Emily's Quest facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Emily's Quest

First edition
Author	L.M. Montgomery
Country	Canada
Language	English
Series	Emily series
Genre	Children's novel
Publisher	Frederick A. Stokes
Publication date	1927
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Preceded by	Emily Climbs

Emily's Quest is a novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. It is the third and final book in the Emily series. Montgomery finished writing this book in 1927. It continues the story of Emily Starr as she grows up and follows her dreams.

What the Story is About

Emily's New Life

Emily Starr is now seventeen years old. She has finished high school. The people in her town, New Moon, see her as an adult. This means she gets a lot more freedom. Emily and Teddy Kent have been best friends since they were little. Teddy is leaving for two years to study art. Emily thinks their friendship is becoming something more special. On his last night, they promise to think of each other when they see the star Vega.

Growing Up and Writing

Over the next two years, Emily becomes a better writer. She also learns to deal with being lonely. Her closest friends, Ilse and Teddy, are away studying. Perry is also gone. Life at New Moon changes for Emily. Mr. Carpenter, her favorite teacher, passes away. He was always honest about her writing.

Emily's writing career starts to do very well. Even her family, the Murrays, finally accept her dream. She also becomes closer to Dean Priest. But Emily worries that Dean wants to be more than just friends. At the same time, Emily and Teddy grow apart. He focuses on his art, and she hides her feelings.

A Difficult Choice

Emily is sad about her romance with Teddy. She puts all her energy into writing. She writes a novel called A Seller of Dreams. Several publishers say no to her book. So, she asks Dean Priest for his opinion. Dean tells her the book is "pretty and flimsy." Emily is very upset. She burns her book. Then, she rushes out and accidentally hurts her foot badly.

Emily gets a serious infection from her injury. Doctors worry she might not survive. Dean stays by her side during her long recovery. Emily starts to depend on him. She gets better, but she doesn't want to write anymore. She knows Dean loves her. So, she decides to marry him. She believes that friendship is enough if she can't have a passionate romance.

Family Disapproval

Emily and Dean's families do not approve of their engagement. Dean's family thinks Emily only wants his money. Emily's family is worried about Dean's past. They are also concerned because he is 23 years older than Emily. Emily's Aunt Elizabeth insists that Emily wait until she is twenty to marry.

Dean buys a house for them. Emily has always called it The Disappointed House. It's the same house she once dreamed of living in with Teddy. Emily and Dean decorate it together. Emily tries to accept her future.

A Change of Heart

One night, Emily feels drawn to the new house. She has a strange experience where she sees Teddy. He is studying in England. She asks him to come to her. Later, she learns that Teddy's boat sank. But Teddy was not on it. He sends her a note saying he missed the boat because he saw a vision of her. Emily then realizes she still loves Teddy. She knows they are connected.

Emily breaks off her engagement to Dean. She is sad to lose his friendship. Dean tells her he can't be just friends anymore. Before he leaves, Dean admits he liked her book. He was just jealous of her writing. Emily is shocked and sad about her burned book. But her belief in her talent comes back. She forgives Dean and starts writing again.

Love and Surprises

Emily enjoys her freedom and writing success. Teddy and Ilse, her childhood friends, come back to visit. The three friends have fun together. Emily expects something to happen with Teddy. But Ilse tells her that Teddy has become very flirtatious. Emily worries she is just another one of his crushes. Teddy leaves suddenly for a job offer. Emily gets a letter from him. She is heartbroken because it only contains an old poem by their friend Perry.

Emily has some funny courtships. She writes a novel to entertain her Aunt Elizabeth, who has a broken leg. The novel, The Moral of the Rose, gets published. But Emily's joy is ruined when she hears Teddy is engaged to Ilse. Ilse tells Emily that she is okay with marrying Teddy since she can't be with Perry. Ilse doesn't know Emily loves Teddy. Emily is too proud to tell her.

The Truth Comes Out

Teddy's mother, Mrs. Kent, becomes friends with Emily. While returning a book, Emily finds an old, unopened letter. She gives it to Mrs. Kent. Mrs. Kent later reveals the letter was from Teddy's father. She thought he died hating her. But the letter shows he died with love. Mrs. Kent then confesses that Teddy wrote Emily a love letter before he left. Mrs. Kent burned it and replaced it with Perry's poem. Mrs. Kent suggests Emily tell Teddy the truth. But Emily decides not to, as Ilse and Teddy seem happy.

During the wedding preparations, Emily accidentally tells Perry that Ilse has always loved him. On her wedding day, Ilse learns Perry was in a car crash. Ilse leaves Teddy at the altar. Days later, she tells Emily that Perry is fine. Ilse and Perry plan to marry each other. Teddy quietly leaves for Montreal before Emily can talk to him.

A Happy Ending

Years pass. People think Emily will be an old maid, even though many men want to marry her. Before she dies, Mrs. Kent sends Emily a message. She begs Emily to tell Teddy the truth about his love letter. Emily refuses, believing Teddy no longer loves her. Perry and Ilse marry quietly.

One night, Emily hears Teddy's special whistle in the garden. She goes to him. Years of misunderstandings disappear with just a look. They decide to marry. They forgive each other for their foolishness and pride. Dean hears about their engagement. He gives The Disappointed House to Emily and Teddy. He also promises to be their friend in the future.

The Emily Series

TV Shows and Movies

Television Series

The Emily novels were made into a TV series. It was created by Salter Street Films and CBC Television in 1998.

Animation

In 2007, Japanese educational TV aired "Kaze no Shoujo Emily." This animated show was inspired by the Emily novels.