The Blue Castle

Posted on | August 24, 2010 | 28 Comments

It is all too seldom that one finds a book to embrace to your heart upon finishing but The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery is one such book. I clasped it with such joy and contentment and poignancy that the experience was over; I fell in love with this book and I am delighted that it will be one that I can revisit often whenever I require to be comforted or cheered.

The Blue Castle is a book I only discovered the existence of through other wonderful bloggers. Rachel had me coveting a copy when she waxed lyrical about it last last year, swiftly followed by Steph and then Ana; when three of my favourite blogging acquaintances all endorse a book so enthusiastically then it is one I must read. Besides which, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne books are close to me heart; Anne Shirley is a “kindred spirit” of mine and previously undiscovered treasures of Montgomery called to me. Regrettably The Blue Castle (and most of Montgomery’s other work, not of the Anne or Emily series of books) is out-of-print and unavailable in the UK, with secondhand copies rare and extortionate; I was holding off until later this summer to order a copy from Canada to coincide with a relative coming over here to visit but as I was costing the order I serendipitously came across a bargain copy shipped from the US. Less than two weeks later The Blue Castle was in my eagerly awaiting hands and further timely blog posts along with some gentle but persistent persuasion from Elaine and Ana conspired and I read it immediately. The satisfaction and excitement I had reading The Blue Castle on a whim was at the root of my decision yesterday to do such things more frequently; I could not in any conscience deprive myself of future experiences of the same nature.

The Blue Castle is thoroughly enchanting. I spent last Sunday wrapped up in it as if it was a cosy duvet and felt infused with warmth. Eva said it best when she wrote that, “it almost felt like something Anne Shirley herself would have written”. Valancy Stirling is twenty-nine and never been in love; her imagination and heart is free in her daydreams of her blue castle (the locale of romance and happiness) and in reading the “forbidden” nature books of John Foster but in life she is restricted by her family who call her “Doss”. Valancy’s mother and Cousin Stickles, whom she lives with, her Uncle Benjamin and other members of the Stirling family treat her disparagingly by relentlessly mocking and bullying her; resigned to being an old maid, she meekly accepts her family’s overbearing and cruel ways. A visit to Doctor Trent liberates Valancy and she begins to live life, saying and doing exactly as she wants; Valancy begins to think and behave as if she lived in her blue castle, where she is unconfined by social mores and familial obligation.

If it had not rained on a certain May morning Valancy Stirling’s whole life would have been entirely different. She would have gone, with the rest of her clan, to Aunt Wellington’s engagement picnic and Dr. Trent would have gone to Montreal. But it did rain and you shall hear what happened to her because of it.

Valancy reviewed her whole life between midnight and the early spring dawn. It was a very drab existence, but here and there an incident loomed out with a significance out of all proportion to its real importance. These incidents were all unpleasant in one way or another. Nothing really pleasant had ever happened to Valancy.

Afraid of her mother’s sulky fits–afraid of offending Uncle Benjamin–afraid of becoming a target for Aunt Wellington’s contempt–afraid of Aunt Isabel’s biting comments–afraid of Uncle James’ disapproval–afraid of offending the whole clan’s opinions and prejudices–afraid of not keeping up appearances–afraid to say what she really thought of anything–afraid of poverty in her old age. Fear–fear–fear–she could never escape from it. It bound her and enmeshed her like a spider’s web of steel. Only in her Blue Castle could she find temporary release. And this morning Valancy could not believe she had a Blue Castle. She would never be able to find it again. Twenty-nine, unmarried, undesired–what had she to do with the fairy-like chatelaine of the Blue Castle? She would cut such childish nonsense out of her life forever and face reality unflinchingly.

I was charmed by The Blue Castle and heart-warmed. It is a romance with fairy tale elements (including references to one of my favourites, Bluebeard) that reminded me of I Capture the Castle mixed with the magic of Anne of Green Gables and the social satire of Jane Austen. This is a delightful novel that I would expect to find in the catalogue of Persephone Books, with Valancy a wonderful heroine fitting of the company. The Blue Castle is predictable but so comforting and satisfying a read that I would happily forego being surprised ever again if it meant being continually delighted by Valancy and her Blue Castle.

Comments

28 Responses to “The Blue Castle”

Steph
August 24th, 2010 @ 2:31 pm

I’m so glad that: a) you were finally able to get a copy of this book; and b) that you loved it as much as I did! It is such a comforting, delightful read, and it made me sad that Montgomery didn’t write more “grown-up” fiction. It had all the spirit of the Anne books, and yet the humor was just a little more biting. It’s a book I’ll certainly treasure and re-read!
Jenny
August 24th, 2010 @ 2:34 pm

Aw, I wish Persephone would republish this book. It deserves so much more attention than it gets. Apart from the excerpts from the John Foster books, which were so boring to me I wanted to crawl inside the book and give Valancy something genuinely awesome to read. :p
Joan Hunter Dunn
August 24th, 2010 @ 6:45 pm

Yes Persephone if you’re reading this please, please, please republish it.
I think I know what you mean when you ‘clasped it with such joy and contentment and poignancy that the experience was over;’ I love a book that makes me do that.
Meghan
August 24th, 2010 @ 7:15 pm

The bloggers you’ve mentioned are a few of my favourites too, and I am really longing to get my hands on this book! You have certainly done your part to make it sound irresistible. Now just to find a copy …
Amy
August 24th, 2010 @ 7:40 pm

So glad to see that you liked this one It is my favorite L. M. Montgomery novel.

If you are a huge Anne fan, come visit lovely little PEI some day soon and I’ll take you to the musical.
Danielle
August 24th, 2010 @ 9:07 pm

A copy just arrived in my mailbox yesterday and I can’t wait to read it, even more so after your post today! I am just (slowly and deliberately) finishing up I Capture the Castle.
Rachel
August 24th, 2010 @ 9:42 pm

Oh Claire! I’m so glad you loved this too! Isn’t it perfect? Coincidentally I am just currently reading Anne of Green Gables for THE VERY FIRST TIME and words can’t express how much I love it. L M Montgomery is wonderful!

I think The Blue Castle has to be the best comfort read ever – I’ll go back to it time and time again.

This is DEFINITELY Persephone territory – I hope someone has suggested it to them, as I know it would sell like hotcakes!
Mrs.B
August 24th, 2010 @ 11:51 pm

Wonderful review! Now I must find myself a copy of this! I’m ashamed to say I haven’t even read the Anne books or seen the tv film. Maybe I should start with that while hunting down a copy of The Blue Castle.
Claire (The Captive Reader)
August 25th, 2010 @ 1:58 am

It’s so strange to see so many of my favourite bloggers gushing over this one as it’s always been my least favourite of Montgomery’s works. I think perhaps because it is too much like something a young Anne Shirley might have written. I’m glad that so many people are enjoying it though, even if I can’t understand the appeal.
Coffee and a Book Chick
August 25th, 2010 @ 3:58 am

I adore LM Montgomery — I haven’t read this one, but I’m going to have to put this on the list!!
Carolyn
August 25th, 2010 @ 4:33 am

Now here’s where I can gloat a wee tiny bit about one benefit of living in Canada: I got to read this book growing up! It was definitely my favourite of L.M.’s and it’s so nice to see how loved it’s become, I used to think no one else knew about it.
Dot
August 25th, 2010 @ 9:29 am

What a brilliant review, you have made me want to read this one straightaway, I’m off to find a copy!
JoAnn
August 25th, 2010 @ 1:11 pm

Wonderful review, Claire! I’m adding this one to my list.
Simon (Savidge Reads)
August 25th, 2010 @ 4:06 pm

I havent read anything my L.M.Montgomery but my mother is a huge fan and I wonder if she has read this or not as it might be worth me getting her a copy for her upcoming 44th Birthday! Hmmm… you have given me present plans, I can break my book buying ban if its not for me right? Hee hee.

Lovely passionate review Claire.
Hannah
August 25th, 2010 @ 10:28 pm

Thanks for your review! I own a copy of the Blue Castle, and have Jane of Lantern Hill from the library at the moment. I loved all the Emily and Anne of Green Gables books, which I read many years ago, and can’t wait to read more L.M. Montgomery.

Hannah
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
August 26th, 2010 @ 9:25 am

I haven’t read any Montgomery yet either, but have seen the ravings for this book flying aroung the blogging world. I’m keeping my eye open for a copy
Lija
August 26th, 2010 @ 1:34 pm

Yay! Seeing all of the attention that The Blue Castle is getting makes me happy. In fact, I think it’s the perfect time to crack open my new birthday copy…

Laughed at Jenny’s comment above about the John Foster bits, though. So true – they were unbelievably boring. I wonder if L.M. tried very hard to make them as amazing as Valancy seemed to think they were, or if we were just supposed to suspend disbelief and take them as representations of great books within a great book? Like when a movie makes up a pop song that would never actually be a popular song.
claire (kiss a cloud)
August 26th, 2010 @ 4:57 pm

Ooh another gushing review. I feel like this is going to be another I Capture the Castle. I’ve been wanting to read this since I read about it on Nicola’s blog (Vintage Reads) last year and am on the lookout for a used copy (it seems to be fitting the atmosphere of the book)..
Nymeth
August 26th, 2010 @ 5:50 pm

A lovely review of a lovely book! I too felt like hugging it when I finished (only it was an e-book, so I couldn’t!). Also, I’m happy to heat you agree with me that it would make a good Persephone.
Sakura
August 26th, 2010 @ 10:41 pm

Anne of Green Gables was and is one of my favourite series of books I read as a child, but I didn’t know about this book at all until I read about it last year in Rachel’s blog. I can’t believe I didn’t know about it either! I still haven’t looked for it but it’s high up on my wishlist!
Bloomsburybell
August 27th, 2010 @ 9:21 am

I sooooo want to read this! I am deeply envious that you have a copy. Persephone Books should publish it!
anothercookiecrumbles
August 27th, 2010 @ 4:10 pm

I loved the Anne books, but I don’t think I’ve read anything else by Montgomery. This book sounds fantastic, and I’m going to try finding a copy – sucks that they’re not available in UK, but hopefully, I’ll get lucky (like you).
Anjali
August 30th, 2010 @ 8:11 am

This is one of my favourites too – for those who want to read it and can’t find a copy, it’s on Project Gutenberg. An actual copy would be nice, but barring that, Stanza for the iphone/ipad comes pretty close!
Nicola
September 1st, 2010 @ 1:39 am

The Blue Castle is a wonderful read. They’ve never managed to print an edition with a decent cover on it though! One for Persephone I think.
Kate
September 2nd, 2010 @ 2:48 am

This is one of my very favorite L.M. Montgomery books. And it’s wonderful to see so many people also love it, and are discovering it!
Hannah
September 2nd, 2010 @ 10:19 pm

For those of you who can’t find a copy the book is available on Project Gutenberg Australia:

http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0200951h.html
BuriedInPrint
September 7th, 2010 @ 8:46 pm

Oh, yes, this is such a sweet, sweet tale. Hot cocoa and buttered toast. It was a so-so read for me when I was in my Anne years, but I loved it more later.
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