Oh, how I loved this book! This is the first one read for the Classics Challenge and what a great start it is.
Anne has had a rough life. After both of her parents die she is passed between families virtually being a work horse and nothing else. She knows no love. Eventually she ends up in an orphanage. Finally, Mrs. Spencer shows up at the orphanage and Anne is chosen to go to live with the Cuthberts. Anne’s life is about to begin and she’s about to see what love is about.
At first things are up in the air because Marilla and Matthew had wanted a boy, not a girl. Matthew was taken by Anne right away but Marilla holds stron to taking her back to the orphanage and getting a boy to help out on the farm. However, on the way Anne worms her way into even Marilla’s heart and Marilla decides to take her back to the farm and see what happens.
So takes off the story of Anne of Green Gables. She talks constantly and her imagination runs rampant all the time. The story follows Anne from 11 years old to almost 17. We experience her adventures in finding her first bosom friend to her adventures in school all the way up to a point where Anne makes a major decision that will affect the rest of her life.
Anne is such a strong character. Her positive outlook on every situation is admirable. The way she looks at everything with a sense of wonder and lets her imagination go is such a great way to live. I love how when she meets people they are kindred spirits to her or they aren’t. You know in life there is always those people that you meet that you just know will be a huge part of your life and others who are just around the edges. Anne is very particular about this.
Lucy Maud Montgomery’s descriptions in this book of Prince Edward Island are just amazing. She describes the trees, fields, ponds-the sound of the ocean in such detail that you feel as though you’re right there and you can see all this right before your eyes. The way she portrays Anne, Marilla and Matthew, and even the less prominent characters puts them straight into your heart and they hold on.
I really enjoyed this book. I think it’s a great novel for young and old alike. I can certainly see why it’s a classic and has stood the test of time. I read Before Green Gables shortly before this one and I will definitely look into the following novels in the series to see what happens to Anne of Green Gables next.
Great review! This is one of my favorites of all time.
Diane Rehm did a panel discussion of this classic just last week. It’s at:
http://wamu.org/programs/dr/08/07/23.php
(I think that will get you there. It was on 7/23/08, and there’s an audio you can listen to)
One of my favorites, too.
Thanks so much for the link. I’ll definitely take a peek at it.
This is one of my all time favorite series. I just finished rereading it. I agree with you her characterizations and descriptions are amazing. 🙂
P.S. Here from Joy’s blog.
One of my all time favorite books. Just read it again for the umpteenth time this past winter.
I didn’t read this but I watched the series (?) with my daughters when they were young (now in their 20s). Did the Disney Channel produce this? Can’t remember. We all liked it.
Dar,
What a great review! I have to admit that I’ve never read this book but I am going to add it to my list of books to read!!
I really need to read this one. thanks for the review~!!! 🙂
ps thanks for your comments while I was doing the garage sale, you are so super-sweet 🙂
I loved these movies growing up (I actually grew up in Cananda…), but when I tried to read the book several years ago it didn’t go so well. I think maybe because I had just finished my college semester and was on Christmas break. I’m glad you loved this one! Don’t forget to leave your link on the classics challenge blog!
I loved this book as well! The movie is really good, and (I believe) was filmed in PEI, so you can actually see the beautiful scenery! I really want to go there someday to see it!
Mary, I don’t remember who produced the series when it was on but it was quite good. There was also a few movies produced over the last couple of years that were good too.
I would love to visit too Laura. The way she describes everything so vividly in the book you imagine it but what a great thing it would be to actually see it.
Trish, I remember you saying before you were from Canada-was it Toronto? I think we’ll be getting lots of books to add to our TBR lists from the Classics Challenge.
Thanks ladies for all your comments-those who have read it and loved it and those who are adding it to your lists.
i loved the green gables.. the first one, according to me, is the best… but i enjoyed reading the others too.. am going to read the whole series again coz its been about 10 yrs since i last read it.. hope you like the other books as well!!
Ramya, have you read Before Green Gables? It was quite good too. I’ve heard that as Anne grows up the books aren’t quite as good but that’s because she’s not a cute little kid anymore. I’m still looking forward to them. Thanks for dropping by. I’ve added you to my blogroll-of course you’re on my google reader so I don’t miss anything.