Discussion Post - Emily Climbs

[spyglass_]

Hey everyone! Sorry this is going up late. My weekend has not gone as expected. ANYWAY, I hope everyone has been enjoying Emily of New Moon as much as Anne of Green Gables. This is actually my first time reading Emily, so I'm really glad I had this community to motivate me!

Comments

[myr_soleil]

1. What did you think of book overall compared to Emily of New Moon? Did you like it more or less?
I think I liked both about the same - I like the Shrewbury setting less (Aunt Ruth, ugh) but there's a bit of lovering and that's certainly nice. I like Emily herself better too - I liked her as a child but it's good to see her maturing.

2. Did you think the bargain Emily had to make with Aunt Elizabeth in order to go to school was fair? Would you have been able to make a similar promise if you were in Emily's shoes?
Well, just asking for no more writing straight-up was ridiculous, but I kind of liked the bargain! Like Mr Carpenter said, it actually ended up helping her writing. And she was still able to relieve her emotions in her journal. I certainly don't have Emily's urge to write, though, so maybe I just underestimate the sacrifice it was!

3. What about the new setting and living with Aunt Ruth? Did you miss New Moon, or were Emily's trips home enough for you? What did you think of Aunt Ruth in general, now that we got to see her

[myr_soleil]

7. Which moments from this book stand out to you as favorites? For those of you who are rereading this, have your favorite moments changed any?
Oh, it's still the church and the house-in-the-winter-storm where they share a look. Man, I am a hopeless romantic. I love the story of the woman who spanked the king, though, and the little boy Emily finds, too (the whole canvassing bit is fun)! And I hate the Chu-Chin mix-up, it triggers my second-hand embarrassment in a big way.

8. What did you think about Emily turning down the job with Miss Royal and staying in New Moon? Did you want her to go, or were you glad that she stayed?
Wow, I have no idea what would have happened to her in New York. It seems like she just would not fit in there in a thousand years. It felt ridiculous that she would even consider it! And it would have felt like cheating a bit, somehow...

Thanks very much for making the post, by the way :D

[spyglass_]

I know nothing about what people think of these books, but it makes me sad to think that lots of people don't like Teddy. I really do, although he's definitely not perfect.

Cousin Jimmy is my favorite of the Murrays! Although I really have grown to love Aunt Elizabeth.

[empressearwig]

I feel like the third book is mostly to blame for why people don't like Teddy and there I find it harder to argue with them. Because in this book he really doesn't do anything wrong. I mean, he's a teenage boy with an extremely controlling mother who likes a girl. If we're going to disqualify all characters on those factors there are no likable characters in all of fiction.

The woman who spanked the king! I love that story, too. I can't believe I forgot to mention it.

[spyglass_]

You two have me nervous for the third book now :-P

[empressearwig]

I quite like the third book. But I can understand why people don't love everything that happens in it. I'm very curious to see what you think as someone reading it for the first time as an adult.

[spyglass_]

I'm starting Emily's Quest tomorrow, so we shall see! Nervous/excited/etc ;)

[myr_soleil]

It was my favorite when I read it as a tween, so don't worry too much! ;)

[spyglass_]

Okay, excellent! I can deal with that ;)

[katayla]

Hee, piling on to say don't be too nervous! :D Everything isn't alway pleasant and wonderful, but it's a LMM book and I love it a lot.

[spyglass_]

True! I mean, I would expect a LMM book to turn out in a way that I'd still enjoy it even if it isn't perfect. I'm starting it tomorrow!

[beth_shulman]

I think the third book is my favorite of them all.

CHILLS, I GET THEM.

[katayla]

And Teddyyyyy. I know lots of people don't like him, so I tried to see their side in this re-reading... and I don't know, he's not perfect certainly (he feels a bit selfish) but Emily loves him so much, I can't help but want them to get together. Plus, he can blame his genes for his selfishness.

This is how I feel! And I don't know. Their relationship just feels pretty realistic. Both of their flaws getting in the way, their mutual nervousness about it all . . . and I think both of their ambitions get in the way, too. Like, they both still have so much they want to do at the end of this book. Teddy is going away, Emily has already made the decision to stay at New Moon . . . I think the timing really wasn't quite right. (Plus, they really ARE still pretty young, even given the different time.)

. . . and now you have me imagining would it WOULD have been like for Emily in New York. I think you're right. It really wouldn't have been the right place for her.