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

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

Anne of Green Gables is about a young girl named Anne (spelled with an E), who is selected from an orphan asylum to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert at Green Gables. However, once she arrives, it seems that the Cuthbert's had wished for a boy to help with their farm, and not a small little girl after all. This book follows the next few years of Anne's life as she slowly falls into place in Avonlea and within the hearts of Matthew and Marilla.

I have read this book once before, but could not remember any of it, and so had the wonderful experience of feeling like I was reading it for the first time. These characters and this small corner of the world have wrapped me up in a big autumn-like hug. There are none of the characters that I felt I disliked (except perhaps that male teacher), and I felt truly sorry for Anne as she learnt some painful mistakes while growing up. LMM's writing style is incredible. I know there are many other authors who can make you feel 'as if you were there' but she truly makes me feel that I am living it. That I can reach out and touch the Lake of Shining Waters and even Green Gables itself. 
At the end, when Matthew dies, I felt Anne's hollow grief with her. No one could argue that he was the kindest and truest of those in Avonlea, and LMM is really toying with us for killing him off in only the first book of the series!


This book reminds us that we could all stand to stop, look at nature, and imagine up something wonderful from time to time, while the busy world moves all around us.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings