Marilla of Green Gables: A Novel Kindle Edition

Wonderful book that gives a different perspective on Murilla. I enjoyed it very much.

The first chapter occurs just before Matthew and Marilla receive a girl instead of a boy to help them. The rest of it is about Marilla’s formative years beginning when she is 13 and her mother Clara is pregnant. Clara’s twin sister comes to Green Gables to help. Unfortunately, Marilla’s mother dies during childbirth and young Marilla begins to hold her grief inside unable to cope by expressing it, slowly developing some of the characteristics seen later when Anne arrives. Because Marilla is needed at home, her education is delayed. John Blythe assists Marilla in keeping up with her subjects and although she likes being with him she feels conflicted. Rachel White (later Rachel Lynde) is an important friend to Marilla. Ultimately Marilla’s promise to her mother to help Matthew and her father conflicts with marrying John.The book reads as if written by LM Montgomery, with very similar style and language. Here is one example I liked: She’d (Marilla) not carried even one child and yet the years had been like a vinegar in her bones, pickling her day by day. This book was published 110 years after Anne of Green Gables and it is a very satisfying, lush story. I plan to read it multiple times to re-enjoy it!

Like most little girls I read the Little House on the Prairie series written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I would guess I ready the Anne of Green Gables series every year when I was growing up. Sadly, it has been a few years since I have picked up Anne of Green Gables, I purchased the kindle versions of the books in anticipation of reading Sarah McCoy's, Marilla of Green Gables. McCoy's publishers have done an amazing job of marketing her newest book. I first saw advertisements over a year ago and pre-ordered the book the first chance I got.Marilla of Green Gables is McCoy's attempt at explaining why the character Marilla was the way Marilla was. Marilla, a person mysteriously hardened by life comes alive with the arrival of a young girl with a vast imagination managed to pull her out of her shell. Readers of the Montgomery's Anne series know that Marilla alludes to a love lost and regrets in conversations with Anne about Gilbert Blythe. Keeping in mind that this version of the story is not Lucy Maud Montgomery's telling, Sarah McCoy does Marilla's story justice. Early in the book I remembered that at some point in life Marilla loved, was loved, and lost love. Watching the relationship between John Blythe and Marilla develop it was hard not to feel a tightening in my chest with the knowledge that their love would end tragically. It was an interesting perspective, the loss of Marilla's mother, promises made on a death bed, and a loyalty to family, all of which made Marilla the woman she was when we first meet her in Anne of Green Gables.McCoy claims to have done extensive research on Montgomery, the Anne series, and Prince Edward Island in an effort to bring new life to old characters. I believe that Montgomery would feel honored by the story that was told.I am not ready yet to leave PEI and look forward to continuing my journey with Anne's arrival to Green Gables and a re-read of an old friend.Cover Design - 5.0The cover does a really great job of capturing Montgomery's Green Gables.Grammer - 5.0Beautifully edited. I am not familiar with Sarah McCoy as an author but this first introduction into her work brought me great pleasure.Plot - 4.0I did a Heather "no-no" and read some early reviews; prior to the book being released. People don't like change or things that are different. There were a lot of critics out there who feared that McCoy was treading on Montgomery's "turf". Now, I am all about originality and I feel that Hollywood continues to recycle old stories. I also believe that some mystery in a book's storyline allows the reader to use their own imagination. When reading the Anne of Green Gables series my heart always broke for Marilla and her love lost but I never really considered what could have caused her such heartache. Do I buy McCoy's versions of events? It's as much as a possibility as any and in this day in age when politics are causing so much division in our country it makes it a completely reasonable rationale that Marilla and John Blythe allowed heated beliefs to divide them. Marilla always was hard headed, Anne tames that, but she always spoke first and came to her senses later. It makes sense that speaking without thinking first plus her pride was Marilla's demise in love.Believability - NAI am not sure that this category applies to this book so I am going to leave it as NA.Ending - 5.0This book opens at the beginning of the Anne stories, before Anne arrives, and then with Marilla reminiscing about the past. Closure comes with the continuation of the series and Montgomery's telling of Anne's story.Price Value - 4.0I think the story was well written and well worth the price. I am all about the deal so doubt if you put this book on your wish list, in a couple of years the book with go on sale.Overall - 4.5I enjoyed this story. I don't usually get emotional over a book but for most of this story I had to try hard not to cry. Knowing the outcomes of the characters made it hard to root for the love story developing between Marilla and John. I think the additional story of the American Civil War and the Underground Railroad brings a depth to Marilla's character. Marilla could have easily sent Anne back to the orphanage. Anne certainly wasn't what they needed or what they wanted but if you believe that Marilla held a soft place in her heart for the rights of all people you can understand why she would not send a child back to such suffering.

Great read ! I was so excited to read this and it didnt disappoint! LM Montgomery would be proud. Loved it.

I don't often leave five star reviews, and to be honest, there are some minor issues with the plot and the writing style that I don't like. But this book taken as a whole is a splendid addition to the Anne series. The author obviously took pains to learn about the world of Anne so this book fits seamlessly into it. She also very obviously studied LMM's works to capture her writing style. Even the chapter headings felt as though they fit right into the Anne series. I started reading this book because like the author, I have always been curious about Matthew and Marilla and how they got that way. I was curious about subtle mentions to their childhood and wanted more details about the house and farm itself. The daily drama of the book was so subtle and entertaining, and I could see the characters exhibiting the quirks and habits that would define them in the original books. The final scenes wrapped up all the questions I had, but also set up the story for the original series to start. One of the few books I can honestly say I wish hadn't ended.

Great book! It stays true to character of the Green Gables books. It gives so much depth to the character of Marilla.

Book arrived on time , in perfect condition, very well written and true to the Anne series. Loved it.

As a longtime fan of all the Anne books, I really enjoyed this. Brought Marilla to life. A thoroughly enjoyable read. I'm now going to investigate more of Sarah McCoy's books.

Excellent book. So well written you wouldn't know it wasnt Lucy Maud Montgomery herself. She stayed true to the characters. Tied in perfectly with the other books in the series.

Thank you so much love the story of Marilla

I enjoyed Marilla of Green Gables. The author did a nice job of introducing characters that show up in LMMs books and creating a back story for them. With Matthew and Marilla she gave a believable tale of their early years continuing up until shortly before Anne joined them.