Sorry this is late. It didn’t publish for some reason and I’m just now catching it.
I know, I should have read Anne of Green Gables when I was a kid, but for some reason, I missed L. M. Montgomery’s series. But now I have them downloaded on my Kindle and will soon have them all read. A friend loaned me the book pictured. It was first published in 1908 and this was a 1970 edition. She has the whole set, but I don’t plan to borrow any of the others–I almost misplaced this one and that would have been a tragedy. Ooops, now I sound like Anne. lol
Here’s the ad copy I found on Amazon for those of you who have not read the book and my thoughts will follow:
Anne is described as bright and quick, eager to please, talkative, and extremely imaginative. She has a pale face with freckles and usually braids her red hair. When asked her name, Anne asks Marilla to call her Cordelia, which Marilla refuses; Anne then insists that if she is to be called Anne, it must be spelled with an e, as that spelling is “so much more distinguished.”
Marilla at first says the girl must return to the orphanage, but after a few days, she decides to let her stay. Marilla feels that she could be a good influence on the girl and had also overheard that another disagreeable woman in town might take Anne in instead.
As a child of imagination, Anne takes much joy in life and adapts quickly, thriving in the close-knit farming village. Her talkativeness initially drives the prim, duty-driven Marilla to distraction, although Matthew falls for her charm immediately. Anne says that they are “kindred spirits.”
The book recounts Anne’s adventures in making a home: the country school where she quickly excels in her studies; her friendship with Diana Barry (her best or “bosom friend” as Anne fondly calls her); her budding literary ambitions; and her rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe, who teases her about her red hair. For that, he earns her instant hatred, although he apologizes many times. As time passes, Anne realizes she no longer hates Gilbert but cannot bring herself to admit it. However, by the end of the book, they become friends.
The book also follows Anne’s adventures in quiet, old-fashioned Avonlea. Episodes include her playtime with friends (Diana, Jane Andrews and Ruby Gillis), her run-ins with the unpleasant Pye sisters (Gertie and Josie), and domestic mishaps such as dyeing her hair green (while intending to dye it black) or accidentally getting Diana drunk (by giving her what she thinks is raspberry cordial but is currant wine).
My thoughts:
I loved this book and would have dearly loved it when I was growing up. I certainly wouldn’t have noticed the constant switch in points of view then. 🙂 That sort of thing drives me crazy now, but somehow it fit this story, along with an omniscient point of view at times.
Montgomery did a great job with Anne’s character. She made me laugh, made me want to send her to the corner a few times, especially when it came to Gilbert Blythe. But Anne tugged on my heartstrings. I loved seeing the change in Marilla, and Matthew was a dear.
If you’ve never read Anne of Green Gables, you are missing a treat. You can purchase the whole set on Kindle for $1.99: https://amzn.to/2GxDgDI . I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series, although, like Marilla, I miss the young Anne. Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library.
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Comments 36
I have not read this series, Pat, but bought them for my daughter when she was young. I don’t remember her commenting on them. I will check into them. I also think about reading Nancy Drew books again. My daughter has some of those as well.
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I think you would really enjoy the book. I loved it, Gloria!
Ann(with an e) has been my friend since I was first able to read. I’m now 78!
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Oh, Carol, I really missed something back then. But I read ahead of my age–I was reading Mitchner when I was twelve or thirteen.
I hadn’t read it either until around 2 years ago and shortly after, one of my granddtr.’s Chris. highschool cooperated w/ a Chris. college to present it as a play and I fell in love w/ it then even more. Yes, have ecome part of our N. American culture and definitely deserve reading.
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I know what you mean, Delores. I fell in love with the story, too. And Matthew. Just loved him. Marilla, too.
I have never read the series. I do love to read so know that I would enjoy them.
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I think you’d love the story, Lorel! I had to get used to the different points of view, but after a bit, it didn’t bother me at all and I even wondered what the big fuss was about now. lol
I remember reading these books when I was young. I also watched the PBS movies and series. At one time I had the whole book series. I really enjoyed them.
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Erika, I hate I never even watched the PBS series on Anne of Green Gables. This was a delightful book!
I read and reread the whole series a number of times when I was young. It was a real treat to own the whole set.
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I can understand re-reading the series, Betti. I wish I’d bought a set like my friend did back in the 70s! Thanks for stopping by.
I don’t remember reading the books but loved the older TV series. The acting was wonderful!
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The book (I have only read the first one) was so good. I plan to watch the TV series if I can find it, Paula.
While I have not read the book, I believe there was a movie of it when my daughter was young. If so, I watched it with my daughter but can’t remember it from so long ago. Since my daughter also has red hair, I think she really related to Anne.
Author
Suzanne, I had red hair as a child and like Anne’s it turned more auburn after I was older. I was called Woody Woodpecker more than once. lol Wasn’t funny then since I needed braces.
Pat, I’ve not read Anne of Green Gables either. Thanks for sharing.
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You’ll have to join me in reading them, Caryl! Thanks for dropping by.
I have not read it either ♂️. Thanks for the recommendation.
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I think you’ll enjoy it, Jessica! Thanks for dropping by.
I love Anne of Green Gables! I read the series when I was young. Also saw the video series-1985 version. Anne character does a wonderful job!
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I’m anxious to read the next book in the series, Sharon. And I’d love to see the TV show. Thanks for dropping by.
I didn’t know there was a series. I’ve heard of Anne of Green Gables for years and thought there was only one book. It was funny reading that she wanted to be Anne, spelled with an e. My son and his wife were telling us about a young boy on our grandson’s baseball team whose name is Kole with a k. The mother told them her mother said if she spelled it with a K, she would constantly have to tell people his name is Kole with a K. Her mother was right. LOL!
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Yes, Edward, I think there were five or six of the books. I think it takes her all the way through motherhood. 🙂
I loved Anne of Green Gables!
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So do I, Shelia! I’m so glad I found the book and read it. Now I have to get it back to my friend. 🙂
Hi, I never read Anne of Green Gables, but I did see the movie of it. It sounds like a pretty good book, I know I have heard a lot about it, and I’m pretty sure it is better then the movie, even though I really liked the movie on TV. Thanks for recommending it. God Bless.
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Thanks, Alicia! I look forward to reading the whole series and I’ll let everyone know what I think. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Anne is a friend from early childhood for me! I reread the first couple of books several times, but have only read the entire series once. Ironically, I am in the middle of rereading the whole series! I enjoyed sharing the books with my daughter as she was growing up and am really looking forward to introducing them to my granddaughters when they are old enough.
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That’s awesome, Diane! So glad you are sharing them with your children and grandchildren. It’s like sharing a part of your childhood with them! Thanks for stopping by.
I read these as young girl and again as a young adult and loved them, I’m glad to hear you are recommending them
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They’re awesome! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Phyllis.
I’ve never read Anne of Green Gables either! I’ve found many “classic” children’s books I probably should have read as a kid, but never did. Or maybe I was just into different genres as when I was younger….who knows? I loved the Beverly Clearly books, especially the Ramona ones. 🙂 Of course my tastes as an adult are vastly different now! I’ve only read a few YA books but aren’t really into them that much. I’ve enjoyed a few fairy tale retellings by Melanie Dickerson and really want to check out some by Jody Hedlund since I’ve read many of her Christian Fiction ones. I just have to be in the mood for them.
Author
Trixi, I think you would enjoy the Anne of Greenbables stories and you can download them for less than $2! I never read Beverly Clearly, but I’ve read many of Melanie’s wonderful books. Thanks for stopping by.
I have read all the Anne books I could get, plus Rilla of Ingleside (her daughter.). I am now 72 and remember them fondly. I’m commenting late because I changed my email and just now discovered all your old emails since April archived on my new IPad after the old tablet ran out of battery.
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So good to see you back, Christine! I have yet to get back to my Anne of Green Gables books, but I will. Didn’t know about the Rilla of Ingleside books. Thanks!