Jane of Lanter Hill was in fact the very first Montgomery-book I read:"My very first contact with LM Montgomery was Jane of Lantern Hill. I was about ten when I and my little sister listened to the Finnish translation (Jane Victoria & Jane Victoria tulee kotiin) as an audio book. I think we were both very fascinated, since we spent long periods by the table on which the radio was, and just listened. There must be something in that book, since I remember our listening to it so very clearly. I have a very positive picture of the book, even thou I have yet to reread it. I only remember the main storyline (Jane moves from her relatives to her father on PEI) and the atmosphere. I remember that Toronto was pictured very dark and negative, but immediately when Jane came to PEI, everything became so warm and happy and lovely. Off course then I didn’t know that PEI was a real place. " (This is how I started my my-relationship-to-LMM essey, which I one day felt I just had to write.)Now I have reread JoLH..., and of course I still love it! JoLH is a different Montgomery-book in the sence that it has an outsiders view on PEI (Prince Edward Island). It compares PEI to Toronto of course in the favout of PEI. I kept seeing the opposites and contrasts probably because we had just talked about closereading in one of my literature classes. I should like to call JoLH the essence of the beauty of PEI (or rather of the PEI of Montgomery's books). And I am aware of that I'm not sure if the world essence can be used in that kontext, but at least it is the word I want to use. The only thing I didn't like too much in the book was the ending, which might have been a bit too sweet, but on the other hand that is how it outh to be in Montgomery-books. Jane of Lantern Hill is defintitely one of Montgomery's best books!
“Life, deal gently with her ... Love, never desert her.” Jane Stuart surprised me. She is unlike any other of Montgomery's starry-eyed heroines. Jane Stuart is not a dreamer, a whimsical creature or an aspiring writer. She is a homely and practical little girl, who wants to be useful and helpful to the people surrounding her.Sadly enough, there is no one that will allow her to care for them, and therefore Jane is a broken spirit. She is repressed by her grandmother, constantly being scorned and is repeatedly told how insignificant she is. The first part of this novel is really an evil one, and I could feel my heart ache for dear Jane.Luckily the story turns. Montgomery is a writer of hopeful stories, and all of the novels I've read by her has been about changes and chances; Montgomery writes about lives that are turned around by death, loss or love and often accompanied by a change of scenery.In "Jane of Lantern Hill" this change of scenery is essential. When Jane spends a summer on Prince Edward Island with her father, she comes to live. The repressed girl finds her own voice and her own confidence when she is removed from the toxic environment her grandmother has created. She finally learns what it means to be loved. Of course there's a love story as well. The relationship between Jane's mother and father reflects that of Romeo and Juliet; it is a traditional story of two people who has been forced apart by their families. And now, it's up to Jane to bring them back together again, as they still have an undying love for each other.In reality the story is beautifully simple; it is a story of hope, second chances and living the life one chooses for oneself.
What do You think about Jane Of Lantern Hill (1989)?
There is something about the way that L.M. Montgomery wrote about 'good old P.E.I.' that makes me feel as if I'm there. I've never been, but it's one of the places I absolutely must visit some time in my life, all because of her. Her writing not only transports me to a different place, but also a different time, and I somehow feel as *I'm* different, too. When reading about her heroines, I always start to look at the world a little more optimistically and to see the wonders and the possibilities and humor in everyday things around me. This book lives up to that. It's not going to be quite as dear to me as Anne Shirley and all her chronicles, but Jane Stuart has definitely earned a place on my shelf and in my heart.
—Juliet Sealand
One of Montgomery's last books, Jane of Lantern Hill is also one of the most satisfying. It stands alone, which is almost too bad because Jane is too wonderful, one wishes to see her grow up even more, though this books shows that nicely. A child of separated parents, she lives with her mother in her grandmother's gloomy home in Toronto. It is not until her father, long believed dead, suddenly writes to say he has a right to see his child, that Jane is able to come out of her stifled shell and really become who she is meant to be. She travels to stay with him for a summer on Prince Edward Island and here our story really begins. As is often typical in Montgomery's stories, this is also a love letter to P.E.I., the place the author loved so much. If you've read Anne, and Emily, and need something more, I highly recommend Jane. (I hear the movie isn't worth seeing, though. Figures)
—Kerith
I liked this, but it went on and on sometimes about the pleasures of homemaking and rural life in a small community. Like really boring letters from a distant relative, full of the most maddening ellipses.Also I had the archaic term of endearment "darling little fool" to deal with, which I found challenging. But the story of a girl defying unpleasant elderly relatives is fun, and while I knew a happy ending was coming I wasn't sure what it would be, exactly. (view spoiler)[And I wanted MORE of the elderly sisters who adopt Jane's orphan friend - that was such a brief funny scene. (hide spoiler)]
—Meghan
