Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery

2 reviews

ritsuka's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Ta część dała mi dużo radości, jak na razie najlepsza z serii 😇

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chalkletters's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? No

4.5

As I said to Nickie last weekend, I love all the Anne books so much that I can’t pick a favourite. Anne of Green Gables has the incomparable Matthew, Anne of Avonlea has Miss Lavender, and Anne of the Island has not only the culmination of Anne and Gilbert’s relationship, but also Miss Patty’s Place — one of the many, many places in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s writing that I would live if I could.

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s descriptions never fail to enchant me. She has a way of making places feel absolutely magical, whether they’re an old house owned by two elderly spinsters, a flower-filled wood or an ancient graveyard. Her language is perfectly simple, but she uses colour and beautiful-sounding words which make every page of Anne of the Island a delight, as long as you’re into sort of thing.

The heart of the Anne book is, of course, Anne Shirley herself — the way she’s different from everyone else, feels things more deeply and thinks in unexpected ways. In Anne of the Island, Lucy Maud Montgomery surrounds her with the memorable Phil Gordon and Aunt Jimmie, as well as old favourites Diana and Gilbert. However, not all Anne’s friends stand out so clearly: Priscilla and Stella fade into the background somewhat, becoming difficult to tell apart.

Fittingly for a book set at college, Anne of the Island does show a tendency to lecture. Lucy Maud Montgomery makes more explicit references to a life lived according to the bible than she has in previous books. Many of her messages are just as applicable today and to readers who don’t share Anne’s faith, but not all, which comes as a slightly unexpected surprise.

Anne of the Island is a fabulous book for readers putting down roots in a new place, or looking back at a period of life to set down the lessons learned.

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