Title: Jane of Lantern Hill by L. M. Montgomery

Pages: 288

Genres: Classic, Fiction, Children’s/Young Adult

Published by: Seal Books (Nov. 1, 1989; originally published 1937)

Summary

For as long as she could remember, Jane Stuart and her mother lived with her grandmother in a dreary mansion in Toronto. Jane always believed her father was dead–until she accidentally learned he was alive and well and living on Prince Edward Island. When Jane spends the summer at his cottage on Lantern Hill, doing all the wonderful things Grandmother deems unladylike, she dares to dream that there could be such a house back in Toronto…a house where she, Mother, and Father could live together without Grandmother directing their lives–a house that could be called home

– Goodreads

What I Thought

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  A huge thank you to Sullivan Entertainment!*

When I was asked to review Jane of Lantern Hill, I was so excited!  Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books, and so I was super curious to read something else by LM Montgomery.  This book did not disappoint!

First of all, I just have to say I absolutely adore L. M. Montgomery’s writing style.  I never get tired of her beautiful descriptions.  Every time I pick up one of her books, I feel as if I am there.  From Jane’s dreary, day-to-day life at 60 Gay Street to her wonderful adventures at Lantern Hill in PEI, I loved reading about them all!  The scenery and setting really came alive in this book.  Also, the food descriptions were incredible and made me so, so hungry!  I don’t know why, but I love books that feature what the characters are eating, and Jane of Lantern Hill is filled with so many different, delightful meals.

Another thing I really loved were the characters.  This book is definitely a more character-driven novel, and I’m so glad that it had so many unique and memorable ones.  While I found some striking similarities between a few of the characters in Anne of Green Gables and Jane of Lantern Hill, especially between Jane and Anne and the poetic flare they both share, everyone was still quite unique and all were very clearly separate individuals.  If anything, the similarities found between the two stories made me love Jane of Lantern Hill even more.

While this novel was a bit predictable, I completely expected that, and so, I wasn’t bothered by it at all.  Honestly, I probably would have been disappointed if the story didn’t go the way I thought it would.  Being able to see the relationship between Jane and her father grow was so very special. Not only that, but Jane experienced so much character development and growth in this novel.  I really loved watching her gain a sense of independence and discover who she was.

Overall, this was a really great novel.  It was so beautifully written, and one that I plan on re-reading in the future.  I cannot wait to watch the movie adaptation for this lovely novel (be on the look out for that Movie Monday soon)!  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a novel with good descriptions and fun characters, as well as, of course, Anne of Green Gables fans!

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