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Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1907 to 1908
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166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2008
About the author
L.M. Montgomery
2,033 books12k followersLucy Maud Montgomery was a Canadian author, best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908.
Montgomery was born at Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Nov. 30, 1874. She came to live at Leaskdale, north of Uxbridge Ontario, after her wedding with Rev. Ewen Macdonald on July 11, 1911. She had three children and wrote close to a dozen books while she was living in the Leaskdale Manse before the family moved to Norval, Ontario in 1926. She died in Toronto April 24, 1942 and was buried at Cavendish, Prince Edward Island.
Montgomery was born at Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Nov. 30, 1874. She came to live at Leaskdale, north of Uxbridge Ontario, after her wedding with Rev. Ewen Macdonald on July 11, 1911. She had three children and wrote close to a dozen books while she was living in the Leaskdale Manse before the family moved to Norval, Ontario in 1926. She died in Toronto April 24, 1942 and was buried at Cavendish, Prince Edward Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 29, 2024
5 stars. Some of my very favourite of Montgomery’s stories are here. A few of them have the same plot, with variations, as other stories in the other collections, but that didn’t bother me. There was also a chapter from “Anne of Green Gables” for some reason... which I skipped. xD The stories here were mostly funny, although many were sweet too. As always, there are some amazing characters! I’d hand this one to a young sibling with just a little editing.
I. A Millionaire’s Proposal
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). This story reminds me somewhat of Anne’s brief romance with Roy Gardiner in Anne of the Island. It’s rather a common plot, that of a beautiful young girl eager to escape the poverty she grew up with and make the most of a chance to enter upper society, angling for a rich husband. I’m glad Kitty ended up being “true to [her]self at last.” She was a nice girl, and I understood her. Jack was a lovely fellow, who reminded me more of Gilbert Blythe than anyone else. Alicia was terrible and I couldn’t feel sorry for her, but I did feel sorry for Roger—and Gus! Poor old fellow, I hope he got a happy ending.
Content: 2 kisses mentioned.
II. A Substitute Journalist
5 stars. Patty and Clifford are poor and ambitious, yearning on his side for an engineering position and on her side for journalist position. But Clifford is the journalist for now—which he hates—and he’s got a very important assignment to cover. But he hasn’t shown up on time! Will he lose the promotion promised him?
I absolutely love all the stories about poor, hard-working, ambitious young people, which Montgomery writes about very frequently. Patty reminds me a little of Dorinda from Dorinda’s Desperate Deed, as well as Prue from A Patent Medicine Testimonial … and Clifford reminds me of several great hardworking characters thought the short story collections. Anyways, this is really a humorous, heart-warming story, with such a fun ending.
III. Anna’s Love Letters
3 stars. Anna Williams’s practically engaged to Gilbert Murray, but he’s gone off west, and Anna has no intention of waiting for him—or marrying him, either. Alma can’t bear to believe it’s true, so to keep Gilbert’s love fresh she writes him letters under Anna’s name. Then Anna does the unthinkable and marries Charlie Moore…
Well, Anna saddened me. And Alma’s deception wasn’t right. It all turned out well, though… an interesting story, but not my favourite.
Content: a kiss or two.
IV. Aunt Caroline’s Silk Dress
5 stars. This story reminds me of Penelope’s Party Waist, being about two poor young girls, one a seamstress and one a schoolgirl, who are desperately behind on their mortgage but also in dire need of relaxation. Sweet Carry is a wonderful older sister, and Patty’s darling. And poor Aunt Caroline was wonderful! The plot was delightful and so heartwarming, and the ending is just perfect.
V. Aunt Susanna’s Thanksgiving Dinner
5 stars. This story is purely hilarious. Aunt Susanna's relationship with the girls is so funny, and so are her sarcastic comments! Agnes' voice as narrator is perfect, and I love the other sisters—and the plot! It's just so funny and heart-warming and sweet!
VI. By Grace of Julius Cæsar
5 stars. Isaac Appleby wants a wife. Ann turned him down, and so did her cousin Melissa. But when they canvas his house for a church subscription, they get more than they bargain for…
This is another hilarious romance, similar to The Quarantine at Alexander Abraham’s. Can't say I approve of Isaac's way of getting a wife, but it sure was persuasive and funny, and probably was the best thing for Anne! Melissa’s a silly old hoot, but Anne is so much fun.
VII. By the Rule of Contrary
5 stars. I think this is one of Montgomery’s most hilarious stories ever. It’s very short, and oddly enough I confuse it with Nan a lot, but I guess it’s somewhat similar, being about a MC who wants to marry a girl but whose grouchy old father won’t allow them to. However, this time the heroine is an angular old spinster named Susan. I can’t say much for spoilers, but… it’s wonderful. XD
VIII. Fair Exchange & No Robbery
4 stars. Katherine is going to the seaside for a month, and her fiancé is doomed to spend a gloomy, lonely time alone in the city, so she asks her best friend Edith to look after him. Edith’s engaged too, and she asks Katherine to look after her fiancé, who’s staying at the same seashore as Katherine…
This story is pure fun and light-heartedness and summer sunshine and seaside vibes. I really enjoyed it! It’s perfect summer/beach read, I think. The other characters aren’t hugely inspiring but Katherine is a doll.
Content: a kiss mentioned.
IX. Four Winds
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). Alan Douglas is the minister at Rexton, and he loves the seashore nearby. One day on a solitary ramble he meets beautiful, mysterious, chilly Lynde Oliver. A chance rescue introduces him to her suave scamp of a father, and from then on their friendship grows until out a clear blue sky, various trials reveal their love and the impossibility of a romance…
This is one of Montgomery’s tales that just fascinates you. It’s quite long, but the setting is wonderful and the story itself is just... fascinating. I love Lynde and Alan is such a nice fellow, and the twists don’t stop coming! Some of the story was later used in Leslie’s story in Anne’s House of Dreams, and I believe the rescue scene was repurposed in Emily of New Moon ? Anyways, it’s splendid and so much fun.
Content: a kiss mentioned
X. Marcella’s Reward
5 stars. Quite a short story about a young girl trying desperately to survive in the city while figuring a way to get her little sister to the country for her health. Ir’s always been a favourite of mine. Marcella is a brick and a wonderful inspiration, and Miss Draper is just hilarious. An excellent story, and so bracing.
XI. Margaret’s Patient
5 stars. It’s a very short story, all about a girl who has endured a lot in life and finally reaches her blessings, but then must choose between taking them up or sacrificing herself for someone else. It is very sweet, with a very good moral and a delightful ending.
XII. Missy’s Room
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). Newly widowed Camilla Clark needs a place to live while recuperating from illness and trauma, and no one in Lindsay has any spare room for her except for Mrs. Falconer. But that spare room is her long-lost daughter’s old room, and Mrs. Falconer can’t bear to share it… can she?
Aww.... what a heartwarming prodigal story. <3 It reminds me somewhat of Her Own People, but from the mother’s POV instead of the runaway or her daughter. What a sweet, serious story it is, though.
XIII. Ted’s Afternoon Off
4 stars. This story about a little hard-worked orphan choosing to sacrifice his rare afternoon off is so brief and little described but somehow it really stands out. I’m not sure how Montgomery made it work! Ted’s a sweetheart (and the Js are awful) and Mr. M. is so nice...
XIV. The Girl Who Drove the Cows
5 stars. Pauline’s not a snob, to her aunt’s despair. She’s struck up a lifelong friendship with the Camerons’ niece Ada, who drives the cows. But Aunt Olivia won’t allow the friendship to continue if she can help it… at least, not as long as she believes Ada to be a lowly farm girl.
This story is sweet and touching and vintagey and humorous all at once. It’s just delightful! I love seeing Olivia Wallace’s snobbishness get a blow, and Mrs. Morgan Knowles is epic. So are Pauline and Ada, by the way. ;)
XV. The Doctor’s Sweetheart
3 stars. It’s a sweet story, narrated by an old lady (similar to Aunt Susanna’s Birthday Celebration, all about the romance between a nice country doctor and an unusual girl with rich relatives. I like the narrator and the story feel, but I am slightly creeped out at the tremendous 22-year age gap between the doctor and his sweetheart...
XVI. The End Of The Young Family Feud
5 stars. This is just such a funny story!! I loved the girls, and Uncle William too. And the reconciliation was perfect. XD Another of Montgomery's excellent Christmas stories!
XVII. The Genesis of the Doughnut Club
5 stars. Another of my very favourite Montgomery stories. It has an amazing message. It's quite humorous and sweet. And it was lovely characters. <33 A splendid little Thanksgiving read :)
XVIII. The Growing Up of Cornelia
4 stars. I always think this story is What Aunt Marcella Would Have Called It but it’s quite a bit better. Cornelia reminds me somewhat of Jo March, and I like Sidney overall. I enjoy watching her change over time, and I love the rich descriptions of the novel, from the winter tramps to the dinner dress-up.
XIX. The Old Fellow’s Letter
4 stars. This story is narrated by a schoolboy and detailing a prank he played on a teacher by sending a fake declaration of love to the most popular girl in town. It reminds me somewhat of The Touch of Fate, and is quite funny.
Content: a kiss or two mentioned.
XX. The Parting of the Ways
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). A very short story about a beautiful woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, who learns she’s become the ideal of all women to a broken young teenage artist. It was sweet, but I was annoyed by the kid’s ridiculous insistence that she was all angel, etc, and if she ever messed up he would never be able to respect women again and she’d kill all good in his soul. Just… no, that’s not how it works. I’m so glad she made the right choice in the end though.
XXI. The Promissory Note
5 stars. Another top favourite Montgomery story. Ernest and his mother are poor as church mice, and have been forced to sell their old home beside, but they choose to take in two orphan boys without kith or kin. Ernest is a brick and I really admire him, and his mother is darling. The boys are so cute—I teared up at the birthday scene—and the whole story is just excellent.
XXII. The Revolt of Mary Isabel
4 stars. Mary Isabel is a sweet, submissive girl who never dreamed of disobeying her domineering sister Louisa, who complicates their lives very much by reason of the ridiculous grudges she bears. And then one day a letter from their long-dead brother arrives, addressed to Mary Isabel…
This is a very sweet, humorous little seaside romance. I really liked Mary Isabel—related to her a lot, and admired her courage at the end—and the Doctor is a nice fellow. Louisa is terrible, but at least the story ending is good. I like Tom’s advice, too.
XXIII. The Twins & a Wedding
5 stars. I mix this one up with How Jack & Jill Took a Hand a lot, since it’s also about twins and a wedding, but it’s slightly different. Johnny & Sue want to attend Cousin Pamelia’s wedding, but their parents refuse. The twins decide to take the train alone and make it, but things derail when they discover they’ve landed at the wrong station and will miss the wedding altogether. Or have they?
Even though the twins didn’t act right, honestly I don’t care because the story is really hilarious and sweet! Una and her aunt are wonderful, and Ted is real fun. The narration is excellent, too.
A Favourite Quote: Ernest did not decide at once. For a week he thought the matter over, weighing pros and cons carefully. To take the two Sinclair boys meant a double portion of toil and self-denial. Had he not enough to bear now? But, on the other side, was it not his duty, nay, his privilege, to help the children if he could? In the end he said to his mother: ‘We'll take the little fellows, Mother. I'll do the best I can for them. We'll manage a corner and a crust for them.’
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The sky was all rosy and golden and clear beyond the sharp-pointed, dark firs on Lee's Hill. Out to the north the sea was shimmering and sparkling gaily, with little foam crests here and there ruffled up by the cool morning breeze.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: When Aunt Susanna came in Laura was crocheting, Kate was sewing, and I was poring over a recipe book. [W]e did all these things frequently—much more frequently, in fact, than we painted or fiddled or wrote. But Aunt Susanna would never believe it.
‘What a pity you forgot to wipe that smudge of paint off your nose, Laura,’ she said sarcastically. ‘You don't seem to get on very fast with your lace. How long is it since you began it? Over three months, isn't it? ... So you're reading a recipe book, Agnes? Well, that's better than poring over a novel. I'm afraid you haven't been at it very long though. People generally don't read recipes upside down—and besides, you didn't quite cover up your portfolio. I see a corner of it sticking out.’
I. A Millionaire’s Proposal
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). This story reminds me somewhat of Anne’s brief romance with Roy Gardiner in Anne of the Island. It’s rather a common plot, that of a beautiful young girl eager to escape the poverty she grew up with and make the most of a chance to enter upper society, angling for a rich husband. I’m glad Kitty ended up being “true to [her]self at last.” She was a nice girl, and I understood her. Jack was a lovely fellow, who reminded me more of Gilbert Blythe than anyone else. Alicia was terrible and I couldn’t feel sorry for her, but I did feel sorry for Roger—and Gus! Poor old fellow, I hope he got a happy ending.
Content: 2 kisses mentioned.
II. A Substitute Journalist
5 stars. Patty and Clifford are poor and ambitious, yearning on his side for an engineering position and on her side for journalist position. But Clifford is the journalist for now—which he hates—and he’s got a very important assignment to cover. But he hasn’t shown up on time! Will he lose the promotion promised him?
I absolutely love all the stories about poor, hard-working, ambitious young people, which Montgomery writes about very frequently. Patty reminds me a little of Dorinda from Dorinda’s Desperate Deed, as well as Prue from A Patent Medicine Testimonial … and Clifford reminds me of several great hardworking characters thought the short story collections. Anyways, this is really a humorous, heart-warming story, with such a fun ending.
III. Anna’s Love Letters
3 stars. Anna Williams’s practically engaged to Gilbert Murray, but he’s gone off west, and Anna has no intention of waiting for him—or marrying him, either. Alma can’t bear to believe it’s true, so to keep Gilbert’s love fresh she writes him letters under Anna’s name. Then Anna does the unthinkable and marries Charlie Moore…
Well, Anna saddened me. And Alma’s deception wasn’t right. It all turned out well, though… an interesting story, but not my favourite.
Content: a kiss or two.
IV. Aunt Caroline’s Silk Dress
5 stars. This story reminds me of Penelope’s Party Waist, being about two poor young girls, one a seamstress and one a schoolgirl, who are desperately behind on their mortgage but also in dire need of relaxation. Sweet Carry is a wonderful older sister, and Patty’s darling. And poor Aunt Caroline was wonderful! The plot was delightful and so heartwarming, and the ending is just perfect.
V. Aunt Susanna’s Thanksgiving Dinner
5 stars. This story is purely hilarious. Aunt Susanna's relationship with the girls is so funny, and so are her sarcastic comments! Agnes' voice as narrator is perfect, and I love the other sisters—and the plot! It's just so funny and heart-warming and sweet!
VI. By Grace of Julius Cæsar
5 stars. Isaac Appleby wants a wife. Ann turned him down, and so did her cousin Melissa. But when they canvas his house for a church subscription, they get more than they bargain for…
This is another hilarious romance, similar to The Quarantine at Alexander Abraham’s. Can't say I approve of Isaac's way of getting a wife, but it sure was persuasive and funny, and probably was the best thing for Anne! Melissa’s a silly old hoot, but Anne is so much fun.
VII. By the Rule of Contrary
5 stars. I think this is one of Montgomery’s most hilarious stories ever. It’s very short, and oddly enough I confuse it with Nan a lot, but I guess it’s somewhat similar, being about a MC who wants to marry a girl but whose grouchy old father won’t allow them to. However, this time the heroine is an angular old spinster named Susan. I can’t say much for spoilers, but… it’s wonderful. XD
VIII. Fair Exchange & No Robbery
4 stars. Katherine is going to the seaside for a month, and her fiancé is doomed to spend a gloomy, lonely time alone in the city, so she asks her best friend Edith to look after him. Edith’s engaged too, and she asks Katherine to look after her fiancé, who’s staying at the same seashore as Katherine…
This story is pure fun and light-heartedness and summer sunshine and seaside vibes. I really enjoyed it! It’s perfect summer/beach read, I think. The other characters aren’t hugely inspiring but Katherine is a doll.
Content: a kiss mentioned.
IX. Four Winds
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). Alan Douglas is the minister at Rexton, and he loves the seashore nearby. One day on a solitary ramble he meets beautiful, mysterious, chilly Lynde Oliver. A chance rescue introduces him to her suave scamp of a father, and from then on their friendship grows until out a clear blue sky, various trials reveal their love and the impossibility of a romance…
This is one of Montgomery’s tales that just fascinates you. It’s quite long, but the setting is wonderful and the story itself is just... fascinating. I love Lynde and Alan is such a nice fellow, and the twists don’t stop coming! Some of the story was later used in Leslie’s story in Anne’s House of Dreams, and I believe the rescue scene was repurposed in Emily of New Moon ? Anyways, it’s splendid and so much fun.
Content: a kiss mentioned
X. Marcella’s Reward
5 stars. Quite a short story about a young girl trying desperately to survive in the city while figuring a way to get her little sister to the country for her health. Ir’s always been a favourite of mine. Marcella is a brick and a wonderful inspiration, and Miss Draper is just hilarious. An excellent story, and so bracing.
XI. Margaret’s Patient
5 stars. It’s a very short story, all about a girl who has endured a lot in life and finally reaches her blessings, but then must choose between taking them up or sacrificing herself for someone else. It is very sweet, with a very good moral and a delightful ending.
XII. Missy’s Room
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). Newly widowed Camilla Clark needs a place to live while recuperating from illness and trauma, and no one in Lindsay has any spare room for her except for Mrs. Falconer. But that spare room is her long-lost daughter’s old room, and Mrs. Falconer can’t bear to share it… can she?
Aww.... what a heartwarming prodigal story. <3 It reminds me somewhat of Her Own People, but from the mother’s POV instead of the runaway or her daughter. What a sweet, serious story it is, though.
XIII. Ted’s Afternoon Off
4 stars. This story about a little hard-worked orphan choosing to sacrifice his rare afternoon off is so brief and little described but somehow it really stands out. I’m not sure how Montgomery made it work! Ted’s a sweetheart (and the Js are awful) and Mr. M. is so nice...
XIV. The Girl Who Drove the Cows
5 stars. Pauline’s not a snob, to her aunt’s despair. She’s struck up a lifelong friendship with the Camerons’ niece Ada, who drives the cows. But Aunt Olivia won’t allow the friendship to continue if she can help it… at least, not as long as she believes Ada to be a lowly farm girl.
This story is sweet and touching and vintagey and humorous all at once. It’s just delightful! I love seeing Olivia Wallace’s snobbishness get a blow, and Mrs. Morgan Knowles is epic. So are Pauline and Ada, by the way. ;)
XV. The Doctor’s Sweetheart
3 stars. It’s a sweet story, narrated by an old lady (similar to Aunt Susanna’s Birthday Celebration, all about the romance between a nice country doctor and an unusual girl with rich relatives. I like the narrator and the story feel, but I am slightly creeped out at the tremendous 22-year age gap between the doctor and his sweetheart...
XVI. The End Of The Young Family Feud
5 stars. This is just such a funny story!! I loved the girls, and Uncle William too. And the reconciliation was perfect. XD Another of Montgomery's excellent Christmas stories!
XVII. The Genesis of the Doughnut Club
5 stars. Another of my very favourite Montgomery stories. It has an amazing message. It's quite humorous and sweet. And it was lovely characters. <33 A splendid little Thanksgiving read :)
XVIII. The Growing Up of Cornelia
4 stars. I always think this story is What Aunt Marcella Would Have Called It but it’s quite a bit better. Cornelia reminds me somewhat of Jo March, and I like Sidney overall. I enjoy watching her change over time, and I love the rich descriptions of the novel, from the winter tramps to the dinner dress-up.
XIX. The Old Fellow’s Letter
4 stars. This story is narrated by a schoolboy and detailing a prank he played on a teacher by sending a fake declaration of love to the most popular girl in town. It reminds me somewhat of The Touch of Fate, and is quite funny.
Content: a kiss or two mentioned.
XX. The Parting of the Ways
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). A very short story about a beautiful woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, who learns she’s become the ideal of all women to a broken young teenage artist. It was sweet, but I was annoyed by the kid’s ridiculous insistence that she was all angel, etc, and if she ever messed up he would never be able to respect women again and she’d kill all good in his soul. Just… no, that’s not how it works. I’m so glad she made the right choice in the end though.
XXI. The Promissory Note
5 stars. Another top favourite Montgomery story. Ernest and his mother are poor as church mice, and have been forced to sell their old home beside, but they choose to take in two orphan boys without kith or kin. Ernest is a brick and I really admire him, and his mother is darling. The boys are so cute—I teared up at the birthday scene—and the whole story is just excellent.
XXII. The Revolt of Mary Isabel
4 stars. Mary Isabel is a sweet, submissive girl who never dreamed of disobeying her domineering sister Louisa, who complicates their lives very much by reason of the ridiculous grudges she bears. And then one day a letter from their long-dead brother arrives, addressed to Mary Isabel…
This is a very sweet, humorous little seaside romance. I really liked Mary Isabel—related to her a lot, and admired her courage at the end—and the Doctor is a nice fellow. Louisa is terrible, but at least the story ending is good. I like Tom’s advice, too.
XXIII. The Twins & a Wedding
5 stars. I mix this one up with How Jack & Jill Took a Hand a lot, since it’s also about twins and a wedding, but it’s slightly different. Johnny & Sue want to attend Cousin Pamelia’s wedding, but their parents refuse. The twins decide to take the train alone and make it, but things derail when they discover they’ve landed at the wrong station and will miss the wedding altogether. Or have they?
Even though the twins didn’t act right, honestly I don’t care because the story is really hilarious and sweet! Una and her aunt are wonderful, and Ted is real fun. The narration is excellent, too.
A Favourite Quote: Ernest did not decide at once. For a week he thought the matter over, weighing pros and cons carefully. To take the two Sinclair boys meant a double portion of toil and self-denial. Had he not enough to bear now? But, on the other side, was it not his duty, nay, his privilege, to help the children if he could? In the end he said to his mother: ‘We'll take the little fellows, Mother. I'll do the best I can for them. We'll manage a corner and a crust for them.’
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: The sky was all rosy and golden and clear beyond the sharp-pointed, dark firs on Lee's Hill. Out to the north the sea was shimmering and sparkling gaily, with little foam crests here and there ruffled up by the cool morning breeze.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: When Aunt Susanna came in Laura was crocheting, Kate was sewing, and I was poring over a recipe book. [W]e did all these things frequently—much more frequently, in fact, than we painted or fiddled or wrote. But Aunt Susanna would never believe it.
‘What a pity you forgot to wipe that smudge of paint off your nose, Laura,’ she said sarcastically. ‘You don't seem to get on very fast with your lace. How long is it since you began it? Over three months, isn't it? ... So you're reading a recipe book, Agnes? Well, that's better than poring over a novel. I'm afraid you haven't been at it very long though. People generally don't read recipes upside down—and besides, you didn't quite cover up your portfolio. I see a corner of it sticking out.’
February 4, 2020
Please do note that this here one star rating is not in ANY manner, in ANY way meant to be a comment on L.M. Montgomery's fiction, her writing (as for the most part, the collected, included stories deserve a three or four and quite often even a five star rating), but on the annoyingly and supremely user-unfriendly way in which Dodo Press has presented and published them.
Yes indeed, when I first became aware of the Dodo Press collection of Montgomery short stories I was excited, because from the title (Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1907-1908) it appeared as though the individual stories would be arranged chronologically. However, while the stories contained in the Dodo Press collection are, indeed, those written from 1907-1908, the tales themselves have been arranged in random (and therefore not in chronological) order. So if you were, if you are looking forward to finally being able to read L.M. Montgomery's short stories in actual order of appearance, this fact will make your desire considerably more difficult.
And yes, what I personally find even more problematic with regard to this book (as well as with all of other volumes in the Dodo Press collection of L.M. Montgomery Short Stories), is the lack of any type of usable table of contents. As while both the stories and their dates of appearance are listed at the beginning of the book, Dodo Press somehow and strangely has not deemed it necessary to then also supply the starting pages for the stories. Thus, if you desire to read a particular tale, or if you are actually trying to read the stories chronologically (in order of actual appearance), you will need to guess on which page a given story actually commences. And I really do not understand why Dodo Press could not have arranged these stories by year and month of appearance, and it is simply unacceptable that the table of contents is so user-unfriendly (not supplying the starting pages of the stories, sorry, but for me that is an almost unforgivable and massively anger-producing shortcoming).
And furthermore, this Dodo Press series of L.M. Montgomery short stories is also not going to be of much if ANY use for those wishing to use the books for academic (read research) based purposes, as there are neither introductions nor is any of the source material listed. Now introductions would have been beneficial, but not really absoultely required, but Dodo Press should really have listed the diverse magazines, journals etc. in which these stories originally appeared. Now I still enjoyed the reading time spent with and on Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1907-1908, but the set-up is certainly a major disappointment, and I feel that I should at least warn other fans of L.M. Montgomery's fiction about the shortcomings of this particular series. And while I do now realise that Dodo Press has probably just taken these stories from free online sites such as Project Gutenberg, that still does NOT in any way excuse the user unfriendly print format I have encountered.
And yes, I could just as easily (and much more cheaply) have downloaded the featured tales from Project Gutenberg and then formatted them myself. However, since I obtained this series as traditional paper format printed books (and they were also a much appreciated gift), I can and do (or at least I should be able to) expect a reader and user friendly format, and this simply does not ever materialise. And potential readers should also be aware that ALL of the Dodo Press series books of L.M. Montgomery's short stories have the exact same issues, are similarly constructed (random chronological order, a patently unusable table of contents and with no publication information, period). And frankly, if you are indeed actively interested in L.M. Montgomery's short fiction, you should probably either download them from online sources (there are many possibilities, from Project Gutenberg to various Kindle and other e-book formats), or much better yet, seriously consider the late great Rea Wilmshurt's spectacular collection (the seven individual books might not contain every short story that L.M. Montgomery ever penned, but the individual tomes are extensive, beautifully structured, and ALWAYS include an introduction as well as the relevant source materials).
Yes indeed, when I first became aware of the Dodo Press collection of Montgomery short stories I was excited, because from the title (Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1907-1908) it appeared as though the individual stories would be arranged chronologically. However, while the stories contained in the Dodo Press collection are, indeed, those written from 1907-1908, the tales themselves have been arranged in random (and therefore not in chronological) order. So if you were, if you are looking forward to finally being able to read L.M. Montgomery's short stories in actual order of appearance, this fact will make your desire considerably more difficult.
And yes, what I personally find even more problematic with regard to this book (as well as with all of other volumes in the Dodo Press collection of L.M. Montgomery Short Stories), is the lack of any type of usable table of contents. As while both the stories and their dates of appearance are listed at the beginning of the book, Dodo Press somehow and strangely has not deemed it necessary to then also supply the starting pages for the stories. Thus, if you desire to read a particular tale, or if you are actually trying to read the stories chronologically (in order of actual appearance), you will need to guess on which page a given story actually commences. And I really do not understand why Dodo Press could not have arranged these stories by year and month of appearance, and it is simply unacceptable that the table of contents is so user-unfriendly (not supplying the starting pages of the stories, sorry, but for me that is an almost unforgivable and massively anger-producing shortcoming).
And furthermore, this Dodo Press series of L.M. Montgomery short stories is also not going to be of much if ANY use for those wishing to use the books for academic (read research) based purposes, as there are neither introductions nor is any of the source material listed. Now introductions would have been beneficial, but not really absoultely required, but Dodo Press should really have listed the diverse magazines, journals etc. in which these stories originally appeared. Now I still enjoyed the reading time spent with and on Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1907-1908, but the set-up is certainly a major disappointment, and I feel that I should at least warn other fans of L.M. Montgomery's fiction about the shortcomings of this particular series. And while I do now realise that Dodo Press has probably just taken these stories from free online sites such as Project Gutenberg, that still does NOT in any way excuse the user unfriendly print format I have encountered.
And yes, I could just as easily (and much more cheaply) have downloaded the featured tales from Project Gutenberg and then formatted them myself. However, since I obtained this series as traditional paper format printed books (and they were also a much appreciated gift), I can and do (or at least I should be able to) expect a reader and user friendly format, and this simply does not ever materialise. And potential readers should also be aware that ALL of the Dodo Press series books of L.M. Montgomery's short stories have the exact same issues, are similarly constructed (random chronological order, a patently unusable table of contents and with no publication information, period). And frankly, if you are indeed actively interested in L.M. Montgomery's short fiction, you should probably either download them from online sources (there are many possibilities, from Project Gutenberg to various Kindle and other e-book formats), or much better yet, seriously consider the late great Rea Wilmshurt's spectacular collection (the seven individual books might not contain every short story that L.M. Montgomery ever penned, but the individual tomes are extensive, beautifully structured, and ALWAYS include an introduction as well as the relevant source materials).
August 19, 2015
Lucy Maud Montgomery could be awfully good at writing short stories, and some of these are indeed very fine. Others... well, they acceptably adhere to genre conventions.
Nearly all feature romantic entanglements and/or kindness rewarded. Probably the best of the bunch is in neither category: the one that has Anne Shirley herself in it, "Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves". This either found its way into "Anne of Green Gables" or was excerpted therefrom.
Two rather sweet stories are at the end:
"The Twins and a Wedding" - The twins accidentally fix a marriage proposal.
"The Revolt of Mary Isabel" - Nearly-old maid rescued by old letter.
Also worth mentioning is "The Genesis of the Doughnut Club", where an actual old maid finds her purpose. This has a bit of cinematic potential - anyone care to adapt it?
3.3/5
Nearly all feature romantic entanglements and/or kindness rewarded. Probably the best of the bunch is in neither category: the one that has Anne Shirley herself in it, "Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves". This either found its way into "Anne of Green Gables" or was excerpted therefrom.
Two rather sweet stories are at the end:
"The Twins and a Wedding" - The twins accidentally fix a marriage proposal.
"The Revolt of Mary Isabel" - Nearly-old maid rescued by old letter.
Also worth mentioning is "The Genesis of the Doughnut Club", where an actual old maid finds her purpose. This has a bit of cinematic potential - anyone care to adapt it?
3.3/5
February 6, 2015
A group of 25 short stories written in 1907-08. I love Lucy Maud Montgomery's stories, both novels and short stories. That's evident by looking at my bookshelves. Some people discredit her by saying her stories are dated, predictable, too cute. Yes they are, buts that's what I like. I like the predictable sweetness, the happy endings, the down home quality of the characters and the settings. Of course Anne of Green Gables is her masterpiece, and there is one Anne story in this collection.
May 25, 2019
Warm and delightful as always...
January 30, 2018
This is a collection of short stories by L.M. Montgomery originally published in various magazines in 1907 and 1908. They vary in genre, style, and quality. But there are some great stories.
Overall, I'd rank my top five stories as:
By Grace of Julius Caesar
Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves
The Growing Up of Cornelia
Four Winds
Anna's Love Letters
Overall, I'd rank my top five stories as:
By Grace of Julius Caesar
Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves
The Growing Up of Cornelia
Four Winds
Anna's Love Letters
March 2, 2012
L.M. Montgomery is a genius. Probably many people have said that, but I mean it. I've been absorbing all her short stories over the past four days, and though I like the 'him-her' ones best, they're all fantastic.
In the later ones there's hints of Anne's House of Dreams and Anne of Avonlea, and even an entire chapter from Anne of Green Gables, but I don't mind. And wouldn't it be funny if that 'short story' is what prompted all of Anne?
The stories are from 1899 to 1928, and there are certain threads that pass through all of them. There's the Christmassy stories— making Christmas cheerful for someone who can't afford it, women-haters or man-haters who become reconciled to the opposite sex in time, old maids getting married, long-lost loves that come back, orphans who find a family member after all (rich, at times), and all sorts of absolutely delicious things.
In the later ones there's hints of Anne's House of Dreams and Anne of Avonlea, and even an entire chapter from Anne of Green Gables, but I don't mind. And wouldn't it be funny if that 'short story' is what prompted all of Anne?
The stories are from 1899 to 1928, and there are certain threads that pass through all of them. There's the Christmassy stories— making Christmas cheerful for someone who can't afford it, women-haters or man-haters who become reconciled to the opposite sex in time, old maids getting married, long-lost loves that come back, orphans who find a family member after all (rich, at times), and all sorts of absolutely delicious things.
November 30, 2015
I think this is my favorite of the L.M. Montgomery collections thus far. The stories were more varied and had more originality. There were quite a few that I liked: "By Grace of Julius Caesar," for instance, and then several in a row: "The Doctor's Sweetheart," "The Young Family Feud," "The Genesis of the Doughnut Club," and "The Growing Up of Cornelia." There was even one titled "Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves," which is a scene straight from Anne of Green Gables. Hmmm, at 1907-1908, we're getting closer to the time that that book was published, so...
With a few exceptions, even the more mediocre ones of this collection didn't feel like regurgitations of previous stories so much. So, all in all, one of the more solid collections of the bunch.
January 2, 2018
"There's not much comfort, or help either, praying one way and believing another."
I would go so far as to describe this collection as "soothing." There are few real surprises in these stories, no content issues, and nearly all the endings are happy; the differing main characters of the stories serve to give a good overall snapshot of the era. This is a nice collection to peruse if you're a fan of any of Montgomery's novels.
Bonus: you can currently find L. M. Montgomery's various short story collections for free on Kindle.
Related Reads:
The Story Girl and other short-story collections (Montgomery)
Eight Cousins (Alcott)
Life's Little Ironies (Hardy)
I would go so far as to describe this collection as "soothing." There are few real surprises in these stories, no content issues, and nearly all the endings are happy; the differing main characters of the stories serve to give a good overall snapshot of the era. This is a nice collection to peruse if you're a fan of any of Montgomery's novels.
Bonus: you can currently find L. M. Montgomery's various short story collections for free on Kindle.
Related Reads:
The Story Girl and other short-story collections (Montgomery)
Eight Cousins (Alcott)
Life's Little Ironies (Hardy)
April 18, 2015
I loved MOST of these short stories. The one that I really didn't prefer was one where a 30'ish something doctor falls in love with a 15 year old. That was just weird and creepy. Nothing inappropriate in the story per say, but just UGH. Otherwise though, I'm in awe of how LMM can write a story that's so short, yet so complete.
August 16, 2012
Short, sweet, and CLEAN romance stories (or else change-of-fate stories, sometimes both). The hand of providence always looms large in L.M. Montgomery's stories, and that I have always found refreshing.
October 8, 2012
Meh - cute, but predictable. You know how these stories are going to end long before they do (the kind stranger is a long lost relative). I love LM Montgomery but this short story collection is not her best work by any means.
December 21, 2013
November 25, 2013 SJP Book Club Selection. We read and talked about the amusing short story "Aunt Susanna's Thanksgiving Dinner." The story of four sisters who are desperate to impress their wealthy aunt reminded us a bit of Little Women. Perhaps L.M. Montgomery was inspired by L.M. Alcott!
May 20, 2011
more sweet short stories....
February 27, 2012
It was fun to see stories or aspects of that show up in at least Anne of Green Gables. Some sweet stories altogether. It amazes me of the quality of her short stories!
June 12, 2012
I enjoyed these sweet, simple stories.
May 27, 2013
Similar stories (in fact, some of the same stories) as other short story collections from Montgomery, but still a cute, easy read.
September 22, 2013
Again...delightful :)
February 24, 2015
All of her short stories are fantasy based and quaint with terrific dialogue. This one features one Anne of Green Gables short story...maybe before she wrote the whole Anne book??
August 9, 2017
What a blessing it is to be able to listen to these book for free at loyalbooks.com
Great stories that make the time fly while I work
Great stories that make the time fly while I work
January 9, 2024
There is an awful lot of orphans for a single short story collection!
November 18, 2021
Esta antología de cuentos se me hizo muy cute and wholesome, lo confieso. Esta autora es conocida por escribir la historia de Anne of Green Gables, y se ve que tiene el mismo estilo en estos cuentos. Sin embargo, cada personaje, cada historia, tiene su propio toque. La manera en que narra la historia y cómo construye sus personajes se me hizo muy buena, además de que todas las protagonistas son mujeres (hell yeah!). Me fascinó que a cada mujer le diera su propia voz y nos narrara las dificultades domésticas con las que lidian día a día. Incluso la descripción de lugares, vestimenta, carácter y backstory se me hizo muy concisa, no pierde tiempo en detalles demasiado extravagantes o no hace las descripciones demasiado largas, con lo que escribió es suficiente para apreciar la belleza de sus historias.
¡Pero...!
Siempre hay un pero. También admito que el tono fue perdiendo su maravilla, como que se volvió cansado. Me gusta que pone que las mujeres están haciendo su propio camino o se están conociendo a ellas mismas, pero no me gustó que en la mayoría la solución, o un consecuencia de la resolución del conflicto fuera el matrimonio. Entiendo que por la época pues realmente no había de otra, pero hubo un par de cuentos en los que ellas consiguen trabajo o adquieren su independencia, y esos fueron los que más me gustaron. Igual comprendo que el tono familiar está presente en todos de alguna u otra forma, pero las situaciones se me hicieron muy... de suerte, quiero decir, tuvieron un desenlace feliz debido a la suerte, y no estoy segura de si eso me convenció o no, aunque admito que algunos se me hicieron muy graciosos justo por esa razón.
En cualquier caso, se me hicieron historias muy lindas. Es como un recordatorio de que los humanos pueden ser bondadosos, y aunque ellos no lo sean, si lo eres tú, te encontrarás con cosas maravillosas. Bajo el contexto en el que vivo, fue agradable leer historias que me recordaran que los humanos podemos ser benévolos, que no todo es malo, y que hay belleza en lugares inesperados. Puede sonar ingenuo todo este discurso de la autora, pero eso no le quita valor.
¡Pero...!
Siempre hay un pero. También admito que el tono fue perdiendo su maravilla, como que se volvió cansado. Me gusta que pone que las mujeres están haciendo su propio camino o se están conociendo a ellas mismas, pero no me gustó que en la mayoría la solución, o un consecuencia de la resolución del conflicto fuera el matrimonio. Entiendo que por la época pues realmente no había de otra, pero hubo un par de cuentos en los que ellas consiguen trabajo o adquieren su independencia, y esos fueron los que más me gustaron. Igual comprendo que el tono familiar está presente en todos de alguna u otra forma, pero las situaciones se me hicieron muy... de suerte, quiero decir, tuvieron un desenlace feliz debido a la suerte, y no estoy segura de si eso me convenció o no, aunque admito que algunos se me hicieron muy graciosos justo por esa razón.
En cualquier caso, se me hicieron historias muy lindas. Es como un recordatorio de que los humanos pueden ser bondadosos, y aunque ellos no lo sean, si lo eres tú, te encontrarás con cosas maravillosas. Bajo el contexto en el que vivo, fue agradable leer historias que me recordaran que los humanos podemos ser benévolos, que no todo es malo, y que hay belleza en lugares inesperados. Puede sonar ingenuo todo este discurso de la autora, pero eso no le quita valor.
September 27, 2023
Another well written and interesting collection of short stories from Canada's most famous author. While a lot of these are variations on themes that Montgomery wrote about all the time, she is making the shift here toward HEAs that some of her earlier Romantic short stories lacked. They are still heavily moralistic and always have last minute long-lost family member reveals and returned loves who haven't seen or spoken for two decades...y'know the sort of the thing I'm talking. While those are everywhere in this collection, there's still a lot of fun to them. And sometimes in life you need stories that are guaranteed to end happily. Not every piece of writing needs to be Tolstoy or Dickens or Hugo to be memorable. (And, as people have noted in the reviews on here, a chapter of Anne of Green Gables, which would be released in 1908 as a whole work, is included as a short story here -- "Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves.")
February 18, 2021
Niektóre w porządku ,inne bardzo słabe . Wiedząc jednak ,ze autorka pisała je głównie dla zarobku ( najpierw niezależność finansowa,potem problemy zdrowotne meza, studia synow ect ect) i sama w listach wspomniala ,żeby ich nie czytać ...za to doceniam styl :)
May 10, 2021
A marvelous group of stories.
Old fashioned but sweet. The last one was charming. All of them were really. Happy reading!
Only the use of squaw was off putting. To think that was acceptable to such a writer is gall and wormwood indeed.
Old fashioned but sweet. The last one was charming. All of them were really. Happy reading!
Only the use of squaw was off putting. To think that was acceptable to such a writer is gall and wormwood indeed.
July 23, 2024
A great collection of feel-good stories. Somewhat predictable, but still lovely and sweet! There are LOTS of characters, themes, and even whole paragraphs that are in the Anne of Green Gables series, which was interesting.
Read
August 26, 2022Love LMM
July 23, 2023
I got quite tired of Victorian morality tales about 2/3rds of the way in, but when she's funny she's funny.
Shelved as 'kindle'
July 26, 2023SKW to BHW
June 24, 2024
Another sweet collection of Montgomery's short stories.
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