Magic for Marigold

A stand-alone novel from the author of such beloved children's classics as Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon, Magic for Marigold follows the eponymous Marigold Lesley from infancy through young adolescence. Named after the "woman-doctor" who saved her life as an infant (and who subsequently becomes a most-beloved aunt), Marigold grows up the darling of her clan - a little golden-haired girl with one foot in the workaday world, and one in fairyland.

The old Lesley homestead at Cloud of Spruce - where Marigold's upbringing is overseen by imperious Old Grandmother, stately Young Grandmother, and her own sweet, widowed mother - is the enchanted but homey backdrop to many an adventure, from the visit of mischievous Princess Varvara, show more to the coming of "saintly" Cousin Gwennie. But Marigold's chief playmate throughout is the elfin (and imaginary) Sylvia, and it is the world of make-believe which dominates her rather solitary childhood.

More episodic than many of her other novels, Magic for Marigold is not quite the equal of Montgomery's Anne or Emily stories, and I have never been able to take its heroine entirely to heart. Though she has all the imaginative sensitivity one would expect, Marigold is somehow a less compelling character. I'm not entirely sure if this is owing to the fact that her story cuts off at a younger age, or simply that hers is a less forceful personality. Howsoever that may be, this is still an enjoyable read, particularly for readers who relish Montgomery's beautiful depiction of growing up on Prince Edward Island. show less

I can't say that this is one of L.M. Montgomery's best works (namely because of the ending) but it is definitely a solid read. Marigold is a girl with a big imagination, and this book has plenty of delightful adventures, like the day with the princess, or her trips to various relatives' houses and the like along with her dealing with her emotions (anger, fear, the like). It's hard to not like Marigold, she tries to be a good girl and she is so spirited that it makes for a irresistible combination.

I would have given this five stars if not for the ultimately disappointing end. I know that this book was written in the twenties - the date on the inside says 1929 - and so L.M.'s work tends to be a bit old fashioned compared to today's show more novels. Generally, this does not bother me, as I have immensely enjoyed all of the Anne and Emily books as well as The Blue Castle and the Pat books, and Jane of Lantern Hill. However, the ending to this book was a big letdown. it was just way too sexist and contrived for my liking. Yes, Marigold is growing up, but this... come on, really. The last paragraph especially rankled me.

If you like L.M.'s other works, you'll like this one, just be ready for a stupid ending. show less

Magic for Marigold never quite numbers among my favorite L.M. Montgomery works. Marigold Lesley is similar to many Montgomery heroines -- an imaginative young girl, part of a large and relatively prosperous Prince Edward Island family. In fact, Marigold is one of the least interesting of Montgomery's heroines, in my opinion. Her extended family is more interesting -- Old Grandmother is certainly a fascinating old dame, and I always think there should be more about Uncle Klon and his wife. None of the secondary characters get enough page-time, so they remain interesting but underdeveloped. The real problem with the book, though, is the lack of a plot. Many of Montgomery's books are more episodic than linear, but Magic for Marigold feels show more to me like a book of short stories. The tales of Marigold's escapades are charming, but I never find the end of the book satisfying. All in all, I'd recommend this to Montgomery completists like myself -- casual fans can give it a pass, and readers new to this author should certainly start somewhere else. show less

Marigold is a bit like Anne... but not as gregarious and vivacious; a bit like Jane, but without the broken family; quite a bit like Emily, but with less conflict in her life and less ambition. Marigold is a dreamer and is content to live her fantasies and simple adventures rather than write them. If a novel requires conflict in some form, this is a slight novel with slight conflict. But sometimes a quiet and pleasant story is just what a reader needs. Marigold is never insipid, and her insights into the eccentric characters around her (with a few authorial comments) add an astringency and depth to the book without destroying its comfort.

Hmm...
The first 10% of this book was riotously funny - nobody writes family clans like LMM! - and then it was gloriously and heartbreakingly important for a bit with Old Grandmother and then it was A Series of Marigold Events with the usual LMM nature-tinted"Race of Joseph" whimsy, because that's who Marigold is (I'd argue she compares more to Anne than anyone else out of LMM's heroines). I don't think the majority of this book left that much of an impression on me, not like Jane or anything; there wasn't necessarily that great of a main conflict, just Marigold growing up and getting into scrapes and Situations, not a goody two-shoes nor quite 'wicked,' living and learning. (It reminded me greatly of the Blythe kids in Anne of show more Ingleside.) It was fun, I think, and LMM once again proves incredibly adept at writing kids and their shenanigans and beliefs, and also drawing out adults in the meantime. (That is my favorite skill of hers.) This book just felt generally pretty disjointed and meandering, though, and I'm also kind of miffed by the last bit, so not my favorite, but still lovely. show less

Only recommended for LM Montgomery completists. Whatever is good in this book is better in her others.

This is a story of Marigold Lesley’s life from babyhood to age 12. There is no sequel to carry her further.
Re-reading this as an adult, I am more interested in the adults in Marigold’s life, especially her wild uncle Klondike, her wise lady-doctor aunt, and her melancholy, sweet, nonentity mother who deserves more agency than she gets. But the adults are all rather ill-defined. And Marigold herself is a solitary, slightly sad little figure of childhood, even though she does have adventures she finds “int’resting.”

I had heard good things about Magic for Marigold. LMM fans praised it to me, so when I picked it up off of the shelf, I had high hopes that I would enjoy reading it. I found that I was rather disappointed as a result of the high expectations set.

Marigold was cute as a little girl and I found myself genuinely enjoying the story while Old Grandmother was still alive. She was a fascinating character (as well all of the adult characters really were), and when Marigold was around her, it was a more interesting situation than after the character died. Marigold, through the whole thing, seemed like more of a vehicle for showing more interesting and varied characters, while she herself paled in comparison to the others.

I came to the conclusion show more that, had I read this when I was about thirteen, I probably would have enjoyed the story much more than I did reading it recently. Marigold simply wasn’t interesting to me. I actually found her tiresome and once I got to the last four chapters or so, I admit that I skimmed them. I couldn’t stand to continue reading about this little girl character who just couldn’t seem to worm her way into my heart. For me, if the main character is insufferable, frequently I can’t find it within myself to like (or sometimes even finish) the story.

If I had to quantify this one, I’d say it’s the least appealing and most disappointing of LMM’s novels for me. show less