tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post2187425862757940..comments2023-06-02T14:56:35.057+01:00Comments on The Book Trunk: Kilmeny of the OrchardChristine Hardinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09814026435889782750noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post-73362342193209901362012-10-13T06:57:14.983+01:002012-10-13T06:57:14.983+01:00Hello again, Christine & Nan & everyone el...Hello again, Christine & Nan & everyone else,<br />I've just started "Kilmeny" myself - and I am wondering which one of you I'll ultimately agree with most. Eric has just finished his first week of teaching, and we've just seen the beautiful, dark, sulky youth. The plot thickens!<br />~BarbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post-41046791413815248922012-10-09T20:48:24.850+01:002012-10-09T20:48:24.850+01:00I wouldn't bother reading it again! Too many g...I wouldn't bother reading it again! Too many good books you might love out there. :<) Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post-6455404491239895332012-10-08T12:01:44.885+01:002012-10-08T12:01:44.885+01:00Thank you for visiting Barb. I would be interested...Thank you for visiting Barb. I would be interested to read your view of this books. It's not often I disagree with what Nan says - she's one of those bloggers where if they recommend a book I know there's a good chance I will like it.Christine Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09814026435889782750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post-44634912558893444982012-10-08T07:52:19.198+01:002012-10-08T07:52:19.198+01:00I've not yet read this one, though I recently ...I've not yet read this one, though I recently acquired an old hardcover copy which I've just re-collected from my mother, who enjoys a good dose of L.M. Montgomery occasionally.<br /><br />I recently tried to re-read Magic for Marigold, but just couldn't keep going - too sweet & implausible - I'm going through a cynical phase in my reading lately - and I suspect from the review you've given Kilmeny might trigger the same response, but I'll see if it "takes".<br /><br />And I also love Anne of Green Gables; I think it is far and away the best of LMMs books, and I've read an awful lot of them over the years.<br /><br />I enjoyed your review, and Nan's as well. My verdict as to which of you I agree the most with shall follow sometime in the future, if all goes well!<br /><br />~Barb in B.C. (Canadian Book Challenge participant)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post-14785615423350260662012-10-05T22:28:16.448+01:002012-10-05T22:28:16.448+01:00Nan, I really wanted to like it lots, because you ...Nan, I really wanted to like it lots, because you did such a goo review, and I love Anne of Green Gables, but for some reason it just didn't gel with me - but I will read it again and see if it grows on me! <br /><br />I did like Montgomery's description of plants and wildlife - she had such a feel for the place and the landscape - and the secret garden aspect of the tale, with flowers blooming as Kilmeny and Eric's feelings for each other grows. And I found her treatment of the reason for Kilmeny's inability to speak was interesting, and seemed surprisingly modern for its time. <br /><br />But I agree with you whole-heartedly about Agatha Christie. Lots of her work (not only Poirot) is riddled with xenophobic views, and her attitude towards the 'lower classes' leaves a lot to be desired. It always annoys me intensely, but I still read her, and I will still read more LM Montgomery!<br /> Christine Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09814026435889782750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post-81859053185459738002012-10-05T21:30:23.650+01:002012-10-05T21:30:23.650+01:00I do think that xenophobia was quite pronounced th...I do think that xenophobia was quite pronounced then, and maybe the difference between now and then is that it was not a big deal for anyone to express it. It's still around today - and some places express it more openly than others. I read it over and over again in such writers as Agatha Christie. Even Hercule Poirot is often referred to as a foreigner, and he has to win people over.<br />I expect Kilmeny was so 'perfect' because she had been very sheltered. Really extraordinarily so. <br />I also think that the family stuff was much more predominant then. People were judged by their parents, and their 'sins.'<br />I think it read rather like a fairy tale, with a hidden princess and a handsome prince. <br />I also think there used to be more hope, hope the way Eric expresses it. In the US it is referred to as a 'go to' attitude. I fear it has mostly gone by the wayside when it comes to work and adding something to one's country. <br />I understand all your objections and annoyances with the work. Really I do. But I still fell under its spell. :<)Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15547916206007733970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post-63661201323496832622012-10-05T13:20:28.034+01:002012-10-05T13:20:28.034+01:00Paulita, you are quite right, I think it did refle...Paulita, you are quite right, I think it did reflect opinions of the day, and sometimes that kind of outlook is not so intrusive in an older book,and it doesn't necessarily mean the author held those views, but I felt it struck a jarring note here.Christine Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09814026435889782750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4512516523018627966.post-23968711265165809522012-10-05T10:46:54.770+01:002012-10-05T10:46:54.770+01:00It looks like you have some good insights into why...It looks like you have some good insights into why you didn't enjoy this book as much. The opinions about foreigners probably just reflects the opinion at the time. I wonder what people in the future will think of our closely-held beliefs. Paulita https://www.blogger.com/profile/14237320966048538408noreply@blogger.com