The Blue Castle: A novel

L. M. Montgomery

May 2017 · Masterpiece Book 375 · LA CASE Books · AI-narrated by Melissa (from Google)

About this audiobook

When Valancy is diagnosed with a terminal heart condition, she tries to hide it from her family. She soon realizes that she has never been happy in her life and rebels against the colorless life her family imposed on her. Valancy enjoys being paid and spending her salary in ways that her family would frown upon. Valancy's family disowns her for marrying such a disreputable man, but she sees no reason to be ashamed of him. Later, Valancy gets her shoe stuck in a train track during their courtship and is nearly killed by an oncoming train, but Barney manages to save her life. Valancy soon comes to believe she has deceived Barney into marriage and files for divorce. Barney rushes to her mother's house as fast as he can and begs her to return to him.

About the author

One of the best-loved children's/young adult authors, Lucy Maud Montgomery was born on November 30, 1874 in Clifton, Prince Edward Island, Canada, the daughter of Hugh John and Clara Woolner. After attending Prince of Wales College and Dalhouse College in Halifax, she became a certified teacher, eventually teaching in Bideford, Prince Edward Island. She also served as an assistant at the post office and as a writer for the local newspaper, The Halifax Daily Echo. Best known for her Anne of Avonlea and Anne of Green Gables books, Montgomery received many high honors. She was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 1923 and a Canadian stamp commemorates Montgomery and Anne of Green Gables. In addition, various museums dedicated to the book series and Montgomery's life dot Prince Edward Island. The books in the Anne series follow the growth and adventures of a red-haired, spritely, high-spirited and imaginative orphan named Anne who lives on Prince Edward Island. The success of these books rested in Montgomery's ability to vividly recollect childhood and her easy storytelling ability. They are tremendously popular to this day and have been translated into more than 35 languages and adapted as movies and PBS television productions. On July 5, 1911, L.M. Montgomery married Ewan Macdonald, a Presbyterian minister, and the marriage produced three children. She died on April 24, 1942.