I didn’t read Anne of Green Gables somewhere between nine and eleven and love the film version like all the other girls my age. In fact, it took me years after reading Magic for Marigold to finally go through the Anne series. But I wasn’t missing any of the beautiful descriptions and joyful depictions of childhood, PEI or small-town life and family, because Magic for Marigold had plenty of all of those.The story begins at the very start of Marigold’s life, when she is known only as the still-unnamed Lesley baby. It carries on through her childhood, with anecdotes and experiences over the years, and finally ending somewhere around age twelve, or the end of childhood. Changing perceptions and friends and family happenings making up the storyline, and the adventures of an imaginative, humorous and self-contained little girl make for charming reading. There’s mischief, there’s the magic found in innocence, and there are the joys as well as the small tumbles and embarrassments that make up a truly happy childhood. This book is delightful, and is suitable for girls of all ages (perhaps even a few discriminating boys, too!).In my quick re-read last night, I was struck by how much I enjoyed the family dynamics described in this little novel. I don’t remember paying much attention to the adults in the story as a kid, but now that I’m an adult myself, I see that they are not just window-dressing. Ms. Montgomery wrote humorously, and sometimes the intrigue, politics and foibles of the adult characters are laugh-aloud worthy. You can just see the society of the turn of the century, and hear the sharp, silly and wise voices all coming in and giving their very decided opinions…it’s quite fun!
I can't say that this is one of L.M. Montgomery's best works (namely because of the ending) but it is definitely a solid read. Marigold is a girl with a big imagination, and this book has plenty of delightful adventures, like the day with the princess, or her trips to various relatives' houses and the like along with her dealing with her emotions (anger, fear, the like). It's hard to not like Marigold, she tries to be a good girl and she is so spirited that it makes for a irresistible combination.I would have given this five stars if not for the ultimately disappointing end. I know that this book was written in the twenties - the date on the inside says 1929 - and so L.M.'s work tends to be a bit old fashioned compared to today's novels. Generally, this does not bother me, as I have immensely enjoyed all of the Anne and Emily books as well as The Blue Castle and the Pat books, and Jane of Lantern Hill. However, the ending to this book was a big letdown. it was just way too sexist and contrived for my liking. Yes, Marigold is growing up, but this... come on, really. The last paragraph especially rankled me.If you like L.M.'s other works, you'll like this one, just be ready for a stupid ending.
What do You think about Magic For Marigold (1989)?
Happy tweeness about a classic L. M. Montgomery heroine, until the very last chapter, which is called 'The Chrism of Womanhood' and is pretty much as hideous as it sounds. I don't exactly disagree with one of the basic ideas, which is that you have to share the people you love with other people and that's what it means to be grown up. I do object to the other basic idea, which is that it is the fate and sacred duty of Woman to hang around waiting patiently while her man goes off and does whatever -- has fun, does his job, etc. -- and to embrace him uncomplainingly when he returns and listen to his complaints and make him feel important. Jeez louise. She is TWELVE in the last chapter; what poison to be pouring into the mind of a twelve-year-old.
—Zen Cho
When I first started reading Magic for Marigold (one of the LMM-books I bought at PEI) I wasn't really in a Montgomery-mood, but this book sertainly put me into that mood again. Marigold is a typical Montgomery-character. A little girl who lives in her own magic world. Lovely. But Marigold isn't like Anne (of Green Gables) even thou both have the great imagination. Marigold is besides younger than Anne, also sweeter and quieter. A real dreamer. The book is really about Marigold's journey to the real world and to real people, away from the beautiful imaginary world where she spent the best part of her childhood with her imaginary friend Sylvia... Someting else that is different in this book than in most Montgomery-books is that this is clearly set in the 1920s with cars instead of horse carriges and bobbeb hair instead of puffed sleeves. I loved the book. A beautiful story about a dreamy little girl.
—Faith
I agree with most of the other reviews that this book certainly isn't Montgomery's best but it showcases what she does best which is descriptions of nature, and identifying the tiny everyday moments that matter so much to small children and we often as adults forget the significance of. It's not so much a narrative as a peek through the window into different moments in Marigold's life.It is a place and time that is foreign to us and just that makes it enjoyable. In a way I actually enjoyed not engaging too much with the main character. After spending a few weeks obsessed with Anne, Jane and Valancy and relating to every pain of theirs, it was fun to just enjoy the beautiful PEI haze without the complication of taking it too personally.
—Shannon
