Mistress Pat

L.M. Montgomery's 1935 novel "Mistress Pat" is the sequel and conclusion to "Pat of Silver Bush". On display are Montgomery's superb skills in storytelling and character development, set against the lushly described background of her beloved Prince Edward Island, Canada.At the conclusion of "Pat of Silver Bush", Patricia Gardiner had become, more or less by default, the mistress of her revered family home and farm of Silver Bush, but at the cost of a promising relationship with best friend Hilary Gordon. In "Mistress Pat", she strives to maintain the household and the family traditions against the inevitability of change. Hilary Gordon leaves for college and a career as an architect. Her favorite brother abruptly marries Pat's worst enemy, a vulgar, hateful woman who can't wait to turn her out of Silver Bush. Pat's beautiful younger sister will surprise her with an engagement that will take her away from PEI. An aging Judy Plum, Pat's surrogate mother and close friend, will consider a return to Ireland. A new close friend will also be taken away by marriage. Pat herself will be courted by a series of eligible and not so eligible bachelors, one of whom will win her consent, if not her love. At the end, a lonely Pat will face some tough choices.Author L.M. Montgomery was undergoing a period of extended personal stress while writing this novel. The effects of that stress are visible in the darker tone of "Mistress Pat." Montgomery manages a good ending, but only after leading the reader to the very edge of Pat's personal abyss. "Mistress Pat" appears to be out of print, but is still highly recommended in used condition to fans of L.M. Montgomery, author of the "Anne of Green Gables" series.

L.M. Montgomery's 1933 novel "Pat of Silver Bush" left its titular heroine, Patricia Gardiner, as the new mistress of her beloved family home and farm of Silver Bush, but at the cost of her promising relationship with kindred spirit Hilary Gordon. The 1935 sequel, "Mistress Pat", finds Pat defending the beauty and traditions of her house and home against unwanted change, while finding herself missing her good friend.Pat will face waves of change. A new handyman will challenge the dynamics of the kitchen of longtime domestic and storyteller Judy Plum. Judy herself will consider a return to her native Ireland. Pat's favorite brother will marry her worst enemy, who would like nothing better than to turn Pat out of the house. Her younger sister will make a surprise engagement to a man headed to a job in faraway China. New neighbors next door will become good friends with Pat, but with complications.Hilary Gordon is one of L.M. Montgomery's incredibly patient leading men, and his patience will be tested. He is off stage for most of the eleven year span of "Mistress Pat", attending college and building a career while held away by Pat's refusal to see him as more than a friend. Pat's younger sister will keep him informed of the endless parade of suitors for Pat. Hilary will return in year eight to again declare his love, only to find Pat already engaged. In a dramatic conclusion, Pat will be driven to the edge of a personal abyss before reconsidering her choices."Mistress Pat" is very highly recommended to fans of "Pat of Silver Bush" and L.M. Montgomery's other novels, such as "Anne of Green Gables."

The first chapter is as far as I got. Mentions some old guy's ghost and some women who is a witch. I do not read stories that even allude to the occult...not what I want to read. Main complaint is trying to understand slang English. It went on and on for more than a page. I tossed the book out. I want easy, enjoyable reading and this was a disappointment.

I think this book is the most touching and affecting story by LMM I have read to date. After I finished "Pat of Silver Bush", I just had to know what happened to Pat Gardiner. I wasn't disappointed. I loved the story of Pat's years from age 20 to 30. Pat loved her home with great intensity, as much as she loved her family and their history and heirlooms. She is close to her little sister, Cuddles, now known as Rae (short for Rachel). Many everyday and momentous events occur, such as a Christmas family reunion that doesn't go as planned, the arrival of Tillytuck, the new hired man, the visit of a countess, and Rae's departure for Queen's College. Pat has many suitors, but she can never give up Silver Bush. Through the story runs the thread of her relationship with Hilary Gordon. As the years go by, there are departures and arrivals. Pat's feelings for Hilary are evident to the reader yet not to Pat herself, and it is only a cataclysmic event near the end of the book that brings Pat to the realization that Hilary and not Silver Bush was the reason she could never bring herself to accept another suitor. The end is sweetly satisfying and romantic and I read the last chapter again today after finishing the book last night just to savor it again.

Such a fun book! Especially love that LMM writes her Judy character dialogue so that you can hear the Irish brogue with the spelling she uses. My son loves to hear me read it aloud. Very fun. Great story. Be sure to read the first book "Pat of Silver Bush" before you read this one. Lots of fascinating old ways are revealed from old Ireland as well. One of my favorite LMM stories!

It's not as well written or interesting as some of her other books. It recounts Pat's blind devotion to her home, and her refusal to consider other meaningful relationships in her life. The tale continues, year by year, for ten years, getting a little draggy by the end. I had somewhat lost interest in how it would turn out.

I chose to rate this book highly as LM Montgomery is my favourite author. I have all her books and this sequel completed my library. The author writes of the late 1800's village life in Canada with uncanny insight and wit. Her description of gardens and family life is unequaled in my view.

I love this book. Received the first book as a gift from a friend. Great read for those who enjoy this sort of genre, in my opinion.

Maud Montgomery didn't like writing sequels (or "squeals" as Judy Blume would have called them!) but for once it doesn't show - "Mistress Pat" follows seamlessly on from its predecessor, almost as if they'd been written as one very long novel!This is Maud at her best - fairly adult, not too sentimental, and with fresher characters & situations than in so many of her books.Pat herself is far from a perfect heroine - there are shades of the control freak about her, and the whole theme of these novels is to show how she has to rid herself of her attachment to her childhood home, as it prevents her going to college, finding a job or finding a partner for life.The first book built up her perfect life, until she encounters the loss of a loved one for the first time; the second gradually demolishes it.There are lovely descriptive passages, as always, and once again Maud deals brilliantly with loss and bereavement. The description of a particular pet's demise is particularly well handled.Maud's finest work remains, ironically, her first - the wonderful ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. These "Pat" books, the "Emily" books, "Jane of Lantern Hill" and "The Blue Castle" are well worth reading too.

This and Pat of Silver Bush are lovely books, set on Prince Edward Island and written with lyrical prose. They are full of good, old-fashioned wisdom and humour, mainly presented by the wonderful character of Judy. There are also moments of great poignancy.

Great read as always with L M Montgomery!

Another excellent book by L.M. Montgomery. The characters are well written and the settings are described so clearly you feel as if you are there.

Nice version.