Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, Bk 1)
Author:
Genres: Children's Books, Teen & Young Adult
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Author:
Genres: Children's Books, Teen & Young Adult
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Somehow, I missed this series in its entirety (never read it, never watched the many version of it, no plays, etc.) growing up. But I know by now the fine work the folks at Post Hypnotic Press do. So I gave it a try. And I was charmed. In fact, if I was ever a cleaned mouthed, less jaded person, I think I may have been much like Anne. I can be distracted by beetles, I have a tendency to be blunt, and I love the realm of fantasy. Anne is a little heavier on the romance in her likes, but I am sure she and I could be friends.
While it is obvious that the book is set in the early 1900s, with the proper roles of women (like women dont have the legal right to vote), church is a mandatory weekly occurrence, and there was one remark about letting strangers in the house that could be construed as racist (against Italians, which seemed odd to me), these few negatives are balanced out by Annes huge imagination, and the trouble she gets into. This novel spans several years of Annes life, so there are plenty of humorous events to enjoy. Anne hates her red hair, and attempts to dye it black. But it comes out this muddled green. So, they have to shave it off. Haha! I found this pretty humorous, and part of it was because of the location and times. In todays day, green hair, or a bald head isnt so unusual. But for 1909 Canada, wellI expect it was the talk of the village for at least a week.
Besides the humor, there are also scenes of more seriousness that give this tale a weight that many childrens books lack. Anne was an orphan and spent time in several homes before coming to the Cuthberts. Most often, she was set right to work taking care of the children and hence wasnt allowed to be a child herself, to go to school, or attend social events. On one house, she had to contend with an alcoholic. While much of Annes life before the Cuthberts was merely alluded to, there was enough there to let the life experienced reader fill in the gaps.
All in all, I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I found it a good mix of magical innocence of growing up in the countryside and remembered hardship of starting off an orphan. Annes lasting friendships with the people of Avonlea were also quite touching.
While it is obvious that the book is set in the early 1900s, with the proper roles of women (like women dont have the legal right to vote), church is a mandatory weekly occurrence, and there was one remark about letting strangers in the house that could be construed as racist (against Italians, which seemed odd to me), these few negatives are balanced out by Annes huge imagination, and the trouble she gets into. This novel spans several years of Annes life, so there are plenty of humorous events to enjoy. Anne hates her red hair, and attempts to dye it black. But it comes out this muddled green. So, they have to shave it off. Haha! I found this pretty humorous, and part of it was because of the location and times. In todays day, green hair, or a bald head isnt so unusual. But for 1909 Canada, wellI expect it was the talk of the village for at least a week.
Besides the humor, there are also scenes of more seriousness that give this tale a weight that many childrens books lack. Anne was an orphan and spent time in several homes before coming to the Cuthberts. Most often, she was set right to work taking care of the children and hence wasnt allowed to be a child herself, to go to school, or attend social events. On one house, she had to contend with an alcoholic. While much of Annes life before the Cuthberts was merely alluded to, there was enough there to let the life experienced reader fill in the gaps.
All in all, I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I found it a good mix of magical innocence of growing up in the countryside and remembered hardship of starting off an orphan. Annes lasting friendships with the people of Avonlea were also quite touching.
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