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339 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 13, 1923
"What worries me about writing novels," confided Emily, "is the love talk in them. I'm sure I'll never be able to write it. I've tried," she concluded candidly, "and I can't think of anything to say."I think the worst part (in Emily of New Moon, at least) is how Montgomery paints this as completely normal behavior and goes on to glorify Dean Fucking Priest as someone important to Emily and necessary to the woman she becomes. I mean, I fucking hope not? If he's truly a "guiding presence" in her life, that's because he FUCKING GROOMED HER and it's ABUSIVE AS FUCK and I'm honestly regretting my decision to reread this series because I know just how much worse it gets. But all those red flags are right there in that introductory "ramble" they take as he escorts Emily back to her Great-Aunt Nancy's house: he presents himself as a potential romantic object; he views her as a sexual being; he begins laying the groundwork for controlling how she thinks and acts and speaks; he intentionally lets her misunderstand what he says.
"Don't worry about that. I'll teach you some day," said Dean.
"Will you—will you really?" Emily was very eager. I'll be so obliged if you will. I think I could manage everything else very nicely."
"It's a bargain then—don't forget it. And don't go looking for another teacher, mind. [...]"