Anne of Green Gables (Tor Classics)
Author:
Genres: Children's Books, Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Children's Books, Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Jennifer P. (jenners) reviewed Delighful and Charming ... Y'ou'll Fall in Love With Anne on + 121 more book reviews
Story Overview
On Prince Edward Island in the little town of Avonlea, brother and sister Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to adopt a young boy to help out around their farm. Both are getting older and know they'll need some help to keep the farm going. They send word to a local woman who is going to the orphanage to bring them home an 11-year-old boy. But when Matthew goes to the train station to pick up the boy, he is surprised to find a young girl -- Anne Shirley.
Shy and tongue-tied around others, Matthew reluctantly agrees to take Anne home until the mix-up can be sorted out. But on the ride home, Anne charms Matthew with her imagination, vivacity and view of the world. By the time they reach the Cuthbert house at Green Gables, he is convinced he wants Anne to stay with them. His sister, Marilla, is not so sure -- but after a few days -- she too falls under Anne's spell and the little orphan girl finds a home in Green Gables.
The book focuses on Anne's coming of age at Green Gables -- her problems with her flaming red hair, her big imagination, her dreaminess and the various escapades and problems caused by all of these aspects of her personality. She finds a "bosom friend" in her neighbor Diana and flourishes at the local school -- except for her long-standing rivalry with Gilbert Blythe (who dared to call her "Carrots" one time.) The book follows Anne until her entry into the Queen's school and eventual return home to Green Gables.
My Thoughts
What can I say? This book was so charming and delightful! I cannot imagine a reader who would not fall in love with Anne -- it is no surprise that all of Avonlea falls under her spell! I know this is considered a children's book, and I wish I had read it when I was Anne's age -- I know I would have just adored her and modeled myself after her!
The writing is just delightful, and Anne's frequent monologues are just so charming. She is the type of person who is so full of life, zest and (most of all) IMAGINATION that you feel yourself drawn to her -- just like Matthew and Marilla. I love that she hates her red hair and freckles, frets about not having puffs on her sleeves, and daydreams while she is supposed to be doing chores. Anne is so relatable and down-to-earth that even a modern day girl could relate to her. After all, what tween girl doesn't fret about the physical attributes that make them different, wish for clothes of the latest fashion and spend inordinate amount of times daydreaming?
The other charm of the book was Anne's love of nature and her constant ecstasy at the beauty around her. I've never been to Prince Edward Island (located in Canada) but the descriptions in the book make it sound like an idyllic and enchanted place. (Of course, Anne could make anything sound amazing and better than life.)
My Final Recommendation
Anne of Green Gables definitely deserves its place as a classic of children's literature. I am so glad I took the time to read it, and I would recommend it unreservedly to a reader looking for a charming and delightful book that hearkens back to a simpler time and space. And if you have a young girl in your life with literary tendencies, I think this would make a wonderful gift! I wish I'd gotten it when I was young!
On Prince Edward Island in the little town of Avonlea, brother and sister Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to adopt a young boy to help out around their farm. Both are getting older and know they'll need some help to keep the farm going. They send word to a local woman who is going to the orphanage to bring them home an 11-year-old boy. But when Matthew goes to the train station to pick up the boy, he is surprised to find a young girl -- Anne Shirley.
Shy and tongue-tied around others, Matthew reluctantly agrees to take Anne home until the mix-up can be sorted out. But on the ride home, Anne charms Matthew with her imagination, vivacity and view of the world. By the time they reach the Cuthbert house at Green Gables, he is convinced he wants Anne to stay with them. His sister, Marilla, is not so sure -- but after a few days -- she too falls under Anne's spell and the little orphan girl finds a home in Green Gables.
The book focuses on Anne's coming of age at Green Gables -- her problems with her flaming red hair, her big imagination, her dreaminess and the various escapades and problems caused by all of these aspects of her personality. She finds a "bosom friend" in her neighbor Diana and flourishes at the local school -- except for her long-standing rivalry with Gilbert Blythe (who dared to call her "Carrots" one time.) The book follows Anne until her entry into the Queen's school and eventual return home to Green Gables.
My Thoughts
What can I say? This book was so charming and delightful! I cannot imagine a reader who would not fall in love with Anne -- it is no surprise that all of Avonlea falls under her spell! I know this is considered a children's book, and I wish I had read it when I was Anne's age -- I know I would have just adored her and modeled myself after her!
The writing is just delightful, and Anne's frequent monologues are just so charming. She is the type of person who is so full of life, zest and (most of all) IMAGINATION that you feel yourself drawn to her -- just like Matthew and Marilla. I love that she hates her red hair and freckles, frets about not having puffs on her sleeves, and daydreams while she is supposed to be doing chores. Anne is so relatable and down-to-earth that even a modern day girl could relate to her. After all, what tween girl doesn't fret about the physical attributes that make them different, wish for clothes of the latest fashion and spend inordinate amount of times daydreaming?
The other charm of the book was Anne's love of nature and her constant ecstasy at the beauty around her. I've never been to Prince Edward Island (located in Canada) but the descriptions in the book make it sound like an idyllic and enchanted place. (Of course, Anne could make anything sound amazing and better than life.)
My Final Recommendation
Anne of Green Gables definitely deserves its place as a classic of children's literature. I am so glad I took the time to read it, and I would recommend it unreservedly to a reader looking for a charming and delightful book that hearkens back to a simpler time and space. And if you have a young girl in your life with literary tendencies, I think this would make a wonderful gift! I wish I'd gotten it when I was young!
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