Jane of Lantern Hill

I read this in my early teens, after I had read most of the LMM books (the Anne series, the Emily series, etc.) I loved them all, especially the Emily series, but Jane of Lantern Hill is my favorite of them all. Jane Stuart is not, as many of LMM's other heroines are, obsessed with the idea of being a writer, storyteller, etc. There is no potential boyfriend/husband lurking in the story either. This book is more about the how understanding and love can transform an introverted, unhappy child into a confident, intelligent girl (the story ends when Jane is about age 14.) In that sense she's really one of the most understandable and likeable of LMM's heroines. She is also very modern. You can easily imagine her growing up to become a successful career woman, something you can't really say for many of LMM's other heroines, other than the at-home and time-flexible occupation of writing. If I had an early-teen daughter I would buy this book for her, especially if she has any self-confidence issues. This is also one of the few books that deals with the subject of divorce or the separation of parents from the perspective of the child in an intelligent way. Given the time that it was written, divorce was a horrible taboo, and the resolution of the story is a bit unrealistic perhaps. That's the only quibble I have with the book. Incidentally there was a television movie based on this book, by the same people who did the excellent Anne of Green Gables series (at least, the first two parts of that series were excellent). Don't bother with the Jane movie if you love the book..it only vaguely resembles it.

As someone who spent many hours alone as a child, I found I could really relate to this book. I first discovered it when I was eleven or twelve. I loved reading about how Jane'e grandmother dominated her and made her feel out of place and about how people at school regarded Jane, because I was treated in the same way. If you've ever been pushed around as a child, or as an adult, read this book. I'm 21 and have been forced to grow up rather quickly in my life, still I enjoy this wonderful novel. I thought the character of the mother could have been more developed, otherwise it was absolutely a stunning work of art. Go SUPERIOR JANE! I can also relate to the way Montgomery portrays Jane's dad, and Jane's relationship with her dad. It's interesting how when Jane sees her father's picture in a magazine, even though she does not know it is him she cuts it out and keeps it, and it is heart-breaking how her grandmother takes it away from her. It is touching how Jane helps her poor orphaned friend and neighbor, and her grandmother's disdain for this makes one exceedingly angry. I also thought Jane's mother did not defend her daughter enough. Montgomery's own father made himself scarce to her when she was young, moving out West and remarrying. Montgomery seems to have never gotten over this, so when she describes characters like Emily's father, and Jane's father, she does a wonderful job of speaking of how intimate they are with their daughters. As a child of divorce I loved reading of how Jane played a role in getting her parents back together. .......

I have to say, I'm 25 years old and I still want to *be* Jane. I've read this book countless times and as with all of Ms. Montgomery's work it grows with you. Far ahead of its contemporary novels in female characterization, Jane with her "can-do" attitude is a great role model for the girls of today. Not to mention the usual careful attention to detail this author is known for which makes her books enjoyable for all ages. As mysteries unfold and lives change you find yourself more and more ensconced in Jane's world. Jane is a very real character with her at times very adult and utterly disarming perceptions of her world and its inhabitants. Watch as a sullen, moody girl living under her grandmother's thumb becomes a bright and capable young woman fully realizing her potential due to new and unexpected influences in her life. Each step of Jane's personal transformation is fascinating and inspiring.I do believe this was the final novel L. M. Montgomery wrote and the amazing talent inherent in all of her books combines with a lifetime of experience to make this an utterly enthralling read.The only way I can convey how spellbinding this novel is to say: I don't recommend picking it up unless you have the time to read the entire book.

It does not do any justice to this book to say something like "If you liked Anne Of Green Gables, you'll like this", as I have heard so many reviewers do. This book is thousands of more times insightful and poetic then any of the Anne books. I had read some of Anne, and thought to my self "there's got to be something better than this." Thankfully I discovered the Emily series, and was in total awe of her books. Then a friend mentioned the books (Well actually she said it was the best book ever, but it was something to that effect:) A couple months later I was at the library and I saw _Jane of Lantern Hill_ poking out of the shelf. I thought what the hell, I'll give it a try. So I picked it up and turned to the first page....and WOW! The poor librarian had quite a time getting it from me to check it out. I am now going to invest in the hardcover for myself,which I rarely do once I've read it, but this book is worth it. Practicly every line in this book is poetry, yet it never gets tedious. It strikes me as tragic that Maud wrote about a thousan Anne books, Three Emily books, and not even a sequal to this stunning piece of literature. Pure art. Superior Jane! harhar. Well, I'm still getting over there being no sequals, *sniff*. I was dreadin the end of this book the first time I read it (two reads ago) and It's still hard... Ah well, Think about it. This is one of the books that stands out most to me. Ok, maybe don't read it. I feel as though it's "my" book... You know? Oh well. Enjoy! ~Rosa

When I first read this book, I had in fact never even heard of it before. On completing it I was surprised at this. Jane is probably one of Montgomery's most rounded characters, actually expressing the anguish that was only hinted at in other characters in other books.The tragedy of the lonely child trapped with her weak, unhappy mother and her bitter, dictatorial grandmother deals skilfully with the theme of divorce and seperation, and was probably considered revolutionary in its day.Jane's pain is very real as are the numerous lovable characters that populate this book.It might be considered dated and old fashioned today but a truly insightful and sensitive reader will sympathize with Jane and rejoice at her happiness.A beautiful and poignant book, that would set many readers thinking.