Jane of Lantern Hill review

Jane Stuart, the heroine of this particular tale by the beloved author of "Anne of Green Gables", is emphatically unhappy when the story opens. She doesn't know her father at all and it's several chapters into the story before the reader finds out that Jane's parents are divorced.

Young Jane lives with her mother, an elderly aunt and... her grandmother. "Grandmother" is a terrifying character who is acid tongued, bitter and very angry. At times she comes perilously close to being a caricature. But, I have had experience with a very similar type of person when I was younger.

Awkward, timid, very little self confidence are all phrases that can be used to describe Jane at the beginning of her story.

Robin, Jane's mother is a weak character - I mean she's is a bit of a wimp (to use a modern phrase). She has no fortitude to stand up to her bully of a mother. She's pretty and sweet, but not morally strong. As one of  the minor characters said, "She's been under the old lady's thumb too long.....And anyhow, she's a cat of a different breed from Miss Jane."

L.M. Montgomery was so talented at bringing these characters to life, whether they're orphans, mean old women, colorless men and more. Above all they are vitally alive characters that smack of realism.

Jane's father is not perfect either. But the relationship that develops over the course of the book between Jane and her "Dad" is a rich one.

For myself, the biggest kick I get from reading "Jane" is seeing the fun that she has doing chores that I don't ever do. A born cook, housekeeper and gardener, all things I aspire to do. I personally need to work on the housekeeping part!

"Jane of Lantern Hill" is firmly on my favorite book list and will remain there. Find it if you can and read it. It's a treat.

*update 12-19-14*
Reading through again, I just noticed that at one point in the book Jane goes on a walk, after dark, by herself with no fear whatsoever. That is completely different from the mindset nowadays.

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