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A Chapter of Accidents: Twenty-seven Rediscovered Stories
224 pages, Paperback
Published August 27, 2025
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Maud Montgomery
725 books19 followersSee
L.M. Montgomery
which was the name under which she was published during her lifetime.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 7, 2025
👒🌂👒🌂👒🌂👒
Review:
After Anne of Green Gables, I made a thorough job of it and read every LM Montgomery book I could get my hands on. Even her short story collections have a charm and presence to them so that when I came across this new collection of rediscovered stories, of course, I had to read it.
👒🌂A Chapter of Accidents gathers up twenty-seven stories that were published in newspapers and journals and range from the pre-Anne years of 1901 to 1932 with most falling before 1910. The Intro explains how they have been authenticated by checking archives and LMM's scrapbooks and ledgers. Many others (she wrote about 500 short pieces) have been made available elsewhere. I was eager to take these up and see the progression of LMM's talent over the course of several years and look for hints that the plot might show up in a later novel or story iteration.
👒🌂From stem to stern, these stories were filled with warmth and heart, laughter, sighs, bittersweetness, and exaltation. Many little romances, but also simply life stories. Description of time and place that carry great nostalgia. I loved the variety and not one was a dud. Whether one simply wants some stories of yesteryear or is a LMM lover who can’t get enough, don’t hesitate to indulge your short story love with A Chapter of Accidents.
Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
👒🌂👒🌂👒🌂👒
#historicalfiction #anthology #shortstoriescollection #lucymaudmontgomery #classicbooks
My full review will post on my Instagram page: @sophiarose1816 on 12.8.25
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Titles Included:
A Chapter of Accidents 1901, A Case of Mistaken Identity 1902, When Hearts Are Trumps 1902, The School Ma'am's Donation Party 1902, A Friendship Won 1903, A Platonic Experiment 1904, The Chiffon Dress 1904, How Nan Went to the Party 1904, Bessie's Dream 1904, What Gordon and Teddy Saw in the Lane 1904, Frank's Revenge 1905, Why People Liked Amy 1905, Discontented Dorothy 1905, Dot's World 1906, The Pot of Gold at Rainbow's End 1906, Evangeline's Father 1906, The Word of a Kennedy 1907, The Affair of the Shy Professor 1907, Aunt Susanna's Thanksgiving Dinner 1907, In Place of Queen Mab 1907, The Winning of Frances 1908, Ted Williams, Sneak 1908, A Narrow Escape 1909, Our Thanksgiving Day 1909, A Thorny Rose 1909, The Letter Patricia Wrote 1910, The House 1932
Review:
After Anne of Green Gables, I made a thorough job of it and read every LM Montgomery book I could get my hands on. Even her short story collections have a charm and presence to them so that when I came across this new collection of rediscovered stories, of course, I had to read it.
👒🌂A Chapter of Accidents gathers up twenty-seven stories that were published in newspapers and journals and range from the pre-Anne years of 1901 to 1932 with most falling before 1910. The Intro explains how they have been authenticated by checking archives and LMM's scrapbooks and ledgers. Many others (she wrote about 500 short pieces) have been made available elsewhere. I was eager to take these up and see the progression of LMM's talent over the course of several years and look for hints that the plot might show up in a later novel or story iteration.
👒🌂From stem to stern, these stories were filled with warmth and heart, laughter, sighs, bittersweetness, and exaltation. Many little romances, but also simply life stories. Description of time and place that carry great nostalgia. I loved the variety and not one was a dud. Whether one simply wants some stories of yesteryear or is a LMM lover who can’t get enough, don’t hesitate to indulge your short story love with A Chapter of Accidents.
Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
👒🌂👒🌂👒🌂👒
#historicalfiction #anthology #shortstoriescollection #lucymaudmontgomery #classicbooks
My full review will post on my Instagram page: @sophiarose1816 on 12.8.25
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Story Titles Included:
A Chapter of Accidents 1901, A Case of Mistaken Identity 1902, When Hearts Are Trumps 1902, The School Ma'am's Donation Party 1902, A Friendship Won 1903, A Platonic Experiment 1904, The Chiffon Dress 1904, How Nan Went to the Party 1904, Bessie's Dream 1904, What Gordon and Teddy Saw in the Lane 1904, Frank's Revenge 1905, Why People Liked Amy 1905, Discontented Dorothy 1905, Dot's World 1906, The Pot of Gold at Rainbow's End 1906, Evangeline's Father 1906, The Word of a Kennedy 1907, The Affair of the Shy Professor 1907, Aunt Susanna's Thanksgiving Dinner 1907, In Place of Queen Mab 1907, The Winning of Frances 1908, Ted Williams, Sneak 1908, A Narrow Escape 1909, Our Thanksgiving Day 1909, A Thorny Rose 1909, The Letter Patricia Wrote 1910, The House 1932
December 4, 2025
Being a total Anne of Green Gables nerd, I was overjoyed to get to read this volume of short stories by Lucy Maud Montgomery. LMM's books have been such a huge part of my life, and who I am, for so many years now that it's delightful and surprising to read something 'new' from LMM. I felt that same buzz of excitement that I had years ago when I discovered that it wasn't just the Anne & Emily novels she had written, but that there was lots more besides!
This is a good collection of stories that haven't been in print since they were published in the various newspapers and periodicals that originally paid for them. Most were written before Anne was published in 1908, with five of them written shortly after that, and one from 1932. They are a mixture of those very moralistic tales she penned for younger children, and then other (more interesting, to me) grown-up stories. I always love LMM best when she is funny, and there were some really good moments in this collection. You can see flashes of parts or ideas that she used later in her novels, and it's interesting to see her writing develop. I enjoyed thinking to myself as I read 'oh, well that's the start of idea of the disappointed house' or 'that feels like a very Anne-ish disaster!'
There were one or two stories that sat a little uncomfortably - with rather young women being 'seduced' by much older men. But on the whole I was caught up in these little flashes of characters that she brings to life so beautifully. There isn't quite the same sense of place as you find in the novels - I fell in love with Prince Edward Island long before I actually managed to go there - but there are flashes of description that I could see were the start of how she writes to create a sense of place.
It's a lovely collection, with a good range of stories, and just perfect for all the many LMM fans out there who are always eager to read a little more. Thank you so much to the publishers and to NetGalley for my review copy.
This is a good collection of stories that haven't been in print since they were published in the various newspapers and periodicals that originally paid for them. Most were written before Anne was published in 1908, with five of them written shortly after that, and one from 1932. They are a mixture of those very moralistic tales she penned for younger children, and then other (more interesting, to me) grown-up stories. I always love LMM best when she is funny, and there were some really good moments in this collection. You can see flashes of parts or ideas that she used later in her novels, and it's interesting to see her writing develop. I enjoyed thinking to myself as I read 'oh, well that's the start of idea of the disappointed house' or 'that feels like a very Anne-ish disaster!'
There were one or two stories that sat a little uncomfortably - with rather young women being 'seduced' by much older men. But on the whole I was caught up in these little flashes of characters that she brings to life so beautifully. There isn't quite the same sense of place as you find in the novels - I fell in love with Prince Edward Island long before I actually managed to go there - but there are flashes of description that I could see were the start of how she writes to create a sense of place.
It's a lovely collection, with a good range of stories, and just perfect for all the many LMM fans out there who are always eager to read a little more. Thank you so much to the publishers and to NetGalley for my review copy.
November 24, 2025
As a long-time Lucy Maud Montgomery fan, I was pleased to come across this recently compiled set of short stories, written between 1901-1932. The stories are bouchees (small/short & sweet), and the whole book is a little over 200 pages. They provide interesting window into life during the era, especially (but not exclusively) of girls and young women. Some of the stories are moralistic, exemplifying good behavior, others are humorous anecdotes with young women or men getting themselves into scrapes worthy of Anne of Green Gables herself, with a variety of other topics in between.
November 11, 2025
A Chapter of Accidents is an enchanting collection of delightful short stories written by the incomparable Lucy Maud Montgomery, originally published in various periodicals between 1901 and 1932. I am grateful that author Carolyn Strom Collins researched and compiled twenty seven of them in this book. What an honour to be amongst the first to read them after their rediscovery so many decades later!
Montgomery was amongst my most beloved authors when I was a little girl and will always have a special corner of my heart. The touching and sometimes humorous stories are about romantic relationships, friendships, and family ties. Amongst my favorites are A Chapter of Accidents, A Platonic Experiment, and Evangeline's Father. The stories did my soul good, evoking pure joy and nostalgia.
Montgomery fans and those who are wistful of wholesome simplicity should prioritize this treasure!
Montgomery was amongst my most beloved authors when I was a little girl and will always have a special corner of my heart. The touching and sometimes humorous stories are about romantic relationships, friendships, and family ties. Amongst my favorites are A Chapter of Accidents, A Platonic Experiment, and Evangeline's Father. The stories did my soul good, evoking pure joy and nostalgia.
Montgomery fans and those who are wistful of wholesome simplicity should prioritize this treasure!
December 10, 2025
A must-read for fans of L.M. Montgomery [like me!).
Short, charming, delightful stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Short, charming, delightful stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 17, 2026
Such a sweet book full of short stories that take you back in time. If you love L.M Montgomery and have read her work extensively , you will recognize undercurrents of themes from her novels.
December 16, 2025
This is a delightful collection of bite-sized stories. They range from moralistic to fun & silly, and run the gamut of topics from family to friendship to romance. Despite the variety in subjects, Montgomery’s signature style infuses each story. Each one has an uplifting message or happy ending. I have never seen these stories elsewhere, so it was a treat to get this eARC from NetGalley and Nimbus. There was only one story I didn’t much care for, but tastes differ.
If you are a Montgomery fan and want to feel a little bit better about the world (or escape to a nicer, fictional one), you will enjoy this collection!
Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy. I post this review with my honest opinions.
Content notes: brief peril (including to a child), but no one dies; a professor expresses romantic interest in a student; “A Thorny Rose” has a dubious-consent kiss
If you are a Montgomery fan and want to feel a little bit better about the world (or escape to a nicer, fictional one), you will enjoy this collection!
Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy. I post this review with my honest opinions.
Content notes: brief peril (including to a child), but no one dies; a professor expresses romantic interest in a student; “A Thorny Rose” has a dubious-consent kiss
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews