The first of my epic rereads of 2011 is Anne of Green Gables. Rather than going for a stricter review format, I thought it would be more fun and more likely to succeed if I just wrote my thoughts down. Luckily, this book fits that perfectly and has had my little brain working since I finished it. I can also completely spoil the suspense by telling you right now that I adored this book, one of my ultimate childhood favorites, just as much as an adult.
Almost every little girl who loved to read knows this story; orphan red-headed Anne is sent to Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert by accident. They wanted a boy to help out on the farm, but found themselves with a talkative, dreamy wisp of a child instead. After a day’s acquaintance, and knowing Anne’s dim future prospects, neither Marilla nor Matthew can bear to send her back, so they decide to keep her, leaving Marilla, an old maid, to raise a girl child on her own.
I must have read this book countless times as a child. It’s always been one of my favorites, but I haven’t read it in at least ten years. The number just went up and up as I got older. I’m not sure what drove me away from reading this one as a teenager; I suspect it may have been my early high school love affair with romance novels. Regardless, it was certainly high time for a reread, and the combination of my new Kindle and the excellent Gutenberg project meant I could have the entire series at my disposal whenever I wanted. I never owned the whole series as a kid, though I always longed to, and it’s nice to finally have that sense of completion. Since I don’t have to haul the entire series over the pond to read it, this is much more convenient for me.
Anyway, on to the book. As I mentioned earlier, I completely and unreservedly adored it all over again. There are so many reasons to love it, but naturally the foremost is Anne herself. Vivacious, dreamy, and incredibly intelligent, I think every little girl can see something of themselves in her. She is not only all of us, but she becomes all that we’d like to be, something I never really picked up on reading the book as a kid. She may not be beautiful, she may make mistakes, she may use big over-dramatic words, but she is incredibly loveable and no one can resist her copious amounts of charm. I know I wished to have so many friends at that age; I had some, but never the situation where my best friend was right next door and available to play every day. Anne is so very girlish, longing to have lovely dark hair, dresses with puffed sleeves, and an absence of freckles. She’s easy to relate to because most of us feel like ugly ducklings at 12 and 13; they are such awkward ages. Anne’s trials can help young girls who are similarly not allowed to wear the latest fashions accept that this is a simple reality, and that such rewards will come in time.
What was most interesting was how I remembered the book. I knew some of the big events that were going to happen, but I managed to mix up part of this one with the next, so I kept expecting a few things to happen only to find that they didn’t! Obviously I read Anne of Avonlea more than I thought I did. But even as I remembered where the story was going and what pitfalls were along the way, I also rediscovered so many things and found myself enjoying the journey far more than I would have expected. The entire book is something of an idyll and gives the reader a feeling that the past was a wonderful place. Even though, as I mentioned, Anne has her faults and makes mistakes that cause her to suffer bitterly, most of the book has a rosy glow about it. Life has issues, but they are never insurmountable so long as one is good and honest and does her best. There are always friends, and dreams, and hard work can make these dreams come true. Even that irritating boy you thought you’d always hate can turn out to be a friend. In this respect, it really is the perfect book for a little girl, and I know if I ever have one of my own, my own paper copy will be hers to hopefully cherish as much as I did.
I had thought about rereading this book this year, too, but haven’t accomplished it yet. I haven’t read it since I was about 10 and I am rather curious what my response would be. I also want to reread the sequels…
Kailana´s last post …Six Sentence Saturday
I didn’t read this book until I was an adult and I adored it too! I’m glad to see it stood up to a reread.
I never read this book as a kid, but maybe I should have!
I reread this and the next two in the Anne series last year and have the remainder set up to reread this year. I understand exactly what you mean about remembering things but not exactly how or in what order as they actually occurred in books; Anne’s story is so ingrained in me from childhood that I remembered it as an overall sense, individual memories as if they were my own, rather than a cohesive whole.
Claire (Paperback Reader)´s last post …Bright Young Things
The last time I read this book I was 10 years old! What a great pick for rereading. When I read it as a kid I didn’t like it very much (I think at the time I preferred mystery books), but I think I would love it now. I sure do love the movie adaptations Sullivan made from the books!
Kate {The Parchment Girl}´s last post …How to Keep Your Inner Mess From Trashing Your Outer World by Bill Giovannetti
This makes me wonder how much I would remember of it. I really liked this series as a child as well but I haven’t re-read it since.
Amused´s last post …Like Chatting With An Old Friend!
I loved this series when I was younger. Last year, my daughter and I listened to it on a road trip. We both really enjoyed it.
I also was confused about what happened in which book :-).
Laura @ ImBookingIt´s last post …Review- Moonface by Angela Balcita
Can you believe I’ve never read any of these, nor has my daughter. I think we need to read them together!
Julie P.´s last post …Kid Konnection- Presidents Day Edition
I might be readng this in the very near future for the first time.
I loved these books too and it’s been a while so I may have to add them to the re-read list. Glad to hear they stand up.
Amy´s last post …Sunday Salon – Cookbooks
Aww, I love this! Anne was my “character best friend”, I read the books many times too as a kid. But I haven’t read them in over 10 years, and it’s definitely on my list for the coming year. Your post makes me eager to read them again!
kay´s last post …What I Knit – 3
So glad you still loved this! As a kid we visited L.M. Montgomery’s Green Gables house on Prince Edward Island, which was a dream come true. My mom bought me a straw boater hat that had two red yarn braids coming down the sides – so I could turn myself into Anne. That was pretty exciting
I need to read the books again. Thanks for the reminder!
Carrie C.´s last post …Frontier Blues
I received the audiobook for Christmas and have only listened to the first couple discs, but was happy to see that I found it just as entertaining as when I was a kid too. I own the series in paperback, I just haven’t read the books in a while. The only thing that drives me nuts about the book is that the narrator pronounces Avonlea like she’s talking about the Avon Lady. It throws me every time I hear it.
Alyce´s last post …The Sunday Salon – February 20
You know, I am ashamed to admit that I have not read any of these books, but I did do the right thing and give them to my daughter to read! I am excited to hear that they are available free for the Kindle, as that might just inspire me to pick them up. Something about this series sounds so comfortable and cozy, and I really need to experience them for myself. Thanks for sending me on the search!
zibilee´s last post …Spotlight on Books being featured at the UCF Orlando Book Festival
I reread these books when my niece discovered them 7 or 8 years ago. I loved them just as much too. I suspect I’ll be reading them again when great nieces are looking for a reading buddy for a much-loved series.
Beth F´s last post …Todays Read- To Have and to Kill By Mary Jane Clark
I haven’t read this in over twenty years but I loved it! It was the book that made me fall in love with this time period. I need to re-read it as well, especially since I was so excited to give this book as a Christmas present to my eight-year-old niece!
Coffee and a Book Chick´s last post …Devotion- A Memoir- by Dani Shapiro