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.
Show more
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.
Show morePreface 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
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.
‘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*
‘Now you don't have to hide that Montgomery novel when an
intellectual friend drops by. Flaunt it and enjoy.’
*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.’
*University of Toronto Quarterly*
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