Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1904

by L.M. Montgomery

Lucy Maud Montgomery, (always called "Maud" by family and friends) and publicly known as L. M. Montgomery, (1874-1942) was a Canadian author, best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables (1908). In 1893, following the completion of her grade school education in Cavendish, she attended Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown. Completing a two year program in one year, she obtained her teaching certificate. In 1895 and 1896 she studied literature at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After working as a teacher in various island schools, in 1898 Montgomery moved back to Cavendish. For a short time in 1901 and 1902 she worked in Halifax for the newspapers Chronicle and Echo. She returned to live with and care for her grandmother in 1902. Montgomery was inspired to write her first books during this time on Prince Edward Island. Her works The Story Girl (1911), Chronicles of Avonlea (1912), The Golden Road (1913), Anne of the Island (1915), Anne's House of Dreams (1917), Rainbow Valley (1919), Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920) and Rilla of Ingleside (1921).

Genres: Classics, Short Stories, Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Canada, Romance

136 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Lucy Maud Montgomery was a Canadian author, best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908.

Montgomery was born at Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Nov. 30, 1874. She came to live at Leaskdale, north of Uxbridge Ontario, after her wedding with Rev. Ewen Macdonald on July 11, 1911. She had three children and wrote close to a dozen books while she was living in the Leaskdale Manse before the family moved to Norval, Ontario in 1926. She died in Toronto April 24, 1942 and was buried at Cavendish, Prince Edward Island.

Reviews

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. As always, I enjoyed these stories! I particularly liked the many blueprints I found for characters later to be found in the Anne books; and there weren’t really any unpleasant or overly dramatic/romantic stories in this one—most of the stories were sweet and/or funny, very wholesome. :)

I. A Fortunate Mistake
4.5 stars (4/10 hearts). When a schoolgirl finds herself bed-bound for the day, she asks her sister to request Florrie Hastings stay with her… but what happens when the sister accidentally addresses the request to Florrie Hamilton instead?

What a sweet story this is! I really enjoyed schoolgirls stories, and this one is lovely. It was so realistic and natural and funny, and I LOVE the good little message. Nan is such a nice girl.

II. An Unpremeditated Ceremony
4 stars. Selwyn Grant’s been away for 10 years, and walks into an unexpected wedding when he arrives home. Such a ceremony is the perfect time to catch up on the news and maybe rekindle an old relationship…

Such a sweet, humorous little romance this is, with plenty of sweet family scenes as well… I love the Grants, and the setting is so nice, and the recurring nose joke is just delightful. ;)

III. At the Bay Shore Farm
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). All of the Newburys have exciting plans for the day, but Grandmother has requested one of her granddaughters to spend it with her. Which of the girls will sacrifice, and what does Grandmother want her for?

Oh, I LOVE this story. Mrs. Kennedy is amazing and so is Grandmother, and I loved Cecilia and Frances, too. But most of all I loved the messages. The one of sacrifice is excellent—and the one to writers is so, SO good. Montgomery rarely writes of writers or gives advice to them, but she dropped so many truth bombs here.

IV. Elizabeth’s Child
4 stars. When Elizabeth married a ne’er-do-well against all advice, her siblings refused to have anything to do with her for years. But over time, George, Ellen, and Charlotte relented and wrote to Elizabeth to lend one of her children for the summer. Yet Paul still will not have anything to do with Elizabeth’s child…

I think Montgomery has a thing for writing about estranged family, and specially having nieces win over stubborn old uncles. Worth is amazing and her relationship with Paul is just so sweet and funny. It’s a delightful, heartwarming tale!

V. Freda’s Adopted Grave
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). Everyone in North Point celebrates Graveyard Day and tends to the graves of loved ones passed on. Everyone, that is, except Freda, who doesn’t have a grave, and Mrs. Wilson, who doesn’t want one. But Freda’s found a grave that doesn’t have anyone to care for it…

It’s a very short story, but a very sweet one. The beginning reminds me of Mary from Rainbow Valley.

VI. How Don Was Saved
5 stars. Curtis Locksley’s Don has been seen with a sheep-killer, and Paul Stockton, the most influential farmer around, accuses him of worrying his own flock. Is Don doomed to being shot?

Oh, I love this story. You dog lovers who avoid dog stories because someone always dies, well, cheer up and try this one: instead of losing lives, we save some! Don is just splendid, and the characters are well done. The storyline is also great and the setting is perfect. <3

VII. Miss Madeline’s Proposal
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). When Lina announces her own engagement, Miss Madeline confesses the terrible truth: she’s never been proposed to, and she’s dreamed of it for years. Then a letter is delivered to the little house…

I think lovely Miss Madeline is another prototype of Miss Lavender from Anne of Avonlea. It’s a funny, sweet little story, but the age gap, which usually don’t bother me, was rather large in this story.

VIII. Miss Sally’s Company
4.7 Staes (5/10 hearts). Lonely Miss Sally has a beautiful home, but it’s solitary, and she longs to see her nieces pop by for a visit. When two girls show up at her door one morning, she’s sure it’s Helen and Beatrice at last… Will Miss Sally get the company she longs for at last?

Oh, Miss Sally is so sweet! This story is DEFINITELY the predecessor to Chapter 23 of Anne of Avonlea. Though Charlotta IV is rather nicer than Julianna. Anyways, I really like Mary and Ida, and the message of the story is so, so good. It’s such a feel-good story. <3

IX. Mrs. March’s Revenge
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). Anna March has never forgiven Lou Carroll for the humiliation she inflicted years ago in their youth, and she’s vowed to repay Lou someday. Can a surprise visitor on a stormy autumn day have any effect on her hatred?

I wasn’t sure how this would turn out, and was rather worried about the beginning, but it is actually very heartwarming at the end!

X. Nan
4 stars. John Osborne and Bryan Lee are bitter rivals for pretty Nan Stewart’s hand. Osborne’s in chronic bad luck, while Lee’s a prosperous farmer with a mortgage on Osborne’s farm, and old Abe Stewart favours Lee. But what does Nan have to say about it all?

I love meeting names we tend to consider more “modern” in primary source books. ;) Anyways, I’ve always had a very soft spot for this story. Perhaps just because of Nan, perhaps because of the gorgeous setting. This story actually reminds me somewhat of By the Rule of Contrary …

XI. Natty of Blue Point
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). Everett Miller’s been tending the lighthouse for two years prior to his father sickened, but now that the latter dead, Ev has no chance of getting the lighthouse keeper appointment for himself… unless a certain stormy Victoria Day makes a difference.

I always loved this story!! Natty is just splendid—and so is Prue, regardless of how little she figures—and I love the exciting storyline! It’s a wonderful seaside/lighthouse tale, with a heartwarming ending and a great little message.

XII. Penelope’s Party Waist
4 stars. Doris & Penelope Hunter are dreadfully poor, and there’s no spare pennies until next year, when Penelope can teach. But just now, there’s a party to attend, and Penelope has no suitable clothes. Can a parcel from Aunt Adella provide a way out of the dilemma?

Another little story that I’ve always loved. Doris & Penelope’s sister love and sacrifice is so sweet, and their courage through all the struggle is inspiring. Also, the ending is so unexpected but so delightful!

XIII. The Girl & the Wild Race
3.5 stars (310 hearts). Theodora Whitney has badgered her niece Judith about her singleness until the girl finally exploded into a foolish vow: she’ll marry the very first man that asks her. Mrs. Whitney has always favoured Eben King for a nephew-in-law, but Judith herself hankers after Bruce Marshall. When the men hear of the vow, the race is on. Who will win the girl?

I love stories with very involved communities and a country setting. There’s just something so fun about hearing gossip from a dozen random people seated in a room. Anyways, I really found this story quite vivid, and it’s rather thrilling and humorous. That ending is great, too. ;)

XIV. The Promise of Lucy Ellen
2.5 stars (2/10 hearts). Cousins Lucy Ellen and Cecily Foster have vowed to remain single and spend the rest of their lives devoted to each other. But Cromwell Biron’s taken a fancy to Lucy Ellen again, and Lucy Ellen returns it…

This is definitely a prequel to Rosemary & Ellen’s story from Rainbow Valley. This one was a bit more passionate and grotesque than lovely, though… pretty saddening, really.

XV. The Pursuit of the Ideal
4.7 stars (5/10 hearts). Roger St. Clair has found his ideal woman—or so he thinks—and he’s chasing her assiduously, reporting his experiences every day to faithful friend Freda. But perhaps Freda has an ideal to chase too, and perhaps Roger doesn’t fancy the thought of it when he stops to consider this…

Okay, so I am biased. I relate a lot to Freda, and her little romance spoke so much to me. Roger was an adorable fool, and the whole romance is just absolutely delightful and humorous. I love it so much!!

XVI. The Softening of Miss Cynthia
4 stars. On his deathbed, John Merrivale sent his son Wilbur home to his stepsister Cynthia, never dreaming the hard, money-loving woman she’s grown into. Poor Wilbur is in for a hard time as “Aunt Cynthia” hires him out to the hardest farmer in the community… what will it take to soften Miss Cynthia?

Somehow Miss Cynthia fits into the “Miss C” type Montgomery often has: a strong, independent, kindly woman living alone, sometimes rather well off. Of course, this Miss C is rather warped, but she gets to where she should be eventually… It’s a heartwarming story, in the end.

XVII. Them Notorious Pigs
4.5 stars (4/10 hearts). This story quite short but it’s really delightful. A cross old bachelor finds his neighbour’s pigs in his garden, and discovers his neighbour is a pretty little widow trying her best to keep her pigs (and probably her little boys) out of mischief. It’s such a funny, sweet little rom-com and I love it!

XVIII. Why Not Ask Miss Price?
3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). Two sisters host Thanksgiving for the first time, and are dismayed to find one of their guests can’t make it, leaving a gap in their list. On their mother’s recommendation, they invite the last person they’d have thought of: the colourless little schoolteacher, Miss Price. Never in their wildest dreams would they have guessed the consequences… It’s a nice, comfortable little story, with a similar dénouement to several other of Montgomery’s orphan short stories.

A Favourite Quote: “I know she would consent to let me stay here, because she would think it best for me, but it wouldn’t be really best for me; it couldn’t be best for a girl to do what wasn’t right.”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: Outside of the old Churchill place, in the busy streets of the up-to-date little town, Miss Madeline might have seemed out of harmony with her surroundings. But here, in this dim room, faintly scented with whiffs from the rose garden outside, she was like a note in some sweet, perfect melody of old time.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: ‘He won’t propose to Judith as long as I’m round,’ she panted. ‘I know him—he’s too shy. But Eben won’t mind—I’ll tip him the wink.’
Potter Vane was chopping wood before the door. Mrs. Theodora recognizing in him a further obstacle to Marshall’s wooing, caught him unceremoniously by the arm and hauled him, axe and all, over the doorstone and into the kitchen, just as Bruce Marshall and Eben King drove into the yard with not a second to spare between them.... Both men sprang from their sleighs and ran to the door.... Mrs. Theodora stood defiantly in the middle of the room, still grasping the dazed and dismayed Potter.

[Manybooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please do note that this here one star rating is not in ANY manner, in ANY way meant to be a comment on L.M. Montgomery's fiction, her writing (as for the most part, the collected, included stories deserve ratings from three to five stars), but on the annoyingly and supremely user-unfriendly way in which Dodo Press has presented and published them.

And yes, when I first became aware of the Dodo Press collection of Montgomery short stories I was excited, because from the title (Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1904) it appeared as though the presented stories would be arranged chronologically. However, while the tales contained in Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1904 are indeed those penned by L.M Montgomery in 1904, the stories themselves have been arranged in totally random (and therefore not in chronological) order month wise. So if you were, if you are looking forward to finally being able to read L.M. Montgomery's shorter fiction in actual order of the tales’ appearance, this fact will make your desire considerably more difficult.

But what I and personally find even more problematic with regard to this book (as well as with all of other volumes in the Dodo Press collection of L.M. Montgomery Short Stories), is the lack of any type of usable table of contents. For while both the tales and their dates of appearance are listed at the beginning of the book, at the beginning of Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1904, Dodo Press somehow and strangely has then not deemed it necessary to also supply the starting pages for the stories. Thus, if you desire to read a particular tale, or if you are actually trying to read the stories chronologically (in order of actual appearance), you will need to guess on which page a given piece of fiction actually commences. And no, I really do not understand why Dodo Press could not have arranged these stories by year of appearance, and it is simply unacceptable that the table of contents is so user-unfriendly (not supplying the starting pages of the stories, sorry, but for me that is an almost unforgivable and massively anger-producing shortcoming).

And furthermore, the Dodo Press collection series of L.M. Montgomery short stories is also not going to be of much if ANY use for those readers wishing to use it for academic (read research) based purposes, as there is neither an introduction nor is any of the source material listed. Now an introduction would have been beneficial, but not really absoultely required, but Dodo Press should really have listed the diverse magazines, journals etc. in which these stories originally appeared. Now I still enjoyed the reading time spent with and on Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories: 1904, but the set-up is certainly a major disappointment, and I feel that I should at least warn other fans of L.M. Montgomery's fiction about the shortcomings of this particular series. And while I do now realise that Dodo Press has probably just taken these stories from free online sites such As Project Gutenberg, that still does NOT in any way excuse the user unfriendly print format I have encountered.

And yes, I could just as easily (and much more cheaply) have downloaded the featured tales from Project Gutenberg and then formatted them myself. However, since I obtained this series as traditional paper format printed books (and they were also a much appreciated gift), I can and do (or at least I should be able to) expect a reader and user friendly format, and this simply does not ever materialise. And potential readers should also be aware that ALL of the Dodo Press series books of L.M. Montgomery's short stories have the exact same issues, are similarly constructed (random chronological order, a patently unusable table of contents and with no publication information, period). And frankly, if you are indeed actively interested in L.M. Montgomery's short fiction, you should probably either download them from online sources (there are many possibilities, from Project Gutenberg to various Kindle and other e-book formats), or much better yet, seriously consider the late great Rea Wilmshurt's spectacular collection (the seven individual books might not contain every short story that L.M. Montgomery ever penned, but the individual tomes are extensive, beautifully structured, and ALWAYS include an introduction as well as the relevant source materials).

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing beats a little L M Montgomery when one wants or needs to be uplifted. Her stories are simple and somewhat contrived, but still leave me in a better mood.

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although some of the stories had unrealistic "Oliver Twist" out of the blue twists, which I don't prefer, most of them were great studies of human characters, everyday folly and grudges, repentance and growth, so it was a great pleasure reading them. Will continue with the stories.

[MC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stated in my review of L. M. Montgomery's short story collection published in the years 1902-1903, that the work suffered from two much commonality with all of her other stories. The stories came across as cliched, and boring. To some extent, this was unfair of me, as the various story ideas were used in these stories for the first time, so these are, in fact, the original stories, while the Anne stories and others are the later “copies” in terms of plot. That said, without the full development that the adventures of Anne Shirley give us, the stories really were not as much fun, due to their shortness. However, I can say that the stories in this collection really are better.

Montgomery's considerable skill is obvious from any who have read her works. The only real difference between the stories she wrote in the year 1904, and those she wrote in the previous eight years, is in terms of originality of the tales. She actually introduced some new concepts, which was something she seemed unable to do beforehand. The stories were not almost carbon copies of each other, as many of the previous stories were.

That said, there is still something to be criticized, and that is that some of her characters could be more than a tad shallow. The characters were mostly quite attractive among the younger ones, and those who were not attractive were not paired with the attractive ones. This reminded me of how eternally attractive Anne and Gilbert are in the Anne books, and how Anne and Gilbert made fun of an unkind woman behind her back, due to her weight.

The worst part is that Montgomery was not portraying the characters here in this short story collection, or Anne and Gilbert in their stories, as wrong, but as correct in their behavior. With the exception of Anne's college chum, Phil, marrying a not-so-handsome minister, this is an unfortunate stream of shallowness running through her works. Even the character of Diana from Anne's girlhood, while portrayed nicely despite being overweight, is portrayed as infinitely out of Anne's league.

Such issues are why I can not give unreserved approval to this short story collection, though I certainly do Highly Recommend it.

[Hayden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the 1904 stories were better than those in the 1902-1903 collection; while there was still some predictability, a few of the concepts were more original. As is common failing among short stories, some of the characters seem shallow (both as a personal failing in the character, as well as a failing of the length of the tale) but none of them were really strictly unlikable. I wouldn't say that any of the stories really stood out to me, but as a whole I think I enjoyed them more than the previous collection.

Well, I shall try to take a Montgomery break after this, having read three short story collections in a row. I do love L.M. Montgomery, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, so I need to take a break.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple beautiful stories. I could only read a few stories at a time due to their sugar content, but they made me feel happy with the world.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely wonderful collection of feel good short stories that will leave your heart warmed after every tale.

[Cordelia Mal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Montgomery’s work always have this unusual ability to take me out of whatever I am doing, out of this work, and transfer to a completely different one. Her books and stories may be a tad simple, sometimes too sugary, but Lucy Maud Montgomery is in a big part responsible for my love for books, so I have a big sentiment for her. I have a right. So fuck it.

Let me just say that reading these stories was an interesting experience, because I was doing this in between of some fucked-up, gore stuff like Jack Katchum (Peaceable Kingdom) or Gillian Flynn (Dark Places). Trust me, the contrast was one of a kind.

This collection of stories – as probably any other of L.M.M. – is a series of tales about unlikely friendships, lucky coincidences, prides a little too big, every-day activities gone bad, and unhappy misunderstandings. Everything’s all right at end, though, which is why the first thing that comes to my mind about Maud’s works is innocent. I constantly remind myself she was not a happy person in real life. Despite that – or maybe because of that – her works are usually – if not always – full of hope and promise.

I think most people – or everybody – who as ever read any of Montgomery’s works will tell you she was really able to operate English language and created magnificent language. Her style was recognizable, smooth, suburb. I’ve always thought so, and every book/story I read in original, seems to confirm it. My love for her does not mean I don’t find anything to criticize. I do.

So, first thing is that her stories are a little repetitive, or just similar to each other, or they are about the same kinds of characters. The other criticism is about characters themselves. They are usually (not always, though) young and attractive. Besides, in these stories they – for my taste – they were also not fully-fleshed. But maybe that’s my problem with a form of short story, there’s not enough time to fully develop the characters, with their little likes and dislikes, and their change.

Despite whatever criticism I may ever say about any of Montgomery’s works, I’d always recommend them, because all in all, they are positively delightful.

This review was published on my blog:

https://cordelial84.wordpress.com/201...

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

L.M. Montgomery is a genius. Probably many people have said that, but I mean it. I've been absorbing all her short stories over the past four days, and though I like the 'him-her' ones best, they're all fantastic.

In the later ones there's hints of Anne's House of Dreams and Anne of Avonlea, and even an entire chapter from Anne of Green Gables, but I don't mind. And wouldn't it be funny if that 'short story' is what prompted all of Anne?

The stories are from 1899 to 1928, and there are certain threads that pass through all of them. There's the Christmassy stories— making Christmas cheerful for someone who can't afford it, women-haters or man-haters who become reconciled to the opposite sex in time, old maids getting married, long-lost loves that come back, orphans who find a family member after all (rich, at times), and all sorts of absolutely delicious things.

[C.G.Koens · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, enjoyable and simple. You can see the Anne-esque tones in Montgomery's short stories, and you almost feel that these were her practice runs, leading up to the Anne series. On stressful days, there is nothing better than reading a couple of these short stories - they always have happy endings!

[Kathi Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems like some of the stories are repeats from other years, but her stuff is always nice (and predictable).

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

More lovely short stories....

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything Lucy Maud writes is nice.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Improving but there are better ones yet to come. 3.5

[Naomi Semer]

Love these stories, they get better by the year!

[Maggie Leroy · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy , enjoyable and very predictable read.

[Brooke Tallent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little morsels of pleasant stories. LM Montgomery is a storyteller of the most genial kind.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fun to listen to. Great stories most of them make me smile while I am listening.

[Anne Libera · Rating 3 out of 5]

See previous reviews. I turn to these when I wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety. Having said that, a character in one of these stories uses a phrase that includes the "n word" A jarring reminder that these comforting stories of white people living in turn of the century Canada are still part of a larger system.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid hit.

I enjoy miss Lucy Maud’s stories very much. Old fashioned they are but no less fulfilling because of it. I’m not sure what makes them magical for me. They are mostly happy endings ish but there is sadness, anger and bitterness as well. But somehow the right wins n the end..though it may be long in coming.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, these were some cute short stories from before Montgomery published her debut novel (which was in 1908). While a lot of fun and with some poignant writing at parts, almost all of these ideas she later recycled into her larger works and so, despite coming first chronologically, they don't feel as original as they could be. Stories I particularly enjoyed in this collection were: A Fortunate Mistake, Elizabeth's Child, Miss Madeline's Proposal, Miss Sally's Company, Mrs. March's Revenge, Natty of Blue Point, The Pursuit of the Ideal, and Them Notorious Pigs.

[Nena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice

Very short stories very well written. As usual the stories are tender and a bit unrealistic, but I found them enjoyable.

[Barbara Robarts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply and charming

[Heidi Haskell]

Oh, these are very L.M.Montgomery stories.
Patient Love fulfilled, incorrectly-delivered mail shenanigans, long-lost relatives found...
But all told in her delightful way.

[Gil-or (readingbooksinisrael) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.9

Top 3:
Priscilla's Party Dress
An Unpremeditated Ceremony
The Softening of Miss Cynthia

[Rachel Cassano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cheerful little book!

L.M. Montgomery never fails to interest and engage her readers! This book will make all of her literary fans hungry for more.

[J]

SKW to BHW

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of short stories that positively exude Montgomery-ness. If you enjoy her other works, you will enjoy these.

[november_bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories are somewhat predictable and not my favorite of Mongomery's works, but they're still enjoyable and sweet! I personally enjoy her mix of happy and bittersweet story endings.