Reading & Hibernating

Valancy was acquainted with Barney by now—well acquainted, it seemed, though she had spoken to him only a few times. But then she had felt just as well acquainted with him the first time they had met. She had been in the garden at twilight, hunting for a few stalks of white narcissus for Cissy’s room when she heard that terrible old Grey Slosson coming down through the woods from Mistawis—one could hear it miles away. Valancy did not look up as it drew near, thumping over the rocks in that crazy lane. She had never looked up, though Barney had gone racketting past every evening since she had been at Roaring Abel’s.

So I missed the fact that this was their first meeting. This is the first reread I realized that.

Ok so before their first meeting Barney and Abel have been talking about Valancy extensively on their little bro fishing trips. Abel is absolutely telling Barney about the family coming by and Valancy standing her ground. You know he told him about the whistling undertaker story. And he’s also talking about how much good it’s done Cissy and how wonderful it is to have the house in order again.

Barney clearly admires her for all of this. He gets what she’s risking with her family and having been on the receiving end of Deerwood gossip he gets that she’s thrown her life away for this. He probably also gets that that’s worse for her than for him as a man in this toxic little town.

He starts to think about her a lot and he thinks about her day to day experience in Roaring Abel’s house vs how she grew up (which obviously he doesn’t fully Get but he at least knows she grew up all proper.)

He chastises Abel about cussing in front of her and Abel cheerily relays the whole “you must use the boot scraper whether you consign it to perdition or not” and the laughing fit they got into over “what use is a rage” “it’s such a damned relief!”

Pretty much the first time Roaring Abel mentions Valancy Barney’s curiosity has him driving by the house that night to catch a glimpse of her. It starts to be A Thing he does every night. He knows the car is loud af. Why won’t she ever look up?

Finally after about a week of this he realizes he’s being ridiculous and goes to talk to her.

Barney’s such a loner and he’s so good at wilderness (even in the Yukon). You can’t tell me he actually needs to drive to the grocery store or whatever every night.

“When Valancy had lived for a week at Roaring Abel’s she felt as if years had separated her from her old life and all the people she had known in it. They were beginning to seem remote—dream-like—far-away—and as the days went on they seemed still more so, until they ceased to matter altogether.”

That does happen when you transition into a new life!

“She could be alone whenever she liked, go to bed when she liked, sneeze when she liked.”

Again, adulthood.

“Valancy had read to Cissy the gospel thereof according to John Foster”

I forgot this sentence from my first read of the book and first thought she was going to quote Bible. I am pleased that John Foster is her “gospel”.

“and then leave them with backward glances, taking with us only the beguiling memory of their grace and fragrance.”

Doesn’t Barney especially like Valancy’s “backward glances”?

“Valancy was in the midst of realities after a lifetime of unrealities.”

I love this contrast. Most things the Stirlings care about don’t actually matter at all.

“Not for nothing had Valancy been brought up in the Stirling habits of neatness and cleanliness.”

- But it is still good that Stirlings inadvertently taught Valancy the way she is going to earn her keep.

“Folks should always sing at their work,” he insisted. “Sounds cheerful-like.”

“Not always,” retorted Valancy. “Fancy a butcher singing at his work. Or an undertaker.”

I love Valancy’s wit.

“Say, I like a woman that ain’t afraid to speak up to me. Sis there was always too meek—too meek. That’s why she got adrift. I like you.”

I am not sure how I feel about this. I guess I like that sexual activity is coupled with meekness whereas the old maid is the sassy one? But I am not a huge fan of the contrast being made. Especially since I can imagine a reality where Valancy was the victim of a lying lover as well.

“All the same,” said Valancy determinedly, “there is no use in sending things to hell as you’re always doing. And I’m not going to have you tracking mud all over a floor I’ve just scrubbed. You must use the scraper whether you consign it to perdition or not.”

Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”

“Cissy loved the cleanness and neatness. She had kept it so, too, until her strength failed.”

Women Are Clean, Men Are Dirty and Unkempt. Not a fan of this.

“But Cissy shook her head.

“No, I can’t get well. My lungs are almost gone. And I—don’t want to. I’m so tired, Valancy. Only dying can rest me.”

I love this book, but I don’t like this aspect of it. Being sexually exploited, ostracized and losing your small child of course can make someone suicidal, but it doesn’t have to. Montgomery writes it like Cissy is better off dead and I am not exactly surprised by her approach but I am still a bit disappointed. I think Cissy has to die for The Blue Castle’s plot to work, but I would prefer it if she were upset about it rather than being wholly resigned to it like a “good fallen woman”. I especially think this since Montgomery is so much harsher on Ruby Gillis who wants to live.

“You always seemed so different from the other girls—so kind and sweet—and as if you had something in yourself nobody knew about—some dear, pretty secret. Had you, Valancy?”

“I had my Blue Castle,” said Valancy, laughing a little.”

This is of course cheesy but I like that imagination and a secret belief that she deserved better made it so that Valancy could survive her drab life. Kind of reminds me of Sara Crewe from A Little Princess.

“She was pleased that Cissy had thought of her like this. She had never suspected that anybody liked or admired or wondered about her.”

I love this book, but I don’t like this aspect of it. Being sexually exploited, ostracized and losing your small child of course can make someone suicidal, but it doesn’t have to.

This rubber plant just can't catch a break.

This comes after the descriptions of the natural environment Valancy is finally able to revel in, whether as a viewer or in it. I think someone yesterday pointed out that up until Valancy goes to Roaring Abel's, there isn't much description of nature outside of John Foster--we get information about the rain and description of the sky, but not much else.

Of course parenting was different back then and Cissy had no real maternal figure, but this awfully seems like placing the blame on the young woman who was never educated about sex so she could make an informed decision about whether or not she wanted to have sex. But it's from the dad who failed to educate her or ensure someone did.

“You always seemed so different from the other girls—so kind and sweet—and as if you had something in yourself nobody knew about—some dear, pretty secret.”

This observation of Cissy's highlights something that I've been pondering for a while now--what do we call the inscrutable "not-like-other-girls" who are truly not like other girls, for one reason or another? Valancy seems to fall into this category, and I identify strongly with this particular characterization of her, including the oblivious aspect of not knowing that others can be charmed rather than repelled by it. Too often though, it seems to get read as deliberate standoffishness or an act, rather than someone with a rich inner life who doesn't always know how to fit properly into social constructs.

- Mrs Frederick not wanting Valancy to be alone in her room was implied to be keeping her from masturbation. Same with the idleness = sin and the ban on reading novels (smut)

- Valancy wanting babies was implied to be her actually thinking about sex

- Valancy thinking about what Barney’s voice would sound like wooing

Another nice chapter! Valancy is finally living the good life, as she deserves.

And she's not idle. Remember how her mother made her write in a little notebook every minute she spent in idleness? Now she keeps herself busy without anyone forcing her to, or any guilt tripping. Obvs she works for living, but she also finds pleasure in her work, for the first time in her life. Making those quilts was meaningless (which really, what were they for, they could have donated some of them to poor families, which at least would have given Valancy a small feeling of joy). And she has time to appreciate the world around her and takes Cissy for walks!

Valancy had read to Cissy the gospel thereof according to John Foster: “It is a pity to gather wood-flowers. They lose half their witchery away from the green and the flicker. The way to enjoy wood-flowers is to track them down to their remote haunts—gloat over them—and then leave them with backward glances, taking with us only the beguiling memory of their grace and fragrance.”

Photograph them, that's what you do, you photograph them. Well, that's what I do, lol. (Side note, I think LMM liked a bit of photography and she sometimes has characters take pictures, but not one of her main heroines.)

“Folks should always sing at their work,” he insisted. “Sounds cheerful-like.” “Not always,” retorted Valancy. “Fancy a butcher singing at his work. Or an undertaker.”

Actually. I'd like to hear that.

She gets to joke with Roaring Abel and even sasses him back. And tells him off for tracking mud. She's a new woman.

Poor little Cissy... is there an AU where she doesn't get so sick or recovers?

"I don’t think you are strong yourself. You turn so pale sometimes. And those drops you take. Are you well, dear?”

Here we have someone showing genuine care for Valancy. Not pumping her with fucking Redfern Bitters. (Idk why but the 'those drops you take--are you well, dear?' just gets me.)

One of the thoughts Valancy had during her Dark Night of the Soul was that she never had a bestie. Yet here is Cissy Gay, who would have been happy to be that to her. She correctly guesses Valancy had a dear pretty secret. They could have been like Anne and Diana--think about the lifetime of sweet and happy memories they have been robbed off. Or don't think about it, bc you'll get depressed.

At least they got to spend Cissy's final weeks/months together. Valancy tells Cissy about her Blue Castle and Cissy not only doesn't ridicule the idea--she understands.

She did not tell Valancy—then—who had destroyed her Blue Castle. But Valancy knew that, whoever it was, it was not Barney Snaith.

We're now learning that Valancy actually is good at some things! She's a good cook, she cleans well, she's sassy and kind, she's unbothered by tantrums, she's a good friend. She's been so stifled all her life, and now she finally has a chance to really be herself.

In the long, wondrous, northern twilights, when Cissy was asleep and Roaring Abel away, she could sit for hours on the shaky back verandah steps, looking out over the barrens to the hills beyond, covered with their fine, purple bloom, listening to the friendly wind singing wild, sweet melodies in the little spruces, and drinking in the aroma of the sunned grasses, until darkness flowed over the landscape like a cool, welcome wave.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Okay, to start with. I really really really want a film made of this! Valancy standing in the garden at dusk, the car rattling through the trees, Barney springing out…

His eyes, which she had always thought brown, now seen close, were deep violet - translucent and intense…

-He had dimples in his thin cheeks when he smiled…

When is it a good time to mention that I had a mild crush on Barney myself?? Probably round about here, right?

Anyway, can we just note that he smiles at Valancy?

When he said good-evening you felt that it was a good evening and that it was partly his doing that it was. Also, you felt that some of the credit was yours.

I’ve always found this a teeny bit odd. It’s kind of ooc for Barney, and a little bit ooc for Valancy, too? Barney’s a lot of things, but he’s not flirtatious or charming - definitely not to a stranger. This feels like L.M Montgomery just writing about an impression someone once made on her? Maybe? Anyway.

“Will you get some salt codfish for us?” said Valancy.

Here you go, ladies and gentlemen and the fine spectrum between and beyond. The most romantic greeting line to ever be uttered to the love of your life.

I could happily write out this whole exchange - Barney’s dry self-awareness of Lady Jane’s faults (she always gets back some time), Valancy knowing he’ll bring oranges for Cissy regardless of whether she asks.

“You’re a whole cartload of bricks…”

Barney, Barney, Barney. That is not a romantic thing to say. You don’t know it yet, but this woman is going to fall so head-over-heels in love with you, and you’re already starring as the hero in her Blue Castle. You poor man. You’re not even trying to woo her.

And then, Barney offering to help her if Abel’s annoying! Casually mentioning that he told Abel to stop singing his crude songs! He’s a completely normal not-dashing hero and it WORKS.

Also -

“Cissy and I just went to our room and shut ourselves in where we couldn’t hear him.”

I’m sorry, Valancy, but I don’t believe you. That house isn’t big, Abel is LOUD, and the walls aren’t like six metres and made of stone, are they? You could probably hear him from the forest.

“I often feel like damning things myself.”

For a moment Barney stared.

He has had his first insight into the wicked Valancy that Abel has no doubt talked about for hours at length.

And then he laughs!

And then we have Valancy falling in love with him for the next few paragraphs-

But then she liked everything about him-his tawny hair - his whimsical smiles - the little glints of fun in his eyes - his loyal affection for that unspeakable Lady Jane - his habit of sitting with his hands in his pockets, his chin sunk on his breast, looking up from under his mismated eyebrows.

I WANT A FILM. This would be, like, the montage of scenes. It could be like the 2019 version of Little Women…

It reminded her of John Foster…

If you know it-

“Piffle,” said Barney.

[From: Zilā pils, Madris 1998, illustrated by David Bathurst]

Valancy was acquainted with Barney by now—well acquainted, it seemed, though she had spoken to him only a few times

Heh 👀

The old Grey Slosson stopped with even more terrible noises than it made going. Valancy was conscious that Barney had sprung from it and was leaning over the ramshackle gate. She suddenly straightened up and looked into his face.

The tension is just-- chefs kiss

Their eyes met—^Their eyes met—^For just a second their eyes met & locked ^Thier eyes met—Miranda Valancy was suddenly conscious of a delicious weakness..

I get it Maud, thank you! Their eyed really met.

"Good-evening, Miss Stirling." "Good-evening, Mr. Snaith."

“I’m going over to the Port,” Barney was saying. “Can I acquire merit by getting or doing anything there for you or Cissy?” “Will you get some salt codfish for us?” said Valancy. It was the only thing she could think of. Roaring Abel had expressed a desire that day for a dinner of boiled salt codfish. When her knights came riding to the Blue Castle, Valancy had sent them on many a quest, but she had never asked any of them to get her salt codfish.

There always needs to be the first time!

“Well, I’m sure he’ll be decent to you, apart from his inebriated yowls,” said Barney. “And I’ve told him he’s got to stop damning things when you’re around.” “Why?” asked Valancy slily, with one of her odd, slanted glances and a sudden flake of pink on each cheek, born of the thought that Barney Snaith had actually done so much for her. “I often feel like damning things myself.” For a moment Barney stared. Was this elfin girl the little, old-maidish creature who had stood there two minutes ago? Surely there was magic and devilry going on in that shabby, weedy old garden. Then he laughed.

YOUR HONOR, HE'S SMITTEN TOO

“Then why does he live as he does?” asked Valancy—to hear somebody defend him. “I don’t know. He’s a mystery. And of course there’s something behind it, but I know it isn’t disgrace. Barney Snaith simply couldn’t do anything disgraceful, Miranda Valancy.” Miranda felt very happy. ^Valancy was not so sure.^

...Valancy, be a little more like Miranda xD

“Cissy Gay is the sweetest girl I ever knew—and there’s a man somewhere I’d like to shoot if I could find him,” Barney had said savagely.

Don't we all?

Yet he was not a great talker. He told a great deal in a few well-chosen words—how well-chosen Valancy did not realise.

👀

She liked his nice voice which sounded as if it might become caressing or wooing with very little provocation. She wondered what tone the he would say "I love you" in, and if he ever had said it to any woman. She was at times almost afraid to let herself think these thoughts. They were so vivid that she felt as if the others must know what she was thinking.

I admit, I still have Questions about Barney’s violet eyes. Unless Montgomery means deep blue rather than purple?

That said, I love that Valancy’s first instinct is to take care of him. He doesn’t save her—they save each other. After taking the first steps to save themselves.

I think someone pointed out in “Story Girl” book club that Barney and the Story Girl say “good evening” the same way.

I love the name of his car. Lady Jane Grey Slosson. It may have been more common back then to name gray things after Lady Jane Grey—I seem to remember the Rays’ cat in the Betsy-Tacy books having the same name—but it delights me every time.

I also love how easy it is for Valancy and Barney to talk to each other. I mean no shade to Rilla and Kenneth’s shyness around each other—I find that sweet in its own, teenage way (this is something we talked about extensively in “Rilla” book club)—but I think in the long run, Valancy and Barney’s comfort with each other is healthier. And their easy conversation doesn’t stop them from being adorably attracted to each other.

I also love Barney and Cissy’s friendship—and I need to track down the person who wrote such a beautiful elaboration on it in their Barney POV fanfic. I can’t remember if I left a comment or not, but if I didn’t, I should have. That person, if you’re in the book club, thank you for the gift of your writing!

In news unrelated to Barney—I’m a little embarrassed—Montgomery’s love for barrens has resurfaced! Welcome back!

Thinking about the barrens and maybe the word “useless” was a compliment compared to the practical stirlings? Land that’s just there being itself and not performing? I do like that you called it out because that was really interesting.