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Customer Reviews of The Blue Castle (Bantam Starfire Book)

Beautiful story
I am a great fan of L M Montgomery and read this book several times in my teens. While I haven't seen it for several years, I would love to buy it and enjoy it again as an adult. "The Blue Castle" is definitely not a children's book. It is a beautiful novel, very funny and romantic, in an understated way. I love the character of Valancy and the transformation she goes through, and Barney Snaith is great too. This book shows a side of early 20th century life which isn't really shown in other L M Montgomery books. I didn't know anyone else who had read "The Blue Castle", it's cool to find out that so many others have.

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Perfect :: Classic L.M. Montgomery at Her Best
Years ago, I read L.M. Montgomery's "Anne of Green Gables" and loved it. I read it again and still loved it. I watched the movies and loved those as well. So when I got myself a copy of "The Blue Castle" a few months ago, I was eager to start, but didn't get around to it until last week. When I did, though, I was not disappointed. This tops the Anne books for me.
Valancy Stirling is proclaimed an old maid by her family members, who pick at her mistakes and require her to act dutiful and proper at all times, even harping on some raspberry jam she "stole" from her aunt and uncle's when she was just a kid. On her 29th birthday, Valancy ("affectionately" called Doss by her clan) is about ready to give up herself; she sinks into depression and tosses and turns all night. But then she makes a decision that, as mentioned many times in the novel, will change her life completely, and it does so in a way that is entirely unexpected and surprisingly refreshing. I thought I knew what the ending would be like, but I kept reading anyway because of the pages that are drenched with Valancy's dry humor. Yet when twist after twist came at the end, I found that the ending I had guessed did not do the real ending justice at all. To give away more would ruin it - word of warning to the reader, do NOT read ahead!
Back to the topic of her decision: Valancy decides to go see Dr. Trent about pains that she's been having in her heart. For her, this was quite rebellious because he was not her clan's "approved" family doctor. His diagnosis that she will live at most for another year causes her to throw convention, caution, and especially fear to the wind. She shocks her relatives with her newfound daring in not only speech but in actions as well, when she decides to move in and become housekeeper to Roaring Abel. Soon she will meet the man who is instrumental to her new take on life, perhaps more than she may initially know.
In addition to the captivating plot, clearly-defined characters, and humor that prevails after Valancy decides "to hell with the Stirlings!", L.M. Montgomery's beautiful, vivid language fills every single page of the novel. I never saw nature described so beautifully as in this book. It begins with flavor, carries on splendidly, and then ends with a series of satisfying punches. Very highly recommended.

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My favorite L.M.M. book
What can I say? This is my favourite book. I've read it over and over and have never tired of it. The characters are very real, and very relatable. The hero, Barney Snaith, is one of Lucy's most believable heros. Valancy is by far her most believable heroine. Everything just seems to click with this book. The chemistry of Valancy and Barney, the hilarious descriptions of Valancy's clan, everything. It's different from many of her other works in that love is not this instantanious thing between Barney and Valancy, where at first sight they are smitten with each other. It takes awhile to grab Valancy, and much longer still for Barney to realise his feelings for her.
Of course, the romance isn't the only reason why this book is great. It's also great because of all of the things Valancy overcomes and triumphs, such as fear, predjudice, etc. I find myself cheering her on every time I read it.
I would also agree with another reviewer who stated that he/she wished "The Blue Castle" to become a movie. I've thought that for some time now. Provided it was done well, I really think it would be great and would allow more of the country to experience what I believe to be L.M. Montgomery's greatest work.