It seems that even in the 1920s there must have been some demand for trilogies. As much as I love Emily herself, I think Montgomery might have done better to have resolved all the love affairs in a longer second book. In this book we see Emily grow into an admirable, caring woman intent on her writing career. She continues to learn to put others before herself. However, by the end, I was thoroughly tired of her many beaus, engagements and near engagements.

At the close of Emily Climbs, if not before, most readers will have a fair idea which girl ought to end up with which boy if Montgomery is going to do it right. When it finally all came out right, I was almost as worn out with the waiting and “suspense” as Emily was. When the Japanese prince falls in love with her, I really had to wonder if Montgomery was simply trying to get the book to an acceptable publication length.

While most things are set right at the end, I didn’t enjoy the twists and turns of the journey as much as I had in the previous two books. I’ll always love Emily while believing that Dean would have benefited from a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.