Lucy Maud Montgomery

Emily's Quest (Emily Novels)

I saw so much of Montgomery in Emily here--it felt as if I was reading her private diary. My own battle with depression was so clearly written on the page and, though I will sound cliche in saying so, I felt I was seen and not alone in it. It really did take too long for Emily and Teddy to finally get together, though, after all the many years of misunderstandings. And I veritably hate Ilse.

Bethany

Jasmine Stanway

I believe in order to fully grasp this story the way it was written from L.M.M’s perspective, it’s vital to know a bit about our authors struggles with depression. I could have sworn that some of Emily’s journal entries belonged to Maud herself, and the struggles she had in her life. I believe this was probably her rawest and most transparent novel. Everything Emily experiences in this book- her engagement, the longing for a boy she couldn’t have- all of this happened to L.M.M in real life. And knowing this about her going into the novel, it drove me to tears multiple times because I FELT Maud’s tormented soul so much through the pages.

This novel was a tad too melodramatic in some parts, and it just drove up my dislike for Ilse into a full fledged hatred, but overall the struggle Emily faces with her mental health, at the time it was written, is truly refreshing to see. I can’t give this book more than 3 stars, because I think our dear Elf suffered way too much, and it took her and Teddy WAY TOO LONG to get it together; but overall, this book was quite beautiful in its own, more quiet way. Overall, I’d say Emily Climbs is the gem in this series for me, but it was lovely to see Emily finally achieve her quest, her literary aspirations, and to get Teddy Kent for her hearts home.

Celeste Richardson

Actual rating: 2.5 stars. Rounded up out of loyalty to the writer.

Montgomery is an incredibly talented author. Anne of Green Gables is one of my all-time favorite books. But this last installment of the Emily trilogy had me rolling my eyes so constantly that I made myself dizzy. I think Emily Byrd Starr is a wonderful heroine, and I absolutely love the Prince Edward Island setting. There is something incredibly quaint and charming about the combination of that setting and Montgomery’s prose, which is unfailingly lovely. The element that made me groan constantly in annoyance was the romance. I don’t know that I’ve ever read anything quite so melodramatic. So much thwarted love. So many bruised and battered hearts. All because Montgomery’s normally intelligent characters don’t understand communication. TALK TO EACH OTHER, people. Jeez. I guess all’s well that ends well, but so many years of happiness were lost due to pride and miscommunication that even the ending felt soured because of it.

Rebecca Laparra

Loved this whole series. Loved it, loved it, loved it. Only one thing truly bothered me. The ending was so sudden and short! It felt a little tacked on. I wish we could have seen that unfold much slower and in depth. Regardless, Emily Byrd Starr is my new favorite.

There are two things in life Emily Starr is certain of - that she will be a great writer and that she and Teddy Kent were destined to be together. School is over and one by one her friends leave to follow their dreams, including Teddy, who goes to art school in Montreal. Emily chooses to stay at New Moon, and though she misses her friends, she knows the path of a writer is a solitary one. With each visit home Emily's friends seem more distant, especially Teddy. Desolate, but determined to hide her feelings, she throws herself into finishing her novel. When it is rejected, though, her confidence is shattered. To banish all thoughts of Teddy, Emily agrees to marry a man she doesn't love and give up on her dreams forever. But can she really have been so wrong about everything?

Emily's Quest

Maryam Hasan

The third and final volume of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s celebrated Emily trilogy, Emily’s Quest is a vigorously drawn study of a woman coming to terms with love and her own ambition. In no other novel did Montgomery explore more fully the beauty, complexity, and wonder of love. In every detail, this mature novel, by one of the world’s best-loved authors, captures the drama and confusion of a young life on the brink. Along with Emily of New Moon and Emily Climbs, Emily’s Quest is an honest and poignant portrait of a singular woman.

Yeldah Yousfi

karissa🌙

Christine

Molly Shipley

Sarah Kessler

Allison Parrish

Olga

Lydia Rose

Elif Gültekin

Reyna 

Nat Lim

liz mcclaran

High school has ended for Emily Starr, who must now decide whether to follow her childhood sweetheart, Teddy, overseas as he pursues his art career, travel to New York City in pursuit of her own dream to be a writer, or remain at New Moon Farm where, perhaps, she already has everything she needs.

Emily's Quest (Emily Novels)

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