The Fragrance of Sweet-Grass: L.M. Montgomery's Heroines and the Pursuit of Romance

by Elizabeth Rollins Epperly

Overview

When it originally appeared, Elizabeth Rollins Epperly’s The Fragrance of Sweet-Grass was one of the first challenges to the idea that L.M. Montgomery’s books were unworthy of serious study. Examining all of Montgomery’s fiction, Epperly argues that Montgomery was much more than a master of the romance genre and that, through her use of literary allusions, repetitions, irony, and comic inversions, she deftly manipulated the normal conventions of romance novels. Focusing on Montgomery’s memorable heroines, from Anne Shirley to Emily Byrd Starr, Valancy Stirling, and Pat Gardiner, Epperly demonstrates that Montgomery deserves a place in the literary canon not just as the creator of Anne of Green Gables but as an artist in her chosen profession.

Since its publication more than twenty years ago, The Fragrance of Sweet-Grass has become a favourite of scholars, writers, and Montgomery fans. This new edition adds a preface in which Epperly discusses the book’s contribution to the ongoing research on the life and writing of L.M. Montgomery, reflects on how Montgomery studies have flourished over the past two decades, and suggests new ways to approach and explore the Canadian writer’s work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442626539
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	04/14/2014
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	322
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.86(d)

About the Author

Elizabeth Rollins Epperly is Professor Emerita of English at the University of Prince Edward Island. She is a past president of UPEI and the founder of its L.M. Montgomery Institute.

Table of Contents

Preface to the 2014 Edition
Permissions
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction

Part I: Anne

Romancing the Voice: Anne of Green Gables
Romance Awry: Anne of Avonlea
Recognition: Anne of the Island
‘This Enchanted Shore’: Anne’s House of Dreams
Heroism’s Childhood: Rainbow Valley
Womanhood and War: Rilla of Ingleside
Recapturing the Anne World: Anne of Windy Poplars and Anne of Ingleside

Part II: Emily

The Struggle for Voice: Emily of New Moon
Testing the Voice: Emily Climbs
Love and Career: Emily’s Quest

Part III: The Other Heroines

Romancing the Home: Pat of Silver Bush, Mistress Pat, Jane of Lantern Hll
A Changing Heroism: An Overview of the Other Novels

Epilogue
Notes
Works Cited
Index

Editorial Reviews

‘Epperly’s discerning treatment of the heroines should prove of interest not only to Montgomery devotees but to any reader interested in social history and particularly in attitudes toward women reflected in popular fiction.’—Genevieve Wiggins, American Review of Canadian Studies
‘Now you don't have to hide that Montgomery novel when an intellectual friend drops by. Flaunt it and enjoy.’—Patricia Morley, Ottawa Citizen
‘[The] first book-length critical study of L.M. Montgomery’s works... There is no doubt that Epperly’s work will be valued as a reference for Montgomery scholars and teachers of Canadian literature and children’s literature.’—Lalage Grauer, University of Toronto Quarterly

From the Publisher

‘Now you don't have to hide that Montgomery novel when an intellectual friend drops by. Flaunt it and enjoy.’

Ottawa Citizen - Patricia Morley

‘[The] first book-length critical study of L.M. Montgomery’s works ... There is no doubt that Epperly’s work will be valued as a reference for Montgomery scholars and teachers of Canadian literature and children’s literature.’

University of Toronto Quarterly - Lalage Grauer

‘Epperly’s discerning treatment of the heroines should prove of interest not only to Montgomery devotees but to any reader interested in social history and particularly in attitudes toward women reflected in popular fiction.’

Genevieve Wigginsn Review of Canadian Studies

‘Epperly’s discerning treatment of the heroines should prove of interest not only to Montgomery devotees but to any reader interested in social history and particularly in attitudes toward women reflected in popular fiction.’

American Review of Canadian Studies - Genevieve Wiggins

‘[The] first book-length critical study of L.M. Montgomery’s works ... There is no doubt that Epperly’s work will be valued as a reference for Montgomery scholars and teachers of Canadian literature and children’s literature.’

Lalage Grauer

‘Now you don't have to hide that Montgomery novel when an intellectual friend drops by. Flaunt it and enjoy.’

Patricia Morley

‘Epperly’s discerning treatment of the heroines should prove of interest not only to Montgomery devotees but to any reader interested in social history and particularly in attitudes toward women reflected in popular fiction.’

Genevieve Wiggins

Montgomery created Anne of Green Gables, the famous Canadian character whose popularity among young girls is widespread and enduring. This is a critical study of all of her fiction. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews