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soph22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
Oh, Anne. I love you with all my heart, you are my happy place and you didn’t disappoint in this fourth book. I can’t wait to read the other four!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Misogyny, Body shaming, Bullying, Death of parent, Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Abandonment, Cannibalism, Domestic abuse, and Antisemitism
chalkletters's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
Every Anne book has so many things I love that something I’ve forgotten always pleasantly surprises me. In this case, I’d remembered little Elizabeth, but entirely forgotten about Katherine Brooke, despite the fact that she has exactly the kind of character arc which appeals to me. I love her and I love Nora — both of whom start out being prickly towards Anne, before inevitably softening up.
Anne of Windy Willows feels slightly different from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s previous books. The book consists primarily of ‘extracts’ from Anne’s letters to Gilbert while she’s living in Summerside, so readers are given Anne’s own perspective and descriptions for the first time. This mostly works delightfully, but there are a few sections where Anne supposedly faithfully reports entire paragraphs of other people’s dialogue which stretch credulity somewhat. There are also fewer of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beautifully coloured narrative descriptions of things, but as the previous books still exist to go back to, that’s an acceptable trade-off to get more of Anne’s inner thoughts.
These give the reader a deeper understanding of Anne and how her life (especially her life before Green Gables) shaped her. Lucy Maud Montgomery calls extra attention to this when Katherine explicitly compares her own upbringing with the details of Anne’s history before she was adopted. There have always been hints of this, from as early as Anne telling Diana she didn’t know anybody could love her, but Anne of Windy Willows is the first time the reader is allowed into Anne’s head to see what she thinks of herself.
Anne of Windy Willows is chronologically fourth in the series, but was written seventh, after Rilla of Ingleside, which perhaps explains the almost complete absence of Diana. Her only mention is as part of Katherine’s subplot, to show Katherine’s feelings about babies. While Diana’s marriage and motherhood would naturally change her and Anne’s relationship somewhat, it shouldn’t bring it to such an abrupt and total halt!
Despite a more-than-usually-critical review, Anne of Windy Willows still has all of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s usual charm. Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel is based largely on Anne of Windy Willows and capitalises on some of the best small stories — Pauline Gibson’s day of freedom, Jen Pringle’s betrayal of the amateur dramatics society. I particularly enjoyed seeing how Marilla Cuthbert’s name stands for household competence, even outside of Avonlea.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Cannibalism and Death of parent
kindred_reader's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
3.75
Just as always, Anne is a delight to spend time with. I missed seeing her interact with some of our favorites (Marilla, Davy, Gilbert, etc.) but watching her charm a whole town with her lighthearted spirt and kind heart was a treat. I loved the drama with the Pringles and the young people Anne listened to that had problems similar to her own or at least with just as must enthusiasm. The Aunts and Rebecca Dew were darling and amusing. Little Elizabeth stole my heart from the minute she arrived, and I'm so glad Anne meddled when she did.
It sometimes felt a little tedious to read because I just can't wait for her and Gilbert to be married and live in their house of dreams, but this book isn't worth skimming because the people she met and the experience she had really shaped her. And her letters to Gilbert are something I'm sure formed their relationship for the long three years they were apart.
It sometimes felt a little tedious to read because I just can't wait for her and Gilbert to be married and live in their house of dreams, but this book isn't worth skimming because the people she met and the experience she had really shaped her. And her letters to Gilbert are something I'm sure formed their relationship for the long three years they were apart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Death
ghostly_monstera's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
3.75
Just as always, Anne is a delight to spend time with. I missed seeing her interact with some of our favorites (Marilla, Davy, Gilbert, etc.) but watching her charm a whole town with her lighthearted spirt and kind heart was a treat. I loved the drama with the Pringles and the young people Anne listened to that had problems similar to her own or at least with just as must enthusiasm. The Aunts and Rebecca Dew were darling and amusing. Little Elizabeth stole my heart from the minute she arrived, and I'm so glad Anne meddled when she did.
It sometimes felt a little tedious to read because I just can't wait for her and Gilbert to be married and live in their house of dreams, but this book isn't worth skimming because the people she met and the experience she had really shaped her. And her letters to Gilbert are something I'm sure formed their relationship for the long three years they were apart.
It sometimes felt a little tedious to read because I just can't wait for her and Gilbert to be married and live in their house of dreams, but this book isn't worth skimming because the people she met and the experience she had really shaped her. And her letters to Gilbert are something I'm sure formed their relationship for the long three years they were apart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent
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