The Books: Further Chronicles of Avonlea: ‘The Brother Who Failed”‘ (L.M. Montgomery)

Daily Book Excerpt: YA/Children’s books:

Further Chronicles of Avonlea – “The Brother Who Failed” – by L.M. Montgomery

This story is kind of like, oh, a This Is Your Life episode – or maybe a very special Oprah episode. Robert Monroe – member of the Monroe family, all of whom are brilliant and accomplished – overhears a bitchy gossip say something about him like, “It’s such a shame HE never made anythign of himself.” Robert Monroe is a farmer, lives on a little farm by himself … is a kindly man, proud of his brothers and sisters accomplishments … and he is devastated to hear that he is perceived as a failure, and also as an embarrassment to the rest of the family. He is so kindly and so sweet that it never even occurred to him!! Well, word gets back to his siblings – all of whom are coming to town for a family gathering – that Robert needs a little pick-me-up – so as they sit around the dinner table, one by one they all get up and share storeis about Robert, and how he helped them at one time, how he did something selfless, how he came to the rescue … Robert just has to sit there and take it. He is love-bombed from every direction. Like I said: it’s kinda Oprah-ish, but that’s okay – Oprah very often makes me cry, and so does this wee story. It’s really about: how do we measure success? Monetary? How many kids you have? How much you travel? Your grades? Sure, all of these things are what we are judged by in life – but there’s much more. Lucy Maud has a way of seeing those who are mainly invisible, the Robert Monroes of the world. Her inspiration was Prince Edward Island – and all she needed to do was look there, to see people – men – women – living quiet lives, maybe “unimportant” in terms of the grand scheme of things – but with a 360 degree scope of experience: love, grief, rage, loss, humor, shame, resilience … She saw it all there.

Here’s a brief excerpt. Not much happens here – this is right before Robert overhears the vicious gossip. I include it because it’s such a wonderful example of Lucy Maud’s poetic nature writing. She is SO good at it.

Excerpt from Further Chronicles of Avonlea – “The Brother Who Failed” – by L.M. Montgomery

Robert went across the yard and sat down on a rustic bench in the angle of the front porch. It was a fine December evening, as mild as autumn; there had been no snow, and the long fields, sloping down from the homestead, were brown and mellow. A quiet hush, holding something of magic in it, rested like an unseen mantle on the dark forest, brooding field, and the once flowering, fertile valley. The earth was like a tired old man patiently awaiting his well-earned sleep. Out to sea, a dull, red sunset faded out into somber clouds, and the soft sound of the waves breaking on the shore was wafted on the evening breeze.

Robert rested his chin on his hand and looked across the vales and hills, where the feathery gray of leafless hardwoods was mingled with the sturdy, unfailing green of the conebearers. He was a tall, bent man, with thin, gray hair, a lined face, and deeply set, gentle brown eyes, – the eyes of one who, looking through pain, sees rapture beyond.

He felt very happy. He loved his family clannishly, and he was rejoiced that they were all again near to him. He was proud of their success and fame. He was glad that James had prospered so well of late years. There was no canker of envy or discontent in his soul.