RAPTURE

Just what IS it about L.M. Montgomery’s writing that makes me fall so overwhelmingly in love with her again and again? Her works have become such an integral part of my consciousness; my soul seems to have entirely imbibed her inimitable imagery, her startling humor and her liltingly melodious language. She is an author who seems to offer me more revelations about myself and life, more than most others. I come back to her books after long breaks and each time I re-discover her poignant brilliance, her subtle artistry, her keen sense of observation, her alluring aesthetic appeal, her vivid characterization and her mesmerizing linguistic charm. She is the writer I’d like to passionately defend from (sometimes justified…perhaps?) criticism. Once this person I knew said that her books need to be re-written from a postcolonial perspective. I love Post-colonial Theory myself, but I don’t see why and how this statement is relevant…yes, we do hear mentions of missionary workers in the Oriental lands, but I don’t think L.M. was saying anything offensive, or out of her own immediate context. I do not want to be a litterateur who seeks to problematize when it comes to her books. I am unscholarly and biased, when it comes to her work. Her works have guided me through my adolescence, have seen me through my teens and into my twen-teens like a softly shining, always enchanting, sometimes evasive little star. Her emotions are expressed so beautifully, her ideas are so well-developed, her writing is so acutely introspective and mature…I have begun to realize just how mature her writings are off-late, when I cast a few retrospective glances at how they have helped me and continue to do so. And I will fiercely defend her from the charge of being a weaver of sunshiny and romantic yarns. Her stories never fail to explore the darker side of life, the many sadnesses which accompany every individual, and her war literature is so personal it’s touching. It’s just that her philosophy is so positive, so inclusive, that her writings can’t help but make one feel happy. I do not like it when people condescend to relegate authors solely to the restricted realm of ‘children’s’ writing. I have the greatest respect for children’s literature and am absolutely fascinated by the way in which authors can play upon the imagination of a child’s eager, open and curious mind. If a writer can appeal to children and adults alike then he/she is a truly commendable author, because one does not grow out of her works but simply re-discovers newer aspects to them, with age. And when a writer is writing for children, who, by virtue of their age, have limited 'Prior Knowledge,' I'd say they're no less talented than adult-authors.
P.S.: i LOVE THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T AGREE WITH MOI...you know who you are