The Journey Begins (Road to Avonlea, No.1)

Novelizations of television episodes are basically what we make due with until they come out on videotape. But in "The Journey Begins," the novelization of the first episode of the "Avonlea" series, Dennis Adair & Janet Rosenstock provide some actually depth to this retelling of the tale. Specifically, they get into what young Sara Stanley is thinking when her life is turned upside down. Her father is threatened with financial ruin and Sara is shipped off to her late mother's relatives on Prince Edward Island. Sara arrives in Avonlea with her Nanny Louisa is tow, only to meet up with the formidable King family, headed by the imperious Aunt Hetty, who also happens to be the local school teacher. Adair & Rosenstock take pains to explain the complex dynamic that exists between Sara and her relatives on PEI, undoubtedly filling in some holes for young readers who saw the pilot episode and were not sure what to think about what was going on.This first volume in "The Road to Avonlea" series is based on the Sullivan Films Production written by Heather Conkie, which, in turn, was adapted from the novels of Lucy Maud Montgomery. "The Story Girl" was Montgomery's favorite novel and its sequel "The Golden Road," along with two collections of short stories known as the Chronicles of Avonlea, are the material from which various episodes are developed. What becomes fascinating in this first episode is how the premises of "The Story Girl" are redeveloped for this series. In the books Sara would come to visit her King cousins each summer, heading back to Montreal in the fall. However, the situation needed to be altered so Sara was a more permanent part of the Avonlea community. They could have made Sara an orphan, in the grand tradition of Montgomery's most famous literary creations Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon, but it is important that at least on some level Sara WANTS to stay on PEI. At the heart is one of Montgomery's strongest themes, how a young girl forges bonds of affection with a spinster. Aunts Hetty and Olivia certainly recall Emily's Aunts Elizabeth and Laura and there are strong echoes of that novel in this story. Consequently, whether you are a long time reader of Montgomery's works eager to devour new tales using her literary creations, or a young reader who is working their way through these books and then on to the one actually written by Montgomery, you will find these tales to be kindred spirits. I used to have the Disney Channel just so I could watch "Avonlea" and honeymooned last year on PEI, staying at the "White Sands Hotel." So, it is pretty clear that I am just one of countless millions of enraptured fans.