Isnt it a lovely day ? Its sad to think of those who arent born yet to enjoy this day. Of course, they may have other beuatiful days. But they can never have this one.
I first read "Anne of Green Gables" when I was rather a mature head - in college. That qualifies you as an adult. At times I feel it tragic that I discovered the divine world of Anne and L.M.Montgomery rather late in life. That my childhood remained oblivious to the joys of Anne. But again, a true Anne lover can never really be sad in life. And believe me,since I have discovered L.M.Montgomery's world, I have begun to live a lot in my dreams. As a result, nothing really seems to matter to me. There is a certain pleasure in every moment of our life - only its very difficult to find it when you allow yourself to be lured into viewing just the dark. I may sound preach-ic, but I speak from experience.
Well, enough of all that. This page is about Miss Montgomery and her delightful creations. Oh yes, I was telling you how I was swept into Miss Montgomery's world (it really pleases me to use the MISS beofre any lady's name - seems quite elegant doesnt it ?). Yes, well, I became a huge Anne fan and reread the book some ten times within a week before starting off on the next of the series. I did not reread that - and halfway through "Anne of the Island", I closed the book with a sigh. I could not hide it from myself any more that the grown up Anne did not interest me as much as the darling child did. Perhaps, the first book rather set up much too huge an expectation for the remainder of the series which would have been impossible for any mortal to follow. That was it for more than three years. I continued to read and reread "Anne of Green Gables" - but had reconciled to the fact that there could be nothing better.
A whiff of fresh air came in the form of the "Story Girl" books. Quite charming and so equally poignant at times. Loved it - but the effect wore off. I was back to where I had begun. last year, I picked up two more of her books - "Emily of New Moon" and "Magic for Marigold". Both seemed to me so similar in theme that eventually neither created any great impact on me. I guessed I was beyond the age where Sentiments move and tears seem beautiful. It was with much hesitation, therefore, that I bought "Emily Climbs". And lo, I was back into the world of beauty and dreams. "Emily Climbs" is as interesting a book as "Anne of Green Gables" and Emily Byrd Starr quite as stirring a charcter as Anne Shirley.
Emily and Anne - Montgomery's finest heroines
I see quite a few war of words between the Anne and Emily lovers across the web. I have no such loyalties - for I can not live without either of them. Anne is Life personified. Cheer and liveliness oozes through the child and her words leave you spellbound in their profoundity and in the utter simplicity of putting it. Emily on the other hand, is a more silent and much more a mature character. Hence, the aging process does not create too much of an impression. Which means that as a series, Emily leavs you much more occupied than Anne. There is no sense of loss as Emily turns 20. There is definitely (to me at the least) such a sense with Anne. "Emily Climbs" is succeeded by "Emily's Quest". It was with much fear (of disappointment) that I icked up the book. I finished it through a night - and honestly through the next week wondered how Anne coul dbe superior to Emily. But of course, a reread of "Anne of Green Gables" was sufficient to equate the balance again. Yes, the two are equal ly endearing characters. Both delight you - one obviously and the other bot quite so obviously. The two have helped me in creating my own world of dreams.
"The Blue Castle" was my next read. Needless to say, equally enchanting and quite a distinguished Montgomery heroine. But just for once, I would have liked Montgomery to leave a hung-ending rather than a happy-one. I mean, that she has found her love is happy enough I guess. But that she also is not yet ready for the rideon Death Express came as bit too sweet an ending. I loved "Emily's Quest"'s ending. yes, it was a happy ending too - but its not completely sweet. You know what I mean. I woul dhave preferred Miss Montgomery to have just proven the love that the two share for each other and left it there.
How is this ? :
Valancy looking out of the window that night wondered, "How can Death be distasteful any more ? Not after this. ".
The stars twinkled in all their glory. Not a cloud marred the sky - it was brilliantly lit as was her heart. She heard his gentle breath from across he room. As peace descended on the world outside, Valancy was at peace with the world too. Her heart resonated with the beauty she beheld. Who knew what the morrow held ? Let the Morrow be, she was happy enough with Today...
Well, rather a crude wording no doubt. But rather conveys what I meant.
No such complains about "Kilmeny of the Orchard" though. Certainly the most delicate and the most ethereal of Montgomery's heroines. Some scoff at the novel, and most ignore it. But I loved the book - and Kilmeny. I loved her as I love the roses on a windy day at the top of a hill. Something which makes you want to take the roses into your arms. Kilmeny is such an innocent and peaceful creature that she would certainly not fit in the modern world. But as I said, I live in my own world of dreams - and she certainly LIVES there.
I can go on .. and on about Miss Montgomery. But I do not want to. Just let me say that she enabled me to open my eyes to a world that I never knew about. A world where smiles are abound, innocence is abound. A world where Man is at peace with himself and with the world, a world where Silence is a virtue and not a weakness, a world where the noise comes from the chatter of the young and the chirps of the birds. A world where one lies in the shade of a tree, and with eyes closed, a beautiful melody on the lips... wondering ,"Could there be a better world than this ?"
