A couple of months ago, I decided I was going to find all of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s books in Mass Market Paperback form. Just the idea of all of my favorite author’s books, side by side, all the same size, lined up on the bookshelf, made me happy.
Besides the 20 novels she published during her lifetime, Montgomery wrote 500 poems and 530 short stories, most of which were published in Canadian magazines across the span of her life. After her death in 1942, lovers of her work dove into the archives of these magazines and resurrected her tales, republishing them in over ten anthologies. The Doctor’s Sweetheart is one of these pieces of her legacy.
The Doctor’s Sweetheart is composed of 14 short stories published from 1899 to 1935. With a thirty-six year spann, the differences in writing are noticeable. As I nestled into the short but robust stories of Montgomery’s pen, I was both encouraged and inspired in my own writing.
One of the biggest realizations that came to me while reading The Doctor’s Sweetheart was that Lucy Maud Montgomery was not always the incredibly skilled author her books reveal her to be. “Kismet,” the first short story published in 1899, was the story that brought on this realization. Published nine years before Anne of Green Gables, Montgomery was twenty five when “Kismet” was originally published.
I don’t want to say the story was horrible, because it wasn’t. It was an interesting plot steeped in the irresistible charm of its creator. But the quality of writing compared to what Montgomery wrote in her later years left something to be desired. I was honestly surprised. Shocked, even. I’d never stopped to consider how much she had to practice to get as good as she did. “Kismet” was the earliest piece of work I’d ever read by Montgomery, and I could tell she was still practicing. Even in the 4 year span from this story to the next one, “Emily’s Husband” I saw so much growth and change in her writing.
The 12th and 13th stories were definitely my favorites. “The Garden of Spices,” published in 1918, was the story of a little boy who unintentionally caused the reconciliation of old sweethearts. So sweet and so satisfying. It was gently reminiscent of Emily of New Moon, which was published five years later in 1923. “The Bride is Waiting,” published 1932, was a delightful account of how the presence of home can help people to realize just who they love.
The other part of The Doctor’s Sweetheart that I loved reading was the early versions of novel characters Montgomery wrote about in short story form. “The Promise of Lucy Ellen,” published 1904, was an early version of the promise of Rosemary West, recorded in Rainbow Valley. The character of Abel in “Abel and His Great Adventure,” published 1917, was simply an early imprint of Captain Jim from Anne’s House of Dreams. The majority of Captain Jim’s tales were concentrated in that one short story. Lastly, “I Know a Secret,” published 1935, was nearly word for word the story of Dovie Johnson’s and Nan Blythe in chapter thirty of Anne of Ingleside. It was entertaining and just generally interesting to see that Montgomery used some of her old characters and favorite short stories to furnish the episodic plots of many of her novels.
Those short stories sound neat! I love seeing authors’ original works compared with the later classics for which they are famous. It gives you a deeper appreciation for the depth of writing. And I love the idea of having a matching set of her entire work. I too enjoy book collecting 😁📚❤️
Yes! Lol, we can book collect together!
Great post! I’m also a Montgomery fan, but I never really realized how many other stories she had. Honestly, it’s really inspiring to know a writer I admire so much wasn’t always such an amazing writer. It gives hope to those of us who are still learning.
Thank you! And I couldn’t agree more.
Great insights, Ella Em!
Thank you, dearie!