Lucy Maud Montgomery
Biography
Lucy Maud Montgomery (L.M. Montgomery) was a Canadian author, born on November 30, 1874, in Clifton (now New London), Prince Edward Island. Orphaned at a young age, she was raised by her maternal grandparents in Cavendish. Her experiences growing up on Prince Edward Island heavily influenced her writing, providing the idyllic settings for many of her stories. Montgomery worked as a teacher and journalist before achieving international fame with the publication of 'Anne of Green Gables' in 1908. She married Ewen Macdonald, a Presbyterian minister, in 1911 and moved to Ontario, where she raised her family. Despite her literary success and creating joyous, imaginative worlds for her readers, Montgomery privately battled severe depression and mental health issues throughout her life. She authored over 20 novels, 500 short stories, and numerous poems, leaving an indelible mark on children's and Canadian literature. She passed away on April 24, 1942, in Toronto.
Selected Thoughts
«It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.»
«Oh, it's delightful to have ambitions. I'm so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them–that's the best of it. Just when you've achieved one, you see another glittering on the horizon.»
«True friends are always together in spirit.»
Writing Style
Montgomery's writing style is characterized by its evocative and lyrical descriptions of nature, particularly the landscapes of Prince Edward Island. She employs a sentimental yet humorous tone, crafting strong, imaginative female protagonists who navigate challenges with wit and resilience. Her narratives often focus on the emotional and psychological development of characters, celebrating the power of imagination and the comforts of community life. She masterfully uses detailed dialogue and regional colloquialisms to create authentic and endearing portrayals of rural Canadian society.