Mistress Pat

By L. M. Montgomery

The definitive paperback editions of L.M. Montgomery's beloved novels get a brand-new look for the next hundred years!

When she was twenty, nearly everyone thought Patricia Gardiner ought to be having beaus--except, of course, Pat herself. For Pat, Silver Bush was both home and heaven. All she could ever ask of life was bound in the magic of the lovely old house on Prince Edward Island, "where good things never change." And now there was more than ever to do, what with planning for the Christmas family reunion, entertaining a countess, playing matchmaker, and preparing for the arrival of the new hired man. Yet as those she loved so dearly started to move away, Pat began to question the wisdom of her choice of Silver Bush over romance. Was it possible to be lonely at Silver Bush?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Jan 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9780735263321

L. M. Montgomery

L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery (1874-1942) was a Canadian author who published 20 novels and hundreds of short stories, poems, and essays. She is best known for the Anne of Green Gables series. Montgomery was born in Clifton (now New London) on Prince Edward Island on November 30, 1874. Raised by her maternal grandparents, she grew up in relative isolation and loneliness, developing her creativity with imaginary friends and dreaming of becoming a published writer. Her first book, Anne of Green Gables, was published in 1908 and was an immediate success, establishing Montgomery's career as a writer, which she continued for the remainder of her life.

Reviews for Mistress Pat

[rachelellen_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Most people know about Anne of Green Gables, and most girls have probably read it at some point. It's one of my very favorite books, one that, humble "kidlit" as it is, has even changed my life in many ways. What most people maybe don't know is that L.M. Montgomery wrote around 20 other novels -- seven more in the Anne series, an Emily series (probably her second-best-known books), two Pat books, two Story Girl books, a few standalone children's books, and two books written for adults; all these books are well worth reading. Mistress Pat is the sequel to Pat of Silver Bush; these novels were written late in Montgomery's life, and are darker than the Annes -- notably, Mistress Pat is possibly the darkest of Montgomery's novels and was written under the influence of a deep depression which clouded the second half of her life. I definitely recommend this pair of books, although you will pretty much need to read Pat of Silver Bush first. Pat in the first book is in close contention for the position of my favorite Montgomery heroine. Also, this short series has the distinction of containing one of Montgomery's two actual knowable male characters, in the young Hilary. He'll disappoint you by pretty much disappearing till the end of the last page of the second book, however, as Montgomery's romantic heroes were wont to do once she got out of her depth with them. "Write what you know", for this author, sadly didn't include strong men or normal romantic relationships.

[rainbowdarling · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Where I enjoyed Pat of Silver Bush at least to a mild degree, Mistress Pat left me wanting. I felt that I couldn't connect with Pat's urges and wishes and that her interest in having everything remain unchanged seemed to hint at an ostrich burying its head in the sand. She seemed through the whole book to be so afraid of things changing that she would do whatever it took to prevent it from happening, even to the point of trying to avoid the happiness of her siblings. I couldn't understand her at all. Probably the most redeeming quality of the book was the reality shown that very few things are perfect and nothing is eternal. Otherwise, I could leave Mistress Pat rather than taking it up again in the future.

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Originally published in 1935, this sequel to Pat of Silver Bush just happens to be the last of L.M. Montgomery's novels that I had not yet read, making the experience of completing it rather bittersweet. Continuing the story of Pat Gardiner, whose love for her home at Silver Bush, and for her circle of friends and family, is as strong as ever, it is spread out over eleven years, with an multi-part chapter devoted to each.The domestic traditions of Silver Bush, the widening social and romantic lives of Pat and her sister Rae (formerly Cuddles), the magical stories of Judy Plum and the new hired man, Josiah Tillytuck, all combine to fill Pat's days with happiness. But always, something is missing. Is it simply foreboding at the inevitable changes, such as Sid's marriage, that lie ahead? Or does Pat need something that Silver Bush cannot supply?There is much here to enjoy, from Montgomery's lovely passages devoted to the natural beauty of Prince Edward Island, to the emotionally resonant ups and downs of sisterhood. And of course, the heartwarming presence of the Silver Bush kitties is always a winner! But if I'm honest, Mistress Pat simply isn't Montgomery at her best. Despite having "grown up," Pat still moves from three-dimensional character to caricature, upon occasion. The slapdash resolution, which crowds a death, a terrible catastrophe, and an unexpected epiphany into the last twenty pages, somehow isn't very convincing. In another author, this might have earned a two-star demotion, as it is, this is one Montgomery title I probably won't revisit very often.

[jphilbrick_3 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

i really want to like this book, but it spent 350 pages hitting me over the head with depression, and then dropped the two worst possible scenarios in the last two chapters. seriously, lmm? i guess the end redeemed it all somewhat, but for an lmm book, getting there was sometimes more painful that it should have been.

[booksrlife4me · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book could have had some good potential. I found it slow moving and difficult to keep my attention...

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rereading an old favorite. Good things in here, terrible things in here. Still a stirring story, for all I’ve lost patience with marriage and old maid mores. Left me weeping and annoyed, but glad to read it again for all that.

[soban-990426 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read Pat of Silver Bush as a child and was excited to discover that L.M. Montgomery had written a sequel to that novel. It was interesting to read Mistress Pat which tells the story of Pat between the ages of approximately twenty and thirty years old. Montgomery is a master of describing character and place. Silver Bush, as seen through Pat's eyes throughout the changing seasons of the year, was particularly vivid. The author uses humour and pathos with eloquence. Pat is not as vibrant as Anne Shirley, but she is nonetheless an interesting and noble heroine. The romantic conclusion, while predictable, is touching. The cover picture of the new edition is beautiful. Special thanks to Library Thing for this copy of the new edition by Tundra Books.

[mickyfine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At twenty years old, Pat Gardiner has very little interest in beaus, marriage, or leaving her beloved home, Silver Bush. As the years pass though, Pat must constantly face off against that constant enemy of change and determine if loving her home is all she really needs to get her through the rest of her life.Regardless of her characters, there is something so satisfying about sinking into an L.M. Montgomery novel and immersing yourself in her language which evokes a place and time that seems untouchable. Technically part of a duology, it took me a bit to place who every character was and the book does include a major spoiler for the previous book but not much appears to be lost by reading the books out of order. Pat and all the other characters who build up her world are thoroughly charming and with episodes that will leave you laughing out loud as well as ones that will leave you sniffing back tears, the book is a delight from start to finish.

[jjmcgaffey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

My, that's stupid! Year after year after year goes by (section headings remind the reader), with Pat loving Silver Bush and turning down every man who courts her. And things change, and she hates it, and the spiral gets tighter and tighter...and then (ok, I won't spoil it) the crisis comes, by chance, and she finally figures out that all her love of Silver Bush was just trying to cover up her real love. And happy ever after, as the book ends. It was so obvious what would happen, though I couldn't see how, that I had a distinct feeling through the last half or so of the book of "ok, ok, come on, get it done...". The first book was sweet and pointless. This one is just stupid. I won't be reading either of them again.