A review by penguinna
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

When Marilla and Matthew made the decision to adopt a boy, they never imagined their lives would be turned upside down by a red-haired, imaginative, and endlessly chatty girl who always seems to attract trouble. Little did they know, Anne, spelled with an E, would weave her way into their hearts and make their existence unimaginable without her.

Anne is 11 years old when the book begins, and nearly 17 by its conclusion. That’s why the book feels a little rushed, and it is more like a collection of short stories from Anne’s childhood than a traditional novel. 

In every chapter in the first half of the book, we follow Anne in some funny adventures, from mistakenly putting painkillers instead of vanilla syrup in a pie, to accidentally dying her hair green. We tag along to tea parties with her friends, give magical names to trees and lakes, witness her mistakes, and even meet some of her earliest foes.

During the first half of the book, Anne somewhat annoyed me with her overdramatic behavior. But as she approached adulthood, I found myself regretting not fully appreciating the adventures of young Anne. I could understand Marilla’s tears when she realized how mature that girl was and that the time when she arrived at Green Gables is long gone.

This book is full of charming descriptions of all the beauty Anne sees around her. She is a person who adores her life, and even in the darkest moments of it, she finds love and joy in everything surrounding her. I only wish that this book was a little longer so that every pivotal event of Anne’s life could be explored deeper and in more detail.

I cannot wait to read the next parts of the series and discover what awaits Anne in the future!