Emily of New Moon: Classics Week

Less ardent fans might not recognize Emily of New Moon, but many probably recognize Anne of Green Gables. Emily is the raven-haired, authoress, proud, calm and cool, and striking L. M. Montgomery heroine: almost diametrically opposite to blazing redhead, mischievous, caring Anne.

Emily Byrd Starr belongs to the clan of the Murrays of New Moon, a clan known for their pride, "clannishness", and old-fashioned ways. When her loving father dies, the proud Murrays draw lots to take in the child of whom they disapprove, fearing she has the rebellious nature of her Murray mother, Juliet, who eloped. Growing up at New Moon, the most ancestral of all the Murray homes, Emily continues her imagination of sprites like the Wind Woman, writes letters to her father in heaven, and writes poems and stories. But she also develops a small part of that Murray pride as well as friends with whom she will go far and wide.

Emily (the books as well as the character) is a little more dark (no hair-color pun intended) and, romantically, less "fairy-tale perfect" and more agonized than perfectly domestic Anne. However, Emily resounds with me more because of her thoughfulness, imagination, maturity, and love life: love for books and writing and nature.

Emily of New Moon is followed by Emily Climbs and Emily's Quest. Similar to Anne, most of the actual plot happens in the sequels, but they refer to many incidents from Emily of New Moon. Personally, I think the sequels are better, with more character development and more interesting events (although the first is amazing!) so you should definitely read those. Also better cover art, haha.

Five stars!

Happy reading,

~Citali