Smaug, Gollum and the ring

‘The Hobbit’ – J. R. R. Tolkien

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.

Written for J.R.R. Tolkien’s own children, The Hobbit met with instant critical acclaim when it was first published in 1937. Now recognized as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts of the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent. 

A re-read for me, I think I enjoyed this book more for the nostalgia it provoked, reminding me of my childhood. I don’t tend to read Fantasy books very often and whilst I did enjoy aspects of this story, I found it difficult to concentrate on it and feel that I liked reminiscing about when I read this novel for the first time, many moons ago.

This is a children’s classic and it is very well written. Tolkien has created a fantastical world with a very likeable hero in the form of Bilbo Baggins. Throughout, I kept remembering scenes from the trilogy of the films and I think that if you haven’t read this book first, the film is a good place to start. Bilbo is such a warming character to follow and I liked how he was able to win respect from the dwarves and outwit many who just considered him a vertically-challenged pest.

There were many favourite scenes in this book, such as the trolls, meeting Gollum and the dark, dark woods. However, there were also parts that I found less interesting and I don’t think this was helped by the lengthy chapters. Complete attention is needed and I think this is what makes this a book aimed at older children; not because the language is particularly challenging, but because the structure requires a lot of commitment. I also found that after Smaug’s death near the end, the narrative dragged on a bit. Like Bilbo, I was keen to see him return to the warmth and comfort of his hobbit hole.

This is a very vivid read of the classic fantasy genre, appealing to all ages. It is a timeless story and I think there is a bit of magic you can’t recreate if reading it for a second time. I was surprised by how much I remembered of the story from my first reading, showing just how imaginative and spell-binding this story is. However, there is a reason why I don’t read many Fantasy books and whilst my tastes have certainly changed over the years, this book will always hold a fond place in my heart.

Book Bingo 2024 category completed: A genre you hardly ever read.

The war begins

‘Rilla of Ingleside’ – L. M. Montgomery

Anne’s children are almost grown up, except for pretty, high-spirited Rilla. No one can resist her bright hazel eyes and dazzling smile. Rilla, almost fifteen, can’t think any further ahead than going to her very first dance at the Four Winds lighthouse and getting her first kiss from handsome Kenneth Ford. But undreamed-of challenges await the irrepressible Rilla when the world of Ingleside is endangered by a far-off war. Her brothers go off to fight, and Rilla brings home an orphaned newborn in a soup tureen. She is swept into a drama that tests her courage and changes her forever.

I found this book to be very different to the rest of the series. Not only does the story focus primarily on Anne’s youngest daughter, Rilla, but it is a more sorrowful narrative due to the characters living through the First World War.

When I realised how old Anne’s children were, I felt sad about how many years had passed. With Rilla being 15 going on 16, the youth of Ingleside has definitely moved into a new chapter. This sees the boys signing up to fight in the war in France, Nan and Di are mostly non-existent characters who are studying, leaving Rilla at home.

Although Rilla has some adventures of her own, I think they are all tarnished with undercurrents of sadness. Add in the numerous references to the battles of the First World War, the atmosphere of the book becomes quite oppressive. Living for news from the Front, Anne, Susan and all the characters sombrely anticipate inevitable sadness, fearing for Walter, Jem and Shirley. Although so far away in Canada, it was interesting to observe how much these lives were impacted by the conflict. Furthermore, it read like a very informed narrative and I do believe I learnt more about history from this story.

Knowing that I have reached the end of the series made me feel quite sad. But I also know that I can reverse time and start back to when Anne was just a young girl. However, I also think the ending could have been more developed than what Montgomery offered. In my opinion, it was too rushed and I wanted to see the novel conclude by focussing back on my ‘Anne-girl’, rather than her daughter. This, I believe, was a key part missing from the story.

Although this wasn’t as fun as other stories, it was lovely to see how the characters have changed over the series. I think Montgomery’s writing style is timeless and as a collection of stories, this is one that will always have a special place in my heart. I just think it would have been nicer to read a more innocent narrative as the final story.

The next generation

‘Rainbow Valley’ – L. M. Montgomery

Anne Shirley is grown up, has married her beloved Gilbert, and is the mother of six mischievous children. These boys and girls discover a special place all their own, but they never dream of what will happen when a strange family moves into an old mansion nearby. The Meredith clan is two boys and two girls—and a runaway named Mary Vance. Soon the Merediths join Anne’s children in their private hideout, intent on carrying out their plans to save Mary from the orphanage, to help the lonely minister find happiness, and to keep a pet rooster from the soup pot. There’s always an adventure brewing in the sun-dappled world of Rainbow Valley.

I very much missed my Anne Shirley in this next book. Montgomery is focussing on the next generation with this story and, as such, this one can certainly be read as a stand-alone from the rest of the Anne Shirley series. I think this may possibly explain why it is only now I have read this book after having the original series on my shelves for so long.

Reminiscent of the previous novel, this focuses on the adventures that the children are having. Playing in Rainbow Valley, Anne’s children are growing up and I got the impression that Montgomery had exhausted many more original tales and escapades. Instead, the attention shifts to their new friends, the manse children, who seem to get up to as many scrapes as Anne did herself! The Meredith children are motherless and it seems that no matter how hard they try, they seem to keep the village tongues wagging with their antics. You cannot help but feel sorry for their misdirection, especially when it is emphasised how detached their father, the minister, is from their upbringing. Bordering on being neglected, the children do their best to be good by their father – but this doesn’t always work out.

I quickly grew to dislike their new friend, Mary, and was relieved when she took more of a back seat to the story. I disliked her meddling ways and the air of superiority she holds over the children. In this character, I recognised many qualities from my own childhood and I think this is why I responded so negatively to her. A credit to Montgomery’s characterisation, I definitely preferred the innocent Meredith children who always seem to be so innocent and trying their hardest.

Like the previous novel, in the final chapter there are some sobering paragraphs. I am curious to understand whether these are an indication of what might happen in the last book. For sure, it helped to cement the book in history as several characters refer to the unrest in Europe; the First World War is on the horizon and it would seem that Anne Shirley and her family will not be immune to this tragic event in history.

I enjoyed reading this book and although I am excited to read the very last story of the series, I also feel a bit sad knowing it really is coming to an end. I have loved the characters and feel like I am a part of the family. That being said, I definitely missed Anne, Marilla and Mrs Lynde in these later stories, so I hope they may be resurrected for the final farewell.

Miss Unity and the Sparkly Dragon

‘Miss Unity and the Sparkly Dragon Find Their Way Home’ – Janet Craig

Little Miss Unity is lost! She wandered away from her Mum and can’t find her way home. Luckily, Sparkly Dragon appears. He is her very own guardian angel. Sparkly Dragon explains there are lots of angels in the universe, and they protect us every day, even when we can’t see them. Sparkly Dragon teaches Miss Unity to follow the signs from her angels in heaven. First, Miss Unity sees a blue flash of light and then, a feather, which are both signs that her angels are close. She is well on her way to finding her way home to her Mum and chicken tea.

This is quite a sweet story but the overall message bothers me. Although it is intended to teach children the importance of not feeling scared when they are alone, I don’t think this is clearly portrayed in the story that young readers will understand.

Written in rhyme, most of the lines flow really well. Generally the language is at a level that young readers will understand and there is not too much text each page. The illustrations are bright and eye-catching, although it would have been better if one of the characters did not look exactly like the dog’s owner. It becomes rather misleading. Secondly, the formatting of the text could have been made easier to understand. The story is made up entirely of dialogue and apart from speech marks, it is never made clear who is speaking. Simply shifting the text to near the character, or even having the character’s name, would have made this easier to follow, especially considering the young audience.

Miss Unity, the dog, relies on Sparkly Dragon to find clues from the universe to help her find her way home. On the surface, this is quite a sweet idea, complemented by the bright pages. However, I didn’t really appreciate the religious undertones and the concept of finding messages in number plates, feathers and the world around us. If I didn’t quite get it, I don’t think a child would too. Furthermore, talking to strangers, in this case the Sparkly Dragon, is almost encouraged in this situation which goes against everything young children are taught.

On the surface, this is quite a sweet, innocent book for young children but I dislike the religious messages and the idea that talking to strangers is ok.

‘Miss Unity and the Sparkly Dragon Enter the Staircase of Light’ – Janet Craig

Miss Unity loves to go on adventures, so she wakes Sparkly Dragon. Today, Miss Unity wants to learn more about angel signs and numbers. Sparkly Dragon is happy to help, but they must first give Miss Unity wings so she can visit the Staircase of Light, which leads straight to heaven. Poor Miss Unity is scared to use her new wings, but Sparkly Dragon is a good guardian angel and holds her hand. The first step is step number zero, and here, Miss Unity learns about God, her heavenly hero. Step number one is all about bright ideas, while step number two is about relationships. The learning continues all the way to step number nine, after which Miss Unity must go home!

Similarly, this book is also heavily religious and there is far more text in this book. Some of the language is more complicated and the concepts abstract. This juxtaposes with the very young images and characters, so I wonder whether older children would find it too infantile?

Whilst this book can help children learn their numbers, this is also about the teachings of the Bible. It’s not something I would normally read to my children and I think there are better books available to support numeracy. If you are a spiritual person, the messages in this book are more meaningful than to myself; instead I felt bored and frustrated by the length of the story.

This book felt like a Bible-study lesson and not something that could be read for entertainment. With so much reading, I think young children would struggle to focus and complete it in one sitting. There are positive intentions to the book with some important messages, but I think you need to be like-minded to truly appreciate it.

I received a copy of these books in exchange for an honest review.

Anne and the family

‘Anne of Ingleside’ – L. M. Montgomery

Anne, now Mrs Doctor Blythe, is still sometimes as impetuous as when she was the girl from Green Gables. But with six lively children and hard-worked Gilbert to look after – not to mention Gilbert’s disapproving aunt, Anne has to be practical too. Especially when the children get into as many scrapes as she ever did! 

I have never thought this cover to be particularly flattering for one of my favourite heroines, making her look far too stern and strict. This is simply not the case in Montgomery’s sixth instalment of the Anne tales.

Similar to previous books, this novel is made up of episodes, detailing the adventures of Anne’s children. Now, Anne is not the centre character to this story, but rather her delightful children, and I enjoyed Montgomery’s new approach, thinking it breathes life into a developed series. The varied stories are all rather quaint and charming, reflecting an “old world” and a different approach to bringing up children. At the centre of this is the desire for imagination and love – the epitome of Anne’s character herself.

I enjoyed this story so much because it felt so varied from the other books and, reading this now as a parent myself, delighted in all of the adventures of Anne’s children. True to form, there are some slow, dialogue-heavy chapters and I think Montgomery did this deliberately to transition to the next part of the story. Whilst some readers may find this off-putting, I think it reminded me why I loved the first book so much to begin with, and why this fandom has remained decades later.

I think the saddest part of the story was actual the closing chapters, whereby Montgomery focuses back on Anne herself. She is not the optimistic, carefree woman who lives happily with Gilbert and her children. Instead, Anne has altered to a rather down-trodden, lonely mother (perhaps more like the cover’s image). Whilst there is a happy conclusion (despite the chilling reference to Walter’s future), I was hoping that the writer would finish on a lighter story, rather than seeing Anne doubt her marriage and Gilbert’s loyalty.

There are two more books left to be had in this series and I do believe I am venturing into unchartered territories! I think I may have read at least the next book before, but as I have zero recollection of the story, I am excited to approach this as a new reader might the first book of the series. It’s my turn to re-discover a new element to this series and I hope it follows the high level of enjoyment as these novels from my childhood.

Four children, two countries, one war

‘The Swallows’ Flight’ – Hilary McKay

Erik and Hans admire swallows over the rooftops of Berlin, little thinking that one day they will be flying above England, risking their lives in a war they both detest.

Ruby and Kate, great friends despite their differences, find themselves racing towards a danger that neither of them could possibly have imagined.

Meanwhile Rupert and Clarry work secretly for peace – and a brighter future for them all . . . 

I approached this book with a bit of trepidation, seeing as I was not overly fussed by the first book of the series. However, I am glad I picked this one up after all because I thought it was so much better and interesting. Although some of the characters continue from the first book, this can be easily read as a stand-alone and a far better choice, in my opinion.

Being set in the lead-up to the Second World War, I thought the opening of the story was quite slow and it took time to get going. The writer introduces a lot of characters and I struggled to recognise their significance. It wasn’t until the war began did I find myself more interested in the plot and I enjoyed seeing how children from two sides of the conflict experienced this significant time in history.

This is where I think my biggest enjoyment came from. Comparing the lives of Kate and Ruby with Erik and Hans, I was intrigued to see how their lives gradually changed as the Nazi regime grew in power. I have read many historical books set in Berlin during the war, but never from the perspective of a child growing up. This therefore made the story more refreshing and I was curious to see their interpretation of Hitler’s actions.

Alternating between the two countries helped to keep the pace of the story flowing. I did not feel too weighed down by McKay’s writing style and there were moments in the book that I just could not put down. Juxtaposing this, I thought there were still several slow parts to the story, reminding me exactly why I wasn’t thrilled by the first book of the series.

I think this is a sweet yet educational read. For children who might be embarking on a study of this period of history, I think McKay’s story is a good way to introduce the topic and for students to consider how children grew up in times of such uncertainty. McKay’s novel reflects the impact of war across a family and countries, and I think this helps to show the expanse of suffering as a result of the war. The characters are all likeable and I think the story held a fair balance between being entertaining and not showing too much suffering.

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one that I would be open-minded to read another book from McKay, particularly if the writer continues using these characters again. This felt far more refreshing and not as if the writer was trying to imitate a classic, old-fashioned story-teller.

Newly married life

‘Anne’s House of Dreams’ – L. M. Montgomery

Life seems perfect to Anne Shirley, about to marry her childhood friend Gilbert Blythe and set up home with him in her ‘house of dreams’ on the shores of Four Winds Harbour. There are new neighbours to meet and fresh problems to solve. But then tragedy strikes and there’s huge heartache for the young couple which takes all of their courage and love to overcome.

This book marks a certain change in tone, compared to the rest of the books in the series. Anne, now a married woman, has set up home with her husband, Gilbert Blythe. Responsible for her own household, Anne experiences both the wonders of being independent, whilst also suffering from tragedies and loss. This is a real mixed bag of a read.

Returning to Anne’s roots, I found it refreshing that the story begins in Anne’s old bedroom at Green Gables. It is a return to her childhood on the eve of her wedding. However, it also marks the final time readers will be immersed in the Green Gables way of life and, whilst it does mark a new chapter in Anne’s life, I could not help but be wistful of all that she leaves behind. For me, Green Gables (and indeed, the first book) embody so much about Anne’s character and have a personal connection to myself with the memories of reading this series over the years. However, looking forwards to Anne’s new adventure is always an exciting event because readers know Montgomery will introduce another colourful cast of characters.

Whilst there are some parallels with Green Gables, the new friendships that Anne establishes are very typical to Montgomery’s writing. With a chatty old maid, an aged sailor and a mysterious young neighbour, Anne soon finds herself in the heart of this new way of living. Each one is so interesting although it has to be said, lengthy speeches are still very much prevalent – although this time they don’t come from Anne herself. The topics of conversation are a little bit more abstract and spiritual; I think this marks how much Anne, and even her readers, have grown.

There are plenty of different elements to this story and I loved watching the romance and love weave its way through the story. Yes, this is sometimes met with sadness and tragedy, but Montgomery’s writing style makes even the saddest of moments appear quite poetic and beautiful. Coupled with the vivid descriptions of Anne’s ‘house of dreams’, I felt as attached to her home as the Anne herself, feeling drawn to the fireplace like her friends.

Out of all the books in the series, I think this is the slowest of books and one I have appreciated more as I have returned to it. There is less charm and innocence in this novel and I think Montgomery returns to this lighter tone in the next book of the series.

Clarry, Peter and Rupert

‘The Skylarks’ War’ – Hilary McKay

Clarry and her older brother Peter live for their summers in Cornwall, staying with their grandparents and running free with their charismatic cousin, Rupert. But normal life resumes each September – boarding school for Peter and Rupert, and a boring life for Clarry at home with her absent father, as the shadow of a terrible war looms ever closer. When Rupert goes off to fight at the front, Clarry feels their skylark summers are finally slipping away from them.

Can their family survive this fearful war?

Aimed at children and young adults, this read follows the lives of three children who grow up through the First World War. I went into this book with high expectations and sadly these were not fulfilled.

I thought the story to predominantly quite sad and slow. Sad, not just because of the Great War, but because of the depressing relationship that Peter and Clarry have with their father. With their mother having died mere days after Clarry’s birth, it is evident that their father wants nothing to do with his children. Throughout the novel this does not change and I found this particularly saddening; even when the children have aged and are more mature, the man maintains his distance and disappointment towards Peter and Clarry. Juxtaposing this is their relationship with their grandparents which was so lovely and warming, it just made the father-children element even sadder.

Following the three children, I found the social aspects most interesting in the story. Watching society move from strict Victorian values to the impact of the war, it was fascinating to see how Clarry’s development changes as a result. Being able to study and eventually aiming for university was such a massive difference and one where I could not imagine where females did not have access to education at this level. Despite being quite naïve, Clarry’s strength and determination were admirable and I liked how she shows unconditional love to all of her friends, even if she does not have the patriarchal example to follow.

Although Rupert, Clarry and Peter are quite different characters and have varied experiences of the war years, I don’t think there was enough development for any of them. Perhaps this is a result of the book being aimed at children, but I do think more could have been done to add to the Cornwall stories in the summer, to therefore build up a contrast to the trenches. Indeed, should the war scenes have been expanded upon, this would have made for a more educational read that could have been aimed at older readers.

I don’t think I particularly enjoyed McKay’s writing style. It felt like the writer was imitating a child’s classic with some of the phrasing and this just did not sit well with me. Combined with the fact that I didn’t feel much happened, as the pages progressed, I found I was less invested in the characters. As it was, some of the war descriptions were quite harrowing which made me question what McKay’s true audience was. For younger children, I would not recommend this book unless they already have knowledge of the war. Whilst nothing is graphic, there are still quite saddening scenes.

There is a sequel to this story that I am willing to try. I just hope it excites me more than this one! I liked the concept and that it was set during the First World War, but I think I wanted more excitement and a more of a pacey narrative than McKay delivers.

Windy Poplars, Spook’s Lane

‘Anne of Windy Willows’ – L. M. Montgomery

Anne Shirley has left Redmond College behind to begin a new job and a new chapter of her life away from Green Gables. Now she faces a new challenge: the Pringles. They’re known as the royal family of Summerside–and they quickly let Anne know she is not the person they had wanted as principal of Summerside High School. But as she settles into the cosy tower room at Windy Poplars, Anne finds she has great allies in the widows Aunt Kate and Aunt Chatty–and in their irrepressible housekeeper, Rebecca Dew. As Anne learns Summerside’s strangest secrets, winning the support of the prickly Pringles becomes only the first of her delicious triumphs.

Montgomery turns her hands to epistolary fiction which has a very different feel to the rest of the books in the series. Readers do not always experience Anne’s adventures first hand and, when I first read this many decades previous, thought it gave the novel a more claustrophobic air. Indeed, years later, I still feel that something is missing from book four and believe it to be the familiar faces of Green Gables and Anne’s friends in Avonlea.

The address that Anne resides at in this book is… very Anne! Writing her letters to Gilbert, Anne is to reside at Windy Willows for three years before her marriage. I love the three women that Anne lives with, but her tower room and That Cat, Dusty Miller, create a charming setting that is almost on par with the Lake of Shining Waters and Lovers Lane.

Throughout this story we meet a range of characters. It is like a carousel of adventures; very rarely do characters return more than once. I think this adds to the different style of writing that Montgomery employs in this novel and it meant that plot was like a series of episodes. From warring with the local family, to learning family histories, Anne’s time in these three years are certainly busy! There are a range of emotions experienced with this book, especially with the more poignant stories, but I equally enjoyed the match-making that Anne seems to spend a lot of time doing.

Now reaching a more mature age, I think this has come to be reflected in Montgomery’s writing. I have enjoyed revisiting Spook’s Lane but had missed Marilla, Gilbert and Diana – the more familiar faces of the earlier books. Alas, as Anne moves on, so do we, the readers, where, in the next book, we watch Anne grow in her early years as a young wife.

Redmond and romance

‘Anne of the Island’ – L. M. Montgomery

As Anne Shirley’s childhood friends get married and move away, she too leaves Prince Edward Island for Redmond College in Kingsport. Though Priscilla Grant and Gilbert Blythe are fellow-students, she at first feels lonely and provincial.

Continuing my journey through a childhood favourite, this time we see Anne as a university (college) student. This has always been a firm favourite in the series as the story provokes so many emotions: happiness, goose-bumps, tears and celebrations. It really is a delightful narrative.

This book begins merely a couple of weeks after its predecessor, meaning readers truly follow Anne on her journey as a Freshman to Redmond College. Feeling out of her depth and home sick, it takes Anne a while to find her rhythm in this new setting. Montgomery’s depiction may be over one hundred years old, but the sensations Anne experiences truly reminded me of my own university career. It’s a wonderfully relatable story as Anne and her friends juggle studying with socialising, with managing their home and even flat mates. In my opinion, it adds to the timelessness of this great classic.

I liked how familiar faces accompany Anne to college. Gilbert, Charlie and Priscilla have returned from book two, whilst new faces Phil and Roy, add some extra colour to the story. The girls’ home at Patty’s Place seems idyllic once more, holding a certain charm that Green Gables offered to Anne in the first story. However, you cannot forget Gog and Magog in this story, nor the three cats, and I could easily picture the key characters sitting around the fire in their home.

In this book you really do see how much Anne has started to grow up. Her imagination has been tamed back and alongside it, her lengthy, fanciful speeches. I find this a little bit sobering as it reflects how adulthood changes us all. At the same time, she becomes a more sought after character as Anne enters the world of beaus and courting. I did find her marriage proposals as entertaining as Anne did, and pitied her when they failed to live up to her imagined, romantic ideals. It is symbolic of Anne becoming an adult with more responsibilities, and I think this is reflected further by the scenes with an old school friend.

I really enjoyed this story because, once more, I think the writer has created a narrative that I can relate to on so many levels! I continue to love watching Anne grow and develop and think this book has increasing meaning to me as I have aged alongside her. Next stop, Anne as an engaged teacher.