[Book Review]: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables
first edition cover
Source: Wikipedia

Book Title: Anne of Green Gables

Author: Lucy M. Montgomery

Publisher: Penerbit Qanita

Source: Purchased

Genre: Classics

Year: 2008

Page Count: 513

ISBN: 9789793269863

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My rating: 4.0 out of 5.0

Goodread's Blurb:

Everyone's favorite redhead, the spunky Anne Shirley, begins her adventures at Green Gables, a farm outside Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. When the freckled girl realizes that the elderly Cuthberts wanted to adopt a boy instead, she begins to try to win them and, consequently, the reader, over.

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"Oh, I like things to have handles even if they are only geraniums. It makes them seem more like people. How do you know but that it hurts a geranium’s feelings just to be called a geranium and nothing else? You wouldn't like to be called nothing but a woman all the time. Yes, I shall call it Bonny." - Anne

A brief quote from Anne which I think describes her personality the best. Consists ofthirty eight chapters, this book recounts about Anne Shirley and her life in Avonlea after being adopted by the siblings; Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert.

Marilla and Matthew intended to send Anne back to her orphanage, since they wanted a boy instead of a girl. Matthew, who instantly likes Anne since the day he picked her up at the station, wants her to stay at the Green Gables. However Marilla insists to return Anne, although she lets the child stay for a few days. During that time, her heart softened and thus concerned of Anne's wellbeing if she has to keep moving from one family to other family. Marilla then decides to let her stay permanently at Green Gables and raise her with Matthew.

At Green Gables, Anne makes best friend with Diana Barry, who has the same hobby of reading books, and meet Gilbert Blythe, her classmate who always teases her. Not everybody likes Anne, moreover with her outspoken and spirited trait. But Anne can handle that and thus touches everyone's heart at Avonlea little by little. Such as for example Mrs. Barry, Diana's mother, who instantly pegs her as a troublemaker after accidentally getting Diana drunk for giving her what Anne thinks is a raspberry juice but is currant wine. Mrs Barry then forbids her daughter to associate with Anne. But of course Anne always knows the way how to make people like her! At the end, Mrs Barry accepts Anne and even appreciates her as a family friend. There are other amusing and heart-warming story from Anne's daily lives as you open the page.

This Anne Shirley's serial consists of six volumes: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams and Anne of Ingleside.

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I didn't have any special reasons when I decided to buy this book. I was visiting a local book store when I saw a set of shelves especially for displaying the Anne of Green Gables serial. I was interested when I noticed that the each serial's cover is very colourful. As I checked the serial order, I decided to get the first volume first.

I really like the plot and theme of the book. A simple story about a girl who has lots of imaginations and how she touches everyone's heart. Through her unique demeanor and her various adventures, the author has so many profound moral messages to deliver to the readers. Such as when Anne thinks that she is so lucky to not have luxury things, since she will still have her imagination in tact.

I love the relationship between Anne and Marilla too. How Marilla is skeptical about Anne and eventually she grows very fond of the girl, although she hides it with her strict behavior. Even Marilla often feels Green Gables turns out to be dreary without Anne's presence. I think the author describes the process between Anne and Marilla's relationship more than Anne and Matthew's despite the remarks that both of them are really close. I just could not catch the chemistry between them. I like the interaction between Anne and Gilbert too and really curious about how the author brings their relationship.

Below are some quotes I like from the book:

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?"

"We ARE rich," said Anne staunchly. "Why, we have sixteen years to our credit, and we're happy as queens, and we've all got imaginations, more or less. Look at that sea, girls—all silver and shadow and vision of things not seen. We couldn't enjoy its loveliness any more if we had millions of dollars and ropes of diamonds."

"But really, Marilla, one can't stay sad very long in such an interesting world, can one?"

"I've done my best, and I begin to understand what is meant by 'the joy of strife'. Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing."