This month’s book review is for ‘Anne of Green Gables’ by L.M.Montgomery. I am so happy that my sister recommended this. While she was talking about the TV series, I thought she was referring to the book. The reviews say that the TV series is well adapted but I am sure that I would have preferred reading the book before watching the series, even if I knew about it. As Anne would say “there is more scope for imagination” when reading. This book is so delightful that it simply cannot be limited to a particular age group. I think there are eight books in the series and a couple of chronicles. However, Anne reaches adolescence by the end of Book 1 and I am positive that Book 1 will remain the best of the series just because of the fact that it captures the childhood innocence of Anne. It is probably the first time I gave any book 5 stars.
The plot is simple. Mathew and Marilla Cuthbert want to adopt a boy who can assist Mathew with all the manly chores that need to be done at Green Gables, a farm outside Avonlea, Prince Edward Island in Canada. They are baffled when a miscommunication brings them Anne (with an ‘e’ mind you) Shirley, a red haired orphan. Although Mathew finds the girl charming, Marilla is worried about taking her in. Through Anne’s incessant chattering, Marilla discovers that the child is lonely and craves for love. Ultimately, they decide to adopt Anne. And with that begins a roller coaster ride of Anne’s adventures in Avonlea accompanied by her frequent bouts of imagination. Book 1 mostly chronicles Anne’s school life, her merry making with friends and her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, a boy who becomes a permanent victim of Anne’s unforgiving wrath for making fun of her red hair. The book also beautifully portrays how the Cuthberts not only provided Anne a home she longed for but how they found a family in her too.
Right from the start, the narrative flows. Anne is a high strung girl with an equally captivating imagination and a penchant for big words. She perceives the world as a beautiful place and always chooses to see the silver lining. The book is a day to day account of Anne’s life with everyday problems. The ordinariness of the problems is what appealed to me the most. There is no melodrama in the situation itself although Anne describes them in a very colorful manner. Her never ending monologues are very amusing and never seem repetitive. Marilla’s sensible upbringing and Mathew’s occasional pampering can teach a lesson or two to modern day parenting. Even though Anne is impulsive and often lost in day dreams, she is never selfish. She is well aware of her blessings and dutiful towards responsibilities. Anne makes us realize how important it is to never lose the child in us. There is always something good to look forward to. To quote her again,
The plot is simple. Mathew and Marilla Cuthbert want to adopt a boy who can assist Mathew with all the manly chores that need to be done at Green Gables, a farm outside Avonlea, Prince Edward Island in Canada. They are baffled when a miscommunication brings them Anne (with an ‘e’ mind you) Shirley, a red haired orphan. Although Mathew finds the girl charming, Marilla is worried about taking her in. Through Anne’s incessant chattering, Marilla discovers that the child is lonely and craves for love. Ultimately, they decide to adopt Anne. And with that begins a roller coaster ride of Anne’s adventures in Avonlea accompanied by her frequent bouts of imagination. Book 1 mostly chronicles Anne’s school life, her merry making with friends and her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, a boy who becomes a permanent victim of Anne’s unforgiving wrath for making fun of her red hair. The book also beautifully portrays how the Cuthberts not only provided Anne a home she longed for but how they found a family in her too.
Right from the start, the narrative flows. Anne is a high strung girl with an equally captivating imagination and a penchant for big words. She perceives the world as a beautiful place and always chooses to see the silver lining. The book is a day to day account of Anne’s life with everyday problems. The ordinariness of the problems is what appealed to me the most. There is no melodrama in the situation itself although Anne describes them in a very colorful manner. Her never ending monologues are very amusing and never seem repetitive. Marilla’s sensible upbringing and Mathew’s occasional pampering can teach a lesson or two to modern day parenting. Even though Anne is impulsive and often lost in day dreams, she is never selfish. She is well aware of her blessings and dutiful towards responsibilities. Anne makes us realize how important it is to never lose the child in us. There is always something good to look forward to. To quote her again,
“It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.”
