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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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:
No
lighthearted
relaxing
I adored this book, and I think it's my favourite of the Anne series so far. It shares the strengths of the previous books in the series (which, however, are dulled somewhat in Anne of Avonlea) of being beautifully, originally, and descriptively written and of having diverse, very well developed, interesting characters—many of whom are women. It unfortunately also shares the disturbing tendency to occasionally include racism toward Roma people, and this is somewhat more evident in this book. This is its one drawback, and although it's more common for its time, it's nevertheless disturbing and moreover out of place with the tone of the series. But Anne of Windy Poplars is very good.
Now that Anne's finished university in Kingsport (Halifax) and is engaged to Gilbert Blythe, she spends three years before her marriage in Summerside, PEI as the principal of its high school. It's a sad departure for Anne and readers both from the familiar characters of the previous novels (those who are gone altogether and those who have greatly diminished roles), but Montgomery makes up for it by introducing a host of new ones (virtually all of whom are women) young and old, tragic and hilarious, doting and spiteful. I won't repeat the points I've made about the previous three Anne books that also apply to Anne of Windy Poplars, but feel free to check out my other reviews if you're curious.
In reading this instalment I came to realize a couple more things I really appreciate in Montgomery's series. I've discussed her gift for developing realistic, touching characters already, but in Anne of Windy Poplars I've realized that she likewise brings to life houses. In Montgomery's novels, houses are not just buildings of various dimensions and styles; they're lively, disperate creatures with unique personalities of their own. The spirit of Green Gables persists in this book, as Anne returns for her summers and Christmases, but Montgomery also introduces us to Windy Poplars—Anne's new home, which is as different from Green Gables as Patty's Place was in Anne of the Island, but which has its own indelible charm. Like the many minor characters, there are other houses that slip in and out of the narrative. One of them is haunted and austere, and it contrasts brilliantly with the warmth of Anne's beloved homes. This is an interesting quality of the series as a whole, but the house-characters are particularly striking in Anne of Windy Poplars.
The second thing this book has made me notice of the series is that the bittersweetness that so appeals to me stems from Montgomery's amazingly realistic grasp of time and human life. These books aren't structured as we conventionally think of novels; their plots meander along sometimes predictably and sometimes shockingly while characters come and go, some leaving more of an impression than others. While Anne & co. enjoy a great deal of luck that sometimes challenges plausibility (as does real life), they also are occasionally thrown into misfortune—and sometimes conclusive resolutions are lacking altogether. This makes the Anne series so nostalgic and stirring in its simplicity, and it strengthens my sense that Montgomery was a very insightful and observant person as well as a talented novelist.
All the strengths of the Anne series are especially palpable in Anne of Windy Poplars, and I look forward to continuing the series and getting even more from it than I already have. Of course I think it's well worth a read for anyone interested!
Now that Anne's finished university in Kingsport (Halifax) and is engaged to Gilbert Blythe, she spends three years before her marriage in Summerside, PEI as the principal of its high school. It's a sad departure for Anne and readers both from the familiar characters of the previous novels (those who are gone altogether and those who have greatly diminished roles), but Montgomery makes up for it by introducing a host of new ones (virtually all of whom are women) young and old, tragic and hilarious, doting and spiteful. I won't repeat the points I've made about the previous three Anne books that also apply to Anne of Windy Poplars, but feel free to check out my other reviews if you're curious.
In reading this instalment I came to realize a couple more things I really appreciate in Montgomery's series. I've discussed her gift for developing realistic, touching characters already, but in Anne of Windy Poplars I've realized that she likewise brings to life houses. In Montgomery's novels, houses are not just buildings of various dimensions and styles; they're lively, disperate creatures with unique personalities of their own. The spirit of Green Gables persists in this book, as Anne returns for her summers and Christmases, but Montgomery also introduces us to Windy Poplars—Anne's new home, which is as different from Green Gables as Patty's Place was in Anne of the Island, but which has its own indelible charm. Like the many minor characters, there are other houses that slip in and out of the narrative. One of them is haunted and austere, and it contrasts brilliantly with the warmth of Anne's beloved homes. This is an interesting quality of the series as a whole, but the house-characters are particularly striking in Anne of Windy Poplars.
The second thing this book has made me notice of the series is that the bittersweetness that so appeals to me stems from Montgomery's amazingly realistic grasp of time and human life. These books aren't structured as we conventionally think of novels; their plots meander along sometimes predictably and sometimes shockingly while characters come and go, some leaving more of an impression than others. While Anne & co. enjoy a great deal of luck that sometimes challenges plausibility (as does real life), they also are occasionally thrown into misfortune—and sometimes conclusive resolutions are lacking altogether. This makes the Anne series so nostalgic and stirring in its simplicity, and it strengthens my sense that Montgomery was a very insightful and observant person as well as a talented novelist.
All the strengths of the Anne series are especially palpable in Anne of Windy Poplars, and I look forward to continuing the series and getting even more from it than I already have. Of course I think it's well worth a read for anyone interested!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This book was okay, but it just wasn't the same as the other Anne books. In my opinion, L.M. Montgomery should have just quit after Anne of the Island, since Anne's story really just seemed to drag from there. She just wasn't the same Anne that we grew to love in the first three books.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No