It was a tangled web indeed so many characters in the families of the Penhallow and the Darks who never married anyone but only within themselves. Their love interests , bickering , gossiping and sarcastic digs at each other constituted the story. It was fun but it took me about 30% of the story to understand who was who and who was who's beau.L M Montgomery is my comfort read and it did not disappoint though it would have been easy on my brains if she had omitted a couple of characters.

I finished this book feeling as though I'd just finished several books, as the storylines of several Darks and Penhallows developed and resolved nicely. Oh, so much of the novel is hilarious, with over-ridiculous characters to show us how ridiculous we humans are sometimes, and as always, Montgomery is in fine form with beautiful descriptions of nature that place the reader right there on Prince Edward Island.

The characters use more "language" here than in Montgomery's children's literature--tsk, tsk, tsk--but my real censure of the book concerns its sampling of racist undertones, and in the case of the book's disappointing and utterly tasteless parting shot, its racist overtone. Regardless of the day and age the author wrote in, that kind of thing is never okay or excusable. Not at all.

Some readers may say to themselves, "But I don't want to think of L.M. Montgomery that way! I just hate to think that the author of the beloved Anne of Green Gables would also write anything racist." But, she did, folks. And it's important for us to know that.

It's best to be aware of history, best to be aware that shades of ignorance are present in a little of a classic author's published work, to remind us how much we have and must continue to grow as a society and a world in our respect for all humanity.

Lots of family drama and one terrible guy kills the Kittie that the orphan boy loves. Three stars is being generous.

This is an excellent use of all the would-be side characters in other LM Montgomery stories. It's wacky and takes us barely deep enough into the characters to see the humour in their wild situations. In a few ways it's a product of the time it's written in, but overall an enjoyable read.

این کتاب مناسب شماست اگه:
1-مجموعه آنشرلی رو خوندید و دوسش داشتید.
2-از ادبیات کلاسیک خوشتون میاد.
3- دنبال یک داستان ساده و حال خوب‌کن هستید.

Could this quaint book of family feuds and reconciliations been given any other name? I guess not. A better title than 'a tangled web' cannot given for such a narrative of intricate, invisible and strange ties that binds and breaks families (read clan).

Like many others, it was the magic of the Blue Castle which brought me into this Tangled web, to say that it was nothing like the beloved Blue Castle was a little disappointing in the beginning but the beauty of the PE Island and the sweetness in the writing of Ms. Montgomery were undeniable.

I had recently read the wiki page of this talented author and was amazed & saddened by her miserable personal life. Though out this book, it was the unhappy but understanding voice of Ms. Montgomery which was reflected in each of the characters... especially the hilarious, impolite, sharp and rather intelligent Aunt Becky. Even the dedication of this Book (to a Mr and Mrs. Fred W.Wright - in memory of a certain week of laughter) made me think how much bereft of laughter Ms. Montogomery's life must have been when the book was first published in 1931.

Coming back to the story line, the book starts with Aunt Becky preparing for her impending death by distributing her priced possessions to Clan with the exception of a historic Jug which is entrusted to be given out one year after her death and the book ends with the distribution of the Jug. A splendid book of multitude of characters with smatterings of romances & scandals here and there.

There seems to be a sub conscious connection between this book and the Casual Vacancy by JKR. Connection or no connection, those who liked the Casual Vacancy will end up liking this quaint little book too (vice versa).

My second book by L.M. Montgomery. I enjoyed it, though not as much as her The Blue Castle.

I have made the decision that the Darks and Penhallows are my favorite LMM clan and a Tangled Web may just be my favorite stand alone LMM book.....yes, I believe that I shall now declare that it is now my favorite stand alone LMM book-- we have to change our favorites as we change, you know :-)

I started out reading this book on the heels of "Magic for Marigold" and "The Blue Castle" just to simply study the clan dynamics. I do love Marigold's clan a lot and I detest Valancy's clan in "The Blue Castle." I realize that I love Marigold's clan with a child's eyes because that's how we see Marigold's clan-- with a proud child's adoration.

I love these Darks and Penhallows with an adults eyes. They are complex and messy and real. I love the stories of the clan in this book and I found myself wishing that I could jump in this book and live among them and be one of them. They all had a love hate relationship with the clan but in the end, they couldn't have survived without each other. They lived in the most beautiful place in the world during a time when life was much slower and they all knew each other and each other's ancestors etc. and stories.

Oh and LMM's nature descriptions are so beautiful and healing!

For some people in the clan such as Jocelyn and Margaret, this clan knowledge and nosiness proved to to cause them years of loneliness and depression until they decided to just go for what they really wanted no matter what people thought (once they figured that out for themselves).

For people like Gay, the clan always protected and supported her and as much as she didn't like it-- they always knew what was best for her.

Oh and sweet dear young Brian-- the neglected clan orphan child. I love thee.

It's amazing how certain stories speak to us at different times in our lives. I really need to re-read this book more often. I actually did not ever adore this book as I do now, today, this weekend-- September 17-18, 2016. I set out to study the clan dynamics and found myself healed of some things that I've been confronted with lately. Yes, it's vulnerable to confess such a thing in a book review but I do this more for myself than others since this is more my reading journal than a review for others. I actually never think of others when I review books-- I'm selfish that way haha ;-)

I can identify with so many stories and people in this book! I spent all day yesterday consumed by it-- a perfect rainy day read that spoke to me on many levels at this moment in my life. Thank you once again, LMM, for giving me your counsel and wisdom right exactly when I needed it.

I liked this a lot. There were some characters I wish there had been more depth on, like Brian, but overall I liked the range of characters. I could have done without the last chapter, however; the Sams were my least favorite pair (in terms of their reconciliation) and the last paragraph left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Overall, though, I really liked it!

Pulls the reader in from the first page - who will receive Aunt Becky's coveted jug? Love and spats follow the Penhallow and Dark clans as they try to be on their best behavior in order to be awarded this coveted family heirloom.

My least favorite of hers. Too many characters, not enough depth.

2.75