Magic for Marigold

By L.M. Montgomery

Book Overview

"Magic for Marigold" is a charming and evocative novel by L. M. Montgomery, the celebrated author of "Anne of Green Gables". Set on the picturesque Prince Edward Island, the story follows the young Marigold Lesley from her infancy through her twelfth year. Living at the ancestral home known as Cloud of Spruce, Marigold navigates the complexities of a large, opinionated family while finding solace and wonder in the natural world around her.

The narrative explores the inner life of a sensitive and imaginative child, particularly through Marigold's relationship with her imaginary friend, Sylvia. As she grows, Marigold encounters a series of adventures and trials that capture the essence of girlhood in the early 20th century. Montgomery's signature prose brings to life the vibrant landscapes of the Maritimes and the idiosyncratic characters that populate Marigold's world. This work stands as a poignant exploration of the transition from the innocence of childhood to the dawn of adolescence, highlighting the "magic" found in everyday moments and the enduring power of family bonds. It remains a classic piece of Canadian literature, beloved for its warmth, humor, and deep understanding of the youthful spirit.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 102581875X
• ISBN13: 9781025818757
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 340 Pages
• Weight: 1.06 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.7" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

A magic book for young readers

When I was 8 years old, I found this book in the public library and read it over and over. Even years later, I always remembered the book, although I didn't realize that the author was the same one who wrote Anne of Green Gables. Somehow, Marigold struck a chord with me, and the magic seemed real. I imagined her home in the clouds as a fanciful heavenly place. It was my absolutely favorite book of all time, and I would recommend it for any young sensitive, imaginative, girl.

beautiful world of a child's imagination

As a baby Marigold's life was saved by a lovely lady doctor who then married into the Lesley clan and became her Aunt Marigold. The little girl lives with her Mother, Young Grandmother and Old Grandmother as her father had died before she was born.This is a fascinating book which is told from the point of view of a lonely little girl with a vivid imagination. She has an imaginary friend and shares her inmost thoughts with her. She also visits cousins and meets other children at school. As you read this book you learn all about the people who live on the beautiful Island with Marigold. You meet Old Grandmother, a fearsome old woman who has taken to her bed and the black cat sitting on the gate-post who is called the Witch of Endor. There are numerous aunts and uncles and cousins. Marigold grows older and learns about life. Her Grandmother learns lessons as well. (After Old Grandmother dies, Young Grandmother becomes just Grandmother). The book was first published in 1935 so it tells of a long-lost very different world. I have a 1937 copy which belonged to my mother and it is one of my most treasured possessions.

it will last for life

My mother, who is 82, gave me her already old copy of this book about 40 years ago. I read it many times then and many times to my daughters when then were small. We consider it one of the best of the middle childhood books for girls. It uses images of nature to develop a powerful sense of place and an almost ecological ethic that is way ahead of its time. It is a feminist tale in that there is a big range of female characters of all shapes and ages, good and bad, strong and weak, boss and bossed, smart and very smart, to love and to hate. The book is a collection of chapters that stand up on their own, each with its own message, and in that way mirrors everyday life with stories of success and failure repeated over and over. It is a comforting book because Marigold is not too good, too beautiful, or too smart to stay out of trouble, but ultimately digs her way out using her own resources. Neither too good nor too bad, she is pretty much a regular, real girl trying to figure out how to grow up without being separated from her emotions, her imagination, and her true self.

Delightful!

This delightful novel focuses on Marigold's growth from childhood to adolescense. She is a very likable and human character. The character portrayal is very good. The contrast between Marigold and Old Grandmother is interesting. Marigold triumphs, tragedies, fears, successes are on the surface commonplace but they are the stuff of life, this book is a treasure, a joy to read. (Interesting is Marigold's favorite word, I like rereading this book and seeing the world through her eyes.) The only disappointment in this book is Marigold's mother, Lorraine, who never deveops a back bone. Marigold is spunky enough, she always rises to the occasion as when she entertaing unexpected guests when her mother and grandmother were unexpectedly called away. The characterization of women (i.e. a woman doctor stops working just because she is married) is dated but need not interfere with one's enjoyment of this story.

Absolutely Magical !

Witty, funny, with a tang of bittersweet harmony woven within its pages, this story captures the essence of childhood struggling to grasp the joys and sorrows of adolescence. From the very beginning, Marigold works her magic on the entire clan. Take a walk with her and Old Grandmother in the moonlit garden one evening and discover the unspoken connection between this unlikely pair. Relive your childhood as she finds herself in more trouble than she can count. As you read the pages, you'll remember your first love letter, your first friend,and your first disappointment. Laugh with her as she shares a good joke with Uncle Horace. But be prepared. Marigold has her quiet, reflective moments too, especially with Aunt Marigold. Like all children, she too must learn the hardest lesson of all: letting go. Discover how she learns that the greatest magic comes from within herself.