Kilmeny of the Orchard facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Lucy Maud Montgomery |
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| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Romance novel |
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Publication date
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1910 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback, Hardcover) |
Kilmeny of the Orchard is a novel written by Lucy Maud Montgomery. She is a famous Canadian author, best known for her "Anne of Green Gables" books. This story was first published in 1910. It is a romantic tale set on the beautiful Prince Edward Island.
What's the Story About?
The story follows a young man named Eric Marshall. He travels to Prince Edward Island to teach at a school. There, he meets Kilmeny. She is a girl who cannot speak, but she can hear perfectly. Eric first sees Kilmeny in an old orchard. He hears her playing the violin beautifully.
Eric visits Kilmeny often and slowly falls in love with her. When he asks her to marry him, she says no. Kilmeny loves Eric too, but she believes her inability to speak will make his life harder. Eric tries to convince her it won't matter, but she still refuses.
Later, Eric's good friend, David Baker, comes to the island. David is a well-known throat doctor. He examines Kilmeny. He believes that only a very strong desire to speak could help her.
Meet the Characters
Here are some of the main characters you'll meet in the book:
- Eric Marshall: He is the main male character. Eric is described as a very lucky person who seems to have everything. He lost his mother when he was ten. Eric has strong ideas about the kind of wife he wants.
- Kilmeny Gordon: She is the main female character. Kilmeny is a beautiful girl who has been protected from the outside world. She cannot speak, so she uses a slate and pencil to communicate. Her treasured violin also helps her express herself.
- David Baker: He is Eric's older friend and a throat specialist. David is very close to Eric. He hopes Eric will get married soon.
- Larry West: A hardworking student who went to school with Eric. He helps Eric get the teaching job on Prince Edward Island.
- Mr. Marshall, Sr.: Eric's father. He is a smart and honest businessman. Like David, he wants Eric to marry.
- Mrs. Williamson: She is Eric's kind and quiet landlady. Larry jokingly calls her "She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed."
- Old Robert Williamson: Mrs. Williamson's husband. He is a very talkative man who loves to gossip.
- Thomas Gordon: Kilmeny's uncle. He helped raise her after her mother passed away. He is very well-read and usually wins any argument.
- Janet Gordon: Kilmeny's aunt. She also helped raise Kilmeny. She is an intelligent woman who enjoys seeing her brother, Thomas, lose an argument.
- Neil Gordon: An Italian boy who was orphaned as a baby. The Gordons raised him, and he loves Kilmeny.
