A Tangled Web, by L. M. Montgomery

Rating: 9/10


It is time for Aunt Becky, on the point of death, to bestow her legendary, heirloom Dark jug on a lucky member of the Penhallow-Dark clan. The whole clan gathers in the hope of getting the jug, but once there, Aunt Becky tells them that the new owner will not be revealed until a year after her death. In that time, the Penhallows and Darks are ready to tear each other apart for the jug. Feuds are started and ended, new and old loves surface, and every family is affected by that memorable gathering at Aunt Becky's.

I'm surprised at how much I loved this! It was really cleverly written, with several different stories going on and intertwining. Sometimes all the characters were hard to keep straight, but I loved their stories, which overlap.

Montomery was clearly strongly influenced by clan/family (especially of the overbearing sort) relationships, traditions, and histories. In all of her work the reader is introduced to members of her main characters' families, and she was an expert at conveying their personalities, faults, and humorous characteristics.

The first section is really well done. Aunt Becky is very entertaining, although I sure as heck wouldn't want to meet her! She has a very sharp tongue. It's interesting how she casts clan members' mistakes and humiliations up to them, and does it because they are so reactive to her biting remarks. Many characters like her-sharp-tongued and harsh-have the softest hearts of all.

I enjoyed meeting the various members of the Dark-Penhallow clan. All the falling in love was both amusing and absorbing. For example, Peter Penhallow wonders why every man isn't in love with the woman he loves, and that he is the only man to ever be in love. Isn't that how everyone in love feels? I can't give any input on that myself, of course :). And dear Roger Penhallow! What is Gay thinking? Mooning after that insipid Noel.

There are several storylines, and some that aren't about romance, which is nice. Gay Penhallow's conceited, self-absorbed fiancee leaves her for seductive, sly Nan Penhallow; Peter Penhallow and Donna Dark are united after a lifetime of enmity; Joscelyn Dark questions the wisdom of separating with Hugh on their wedding night for reasons unknown to anyone else; Little Sam and Big Sam, after years of living together contentedly in mutual bachelorhood, separate over a matter of principle; lonely little Brian Dark longs for love and warmth in his hitherto cold, empty life; the mysterious Moon Man, who has second sight and fixes his affection on nothing but the moon, 'Lady Moon'.

And then there's the matter of the jug, of course. Montgomery doesn't reveal who is to get it until the very end, so the tension is built up nicely. My heart was pounding and my eyes were fixed on the words when that part came! It was a nervous moment. With a very unexpected resolution.

My reviews always end up too long...
Yes, so I really loved this book. My only qualms were what is now a disgusting bit of racism in the last sentence, and of course, the over-emphasis on looks. But really, those are minor.
This book is infused with Montgomery's trademark humor, beauty, passion, wisdom, and a something that I can't quite put my finger on.
As to who the woman and man on the cover are intended to represent, I haven't the foggiest idea. Beautiful cover, though.

So, after reading all of L. M. Montgomery's novels, I have concluded that the Anne books are my favorites, there's just nothing like them; but her other books are pretty darn good! (to understate)