OH. Oh, we’re here. It’s the end of the book, the tiny tiny chapter that leaves me wanting sequels. I’d have happily read an entire series of Valancy and Barney going around the world together.
“Don’t cry, Moonlight. We’ll be back next summer. And now we’re off for a real honeymoon.”
Valancy smiled through her tears. She was so happy that her happiness terrified her.
I can see this as a movie scene too-
-she knew perfectly well that no spot or place or home in the world could ever possess the sorcery of her Blue Castle.
I love the word ‘sorcery’ here. Not ‘comfort’, or home, or memories, or safety. But sorcery. It’s where things happened, magical landscapes, a bewitching domesticity, the place where Valancy experienced magic.
AND IT’S SUCH A GOOD ENDING. There’s no more to read because they’re not in the Blue Castle anymore.
Seriously though, this is SUCH a good book. It was the book that younger-me needed to read - specifically, needed to read on 30th December when I was envious because my friend was at a wedding and I stayed up late and read the entire book in one go, curled up on a sofa near to a dying fire. The independence and Valancy’s loneliness and the worlds she built inside her head, and her bravery and her decisions to live her life and the way she finds someone she can love with all her heart - I needed to read that book, at that age. I loved reading Jane Eyre, I cried over Villette, but I don’t think I ever felt so entirely seen, and related to a character, as much as Valancy. My only complaints are that I wish it was bigger and I wish we could have seen more detail of all the scenes that only mentioned, like Barney’s cold or when they went to the ball. But then again, fanfics!!!
And the fanfics I’ve read have been truly extraordinary too. Barney and Valancy are some of my favourite characters I’ve ever read about, and getting to reread this book and examine it more closely has been such fun! *jumps up and down* I’ve loved doing the blue castle book club!
If there’s any fandom events or fic challenges or anything like that I’d LOVE to participate! And thank you all so much for being such friendly fellow Blue Castle-ites! (I’m pretty sure my posts have never gotten so many likes as my Blue Castle ones).
*the movie fades to black while watchers are left crying and making GIFs of Barney and Valancy embracing and invisible string by TS plays*
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