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adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Grief
adventurous
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables is a highly whimsical, wholesome, and enjoyable read. The story is set in the idyllic and salubrious setting of Prince Edward Island, Canada, which perfectly complements the spirited nature of its eponymous protagonist.
Anne Shirley is an exceptionally compelling character. Her vivacity, vim, and ceaseless prolixity make her an endlessly charming protagonist, and indeed, are no doubt the reason she is such a beloved literary character. From her very first introduction, Anne's boundless imagination and spirited personality captured my heart.
A highlight of my read of the book was witnessing Anne's growth and maturation into a (slightly) more well-rounded individual. Throughout the novel, we see Anne navigate various trials and tribulations, gradually learning to temper her impulsive nature with a deeper sense of empathy.
Equally enchanting is the development of Anne's relationships with her adoptive parents, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Matthew's quiet, unconditional support and Marilla's initially stern but ultimately loving guidance provide a heartwarming backdrop to Anne's journey. Their evolving dynamics speak to the power of love and family (biological or adoptive).
Slightly hampered by some excessive melodrama, and unrealistic in its quixotism, the novel’s overall charm nonetheless earns it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Anne Shirley is an exceptionally compelling character. Her vivacity, vim, and ceaseless prolixity make her an endlessly charming protagonist, and indeed, are no doubt the reason she is such a beloved literary character. From her very first introduction, Anne's boundless imagination and spirited personality captured my heart.
A highlight of my read of the book was witnessing Anne's growth and maturation into a (slightly) more well-rounded individual. Throughout the novel, we see Anne navigate various trials and tribulations, gradually learning to temper her impulsive nature with a deeper sense of empathy.
Equally enchanting is the development of Anne's relationships with her adoptive parents, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Matthew's quiet, unconditional support and Marilla's initially stern but ultimately loving guidance provide a heartwarming backdrop to Anne's journey. Their evolving dynamics speak to the power of love and family (biological or adoptive).
Slightly hampered by some excessive melodrama, and unrealistic in its quixotism, the novel’s overall charm nonetheless earns it a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia, Racism
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny
Minor: Fatphobia
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is the book you’ve probably heard about. At its heart, this is a coming-of-age story filled with blooming orchards, small-town warmth and a LOT of humour! L. M. Montgomery’s writing is lyrical but effortlessly readable. You will find yourself flying through the pages.
The series focuses on Anne’s childhood and misadventures including over-dramatic declarations, tea parties and imagination.
And many, many quotes. I can’t tell you how many quotes I’ve highlighted in this book. I bet you know some of them already but perhaps never realized they’re from this book.
While the book is often celebrated for its humour and whimsy, it also carries an emotional depth that sneaks up on you. Especially towards the end. So be prepared with a tissue box!
The series focuses on Anne’s childhood and misadventures including over-dramatic declarations, tea parties and imagination.
And many, many quotes. I can’t tell you how many quotes I’ve highlighted in this book. I bet you know some of them already but perhaps never realized they’re from this book.
While the book is often celebrated for its humour and whimsy, it also carries an emotional depth that sneaks up on you. Especially towards the end. So be prepared with a tissue box!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Fatphobia, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Racism, Sexism
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not sure what I can say about this book that hasn’t been said at one time or other over the many years. It’s a classic for a reason.
But as someone who likes very few classics, there really is something special about this one. Lucy Maud Montgomery created a wonderfully eccentric and fascinating cast of characters in the Avonlea gang, with an extremely compelling, relatable, and unique protagonist in Anne.
For the time this book was written, especially, Anne is such a wonderfully complex and rich character. She was so ahead of her time in so many ways– definitely neurodivergent coded, undoubtedly a sufferer of maladaptive daydreaming, no doubt a direct result of her trauma, and a girl who wasn’t afraid to question things that everyone else blindly accepts even when it seems a little radical. For when this book was written, that’s INCREDIBLE, and it’s a real testament to the author that she was able to write a character so realistically and make her so relatable even in a time where a lot of the language we’d use to describe her now didn’t exist.
I love the philosophies Anne comes up with throughout the book, and I love her perspective on religion and how personal and emotional it is compared to how rigid, formal, and unfeeling the other characters’ are. I love how she thinks so deeply about everything, a true overthinker just like all of us in 2024. She’s just so unique in everything and yet so relatable. This was a favorite book (& the movie too) of mine as a child and rereading it now I can really see how formative Anne was to my personality. So much of what I grew up to be is just her, and I’m grateful for her influence.
This book also contains one of the most scrumptious and satisfying slow burn enemies to rivals to lovers arcs of all time. Well, I say this book, but it’s SO slow burn that you don’t even get into the lovers part until the sequels, but so many hints of it are already there even in this book. Seriously, Anne and Gilbert are the BLUEPRINT. I’m obsessed with them, truly. If you’re an enemies to lovers girlie and wanting to get into classics but don’t know where to start, start here. They will change your life.
There are certain aspects of this book that didn’t age well. Very brief moments of casual racism & fatphobia that I found very uncomfortable to read, as well as bits about the politics and culture of the time period that are a little confusing if you’re not a historian. Both of these things are very minor and hardly mentioned in the book but they are present, so it’s good to be aware going in. I think with classics it’s so important to love them for what they are but also to acknowledge their flaws.
This book is such a classic, though, and I’ve had such a fun time revisiting it. It always feels like coming home when returning to Avonlea 💚
But as someone who likes very few classics, there really is something special about this one. Lucy Maud Montgomery created a wonderfully eccentric and fascinating cast of characters in the Avonlea gang, with an extremely compelling, relatable, and unique protagonist in Anne.
For the time this book was written, especially, Anne is such a wonderfully complex and rich character. She was so ahead of her time in so many ways– definitely neurodivergent coded, undoubtedly a sufferer of maladaptive daydreaming, no doubt a direct result of her trauma, and a girl who wasn’t afraid to question things that everyone else blindly accepts even when it seems a little radical. For when this book was written, that’s INCREDIBLE, and it’s a real testament to the author that she was able to write a character so realistically and make her so relatable even in a time where a lot of the language we’d use to describe her now didn’t exist.
I love the philosophies Anne comes up with throughout the book, and I love her perspective on religion and how personal and emotional it is compared to how rigid, formal, and unfeeling the other characters’ are. I love how she thinks so deeply about everything, a true overthinker just like all of us in 2024. She’s just so unique in everything and yet so relatable. This was a favorite book (& the movie too) of mine as a child and rereading it now I can really see how formative Anne was to my personality. So much of what I grew up to be is just her, and I’m grateful for her influence.
This book also contains one of the most scrumptious and satisfying slow burn enemies to rivals to lovers arcs of all time. Well, I say this book, but it’s SO slow burn that you don’t even get into the lovers part until the sequels, but so many hints of it are already there even in this book. Seriously, Anne and Gilbert are the BLUEPRINT. I’m obsessed with them, truly. If you’re an enemies to lovers girlie and wanting to get into classics but don’t know where to start, start here. They will change your life.
There are certain aspects of this book that didn’t age well. Very brief moments of casual racism & fatphobia that I found very uncomfortable to read, as well as bits about the politics and culture of the time period that are a little confusing if you’re not a historian. Both of these things are very minor and hardly mentioned in the book but they are present, so it’s good to be aware going in. I think with classics it’s so important to love them for what they are but also to acknowledge their flaws.
This book is such a classic, though, and I’ve had such a fun time revisiting it. It always feels like coming home when returning to Avonlea 💚
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Racism, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My first classic since childhood, this was creative, well written and imaginative. There was a LOT of dialogue which was a bit too much at times but it was overall enjoyable.
Anne Shirley is such a loveable character and her and Manilas growth together is adorable. Definitely a great entry way classic if you can handle the excessive amount of dialogue.
Anne Shirley is such a loveable character and her and Manilas growth together is adorable. Definitely a great entry way classic if you can handle the excessive amount of dialogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail