Hello my lovely readers!! My poor little blog is still sorely neglected! But I just couldn't let this week go by without participating in Hamlette's "We Love L M Montgomery Week!" She's put together such a lovely party complete with this tag, games, and a giveaway so please do go check it all out!
Today, I'll be answering her questions about all things Lucy Maud! Let's get to it!!
The LMM Tag
1. Who introduced you to L. M. Montgomery's writing? Tell us the story!
2. What LMM books have you read?
- Anne of Green Gables
- Anne of Avonlea
- Anne of the Island
- Anne of Windy Poplars
- Anne's House of Dreams
- Anne of Ingleside
- Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories
- Chronicles of Avonlea
- Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1902-1903
3. What movies or shows based on her books have you watched?
Then, in middle school/high school, I watched Sullivan Entertainment's movies and fell in love with them instantly. (Not the 4th one, however. We do not speak of that one.)
I've also watched the BBC mini-series of "Anne of Avonlea" from 1975 which is also very good in my humble opinion. (More to come on this later in my post for the link-up!)
Finally, I've watched the more recent PBS series which, although delightful, falls a little flat in story, spirit, and casting.
Oh! And also a few episodes from the first season of "Road to Avonlea!" I really need to finish it! It's so precious!!
4. Which LMM character is your kindred spirit, the one you'd like to hang out with in real life?
5. Which LMM character do you relate to the most? And why?
I'm sure many of us will say Anne but I just can't help myself! Back in 2016, I wrote this about relating to Anne:
"Anne and I are both overly romantic, exaggerate, have a bad temper, and are extremely dramatic. But I also like to think we both have generous spirits, a contagious smile, and are great friends."
Yes, that still rings very true. I also think I've grown up much like Anne did. We've grown into ourselves, so to speak. We desire the best for everybody around us and have a very nurturing heart. Anne is still my best literary friend to this day.
6. Have you ever been to Prince Edward Island?
7. Who is your favorite LMM heroine?
"It was a wind that sang and piped and keened of many things--but what it sang to each listener was only what was in that listener's heart."
There's just something about a fishing village heroine who needs to discover for herself the life she is called to and deep down loves all the time; a life of drudgery, yes, but filled with the warmth and comfort of home, love, and family.
"They walked up the sands together in the heart of the autumn sunset, with the northwest wind whistling in their ears and the great star of the lighthouse gleaming wanly out against the golden sky."
"I belong to you and the sea. But I never knew it until I crossed the harbour tonight. Then I knew--it came to me all at once, like a flood of understanding. I knew I could never go away again--that I must stay here forever where I could hear that call of wind and waves."
An honorable mention of a short story heroine would also be Marguerite Forrester in "A Sandshore Wooing." It was a simply delightful story.
8. Who is your favorite LMM hero?
Of course, there's Gil. But you know who else deserves a mention? Matthew. There is something just so comforting about him. He is so calm and good to Anne from the moment he found her at the station. He was probably the first person in her life to really just sit and listen to her and answer her questions honestly. (Well, there were others in Budge Wilson's "Before Green Gables" but that's not Montgomery so we'll leave that for another time.) Matthew was so good and even heroic in the little ways of life until the very end. And when I first read the scene of his death in the book, my heart was sobbing. Yes, Matthew was a hero although we might not think of him that way at first glance. But he believed in Anne before anyone else, loved her, supported her, and was so proud of her. He faced the challenges of life with quiet heroism. (Kind of reminds me of Beth March, don't you think?)
9. Do you have any fun merch related to her books? If so, please share some photos!
Oh yes!! "Anne of Green Gables" has been my favorite for so long, I have a very nice little collection. I am so blessed. I shared most of it over on my old blog here!
10. What are some of your favorite LMM quotations?
Aaah! There are so many! Let me just browse my Pinterest and GoodReads highlights really quickly... (This list isn't even including the ones from my Kindle!) Now, in no particular order...
“Gilbert laughed and clasped tighter the girlish hand that wore his ring. Anne's engagement ring was a circlet of pearls. She had refused to wear a diamond.
"I've never really liked diamonds since I found out they weren't the lovely purple I had dreamed. They will always suggest my old disappointment ."
"But pearls are for tears, the old legend says," Gilbert had objected.
"I'm not afraid of that. And tears can be happy as well as sad. My very happiest moments have been when I had tears in my eyes-- when Marilla told me I might stay at Green Gables--when Matthew gave me the first pretty dress I ever had--when I heard that you were going to recover from the fever. So give me pearls for our troth ring, Gilbert, and I'll willingly accept the sorrow of life with its joy.”
― Anne's House of Dreams
“Even when I'm alone I have real good company — dreams and imaginations and pretendings. I like to be alone now and then, just to think over things and taste them. But I love friendships — and nice, jolly little times with people.”
― Anne's House of Dreams
“Anne: "But have you ever noticed one encouraging thing about me, Marilla? I never make the same mistake twice".
Marilla: "I don't know as that's much benefit when you're always making new ones".”
― Anne of Green Gables
“I have a dream," he said slowly. "I persist in dreaming it, although it has often seemed to me that it could never come true. I dream of a home with a hearth-fire in it, a cat and dog, the footsteps of friends -- and you!”
― Anne of the Island
“Thank goodness air and salvation are still free...and so is laughter.”
― Anne of the Island
“Gilbert darling, don't let's ever be afraid of things. It's such dreadful slavery. Let's be daring and adventurous and expectant. Let's dance to meet life and all it can bring to us, even if it brings scads of trouble and typhoid and twins!" (Anne to Gilbert)”
― Anne of Windy Poplars
“All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world.”
― Anne's House of Dreams
I know that was a ton of quotes so thanks for scrolling all the way to the bottom! XD It is always so incredibly delightful to blog about my love for Anne and LM Montgomery. Thanks again to Hamlette for hosting this wonderful event!! I hope you enjoyed this post!! Let me know in the comments below your favorite things about our beloved authoress!
In cordibus Jesu et Mariae,
Sarah
PS. Here's a bonus quote for you from Montgomery that I was overjoyed to find because I now know she shares my thoughts on knitting!
I really, really want to watch the Sullivan Entertainment movies! We I think started watching them when I was little, and never finished even the first one. *sad face*
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I really don't relate to Anne...at all! (Which is why the first book drove me BATTY as a child), but I love her anyway. :)
All of those quotes are SO good! (And they're making me want to reread Anne of the Island. Which I totally could do, because it's I think the one Anne book I actually have with me at school...)
Oh, you must!! I know it's not exactly book accurate but the casting is the absolute best! I would love to hear your thoughts if and when you do watch it!
DeleteHaha, well that's ok too! XD I'm just glad you can enjoy her. I think its so important that we can appreciate people and characters even if we don't directly relate to them.
Eeee! Thanks! Yes, do! All of this Anne talk is really making me want to reread as well! But I think I'm going to make myself finish the series before I go back. (: If you do reread, enjoy!! <3
I've not heard of Anne of Green Gables/Little Women coloring book but it sounds like a good introduction.
ReplyDeleteAh Matthew. I think he deserves some mention besides Gilbert. It's too bad we have no more of him after the first book. How do you like that he has long gray hair and a beard in the book, not like the movies?
That quote about mistake with Marilla saying to Anne "I don't know as that's much benefit when you're always making new ones" - I always find that amusing as if Marilla is making a joke but she's probably not.
Have a lovely day
Hello and thank you so much for your comment!!
DeleteYes, it was a children's coloring book with very abridged versions of the stories from Dalmation Press. It definitely was.
I agree, it is too bad we don't get to see more of him after the first book. Oh, that's right! Well, I don't know if I would especially like his hair to be longer in the movie, but I think it was in my coloring book, funnily enough. :D
Haha! Yes, Marilla can be quite funny without meaning to although sometimes I think she does have a real sense of humor behind remarks like that. She has to have a sense of humor to keep up with all of Anne's antics!
Thank you so much and same to you!
High five to someone else who has read Christmas with Anne! Isn't that the sweetest collection?
ReplyDeleteMatthew is amazing, and the perfect choice for favorite LMM hero. He is SO heroic! The love and kindness and understanding he gives to Anne are so important.
Yes!! It was so cozy and delightful! <3
DeleteGlad you think so too! Anne and the books wouldn't have been the same without him.