Book of the Week #35 "Anne of Green Gables"

Anne of Green Gables

by L.M. Montgomery

I've already written a post about my love for Anne of Green Gables and the franchise, but seeing that this is my favorite series of all time, I definitely wanted to feature each book in the weekly installment, Book of the Week. Hope you enjoy!

Anne Shirley has been an orphan since she was a young child. Throughout her young life, she has been sent to numerous homes, most of which were run by women whom had an abundance of children (Anne claiming she always gets stuck with twins) and Anne was left to care for them. After the man of the home she has been living in most recently died, she has been sent to an orphanage.

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert are brother and sister who never married. They've spent their lives caring for their family home, Green Gables. Yet they're now getting on in years and find they need help with their farm. They send word with a neighbor who is to adopt a child from the orphanage that they would like to adopt a boy, around the age of eleven. Yet when Matthew goes to pick up their boy, he's surprised to find a red haired girl who immediately begins talking his ear off. As they drive back to Green Gables, the shy and reserved Matthew happily listens to talkative Anne's ponderings. Yet Marilla isn't too thrilled with the mistake. After Anne pleads with her, Marilla decides she will let Anne stay until she can find a new home for her. A neighbor has recently lost her husband and is left with a house full of children, but when Marilla takes Anne to meet her, she knows there is no way she can leave the girl with the woman. She decides that Anne can stay, as long as she is good.

Throughout the years, we see Anne get into mischief unintentionally, her temper cause her issues, and watch as she wins the hearts of those around her. She finally finds the "bosom friend" she's always longed for in Dianna Barry and a rival in Gilbert Blythe. She thrives in school, dreaming of writing and finding a man who "isn't really wicked, but could be if he wanted to."

I think the appeal of Anne Shirley is that she's so relatable. Who hasn't felt lonely and longed for a friend? All of us have felt excluded at some time. And all of us have had our obstacles to face like Anne with her temper. She's imperfect and that's why we're drawn to her. We see something of ourselves in her. And you can't help but love the girl who's always finding beauty in the things around, eloquently defining those she loves best.

I give this book a 5 out 5.

You might also like: An Ode to Anne