Emily Climbs

Emily Climbs chronicles the teenage years of aspiring writer Emily Byrd Starr at Shrewsbury High School. Emily lives with her strict Aunt Ruth while attending school, pursuing her literary ambitions despite the disapproval of some family members. The novel follows Emily's development as a writer through her journal entries, poems, and stories. Her relationships with friends Ilse, Teddy, and Perry evolve as they navigate their high school years together, while Emily faces both encouragement and opposition to her creative pursuits. Her experiences at school, interactions with the residents of Shrewsbury, and summer returns to New Moon farm shape Emily's growth from an imaginative teen into a young woman. She remains determined to climb her "Alpine Path" to becoming a writer while balancing family expectations and personal dreams. The book explores themes of artistic determination, the tension between tradition and ambition, and the challenges faced by a young female writer in early 20th century Canada. Emily's spiritual and creative sensitivity, manifested in experiences she calls "the flash," sets her apart as she pursues her calling.

Readers view Emily Climbs as a deeper, more complex coming-of-age story than Montgomery's Anne series. Book reviewers note Emily's struggles with artistic ambition and pressure to conform feel modern and relatable. Readers appreciate: - Emily's determination to pursue writing despite obstacles - The realistic portrayal of small town life and relationships - The gothic, supernatural elements - The romance develops naturally without dominating the plot Common criticisms: - Slower paced than the first book - Some find Emily less likeable than Anne - Cultural attitudes and references feel dated Ratings: Goodreads: 4.23/5 (16,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (280+ ratings) "Emily's artistic journey resonates more with me than Anne's story ever did" - Goodreads reviewer "The supernatural touches add an ethereal quality missing from Montgomery's other works" - Amazon reviewer "Dean Priest's character makes me uncomfortable" - Common thread in recent reviews

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery A young orphan girl pursues her dreams of becoming a writer while navigating life in a small Canadian town.

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge The story follows a twelve-year-old girl's growth from an impetuous child to a thoughtful young woman through trials and personal challenges.

A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter A determined young woman fights poverty and family opposition to gain an education while finding solace in the natural world.

The Home-Maker by Dorothy Canfield A daughter challenges social expectations while pursuing her ambitions in a small New England town during the early 1900s.

An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott A country girl maintains her principles and pursues her musical talents while adapting to city life in Boston.

🌟 Montgomery based Emily's character partly on her own experiences as a young writer, including the sensation of "the Flash" - a moment of spiritual and artistic enlightenment she personally experienced 📚 The book was published in 1925 and is the second in a trilogy, preceded by "Emily of New Moon" (1923) and followed by "Emily's Quest" (1927) 🏛️ Shrewsbury, where Emily attends high school, is based on the real town of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where Montgomery herself attended school ✍️ Emily's journal entries in the book were inspired by Montgomery's own extensive journals, which she kept from age 9 until her death in 1942 🎭 Unlike Montgomery's more famous character Anne Shirley, Emily Byrd Starr is considered by many critics to be a darker, more complex character who more closely reflects the author's own personality and struggles