The Blue Castle

From the pen of one of the greatest writers of children's fiction comes a remarkable story of romance and rebellion. Valency Stirling is a 29-year-old woman trapped in a stifling household, surrounded by domineering family members who are all too eager to observe her perceived failings. Her only refuges are the novels of John Foster and her fantasies of the 'Blue Castle', an imaginary world where her dreams can come true. When she is diagnosed with a terminal illness, she decides to seize control of her own life, leading her on a liberating journey of personal and romantic discovery. Renowned for Anne of Green Gables , L. M. Montgomery demonstrates that her remarkable talent stretches to the world of adult fiction too. The only book set outside of Prince Edward Island, one of her few stories to feature an adult protagonist, The Blue Castle is rightly acclaimed as one of Montgomery's most powerful tales. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.

From the pen of one of the greatest writers of children's fiction comes a remarkable story of romance and rebellion. Valency Stirling is a 29-year-old woman trapped in a stifling household, surrounded by domineering family members who are all too eager to observe her perceived failings. Her only refuges are the novels of John Foster and her fantasies of the 'Blue Castle', an imaginary world where her dreams can come true. When she is diagnosed with a terminal illness, she decides to seize control of her own life, leading her on a liberating journey of personal and romantic discovery. Renowned for Anne of Green Gables , L. M. Montgomery demonstrates that her remarkable talent stretches to the world of adult fiction too. The only book set outside of Prince Edward Island, one of her few stories to feature an adult protagonist, The Blue Castle is rightly acclaimed as one of Montgomery's most powerful tales. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.

Written by the author of the beloved Anne of Green Gables series, The Blue Castle is L. M. Montgomery's sophomore adult novel and a classic tale of romance. By society's standards, twenty-nine year old Valancy Stirling is an old maid. Ostracized by the community and infantilized by her family, Valancy feels complete powerless with her only means of escapism being the poetic nature books of her favorite author, John Foster, and her fantasies of a "Blue Castle." That is until the day that Valancy goes to see a doctor. While he isn't able to diagnose her at the time, she receives a letter just a few days later that rocks the foundation of her life: she has a heart ailment and it's terminal. Oddly comforted by the news, Valancy takes the opportunity to break away from her family and live what little life she has left on her own terms. Finally pursuing her own happiness, Valancy sets out on a journey of self-discovery and begins to build a new home, make new friends, and find a lover who provides a warmth and kindness that she has never felt before. Professionally typeset with a stunning new cover, this edition of The Blue Castle is a classic romance reimagined for modern readers.

The story is set during the 1920s in the fictional town of Deerwood, located in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada. Deerwood is based on Bala, Ontario, which Montgomery visited in 1922. Maps of the two towns show similarities. This novel is considered one of L.M. Montgomery's few adult works of fiction, along with A Tangled Web, and is the only book she wrote that is entirely set outside of Prince Edward Island. It has grown in popularity since being republished in 1990. The book was adapted for the stage twice; in 1982 it was made into a successful Polish musical, and ten years later Canadian playwright Hank Stinson authored another version, The Blue Castle: A Musical Love Story. Colleen McCullough, author of The Thorn Birds, evidently used The Blue Castle as the basis of her novel The Ladies of Missalonghi-subconsciously, as she alleged-to the point of provoking accusations of plagiarism.

Valancy lives a drab life with her overbearing mother and prying aunt. Then a shocking diagnosis from Dr. Trent prompts her to make a fresh start. For the first time, she does and says exactly what she feels. As she expands her limited horizons, Valancy undergoes a transformation, discovering a new world of love and happiness. One of Lucy Maud Montgomery's only novels intended for an adult audience, The Blue Castle is filled with humour and romance.

Valancy lives a drab life with her overbearing mother and prying aunt. Then a shocking diagnosis from Dr. Trent prompts her to make a fresh start. For the first time, she does and says exactly what she feels. As she expands her limited horizons, Valancy undergoes a transformation, discovering a new world of love and happiness. One of Lucy Maud Montgomery's only novels intended for an adult audience, The Blue Castle is filled with humour and romance.

The story is set during the 1920s in the fictional town of Deerwood, located in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada. Deerwood is based on Bala, Ontario, which Montgomery visited in 1922. Maps of the two towns show similarities. This novel is considered one of L.M. Montgomery's few adult works of fiction, along with A Tangled Web, and is the only book she wrote that is entirely set outside of Prince Edward Island. It has grown in popularity since being republished in 1990. The book was adapted for the stage twice; in 1982 it was made into a successful Polish musical, and ten years later Canadian playwright Hank Stinson authored another version, The Blue Castle: A Musical Love Story. Colleen McCullough, author of The Thorn Birds, evidently used The Blue Castle as the basis of her novel The Ladies of Missalonghi-subconsciously, as she alleged-to the point of provoking accusations of plagiarism.

Life for Valancy Stirling is bleak and hopeless. For twenty-nine years, she's had little to live for and nothing to look forward to. At the mercy of her large, meddlesome family, she's endured quips and ridicule of every kind for far too long. The only consolation Valancy finds is in the books of John Foster and her daydreams of the Blue Castle, a place where she can have the life she wants instead of the one she's trapped in. It isn't until Valancy receives a devastating diagnosis from the local doctor that she finally finds the courage to take charge of her life. But even she doesn't know how much that one little choice will change everything forever.

Life for Valancy Stirling is bleak and hopeless. For twenty-nine years, she's had little to live for and nothing to look forward to. At the mercy of her large, meddlesome family, she's endured quips and ridicule of every kind for far too long. The only consolation Valancy finds is in the books of John Foster and her daydreams of the Blue Castle, a place where she can have the life she wants instead of the one she's trapped in. It isn't until Valancy receives a devastating diagnosis from the local doctor that she finally finds the courage to take charge of her life. But even she doesn't know how much that one little choice will change everything forever.