The Blue Castle By L M Montogomery

 

I HAD TEARS AND SMILE THROUGHOUT.

 

Warning- This novel is endearing and filled with ardour to a dangerous level, that one can risk into crooning and canoodling with the novel throughout!

Nothing could put the 2 of us asunder! 😊

Reading this was like finding a niche in the middle of this gruesome reality!

 

Quick Plot Summary-

Trying to bring together all the broken pieces of life, coming out of the fear of living, after knowing she has only a year left to live (coz of a fatal heart disease), the 29-year old Valancy Stirling (labelled as an oldmaid) no longer cares about the society, and family members. In short, she decides to stop impressing others, and takes an avowal to start living for herself and experience what all she had dreamt till date for herself!

She wishes to experience being with the man of her dreams and be in her dream house, which she refers to as “Blue Castle”. Taking the reins of her life in her hands, she decides to live, and be a priority and not an option any more. She finally takes control!!

Post coming out of the clutches of her domineering and imperious family, she lands into a job of a caretaker of one of her former schoolmates, Cissy(who is passing away due to consumption). While working, she develops closeness with Barney Snaith!

After Cissy passes away, Valancy asks Barney to marry her, while confessing that she is about to die soon! Agreeing on the proposal, he takes her to live on his island in the woods, which ofcourse Valancy calls as “The Blue Castle”.

Having spent over a year, her heart health improves, and finally the disease vanishes. In course of events, they realise that the diagnosis was erroneous, and she never had any heart problem. Finally, the family re-unites, and all live happily ever after! 😊

 

 

MY VIEWS-

Epitome of Independence, and being true to one’s own identity, for traversing the path to true happiness, this novel defines adopting escapism vicariously to splinter the shackles of double society standards. Valancy’s family as a unit is metaphorical of this society, who constantly bullies Valancy, belittles and condescends her, and to escape the petrifying reality, Valancy builds her own “Blue Castle” in her dreams.

 

She is forever made to feel like an outsider, and is called a Doss! Blue castle, as an imaginary place, comes to her rescue, which she finally MANIFESTS!

 

An enthralling 4-stars for this book of novelty and prose, profusely laden with flora and fauna!

 

With an atmospheric and vibrant writing, it is an engaging, compelling, and an enjoyable read. Apt as a winter-read for the biting yet romantic season, to be accompanied with a hot cup of cocoa in hand!

 

From a stifling life to a vibrant life with her dream guy in her dream house, “The Blue castle” propounds about finding life and living it! 😊

 

Valancy, ultimately finds what she desired for, hope we too!

 

My fav part is the conversation b/w Barney and Valancy, which encapsulates the essence of the novel (with teary and smiling eyes 😊)-

"You see--I've never had any real life," she said. "I've just--breathed. Every door has always been shut to me."

 

My heart almost skipped a beat, when I went through the following lines (These are my favorite lines, I have ever read)-

 

"Isn't it better to have your heart broken than to have it wither up?" queried Valancy. "Before it could be broken it must have felt something splendid. That would be worth the pain."

 

 

Few other notable ones-

 

"John Foster says," quoted Valancy, "'If you can sit in silence with a person for half an hour and yet be entirely comfortable, you and that person can be friends. If you cannot, friends you'll never be and you need not waste time in trying.'"

 

The epitome of LOVE-

 

After the meal was over they would sit there and talk for hours--or sit and say nothing, in all the languages of the world, Barney pulling away at his pipe, Valancy dreaming idly and deliciously, gazing at the far-off hills beyond…

 

The epitome of ROMANCE-

 

"Not lovelier. But a different kind of loveliness. There are so many kinds of loveliness. Valancy, before this year you've spent all your life in ugliness. You know nothing of the beauty of the world. We'll climb mountains--hunt for 192 treasures in the bazaars of Samarcand--search out the magic of east and west--run hand in hand to the rim of the world. I want to show you it all--see it again through your eyes. Girl, there are a million things I want to show you--do with you--say to you. It will take a lifetime. And we must see about that picture by Tierney, after all."

 

A laudable work by LM Montogomery, not set on Prince Edward Island, like all her other works! 😊

 

Nb- I have docked a star, wishing if Barney Snaith was introduced earlier, or the romance quotient, was increased a tad more. This is a plea from a die-heart romantic like me! :P