I discovered this series as a teenager when it first aired on CBC television and read the books as a result, but I am reviewing it now that I have the proper maturity to appreciate its qualities and flaws. I will mention I only watched the first season and a good part of the second for reasons that will become obvious as you read along. I had begun watching the series when my sister-in-law noticed my interest and lent me L. M. Montgomery's Emily trilogy. I devoured all three books over the summer and Emily of New Moon remains one of my favourite novels to this day. I was raised Protestant in Québec, a post-Catholic secular culture, and had rarely found fiction I could relate to growing up. The Murrays' Presbyterian lifestyle felt familiar and Emily's innocent musings on legalistic attitudes were hilarious and on point. Upon finishing the books, I realized how far Marlene Matthews, the TV series developer, veered from the source material. She took the books' few uncanny events suggesting Emily Starr has second sight and turned the character into a clairvoyant who communes with the dead on a regular basis. She turned kind spinster Laura Murray into a mentally unstable woman with a complex love life. She replaced Elizabeth Murray with a new character after one season. I have read these choices had to do with some of the actors' demands and decisions, but I wonder how a production can claim to be based upon an author's work while resembling fan fiction to such a high degree. I think Montgomery would be offended by many of Matthew's changes as they do not reflect her beliefs and her era. It would have been good to have Presbyterians and historians review the script before going into production. After two seasons, all the series still had in common with the books were the names and places. The trilogy may be considered youth literature, but the series is not suited for children. Too many mature themes and disturbing images. I will still say the cast is top notch, the music beautiful, the costumes and sets splendid. And with Prince Edward Island brilliantly photographed as a backdrop, it is still worth a watch. I am somewhat fond of it because it helped me visualize Montgomery's characters and places while reading her books. I believe it made the experience richer.
Review of Emily of New Moon
