortg Ours is 54! 6y

Cortg @MicheleinPhilly OMG! 😯 6y

52 likes5 comments

Eggs

Rainbow Valley | Lucy Maud Montgomery

#rainbowstack #literaryluck @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
As long as I live, rainbow 🌈 will =LeVar Burton

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️💗🌈 6y

Areader2 He has a pod cast now called LeVar Burton reads 6y

Pricel101 We loved that show! 📖🌈 6y

See All 6 Comments

Coleen Take a look, it‘s in a book... 🎶 6y

tammysue 🧡🌈 6y

Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Areader2 @Pricel101 @Coleen @whatshesreadingnow ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤 6y

99 likes6 comments

Michellesibs

Rainbow Valley | Lucy Maud Montgomery

pan

I am determined to finish this series however it is becoming hard work. Overall I just feel like the author was purely page filling at this stage as this book is filled with nothing but air.
Full review can be found here
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2623814806?book_show_action=false&from_rev...

MelissaSue81 Ugh. Yes.. the later books are very hit and miss and I feel like especially the books that were added on later were just not well done.. I also am finding tons of typos (I‘m currently reading Anne of Ingleside) which I don‘t know if it was an author or typesetting issue at that point.. but ugh. 6y

Djspens I feel ya! I haven't read that series but I rarely won't finish a book but it's so annoying when there's so much fluff! 6y

Chrissyreadit I wonder if she just didn‘t feel like she knew Anne‘s children as well as she knew Anne. Rilla of Ingleside almost broke my heart. Maybe LMM does better when she focused on one. 6y

See All 7 Comments

Michellesibs @MelissaSue81 @Djspens @Chrissyreadit thanks all, I wondered if it was just me but seems like a common theme here. I have hope that the next book will turn it around so fingers crossed! 6y

Daisey It‘s been a long time since I read the whole series, but I remember very little about the books in the middle. However, Rilla of Ingleside was very memorable. 6y

Michellesibs @Daisey @Chrissyreadit both your comments on Rilla of Ingleside are worrying me, I'll make sure I have tissues close by I think! 6y

wordzie Page filling...air 😁 6y

40 likes7 comments

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