tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post8911967307110008445..comments2024-02-11T10:58:23.271-08:00Comments on Reading to Know: The Blue Castle, by Lucy Maud MontgomeryCarriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08772667430500306088noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-87737739902783783192014-01-26T23:49:36.300-08:002014-01-26T23:49:36.300-08:00I wonder if L.M.M. struggled with unforgiveness? I...I wonder if L.M.M. struggled with unforgiveness? It seems to be a reoccurring theme throughout her writings. I don't know if Valency could even know what forgiveness was or how to give it considering the family she came from.<br /><br />On the other hand it could just be what makes L.M.M. writing really stand out. That strong tension that always seems to hang about in her stories and give it that edge. Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05397141781902277266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-58307356467286548062014-01-23T09:41:48.023-08:002014-01-23T09:41:48.023-08:00Finally finished this one this week. I had a hard ...Finally finished this one this week. I had a hard time liking it at first, It was so stark in the beginning, and I felt Valancy went way overboard to the point of being rude when she finally stopped being afraid of how people would react. Things did come back to an even keel at the end, but you're right, there was no forgiveness, and the reconciliation was more selfishness on the family's part after they found out who Barney really was. (I did guess his occupation early on but not his parentage.)<br /><br />I liked the second half much better than the first half. Barbara H.http://barbarah.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-375749176910025752014-01-16T16:07:23.310-08:002014-01-16T16:07:23.310-08:00Thud? This!Thud? This!Amy @ Hope Is the Wordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07949836482747469686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-73518389079799219502014-01-16T16:06:39.081-08:002014-01-16T16:06:39.081-08:00Reading all the comments makes me want to re-read ...Reading all the comments makes me want to re-read thud one! Too many books, too little time. Amy @ Hope Is the Wordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07949836482747469686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-30044576774383812252014-01-16T08:04:37.439-08:002014-01-16T08:04:37.439-08:00I had never read this book before and had to reser...I had never read this book before and had to reserve it at the library. It only took three evenings (bedtime reading) to read it! I loved it. Thank you for choosing it! I agree with what you said about forgiveness and found it sad that she was never able to reconcile with her family. But I loved that she decided to live life and decided to go help someone else. She could have done anything she wanted to, but what did she do? Became a caretaker to a dying woman. That meant a lot. And I loved the romance between her and Barney. I was on pins and needles at the end; "it's going to be a happy ending, right? RIGHT???" :) <br /><br />Thanks for choosing The Blue Castle for January's read!!Cassandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09319901329438691914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-37244614559621362522014-01-16T05:43:06.303-08:002014-01-16T05:43:06.303-08:00You know, I had some of those same thoughts as I r...You know, I had some of those same thoughts as I read it. On one hand, I like that she let go of what was holding her down and started being bolder and not so worried about pleasing everyone, but underneath it just seemed there was this little current of resentment that she never let's go. And I get that, but it left a funny taste in my mouth.<br /><br />Still, enjoyable to revisit this one again this year. And I'm thoroughly enjoying my time with Pat of Silver Bush - I had forgotten how wonderful those two books are! If we hadn't just come off of trying to get through Little Women as a read-aloud, I would have read PofSB to the girls. As it was, I just needed something with short chapters instead. : )Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660852009014295034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-45962126977206102512014-01-15T12:19:54.160-08:002014-01-15T12:19:54.160-08:00I loved the Blue Castle. I think LMM is now my fa...I loved the Blue Castle. I think LMM is now my favorite author!<br /><br />In 1989/1990 I was living with my cousin and his family in Maryland. They had Anne of Avonlea on VHS and Beta (!) Of course, I immediately loved it. I didn't know that it's out now on DVD. I know my girls will love it too. Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00700295026045530265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-71154185694250422072014-01-15T11:13:34.990-08:002014-01-15T11:13:34.990-08:00It's very interesting to read others' thou...It's very interesting to read others' thoughts about Valancy. Montgomery hooked me right off with her commentary on being 29 and single at a family party. There were plenty of things I <i>didn't</i> identify with Valancy about, but being "old" and single was one that I definitely <i>did</i> identify with. <br /><br />What you're saying about Valancy's unforgiveness is true, although I didn't really take much note of it as I read. I suppose I had enough immediate liking to let me pass over her obvious faults.bekahcubedhttp://bekahcubed.menterz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-22063285776783692092014-01-14T12:12:39.335-08:002014-01-14T12:12:39.335-08:00I'll come back and read this after I finish th...I'll come back and read this after I finish the book. :-) I'm only a couple of chapters in and it is a little depressing so far, but I am hoping things will turn to some degree here soon.Barbara H.http://barbarah.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31647067.post-40699812855286298982014-01-14T10:16:20.356-08:002014-01-14T10:16:20.356-08:00While I have read how quick and easy The Blue Cast...While I have read how quick and easy The Blue Castle is I must be honest and admit that I am struggling with it. Oh, I'll manage through. I feel intensely sorry for Valancy but then I dislike her for the wretched thoughts she has. I suppose it comes from the book being completely different than what I expected. I expected something along the lines of Anne. With Anne there is nothing but love. Valancy.....love/dislike, love/dislike.Tamihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15214437821206430726noreply@blogger.com