Emily of Deep Valley: A Deep Valley Book

I’m a fan of Maud Hart Lovelace books (Betsy & Tacy). This book is a branch off of Betsy’s being that Emily is from a different family and two years younger than Betsy and her “Crowd.” I particularly thought it was interesting the description of the “Little Syria” neighborhood and I imagine, it must’ve been a time when there was an influx of immigrants from Syria. Try not to read it with modern eyes as the story was written back in 1950, which still perpetuated racial stereotypes and biases. The character Emily makes efforts and overtures to be a bridge between her culture and the Syrian immigrants. It’s a side story because although Emily is an orphan who lives with her grandfather, she wishes very much to go to college like her friends when she graduates from high school. She discovers there are many ways to get an education. Like all MHL stories, it’s a sweet taste of life in Minnesota during the early 1900’s. Delightful!

I was born in MN, but nowhere near the fictional Deep Valley. I fell in love with this book the first time it was read and was excited to own it for myself in paper form. I won't do a review of the story. Those are on GoodReads or in other areas. Emily, in many ways, was myself as a young girl, and it doesn't matter that the time of the story wasn't the 1980s, it still fit. I especially enjoyed the backstory of the story and the author. When you learn about who wrote a book and the real life people it was based upon, it can give a different spin on the book itself. It isn't contrived or fake. Emily and her life is real. It isn't fantasy or romancey, so if you want an easy fluffy read, this isn't for you. If you want to watch characters grow and might see yourself grow, I'd encourage you to find this and read it for yourself.

This is such a great book. Less well known than the Betsy Tacy series written by Maud Hart Lovelace, although it's set in the same place and we do get a glimpse of Betsy at some point, I think it's well worth a read. Emily is a complex character and her struggles and emotions are very relatable, despite the fact it's set such a long time ago. A wonderful story - and one of MHL's best books I think.

Great, of course -- it's a Lovelace/Deep valley/Betsy-Tacy book after all. Only thing is that it did have one bent corner on the cover and to also had a black marker line drawn on the length of the ends of the pages, neither of which really hurt anything if you just want a copy for sentimental sake. The one thing I absolutely hate is just that little green P.S. down in the lower right corner.... so unaesthetic! This is in my and many's opinion one of Lovelace's better books, the main character is great.

Growing up, I loved the Betsy-Tacy series. Maud Hart Lovelace is a marvelous writer, and her books are still enjoyable!

I have always loved the style of literature that came from the early twentieth century, but somehow I had missed this gem by Maud Hart Lovelace until some friends wanted to read it in our book discussion group. I'm so glad they suggested it, because "Emily of Deep Valley" has claimed a place in my heart and won't be forgotten any time soon. The story opens with Emily Webster on the cusp of her high school graduation in 1912. Emily has enjoyed school and desperately wants to go to college, but she lives with her elderly grandfather and really can't leave him. As many of her friends head off for higher education, Emily struggles with being left behind and finding a new rhythm in her life. As Emily's friends come home for their holiday breaks, Emily feels more lost than ever. She's not having the same experiences and is no longer part of their circle. She has new pretty dresses but few invitations to the parties that everyone else is going to. While tempted to give in to despair, Emily decides instead to muster her wits. Maybe she can't follow her preferred life choice, but she can take control of where she is today. She begins to look outside of herself, to form and foster connections, and to build community in places that some would call unlikely. Emily comes to find joy and fulfillment, and endears herself to many - including a wonderful man who will capture the hearts of readers everywhere! This ranks among the best 'coming into her own' stories that I've read, right up near longtime favorites Rilla of Ingleside and A Girl of the Limberlost. If these kinds of stories appeal to you, I couldn't recommend "Emily of Deep Valley" more highly!

I had read the Betsy/Tacy books as a girl, and somehow missed this one. While not strictly a Betsy/Tacy book, Betsy does make an appearance, as do several of the "Crowd". Cab is featured prominently, and he's always been a favorite of mine. But the book is not about any of them; it focuses on Emily, a girl who's a loner in her peer group, and how her graduation from high school and entrance into adult life affects her. I do have to say I would have liked to have seen a little more character development, especially on the supporting cast. We get a vague idea about what's going on with some of those closest to Emily, but never enough (in my opinion) to really connect with most of them. I ended up actively disliking some of them, and that's not generally the case for a Lovelace character. Perhaps that's to be expected when you have just one book vs. a series to develop everyone. All in all it's a lovely book and a nice addition to your Lovelace collection.

This book is so sweet. I related to Emily’s quiet manner and cheered for her when she found a crowd she connected with! This book highlights the importance of pursuing intellectual growth as well as caring for others. Emily let go of her despair of being left behind when her friends went to college, and she pursued people and activities that brought her life and love! Glad I bought it as it will most definitely be a reread for me.