From Jansson, to Montgomery, to McCall Smith: Mini Reviews

Starting from February, my blogging time would be reduced to, perhaps, one post a week or two. No, I'm not in one of those blogger-block phases. I am, actually, taking part in weekend tax certification course (for my work), which will be going on until end of May. Thus, there will be very limited time for me to do reviews. I will keep reading, and participating in reading events, but unfortunately, my reviews will be very-very short. Now, here are my mini reviews for three books I have read these past two weeks.

The Summer Book (1972) by Tove Jansson

🏕 Sophia, six, and her grandmother, are staying in a tiny island in the Gulf of Finland. This book contains vignettes of their summer activities; a unique experience you'll ever have when staying by yourselves in a tiny island. They are exploring the island, midsummer boating and watching bonfires, and, for Sophia, sleeping in a scout's tent.

🏕 All the while, they are discussing about life and nature - a discussion that an elderly woman and a six year old precocious child could possibly have. The book isn't a plot driven story - indeed it hasn't any - but more of a character driven one. The nature - the woods, the sea - is the most important of all, as it invites us to its embrace. It's a subtle, but also poignant read. Not my favorite, but the summer description and activities are quite refreshing.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2

The Blue Castle (1926) by L.M. Montgomery

💙 Valancy Stirling - what an unusual name! - has been brought up by a snobbish, overbearing mother. She is more like his deceased father, though, a child with free spirit. But her "imprisonment" within the family (numerous aunts and uncles) made her insecure and clumsy. Moreover, Valancy, being not beautiful, is still single in her thirties. She had had no life at all, and only her imaginary Blue Castle and books of a certain writer that keep her alive, well, barely. But all these would soon change after she got a diagnosis of severe heart problem, with one year more to live. Having nothing to lose, Valancy now determined to live her life as she wants it to be. Forget all the family conviction; it's her life, so she makes her own rules. Including marrying the man she loves; no matter what others say, and even, no matter whether the man really loves her or not. The question is, will she be happy? Or will her life be ruined by her decision?

💙 I loved Valancy's transformation. It only proves, again, what we've learned from novels, that society often ruined one's life with its dictatorial rules. How freeing it is to be what one wants to be!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (1998) by Alexander McCall Smith

🕵🏽‍♀️ Precious Ramotswe, a widow, is opening the first ever female detective agency ever in Bostwana. This book, the first of a series, tells us Mma Ramotswe's personal life and struggles, in the social and cultural background of Africa near the turn of 21st century. Almost one third of the story is about her life, while the rest are first mysteries she solved, from missing husbands, as well as cheating ones; to a more serious and dangerous case - the missing of an eleven-year-old boy. 

🕵🏽‍♀️ All in all, it's a fascinating and quite funny book with interesting bits of African people and culture. I loved Mma Ramotswe's unperturbed character - a good quality in a detective. Now I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

The LMM Tag

This week we are celebrating L.M. Montgomery in a blog party, hosted by Hamlette. Here's a tag about LMM, with my answers:

1. Who introduced you to L. M. Montgomery's writing?  Tell us the story!
No one, really. My first introduction to L.M. Montgomery was Anne of Green Gables. I read and reviewed it (in Bahasa Indonesia) in 2009, and it was among the first books which influenced me to love classics. 

2. What LMM books have you read?
As far as I can remember, only Anne of Green Gables (shame on me!) I owned a book rental then an online second-hand bookstore back in 2015-2018, and during that time I’ve purchased translations of the Anne series, which my clients love, but I didn’t remember ever read them.

3. What movies or shows based on her books have you watched?
Anne with an E on Netflix – loved it! And it brought back memories of reading LMM. I’ve been wanting to read more of Anne's since that!

4. Which LMM character is your kindred spirit, the one you'd like to hang out with in real life?
I would love to hang out with Jane Victoria Stuart from Jane of Lantern Hill. She’s amiable and relates much with nature. It would be awesome to take a stroll and maybe a little picnic with her!

5. Which LMM character do you relate to the most?  And why?
I’m not sure, but maybe Diana from Anne of Green Gables? I didn’t remember her much, but from Anne with an E TV series, she seems calm and mature, always wants to please others. Yet, courageous enough to stand on her own (well... thanks to her friendship with Anne, of course)

6. Have you ever been to Prince Edward Island?
Nope, though I would love to if I had chance to go abroad some day!

7. Who is your favorite LMM heroine?
Since I’ve read only two LMM’s so far, I don’t have much to choose from, so I’ll go with Jane Victoria Stuart.

8. Who is your favorite LMM hero?
Jane’s father: Andrew Stuart

9. Do you have any fun merch related to her books?  If so, please share some photos!
No. I seldom collect bookish merch anyway. 😊

10. What are some of your favorite LMM quotations?

"There is no pleasure in life like the joy of achievement." ~ Jane of Lantern Hill

“I can talk a blue streak when the spirit moves me. When it doesn't I like people to let me be.” ~ Jane of Lantern Hill

 

Judging Book by Its Cover: Jane of Lantern Hill (L.M. Montgomery)

Judging Book by Its Cover is a blog feature where I analyze book cover art, compare it with its content, as well as with covers from few other editions.

Jane of Lantern Hill

For L.M. Montgomery's Jane of Lantern Hill, I read the e-book version from Virago, published in 2014. I loved the modern cover art, with a little girl standing in front of a full-blossoming cherry tree, with a full moon in the background. It's a perfect portrait of this passage:

"She had crept out to have a good look at the full moon . . . Jane had her own particular reasons for liking to look at the moon . . . and the white blossoming cherry-tree over in the yard of 58. The cherry-tree, with the moon hanging over it like a great pearl, was so beautiful that Jane felt a queer lump in her throat when she looked at it."

The girl looks so unhappy, and is searching for a little peace from the moon, which really looks like hanging over the cherry tree like a big pearl. It vividly portrays Jane's unhappiness when staying at her grandmother's house in 60th Gay Street.

However, if you look carefully at the girl, you can see there're still hopes for a brighter future. Her bright face and her clasping hands suggest that hopefulness. She feels alone, but she finds solace in the moon and the cherry tree; they're her temporary friends, until she finds lovely people who'd love and accept her as she is. Well, the pearly moon and the cherry blossoms help adding a touch of gayness to the cover too.

All in all, I love this cover art, modern, beautiful, melancholy, but with a touch of brightness.

Now, let's pick two more cover arts from different editions.

McClelland & Stewart (1st edition), 1937

I'm always curious by first edition of a classic. In this edition, there's the little girl, and the big moon. But what tree is that, with its hanging branches over the girl? I don't like this painting. The night is too dark, despite of the full moon. The tree looks rather ominous; and the girl's gesture seems like she's waiting for someone or something, rather than a lonely or unhappy child. It doesn't look charming at all; and if I was to look at this cover while hunting for a charming book at the bookstore, I won't pick it.

McClelland & Stewart (later edition), 1989

I rather like this one. It's obviously Jane and her father having a picnic during Jane's summer stay at Lantern Hill. They're having a good time, and the overall painting conveys a sense of warmth and coziness. But to me, it’s too straightforward; it lacks the depth and complexity of the story - Jane's struggle, her wonderful personal development after tasting love and freedom.


In the end, to me, the winner is the Virago's cover. It's artistic, beautiful, and true to the story.

What do you think? If you have read the book, which cover art do you think truly represents the story? And if you haven't, which one appeal to you most?

**This is my second entry for We ❤ L.M. Montgomery Week hosted by Hamlette (Rachel) @ Hamlette's Soliloquy **

Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery: A Review

🧡 Jane Victoria Stuart lived all eleven years of her life with her mother, aunt, and grandmother - the Kennedys - in 60th Gay Street, a respectable house in Toronto. But she always feels she doesn't belong there. The only thing she loves within the house is her mother. She hates everything else, especially the strict and prim of her grandmother, who seems to be jealous because her mother loves Jane. About her father, nobody in 60 Gay Street ever mentions; so Jane assumes he's dead.

🧡 Jane attends St. Agatha's, a respectable school chosen by her grandmother, but she doesn't belong there either. She's nervous and awkward, and seems to be useless at anything she does. And the Kennedys would sneer and laughed at her everytime she blunders, which would make her feel more inferior and miserable than usual. At times like that, her only console are the moon and Jody, an orphaned girl her age who shares her spirit.

"Jane had her own particular reasons for liking to look at the moon . . . and the white blossoming cherry-tree over in the yard of 58. The cherry-tree, with the moon hanging over it like a great pearl, was so beautiful that Jane felt a queer lump in her throat when she looked at it."

🧡 One day, a letter came from Jane's father. Her father, whom she thought was dead, is actually alive, and wants her to spend summer with him in Prince Edward Island! With many doubts Jane came, and found out that his father is an amiable man whom she can actually love and loves her back! He even bought them a charming house in Lantern Hill, where Jane feels belong to for the first time in her life.

🧡 A remarkable change came over Jane as soon as she's found freedom, love, and friendship in Lantern Hill - qualities that she never thought she has in her: courage, strength, and many amazing skills. She even finds comfort in cooking and keeping house for Dad. In short, she seems to have been born in Prince Edward Island - which she actually was!

🧡 Only one thing marred her blissfulness. If only her mother could join them in Lantern Hill! But it's impossible because her mother doesn't have enough 'backbone' to stand up to grandmother, and Dad don't love her anymore. Will her life always be divided into two poles: summer in Lantern Hill and spring to winter in Toronto?

🧡 I haven't read L.M. Montgomery's for a long time (the last one is Anne of Green Gables fourteen years ago), and this one is surprisingly a charming book. I loved Lantern Hill, though I always prefer mountains than beach. And I was amazed by Jane's character development. Jane is a genuinely independent creature, and it is only after letting her free to be herself that she will be blossoming into a great person. Love, freedom, and nature are the most powerful combination!

Rating: 4 / 5

**This is my first entry for We ❤ L.M. Montgomery Week, hosted by Hamlette (Rachel) @ Hamlette's Soliloquy.**

 

Anne of Green Gables

Ini adalah tentang kehidupan yang indah, penuh warna, menggairahkan, dan penuh cinta. Itulah kesan yang kudapat selama membaca buku ini. Buku yang bercerita tentang si yatim piatu berambut merah yang berpembawaan ceria, ceriwis, begitu mencintai alam, dan memiliki daya imajinasi yang tinggi dan hidup. Semangat dan keceriaannya cenderung meluap-luap, dan kehadirannya selalu membuat orang di sekitarnya gembira. Itulah Anne.

Awalnya, Avonlea adalah sebuah dusun pertanian kecil dengan pemandangan yang indah, namun dengan kehidupan yang biasa-biasa saja. Terutama di pertanian Green Gables yang dihuni oleh kakak beradik yang sudah setengah baya, Matthew dan Marilla Cuthbert. Mereka berdua tidak menikah, dan rumah mereka terasa sepi dan dingin. Sampai suatu ketika, Mrs. Rachel Lynde melihat sesuatu yang aneh. Pagi-pagi benar Matthew Cuthbert pergi naik kereta dengan berkemeja rapi. Di desa yang kecil, di mana kehidupan penghuninya sudah terjadwal, perginya Matthew membuat heran Mrs. Rachel. Maka ia mengunjungi Marilla. Dan dari mulut Marilla meluncurlah berita heboh: Matthew pergi ke stasiun menjemput seorang anak lelaki dari Panti Asuhan!

Ya, Matthew butuh seseorang untuk membantunya di pertanian, maka mereka titip pesan pada Mrs. Spencer untuk membawakan seorang anak lelaki dari panti asuhan. Pagi itu, ketika Matthew tiba di stasiun, yang ia dapati hanyalah seorang anak perempuan berpakaian lusuh, wajah pucat berbintik-bintik dan rambut merah. Rupanya ada kesalahpahaman dengan Mrs. Spencer! Tapi, si anak perempuan sudah terlanjur kegirangan mengetahui bahwa ada keluarga yang menginginkannya, sehingga ia tak perlu menetap di panti. Maka, diajaknyalah si anak perempuan itu pulang oleh Matthew. Sebagian karena ia tak tega meninggalkannya begitu saja di stasiun, dan sebagian lagi karena karakter unik si anak perempuan.

Bayangkan, sepanjang perjalanan naik kereta itu ia menyerocos terus. Begitu melihat pohon ceri dan birch yang berbunga putih menjulur agak rendah ke jalan, Anne bisa membayangkan cadar halus putih seorang pengantin! Benar-benar imajinasi yang hebat! Dan itulah yang akan anda baca dan rasakan di sepanjang buku ini.

Awalnya, Marilla tak dapat menerima kehadiran Anne. Namun, mau tak mau diakuinya juga bahwa Anne telah sedikit demi sedikit memberi warna dalam kehidupannya yang tadinya membosankan. Maka akhirnya Marilla pun luluh, dan berniat tetap mengadopsi Anne. Anne begitu bahagia dengan keputusan itu, dan ia berusaha keras untuk memuaskan Marilla. Masalahnya, ia terlalu banyak berkhayal. Ketika disuruh melakukan tugas rumah tangga, ia begitu rajin awalnya. Namun, di tengah-tengah pekerjaannya pikirannya akan melantur kemana-mana saat ia memandang ke arah pepohonan, misalnya. Dan akhirnya ada saja tugas yang ia lupakan.

Waktu Anne mulai masuk sekolah, Marilla menjahitkannya gaun-gaun yang amat sederhana (dan membosankan buat anak kecil). Padahal yang diinginkan Anne adalah gaun dengan lengan model menggelembung yang waktu sedang populer.

Lalu Anne menemukan seorang sahabat, yang ia sebut sebagai ‘belahan jiwa’, seorang anak bernama Diana. Rumah Diana terletak di pertanian di seberng Green Gables, tapi jendela kamar tidur Diana bisa dilihat oleh Anne dari kamarnya sendiri. Kedua gadis kecil ini sering mengirimkan isyarat berupa kilatan sinar senter (mirip kode morfe). Kalau salah satu dari mereka melihat signal ini, maka ia akan segera bergegas ke rumah yang lain, karena pasti si pengirim signal memiliki berita penting untuk diberitahukan pada yang lain.

Begitulah, kedatangan Anne ke Avonlea ternyata membawa banyak perubahan pada hidup di sekitarnya. Ia adalah virus keceriaan di sebuah dusun yang membosankan, warna-warna yang hidup pada selembar kain putih yang menjemukan. Anne adalah seseorang dengan emosi yang meluap-luap. Ia bisa menjadi sangat antusias pada suatu rencana yang indah, namun bisa dengan cepat menjadi putus asa saat keinginannya tak tercapai.

Ada seorang anak laki-laki bernama Gilbert Blythe yang cerdas tapi senang mengusili Anne. Anne jengkel sekali padanya ketika Gilbert memanggilnya ‘wortel’. Anne sangat sensitif kalau mengenai warna rambutnya yang semerah wortel. Ia bisa sangat tersinggung, seperti halnya reaksinya terhadap Gilbert. Alhasil, ia memusuhi Gilbert selama sekolah, dan bersaing dengannya dalam hal prestasi, karena ia dan Gilbert sama pintarnya di kelas.

Ketika sekolah hampir berakhir, dalam sebuah adegan ‘penyelamatan’ di sungai, Gilbert meminta maaf pada Anne bahwa ia dulu mengoloknya. Anne merasakan debaran aneh jantungnya, tapi harga diri yang tinggi membuatnya menolak mentah-mentah ajakan Gilbert untuk kembali berteman.

Pada akhir tahun pelajaran, mereka berdua (Anne dan Gilbert) beserta beberapa murid lain mengikuti ujian masuk ke Akademi Queen di kota. Sayangnya orang tua Diana tidak mengijinkan anak mereka untuk meraih jenjang pendidikan yang lebih tinggi. Anne akhirnya menjadi nomor satu dalam ujian itu, dan ia pun bersiap-siap untuk melanjutkan pendidikan di Queen.

Di Queen, Anne belajar dengan tekun dan berusaha untuk melupakan home-sicknya. Ia mendengar bahwa Queen akan memberikan sebuah beasiswa Avery, untuk menempuh pendidikan di sebuah universitas di Inggris. Namun Anne lebih terpacu untuk mengejar medali emas. Dan di penghujung masa belajar di Queen, ketika Anne pulang untuk berlibur di rumah, ia begitu yakin akan masa depan cemerlang yang terbentang di depannya ketika ia ternyata justru memenangkan beasiswa Avery (sedang medali emasnya direbut saingan beratnya, Gilbert). Anne begitu bahagia terutama karena Matthew, yang sudah mulai menua dan sakit-sakitan, malam itu mengungkapkan pada Anne bahwa ia sangat bangga pada pencapaian Anne.

Namun, seperti dalam kehidupan manapun juga, duka itu datang dengan sangat tiba-tiba. Sang malaikat maut menjemput Matthew Cuthbert. Maka kini tinggallah mereka berdua, Marilla dan anak angkatnya, Anne. Apakah yang akan dilakukan Anne? Tetap pergi ke kota untuk meraih cita-cita tertingginya dan meninggalkan Marilla sendirian? Ataukah ia menemani Marilla dan melepas impiannya?

Apapun penutup kisahnya, Anne of Green Gables memang menyediakan keindahan dan kisah yang penuh cinta di setiap kata dan kalimatnya. Bukan sebuah masterpiece seperti To Kill A Mocking Bird atau Harry Potter, namun tetap sebuah bacaan yang akan membuat hati ini gembira demi melihat keindahan dan merasakan cinta!

Judul : Anne of Green Gables
Pengarang : Lucy Montgomery
Penerbit : Qanita, 2008
Harga : Rp 50.150,- (toko buku online)