I wasn't sure at the beginning of this book, but I'm really glad I stuck with it.

While this is definitely in Montgomery's style, I do enjoy her "adult" writing much more than I thought I would. I did glaze over at a few of the descriptions, but her dialogue was spot on.

I felt that the omni-present writing worked well for such a book. I think it would be handled differently if it was written now, but I still enjoyed what she did with this.

SPOILERS:
I had predicted that Barney was the writer that Valency loved so much, but I didn't see the connection to Redfern (who sold the pills). I knew there was something there because of how he reacted when she bought the pills into the "blue castle", but I was surprised that the chemist was Barney's dad.

This book is about finding your "home" in the most unlikely of places, and how the things we dream of as children aren't necessarily the things that makes us happy as adults. Valency's character changes (and so does her beauty) as she comes to her own and realizes that she can be whomever she wants, and that's not something to be ashamed of. What a bold message for women at that time, and even still today!

I'd love to research more of Montgomery's spiritual leanings. She was spot on about a lot of things, especially about what it really means to be a Christian (With Valency being a true servant to care for Celia in her last few days). I wonder if she received pushback from writing this?

It would be interesting to pair this book with modern versions of what a strong woman is. What would be the same? What would be different? I love that even though she does get married, that's about as traditional as it gets. There's no mention of children, and their goal is to see the world and do good. What a rebellious thing to write in the 1920s! (at least it seems to me - I haven't been in a history class in quite some time!)

Pairings: Poisonwood Bible, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre,