sometimes_iread 's review for:

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery

3.0

hopeful inspiring relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Finally! Our one true pair is finally together! It only took yet another book and Anne’s entire college education for us to get there. 

Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery follows Anne as she leaves Avonlea to earn her bachelor’s degree. There, she meets new friends and has a full social calendar, all the while maintaining good grades. I stan a good overachiever. Of course, ladies of her age at that time would also have to consider their next steps in life, so courting played a big part in this book. It is in this department that Anne doesn’t quite know her heart and thus, keeps making mistakes that she regrets after. 

I really appreciated Montgomery’s emphasis on higher education for females. It probably wasn’t that commonplace for women to pursue their studies beyond what was necessary for basic employment during that day and age. This was reflected in some of the minor characters’ views but for the most part, the ladies in this book were well-supported in their educational pursuits which is just lovely. That combined with the way Anne’s romance starts in earnest only after she graduates makes me think that Montgomery truly values education. An inspiration indeed!

Talking about the romance, I’m still annoyed that it took Anne and Gilbert the whole book to finally get to where everyone could see they should be. Thank heavens for well-meaning friends and typhus I guess! 

Diversity in literature:

Orphan characters