“Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables #1)” by L. M. Montgomery
Genre: Children’s Fiction, Classic, Coming of Age
Source: Library Book Sale
Other Anne of Green Gables books
Summary from Goodreads:
As soon as Anne Shirley arrived at the snug, white farmhouse called Green Gables, she knew she wanted to stay forever… but would the Cuthberts send her back to the orphanage? Anne knows she’s not what they expected — a skinny girl with decidedly red hair and a temper to match. If only she could convince them to let her stay, she’d try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes or blurt out the very first thing she had to say. Anne was not like anybody else, everyone at Green Gables agreed; she was special — a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreamed of the day when she could call herself Anne of Green Gables.
This book is absolutely charming. I knew other people said it was charming and sweet but I thought I was stronger than them. I should be able to restrain myself from falling for Anne! That didn’t work.
I was surprised by how much I was charmed by Anne because in theory I shouldn’t have liked the book. First of all, it’s a ‘classic’ book which I still struggle with reading. I’m getting better at it but classics are difficult for me to get through. Secondly, Anne of Green Gables is what I call a “plot-less story” (or I guess you could call it more of a coming of age story?). It just takes you from point A to point B. I’m a huge plot girl so not having a defined plot usually annoys me to no end. Thirdly, Anne is so radically different than me. I was sure she was going to annoy me to no end. She can and will talk your head off while I’m much more content to listen to you talk. Despite all that I still managed to fall for the book and her.
Is it possible for someone to read this book and not like Anne? She is too cute. I loved how dramatic she was. She was completely over the top but it worked for her. I know people like that so I could see Anne come to life. Yes, she talked a lot and I do mean a LOT but it helped develop her character. I really got to know her and how her life has been. She soon felt like an old friend.
Like I said, there’s not much of a plot but it worked for the story. You can take a break from your busy life (and reading life) to take a step back into a quieter and simpler time. It was nice to go at a slower speed. I was a bit surprised that the book was able to make me a bit nostalgic for a time and place I’ve never been. I wanted to go with Anne to school and walk over to Diana’s. I actually liked that each chapter was a bit like a short story. That made picking up the book whenever I could much easier. I really enjoyed the ‘stories’ of her getting Diana drunk and Anne dyeing her hair green!
I really should have read this book as a kid. I once was a skinny little girl with red hair and freckles like Anne and I remember hating it. Young me and Anne would have a lot to talk about. It’s hilarious to read as an adult because I’ve grown to love it.
The bottom line? It’s an incredibly charming book. I’m so glad that I got to read it! I hope you decide to read it if you haven’t already.
Are the rest of the books as charming?
This was read for Book Hoarders Anonymous. Feel free to come chat with us about the book!
Other reviews: Just Book Reading, Don’t Take My Books Away
The Cheap Reader 
The movies for this are really cute as well, and were one of the few cases where I’ve liked a movie even more than a book.
Thanks for the tip about the movies! I guess I’ll have to look into that.
I have loved this book since I was a child- it is gorgeous. I love how descriptive and innocent it is! I love how Anna is so imaginative and whimsical! Whenever I need cheering up I go to this book. Have you read the others in the series? They are good as well but never as good as this one x
This may become one of my ‘cheer up’ books. I haven’t read the other books. Maybe in the future!
She is totally charming! And I too have a mental block about classics, which is why I keep putting this one off, even though I am actually enjoying it!
I guess we need to get past our mental block! We’re missing out on some good books.
Yes. And reading classics will build character! (At least that is what one of my profs in college said…)
I like the first couple of sequels to the Anne books better than the later ones. But they’re all enjoyable. I prefer the Emily series, and many of LM Montgomery’s standalones — The Blue Castle is absolutely wonderful, and Jane of Lantern Hill is really sweet.
I’ll have to check those books out. Thanks for the tip, Jenny!
I am glad you got a chance to read this book! I read it for the first time when I was about 8 and I felt so accomplished. 🙂
I’m glad I got to read it as well! It’s a sweet story. I’ll definitely want to share this with my future daughters.
Now imagine a trip to Prince Edward Island where you ca truly appreciate the writings of Lucy Maud Montgomery and her character Anne of Green Gables. As much as you loved the books or movies, you will fall in love with our blissfully, gentle Island.
I’d love to take a trip there. It’s so dramatically different than where I live. I don’t know if I could fully appreciate the beauty unless it’s in person.
You won’t want to leave. So if you decide to come, pack extra! http://tourismpei.com
I’ve just finished rereading this book – I have been in love with it since I first read it at the age of about 8 (hence all the comments on your posts.) I think Anne Shirley is the first character I ever met in a book who seemed really real, someone who reminded me uncannily of myself, so much so that looking back on my childhood it’s sometimes hard to work out where Anne stops and I start. (I realise that sounds very odd indeed.) Even now I find myself hard pressed to find any character I can identify so well, and I’ve read hundreds of books since I was 8.
I can see why she stuck with you so well. I too have read many books in my life but Anne is one of the few that could step off of the page and be a full, complete person.
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I adore this book!! Anne Shirley vindicates myself for me!! 😀 (Though when I first read it, I didn’t realize I’m so like Anne. I found her a bit annoying at first, ha!)
I thought I was going to be SO annoyed by her since she’s quite a bit different than I am. She completely charmed me though.
Wonderful review! Thanks for linking to my blog review of Anne of Green Gables as well. 🙂
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