Leth reviewed The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery
"I have one more year to read Queer books!"
5 stars
Lucy Maud Montgomery was the Brain God of Sad Girls Everywhere. The palpable way she channeled her depression into this story is as heartbreaking as it is gripping and soul-healing. Chapter 8, in which Valancy reflects upon her life, concludes that it has been a complete waste as she had always thought, and then resolves to spend her final year alive living the way that she wants to—I am not exaggerating when I say it's one of the greatest passages Montgomery ever wrote.
As a 2022 human being, you cannot possibly miss the interpretation of this book as a Queer anthem. It's right there. I mean, it does us the favor of her family describing her that way of their own accord.
Immediately shot up in my estimation to be one of the best books of Montgomery's career. By sheer focus on its theme, it slams itself right alongside the …
Lucy Maud Montgomery was the Brain God of Sad Girls Everywhere. The palpable way she channeled her depression into this story is as heartbreaking as it is gripping and soul-healing. Chapter 8, in which Valancy reflects upon her life, concludes that it has been a complete waste as she had always thought, and then resolves to spend her final year alive living the way that she wants to—I am not exaggerating when I say it's one of the greatest passages Montgomery ever wrote.
As a 2022 human being, you cannot possibly miss the interpretation of this book as a Queer anthem. It's right there. I mean, it does us the favor of her family describing her that way of their own accord.
Immediately shot up in my estimation to be one of the best books of Montgomery's career. By sheer focus on its theme, it slams itself right alongside the likes of first half of "Anne's House of Dreams" and "Rilla of Ingleside".
The fact that it's also the only book she ever wrote starring an adult woman is either icing in the cake or the most significant reason you connected with it. Take your pick. It's a timeless take on the "I only have one year to live" tale.