Anne of Green Gables by Montogmery is a childhood favorite. The story begins with an orphan girl, Anne. She is mistakenly brought to the Cuthbert’s family when they had asked for a young boy to work the farm. When Marilla finds out what will happen to her if she is sent away, Marilla grudgingly agrees to keep Anne, to educate and to bring her up as a good Christian girl.

Marilla and Matthew quickly fall in love with her, even though she has a tendency to get into scrapes. This decision causes the Cuthberts good name to be slandered a bit and causes them much stress too. Or laughter like when Anne accidentally dyed her hair green on accident. Anne’s hair color, or rather Anne’s stubborn hatred of its flame red color, is the cause of not just a few mishaps, including her eternal loathing on a boy – Gilbert. He calls her ‘carrot top’ shortly after meeting her. He had only intended to get this cute girl’s attention but flared her temper instead. Will it ever be cooled enough for her to see she might find a kindred spirit in him? One person it didn’t take long for her to love is Diana Barry – her kindred spirit forever. (Or at least thats what the first book says, and as I mentioned later is an idea that was lost in the later books).

Will Anne ever act like the smart girl we know she is? Will she turn into the good Christian Marilla expects? Will the Cuthberts be forever shamed and regret their decision to take her in? What will happen to the family without the extra help? Will Green Gables ever be the same again?

I think this book contains some delightful prose. Anne doesn’t just weep, she “burst into tears she did. Sitting down on a chair by the table, flinging her arms upon it, and burying her face in them, she proceeded to cry stormily.” The movies don’t begin to compare with the florid writing and imaginative written world described here.

The bad thing about the story was the the lack of plot and the lack of any developed character other than Anne. I grew tired of her story before the series ended. I think a good supporting cast is incredibly valuable to a successful series. In a single piece like the first book, it isn’t necessary, but as the series continued, the author should have continued developing a few key supporting characters. I can’t say I saw a huge theme either except to not be so vain or stubborn, or … you’ll see from this story where it gets you.

Kate

Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery
(c) 1908, Grosset & Dunlap
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
299 Pages