Anne of Green Gables

I can see why this book is listed as a classic- the themes of finding a place you belong and growing into the person you are meant to be is universal and timeless. I really like the development of Anne's character as well as her affect on others. Through Anne's misadventures, the people of Avonlea as well as the reader can't help but root for her and want her to flourish. A very good read overall!

Evergreen story is a phrase which comes to my mind when i read it.

Its a tale of a young girl who is adopted mistakenly by a brother-sister duo , as they wanted a boy to get help in their farm chores. Anne, constantly tries to impress the people around her. Her childhood is a perfect example of a young girl who talks non-stop or who wants a best friend but cant find any easily or who takes all the challenges without thinking or who is too egoistic to accept apology etc etc.

It was a ride through the childhood. :)

Montgomery has convinced me that the spectrum between the perspectives of 'realism' and 'naivety' is not linear but circular--and beautiful Anne Shirley stands precisely at the point where these two ends touch.

"Dear old world," she murmured, "you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you."

I finally understand why everyone likes Anne of Green Gables so much. When I was first introduced to Anne, it was through the movie series. Throughout the movies, I found her annoying, and MUCH too talkative, they don't really do justice to the wonderful, friendly, poetic character that is, Anne Shirley. I've found, that book are usually better than the movies, mostly because the story is usually butchered so much that you can hardly see a trace of the original written story. After reading this book, I'm a very much reformed Anne Shirley fan. I'm so very glad I read this, I would recommend this book to any from 8 to 80, I believe that boys and girls alike will enjoy it.

I owned this edition as a kid and while I don't recall it being a particular favorite I must have reread it multiple times (and I did a school project on it, too). I remember bits and pieces of the plot, but what's stuck with me most is Montgomery describing how Anne allowed herself a period of "wild imaginings" before falling asleep at night—it's something I've always done, too.

My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes. That’s a sentence I read in a book once, and I say it over to comfort myself whenever I’m disappointed in anything.

I’m delighted to find yet another children’s book that holds up very well.

Anne of Green Gables is well deserved of its reputation as a classic of children’s literature. I cried, I laughed, and I was thoroughly enchanted by Anne.

The beginning is absolutely unputdownable and equally heartbreaking as Anne is faced with not being wanted by the ever-practical Cuthberts (who I don’t think I initially realized are brother and sister, not husband and wife). Once Anne is adopted, the story becomes fairly episodic, with some episodes more interesting than others.

However, what makes the novel so spectacular is not the plot, but Anne herself. She talks and talks and

talks for pages at a time. Montgomery has done an excellent job of capturing her voice: often (unintentionally) funny, always dreamy and romantic, and usually dramatic. Anne views the world with a sense of childish wonder that is a joy to read. She finds beauty everywhere, and especially in the natural world, which Montgomery describes in some of the most gorgeous nature writing. Of course, she is also headstrong with a famous temper, leading to one of the most (delightfully) frustrating “romance” subplots.

As much as the novel is about Anne growing up, it is also about Marilla’s thawing. With love introduced into her life for the first time, her transformation over the course of the novel is quite touching (as is Anne’s).

I’m not sure if I’ll continue (re)reading this series as, by the end, I somewhat felt like I had my fill. But it was a lovely reading experience and easily has earned 5 stars both for how much I loved it as a child and how much I enjoyed it as an adult.

Some favorite passages:

Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive—it’s such an interesting world. It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There’d be no scope for imagination then, would there? But am I talking too much? People are always telling me I do. Would you rather I didn’t talk? If you say so I’ll stop. I can stop when I make up my mind to it, although it’s difficult.”

But I cannot imagine that red hair away. I do my best. I think to myself, ‘Now my hair is a glorious black, black as the raven’s wing.’ But all the time I know it is just plain red, and it breaks my heart. It will be my lifelong sorrow.

She came out of her reverie with a deep sigh and looked at him with the dreamy gaze of a soul that had been wondering afar, star-led.

But the worst of imagining things is that the time comes when you have to stop and that hurts.

It’s all very well to read about sorrows and imagine yourself living through them heroically, but it’s not so nice when you really come to have them, is it?

That bridge led Anne’s dancing feet up over a wooded hill beyond, where perpetual twilight reigned under the straight, thick-growing firs and spruces; the only flowers there were myriads of delicate “June bells,” those shyest and sweetest of woodland blooms, and a few pale, aerial starflowers, like the spirits of last year’s blossoms. Gossamers glimmered like threads of silver among the trees and the fir boughs and tassels seemed to utter friendly speech.

“Well, they didn’t pick you for your looks, that’s sure and certain,” was Mrs. Rachel Lynde’s emphatic comment. Mrs. Rachel was one of those delightful and popular people who pride themselves on speaking their mind without fear or favour.

“You set your heart too much on things, Anne,” said Marilla with a sigh. “I’m afraid there’ll be a great many disappointments in store for you through life.” “Oh, Marilla, looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them,” exclaimed Anne. “You mayn’t get the things themselves; but nothing can prevent you from having the fun of looking forward to them. Mrs. Lynde says, ‘Blessed are they who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed.’ But I think it would be worse to expect nothing than to be disappointed.”

It was a little narrow, twisting path, winding down over a long hill straight through Mr. Bell’s woods, where the light came down sifted through so many emerald screens that it was as flawless as the heart of a diamond. It was fringed in all its length with slim young birches, white-stemmed and lissom boughed; ferns and starflowers and wild lilies-of-the-valley and scarlet tufts of pigeonberries grew thickly along it; and always there was a delightful spiciness in the air and music of bird calls and the murmur and laugh of wood winds in the trees overhead.

And then—thwack! Anne had brought her slate down on Gilbert’s head and cracked it—slate, not head—clear across.

We’re going to have jellied chicken and cold tongue.

“Will you ever have any sense, Anne?” groaned Marilla. “Oh, yes, I think I will, Marilla,” returned Anne optimistically.

That’s the worst of growing up, and I’m beginning to realize it. The things you wanted so much when you were a child don’t seem half so wonderful to you when you get them.”

When I left Queen’s my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes—what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows—what new landscapes—what new beauties—what curves and hills and valleys further on.”

Okay by the time I finished this I had come round to not hating Anne. But Anne between the ages of 11 and 15 is fkn annoying. I had a headache reading her endless prattling. It's like she barely breathes - and yes I know that sounds ridiculous when discussing a literary character.

I don't know. Anne is a pretty odd character. She's very happy. And optimistic. And ridiculously dramatic - but then I guess I relate better to Marilla than Anne. And like Marilla I do come to like Anne by the end. Maybe not love. But like. I guess by the end I did find it easier to sort of go with the flow, but Anne also calms down and isn't quite as ridiculous. The last third of the book or maybe the last quarter was the best, the first three were definitely write offs, but I stuck it out.

I will be reading the rest of the series and I'm kind of wondering how they'll measure up - I mean she'll be older and then with kids - it really spans a whole lifetime and I'm not sure I've actually ever really read a book series like this. Little Women probably compares a bit but they're also different in a lot of ways.

First two thirds 1.5/2 stars. The last third 3. I'm going to split the difference and call it 2.5 stars.

A Canadian classic! Wonderfully written by L.M. Montgomery, this novel is the first of the 'Anne' series. Anne of Green Gables is definite must for both young and old readers alike. The story is honest and heartwarming. Anne is just what a tomboyish, trouble-making orphan ought to be; the characters are colourful and believable, just like the story. I loved it as a child and love it still to this day. Pick it up and give it a read, you won't be disappointed.