Lucy Maud Montgomery lives with her maternal grandparents in Cavendish PEI. Her mother died when she was twenty-one months old and her father moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Maud had trouble with her teacher the previous year, so she was sent to live with her Aunt Emily for a while. However, Maud still causes trouble for her grandparents when she returns. They find her secret diary which ruins their relationship. She also starts to have a relationship with Nate, the stepson of the Baptist minister. This is a problem because her family is Presbyterian. These incidents lead her grandparents to send her out to live with her father. But her life doesn’t get easier when she has to deal with his new wife and family. Throughout all of this, Maud finds solace in her writing, both stories and letters to her friends.

The beginning of this story shows Maud being immature and playing with her friends. Though she is fourteen, she acts younger. She often passes notes with Nate and her best friend Mollie. But when everyone else grows up around her, like her cousin Pensie, she also matures.

Maud changes throughout the novel as her situation changes. She acts like a child with her friends in PEI but she has to grow up quickly when she faces her stepmother, who treats her like her personal maid. Maud has to adapt to this new life, where she must defend herself.

Though there were hints of her inspiration for Anne of Green Gables, Maud wasn’t portrayed as her iconic character. Sometimes, stories about authors just show them acting like their characters, but that wasn’t the case with this one.

I liked this story about Canada’s most famous female author.

Maud by Melanie J. Fishbane shows how much work Fishbane put into this novel. I don’t know much about Maud except that she wrote Anne of Green Gables. Which of course Anne of Green Gables. Which of course Anne of Green Gables is amazing. As I was reading Maud, I could tell that Fishbane put in a lot of research for this book.

Maud is such a great character. I love the strength that Maud is able to pull from inside herself. Her strength is so inspiring. All Maud wanted to do was be a writer and she accomplished her dreams.

As much as I enjoyed learning about L.M. Montgomery and her life, I was a bit disappointed in how slow the book is. At the same time I think this story is worth reading.

As a fan of Anne of Green Gables, I was very interested in reading a fictional story inspired by the life of the author. I don't know much about L.M. Montgomery but reading Maud left me feeling like I had some insight on her life, even though the story was fictional the places, people, and certain aspects were not. In the beginning of Maud, I felt the story was bogged down with many trivial details and then the last third was rushed during some of Maud's biggest accomplishments and the ending abrupt, but in the middle of that was the sweet spot. Once I got a little into the story I became enamored with Maud and was invested in the on goings of her journey and her interest in writing. I felt her joy and her heartache and I wanted great things for this young girl. Maud was a fascinating story and left me wanting to know so much about L.M. Montgomery's real life and read her wonderful work all over again.

Get to know L.M. Montgomery in Melanie Fishbane’s excellent Maud

MAUD: A Novel Inspired by the Life of L.M. Montgomery by Melanie Fishbane, Penguin Teen, April 25, 2017, Hardcover, $17.99 (young adult)

If you grew up in the 1980s, there’s a strong chance you also grew up with the miniseries Anne of Green Gables starring Megan Follows. For many, the miniseries was an introduction to a headstrong redhead with a passion for romance and education. But before the movie, came the book. And before the book, came the author — Lucy Maud Montgomery.

Maud, by Melanie Fishbane, is a historical fiction YA novel based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s teenage years. The book opens when Maud is 14 years old. Maud dreams of college and becoming an author like Louisa May Alcott, but she worries those dreams will never come to fruition. Maud’s grandparents are strict, and her grandfather thinks women belong at home.

Things begin to look up for Maud, though, when the new schoolteacher sees potential and encourages Maud to reach beyond social norms. Maud has her friends, too, including Nate, the Baptist minister’s stepson and the smartest boy in the class. Nate’s friendship is beginning to evolve into something more. The only problem — Maud’s Presbyterian grandparents would never approve.

When Maud’s father suggests she might come to live with him in the West, Maud is elated, and her grandparents see it as a good way to get some distance and perspective.

Life in the West is certainly different than Maud’s dear Prince Edward Island. Maud’s excitement is soon tempered by her stepmother’s plans for Maud’s future, and the sub-par education she receives in the town’s high school. Through it all, though, Maud finds friendship and another chance at love.

Though Maud is a fictional account of L.M. Montgomery’s life, author Melanie Fishbane worked hard to maintain as much of the historical integrity as her narrative would allow.

I found myself utterly immersed in Maud, finding small moments in which to read just a few more pages. Melanie’s characterization of Maud made her as real as if she were the girl living next door. I finished the book feeling as if I really knew who L.M. Montgomery was.

I finished Maud wanting more. I really want Melanie to write a follow-up. You hear that Melanie? I want a follow-up! I also left the book wanting to not only know more about L.M. Montgomery but to also read more of her books — some of which I’ve never heard of. Bookstore here I come!

This is a great companion novel for fans of Anne of Green Gables. It's a good example of the recent trend of novels about novelists. Fishbane has captured the problems Maud faced in dealing with her circumstances but I'm not sure that the audience for this (the YA crowd) will fully appreciate the nuances that seemed so important at the time. I'm not sure I did either but I was willing to roll with it; there's some good lessons here, especially about female empowerment. It's well written and respectful of Montgomery. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A book club that meets at my library recently read Anne of Green Gables, so this was a welcome spin on the life of L.M. (Maud) Montgomery. What a fun read! I absolutely loved reading it!

Do you have a special place in your heart for Anne Of Green Gables? Then you're going to want to pay attention.

Taking cues from Loving Frank and The Paris Wife, Melanie Fishbane researched Montgomery's life and developed this fictionalized account. While I have long loved the work of Lucy Maud, I didn't know much about her childhood before reading this.

There are obvious comparisons between Maud's life and that of her beloved characters Anne Shirley and Emily Starr. While I've heard Emily is a closer read on Montgomery's life, Maud reminded me much more of Anne. At the same time, the novel paints a stark picture of what happened to one Lucy Maud Montgomery.

After the death of her mother, Maud grows up being passed around between family members. No one wants her for long, whether due to financial hardship or an inability to tame her tongue. Maud makes the best of her circumstances, longing for her father to send for her but when he finally does, the results only serve to break her heart anew. I was deeply sad she did not have her own Marilla and Matthew to give her the home she longed for.

At the same time, Maud is blessed to have wonderful bosom friends and a cadre of suitors. In fact, I found myself a little jealous over how many young men vied for her hand, especially since she wasn't all that interested in picking one. But I also admired her dedication to her dream of becoming a writer above all else and it was interesting to see the teachers who encouraged her and her beginning attempts toward making it.

My heart went out to Montgomery and based on where the book ends, I'm hopeful Fishbane will write a follow up. I want to see how Montgomery's foray into adulthood treats her. Although based on the reading I did after finished this, I'm not all that hopeful about her happily ever after. Perhaps this is why she wrote Anne and Emily, to give her characters her idealized life.

Maud is an avidly researched historical novel based on the life of author L.M. Montgomery. Aspects of the book are fascinating - Montgomery's travels through different provinces of Canada in the late 1800s, her family upbringing, schooling, and early literary successes. Fishbane's attempt to capture the feel of the late 1800s does lead to stiff and formal writing at times and the scope of the novel is very small - a short period of years when Montgomery was a teenager (perhaps that is why this is marketed as a YA book). Unfortunately, the book dwells a lot on imagining her chaste romances with a couple of suitors despite repeatedly stating that Maud's priorities were her writing and schooling. The book ends, disappointingly, before she conceives of the beloved Anne and even before she finishes her education. It is an interesting though limited view of a beloved author.

My childhood was punctuated by entire evenings spent watching shows like Little House on the Prairie, Séraphin: Heart of Stone, Les filles de Caleb, etc. etc. You see the type. This shaped me to love fiction set in the prairies or in an older Canada, which pushed me to take a Canadian Fiction class in university, where I finally 'met' Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. I fell in love, as so many others did, with the little redhead.

So to me, this book was a taste of home. It was as comforting as a pool on a hot day and a mug of warm tea during a winter storm. Not only was it super interesting to read, but it was effortless - the writing itself was excellent and engaging, and there was never a dull moment.

The best of it was obviously Maud herself. What an amazing characterization of the young teenage girl struggling through the various roles and lives people are trying to impose on her. Her courage just leaks through the pages. I think that if Lucy Maud Montgomery was alive today, she would be absolutely thrilled at how Melanie J. Fishbane has portrayed her.

I would definitely recommend this book to any young woman looking for a good Canadian fiction YA novel -- I really have nothing negative to say about this novel, to be perfectly honest. Also, it's an absolutely beautiful book cover, and it will make a lovely addition to any bookshelf.

I'd like to thank Penguin Random House Canada for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A novel about my favorite author, L. M. Montgomery? Um, yes please!

Even though I was pre-sold on this book, that didn't mean I warmed to it straight away. The first book (the novel is split into several books, each chronically a different time period) actually felt a little distant to me, but I can't pin down why. I was thinking that, much as I wanted to love the novel, it just wouldn't work for me. Things turned around in Book Two, though, and I really started getting into it. By the time I was done, I found I had a really nice journey.

If you already love L. M. Montgomery's books, you'll definitely find things to love here. And if you enjoy well-researched historical fiction that gets into a person's head, you'll have a good time with this one.

Oh, one random detail I particularly enjoyed was when Maud's clothing became more adult and there's talk of how much time it takes to get all those clothes on. It's not something I'm accustomed to seeing mentioned in books, but I so appreciate it.

Maud by Melanie Fishbane examines the early years of LM Montgomery through the lens of historical fiction. I enjoyed reading about the people Maud knew growing up and then seeing how she incorporated these people into her future novels. This book read as though it was a bonus book from one of my favorite authors. Read and enjoy as you travel down memory lane.

Man did this bring be back to my childhood. When I was younger, historical fiction books were one of my all-time favorite genres. I devoured books set in the past, especially those with spunky, intelligent young women intent on taking life into their own hands. And, of course, Anne of Green Gables was among those beloved books. So when I had the chance to read a historical fiction book based on one of my childhood favorites, I knew I had to read it.

That being said, I found myself a little disappointed. The story was enjoyable, don't get me wrong. And it's clear Fishbane definitely did her research when writing this book. But, I just didn't love it like I wanted to. Maybe my tastes in books have just changed over the years. It made me a little sad though. Because I really wanted to adore this book. I just couldn't

I had a difficult time getting into the story and had to force myself to read the first few chapters. After the rough beginning, I did end up really enjoying the story and delightful characters. It just took me some time to get invested. The fact that things seemed to jump around a little and the rather abrupt transitions between scenes probably didn't help mattes.

But, despite my difficulties, I still really liked Maud. The characters were wonderful, and the novel was filled with all sorts of history. Anyone who is a fan of stories like Anne of Green Gables should definitely check this out!

Fantastic book - especially for fans of Anne of Green Gables.

Further review to come!

This title will be great for fans of Montgomery. I can see my student's using it for their biography project or their Canadian history research project. This title is on my fall purchase list.

Although I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher (via netgalley), all opinions remain my own.

This story was inspired by the life of L.M. Montgomery, famous author of Ann of Green Gables. I loved how they made her seem real. This could have been how she lived. Imaging this girl going through life, trying to do what she loved. In a time where it was a woman's job to marry and run a household, Maud dreamed of writing. How she gets there is a journey. The journey chronicled in this book. I really enjoyed it, though parts were quite slow going. Really gave insight to how people lived back in that time period.

Simply written and an engaging telling of author, Lucy Maud Montgomery, with keen attention to her teen years. For those familiar with her Anne of Green Gables books, this novel shows the similiar paths that the author and her character of Ann with an E move in their childhood and growing years. Again, simple writing throughout so nothing over the top in my opinion but does give a freshness to the literary world about this fascinating woman.

YA at its most creative - a terrific fictional story about a beloved author - how awesome! Loved the writing and creativity!!

**THIS REVIEW WILL POST ON THE BLOG ON MAY 9TH.**

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<font face="Georgia"> <h3>Welcome to another session of Turning Pages!</h3>

<p><i><b>Synopsis</b></i>: Maud has been left behind by her father, who has gone away to make a success of himself after the death of Maud's mother so long ago. Maud has been with her strict grandparents ever since, sweating away the muggy summers, longing to strip off her stockings and run down to the shore. Trouble at school found her sent away from her grandparents to act as live-in nanny and help raise her cousins for a while. Now she's back with her grandparents and meant to prove to them that she can be a good girl.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, trouble seems to find Maud wherever she goes. A friendship with the Baptist minister's son is seen as a signal that her morals are in question; regular girlish hijinks are reported on as being "just like her Mother." Maud has no idea what her mother was like -- she died when Maud was only a toddler, and no one will speak of her. Her grandparents clearly disapprove of Maud's father -- and now rumors are wafting about which confuse her even more. fortunately, Maud's father at long last sends for her. It's a treat to leave behind Price Edward Island and see the rest of the country, but when Maud arrives at her father's household, it's not quite as she expected. Her stepmother doesn't seem to like her very much, and it seems she'll be closest to the maid, instead of her new step-siblings. It seems that at every turn, Maud faces disappointments -- not truly feeling wanted within her own family, feeling tremendous pressure to have a beau, be the perfectly poised and ladylike person expected, to do her "duty" for her family at home and not go to school, to take care of others, and bite her tongue. It's a triumph when Maud finally does get a break, but it's a bittersweet story that a girl whose tales transported others lived such a sad story herself.</p>

<a target= _blank href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku0LvIKngNc/WQvF-LWpOgI/AAAAAAAAG6M/12KHhJkOWjUiTBxzOZnfRGt5TifDBYqrQCLcB/s1600/31706659.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img hspace=10 align=right border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ku0LvIKngNc/WQvF-LWpOgI/AAAAAAAAG6M/12KHhJkOWjUiTBxzOZnfRGt5TifDBYqrQCLcB/s400/31706659.jpg" width="267" height="400" /></a><p><i><b>Observations</b></i>: Not every classic stands the test of time. If I go back and read ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, the book is still a lovely memory of childhood, of kindred spirits and bosom friends, but Anne herself isn't as clear a favorite (EMILY OF NEW MOON, published fifteen years after Anne, shows Montgomery's skills to a much better advantage, but for some reason, the rabid fave is still Anne). Her constant imagination-induced scrapes and good-hearted sweetness can be a little much if one is unprepared, and reading now I see some of the narrowness and racism of Edwardian era British life reflected in Anne's eyes. Still, L.M. Montgomery's gifts somehow never lose their appeal, even over a hundred years later.</p>

<p>The voice in this book has a reserved and less immediate feel to it, reminiscent of Montgomery's books, but somehow not quite. I felt that the author had pulled a screen between me and the emotions of Maud as a character, whereas with any of L.M. Montgomery's work, its trademark is that the reader practically weeps and laughs with the character; somehow Montgomery's characterizations are that sharply felt. The story itself is a bit depressing; I knew a bit about Montgomery's life, and knew it had been an unhappy one, but found it difficult to connect this Maud in the historical fiction to the facts about her life. Many readers might find that this novel opens slowly, but it moves more quickly after Anne leaves Cavendish behind and heads to her father's house. Subsequent developments in her life feel a bit more energetic, as the author leaves the focus on Maud alone, instead of writing with more detail on the immense cast of secondary characters. It was fun finding out that Maud had a nickname with also had a particular spelling upon which she insisted ("With An E!") and to discover how much Anne and Maud were a lot alike, in some charming and vexing ways.</p>

<p><i><b>Conclusion</b></i>: While this book is published in the YA/children's lit category, I feel like this book's best audience is adults. Tweens who read L.M. Montgomery books now can find them a little tough to get into the adventures of an Edwardian era orphan, and so a fictionalized biography of the author might not appeal, but for those of us who cut our teeth on Anne's adventures and her big-hearted emoting, this will have crossover appeal, and echo faintly of Anne.</p>
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<hr width=55%><p>I received my copy of this book courtesy of the publisher. After May 16th, can find <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/aff/readersrant7?product=9780143191254" target=_blank><i>MAUD</i></a> by Melanie Fishbane at an online e-tailer, or at a real life, independent bookstore near you!</p>
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Fourteen-year-old Lucy Maud Montgomery — Maud to her friends — has a dream: to go to college and become a writer, just like her idol, Louisa May Alcott. But living with her grandparents on Prince Edward Island, she worries that this dream will never come true. Her grandfather has strong opinions about a woman's place in the world, and they do not include spending good money on college. Luckily, she has a teacher to believe in her, and good friends to support her, including Nate, the Baptist minister's stepson and the smartest boy in the class. If only he weren't a Baptist; her Presbyterian grandparents would never approve. Then again, Maud isn't sure she wants to settle down with a boy — her dreams of being a writer are much more important.

But life changes for Maud when she goes out West to live with her father and his new wife and daughter. Her new home offers her another chance at love, as well as attending school, but tensions increase as Maud discovers her stepmother's plans for her, which threaten Maud's future — and her happiness forever. (via Goodreads)
I received an eARC from Netgalley and the publisher, Penguin Teen, in exchange for an honest review!

I have loved Anne of Green Gables for as long as I can remember, so when I saw this book coming out, I got really excited.

Fans of the Anne of Green Gables series will see so many familiar things from Lucy Maud Montgomery's series', from Gog and Magog to Lover's Lane to being particular about how a name is spelled.

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book. Much like The Radium Girls, Maud was written as narrative nonfiction, and it took me a little while to get into. It was very clearly based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's life, with all the hardships therein, but with a little extra lyricism on the author's part.

Now that I've finished the book, I'm still not entirely sure I liked it. It was more than 400 pages, but Maud gets into college and that's the end of the story. It felt unfinished, despite the length of the story, and lacked the charming prose that Lucy Maud Montgomery used to worm her way into our hearts.

There was a lot that was left unexplained. Even as someone who grew up in the church, I didn't understand why someone being Protestant wanting to be with someone who was Baptist was a big deal, even though it was talked about for probably a third of the book. It was never explored or explained, and given that this is narrative nonfiction, it needed to. We never found out why Mollie and Pensie hated each other, even though that was mentioned ten or twelve times.

I also had no idea what the future held for Maud once it ended. This book was kind of a disappointment for me. This was a three star read at best.

If this sounds like more your thing, you can pick up a copy on Amazon, Indiebound or your other favorite bookseller.

three stars

Disclaimer: All links to Indiebound and Amazon are affiliate links, which means that if you buy through those links, I will make a small amount of money off of it.