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Book Review of The Blue Castle

The Blue Castle
The Blue Castle
Author: L. M. Montgomery
Genre: Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
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Every so often a book will come along that really makes me believe that you shouldn't judge by the cover (or the categories it is placed in). I'm so glad I didn't and gave this one a try.

I've never read any Anne of Green Gables before, but I was somewhat familiar with L.M. Montgomery. I read that this was her first (and only?) adult novel, and I liked the premise. I was a fan of the main character, Valancy, from the first couple of pages. A 29 year old "old maid" who isn't particularly pretty and is completely diminished by her overbearing and obnoxious mother and family. When she secretly visits a doctor in town for some minor health issues, she receives a diagnosis that she has a fatal heart condition and will not live another year. She then decides to take back her own life, and she does so beautifully. I liked and felt for Valancy when she was being abused by her family, but I absolutely loved and rooted for her when she finally became her own person. She was such an inspiration.

This book was wonderfully written and full of interesting characters, all very colorful in their own ways. This was written in 1926, but felt very timeless to me. Quite a pleasant surprise, and definitely one that I'm going to read again and again.