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Maud by Melanie J. Fishbane is a book that is going to take you right back to Lover’s Lane and beyond. If you are a fan of anything related to Anne of Green Gables, get excited! Fishbane has created an historical fiction that tells a story of what L.M. Montgomery’s life may have been like and has written it in the style of the infamous Anne books. There are also some interesting aspects to this novel that explore the treatment of the Métis and the last section of the book that describes the extensive research conducted by the author to piece the whole story together.
Title: MaudAuthor: Melanie J. Fishbane
Publisher: Penguin Teen
Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Rating:
Fourteen-year-old Lucy Maud Montgomery—Maud to her friends—has a dream: to go to college and, just like her idol, Louisa May Alcott, become a writer. 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.
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.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Maud by Melanie J. Fishbane
❀ Mimics the Anne Stories
What is most intriguing about this story is the style in which Fishbane has written it. The whole aura of the narrative is old fashioned and really seems to mimic the way all of those Anne stories feel. There are many heartfelt narratives as well as gorgeous descriptions of the scenery and natural landscape of P.E.I. all the way to Saskatchewan. Also, the humour that is peppered throughout the book gives the reader a sense of how Montgomery was able to laugh even when she faced adversity.
❀ Diverse Characters
The inclusion of a diverse character, Edie, and the observations that Maud makes about the way the Métis people of Western Canada were treated during her lifetime was a very interesting component of the story. Maud often talks to her friend, Edie, about her struggles and asks her questions about her people. It really gives the reader a mini history lesson, as Maud learns some of the obstacles and harsh treatment of the Canadian Aboriginal people.
❀ Intensively Researched
Towards the end of the novel, Fishbane gives the reader information on how she conducted her research to write the book and it is quite impressive. There is an extensive reference list that includes various works, people, and places. Fishbane also indicates that this novel is not intended to be a biography, but an historical fiction that is based on L.M. Montgomery’s life and times. The inclusion of information about the time period Maud lived in and what became of her real life friends and family was something I found very insightful.
❀ Highly Recommend
Maud by Melanie J. Fishbane is a book that I highly recommend to anyone who loves the nostalgia of Anne of Green Gables and historical fiction. The writing is reminiscent of L.M. Montgomery and the addition of a diverse character as well as the research information orchestrated by the author makes this one book that is not to be missed.
About Melanie J. Fishbane
MELANIE J. FISHBANE holds an M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and an M.A. in History from Concordia University. With over seventeen years’ experience in children's publishing, she lectures internationally on children's literature and L.M. Montgomery, who she has been obsessed with since she first read Anne of Green Gables in Grade Six. A freelance writer and social media consultant, Melanie teaches English at Humber College.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
I have to say, this book sounds so good! I have read several reviews and all are quite positive! 😊
I have a feeling that you will enjoy it! 🙂
Sweet! Need to get my hands on it now!
I’m pretty picky with historical fiction YA novels, but you’ve definitely made me curious! Plus, the cover is so lovely 🙂 Fantastic review, as always!
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
If you have read the Anne books and enjoyed them, then I think that you may like this one! 🙂
First, this cover is beautiful. Second, what a great review! I’m not always into historical fiction, but this one has definitely caught my attention. It sounds good.
Historical fiction is kind of hit and miss for me. This one just spoke to me and I think that my love for those Anne stories really furthered my enjoyment of this one. 🙂
I am (don’t hate me!) not an Anne of Green Gables fan, so this one unfortunately just doesn’t do it for me. BUT the cover is BEAUTIFUL!
I know where you are coming from because my sister, who is the spitting image of Anne, feels the same way. 😉
I just picked this book up and am excited to start it after I finish a few other ARCs. Admittedly I haven’t read Anne of Green Gables yet, but I picked that up as well to read along. Great review. 🙂
This sounds great! I haven’t read Anne of Green Gables but this definitely sounds intriguing 🙂 Great job on the review!