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litliz's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexism, Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Classism, Grief, and Misogyny
camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Classism, Bullying, Death of parent, Alcohol, Death, and Medical content
emilytalitha's review against another edition
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
5.0
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: Child abuse, Racism, Fatphobia, Medical content, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.0
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: Abandonment, Alcohol, Death, Medical content, Bullying, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Body shaming
risten's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Classism, Bullying, Child abuse, and Grief
Minor: Medical content, Alcohol, and Adult/minor relationship
sir_ren's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
read this book as an adult because of Ruby Granger on Yt. it was enjoyable for sure but probably would have been a better experience as a kid.
the description of Avonlea is beautiful. the ambiance, the vibes - immaculate
speaking of which, lots of Christian or whatever kinda old-timey moralism in the book, some of it is treated irreverently and refuted but still, something to be aware of before diving in
the character Anne Shirley is fantastic. i didn't find her rambles boring but your mileage may vary. and it's not like that for the whole book
also, it is written for children so it feels a little simplistic and implausible when you read it as a grown-up, especially toward the end
but it was alright
and there are old and conservative attitudes about pretty much everything, but the book did come out over a 100 years ago so please be wary of that
the book manages to convey really well how everything that seems silly later on feels of vital importance when you were a child. the farewell scene between Anne and Diana is pretty funny to read
"... God made my hair red on purpose, and I've never cared about Him since." Iconic.
also, Anne acts pretty stone-cold towards Gilbert in the beginning which was fun to read.
the feeling and tone of the book shift pretty quickly towards the end and Anne grows up a lot in very few chapters. so the pacing is a bit off there.
the 'it's wonderful to be alive in a beautiful world' vibe shifts to ' no matter what happens, we will forge a path or alternate ones in our lives- there is nothing end all be all in life'
i feel like these ideas could've been better conveyed as 2 separate books- the first for the naïve child and one for a slightly older kid.
the description of Avonlea is beautiful. the ambiance, the vibes - immaculate
speaking of which, lots of Christian or whatever kinda old-timey moralism in the book, some of it is treated irreverently and refuted but still, something to be aware of before diving in
the character Anne Shirley is fantastic. i didn't find her rambles boring but your mileage may vary. and it's not like that for the whole book
also, it is written for children so it feels a little simplistic and implausible when you read it as a grown-up, especially toward the end
but it was alright
and there are old and conservative attitudes about pretty much everything, but the book did come out over a 100 years ago so please be wary of that
the book manages to convey really well how everything that seems silly later on feels of vital importance when you were a child. the farewell scene between Anne and Diana is pretty funny to read
"... God made my hair red on purpose, and I've never cared about Him since." Iconic.
also, Anne acts pretty stone-cold towards Gilbert in the beginning which was fun to read.
the feeling and tone of the book shift pretty quickly towards the end and Anne grows up a lot in very few chapters. so the pacing is a bit off there.
the 'it's wonderful to be alive in a beautiful world' vibe shifts to ' no matter what happens, we will forge a path or alternate ones in our lives- there is nothing end all be all in life'
i feel like these ideas could've been better conveyed as 2 separate books- the first for the naïve child and one for a slightly older kid.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Sexism, Fatphobia, Medical content, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
chaoticnostalgia's review against another edition
inspiring
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol and Medical content
soph22's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Racial slurs, and Racism
rory_john14's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol, Medical content, Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Mental illness, and Fatphobia
lucyselim's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
Anne of Green Gables is about a young girl named Anne (spelled with an E), who is selected from an orphan asylum to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert at Green Gables. However, once she arrives, it seems that the Cuthbert's had wished for a boy to help with their farm, and not a small little girl after all. This book follows the next few years of Anne's life as she slowly falls into place in Avonlea and within the hearts of Matthew and Marilla.
I have read this book once before, but could not remember any of it, and so had the wonderful experience of feeling like I was reading it for the first time. These characters and this small corner of the world have wrapped me up in a big autumn-like hug. There are none of the characters that I felt I disliked (except perhaps that male teacher), and I felt truly sorry for Anne as she learnt some painful mistakes while growing up. LMM's writing style is incredible. I know there are many other authors who can make you feel 'as if you were there' but she truly makes me feel that I am living it. That I can reach out and touch the Lake of Shining Waters and even Green Gables itself.
At the end, when Matthew dies, I felt Anne's hollow grief with her. No one could argue that he was the kindest and truest of those in Avonlea, and LMM is really toying with us for killing him off in only the first book of the series!
This book reminds us that we could all stand to stop, look at nature, and imagine up something wonderful from time to time, while the busy world moves all around us.
I have read this book once before, but could not remember any of it, and so had the wonderful experience of feeling like I was reading it for the first time. These characters and this small corner of the world have wrapped me up in a big autumn-like hug. There are none of the characters that I felt I disliked (except perhaps that male teacher), and I felt truly sorry for Anne as she learnt some painful mistakes while growing up. LMM's writing style is incredible. I know there are many other authors who can make you feel 'as if you were there' but she truly makes me feel that I am living it. That I can reach out and touch the Lake of Shining Waters and even Green Gables itself.
This book reminds us that we could all stand to stop, look at nature, and imagine up something wonderful from time to time, while the busy world moves all around us.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Bullying