It was fun to get a better insight into the characters and to soak up all the things that the movie omitted or changed. I greatly enjoy L.M. Montgomery's writing here--the touches of humor (some parts were VERY funny!), descriptions of nature, and her ability to understand and express the facets of people and emotions. She just captures it all beautifully. There are so many little insights that really resonated with me.
I also found the book Anne to be different than the movie one. In fact, I find her more likeable in the original source than on screen. I really do love the movie, but sometimes in that she comes off more haughty. In the book she seemed more earnest and endearing.
I also feel like the book lays a better foundation for understanding Marilla's personality. Mainly this is because we are privy to her thoughts here in a way that the movie couldn't convey. (I also thought it was interesting how several of Anne’s “mistakes” are actually Marilla’s—the raspberry cordial and liniment episodes were both just Anne following Marilla’s directions!)
I'm not extremely fond of the Gilbert of the movie, but I LOVE him as portrayed in the books. I am looking forward to reading the next book!
This book is really quite timeless. (Well, despite a few passing maybe-racist remarks. Apparently the residents of Avonlea did not think well of foreigners. I also didn't like the part about that gruesome haunted wood. But, really, those things were so minor they're almost not worth mentioning. Over all, there was very little I didn't like.) The story still feels very fresh, even though it was written over a hundred years ago. I'm so glad that I finally read this and discovered that Anne and I are perhaps more "kindred spirits" than I previously thought.I am looking forward to re-watching the movie now and comparing it to the book!
I'm so glad this challenge motivated me to finally read this! Thanks, Carrie, for hosting it.
P.S. This review was also posted on Goodreads, although I changed a few things.
10 comments:
great review of one of my favorites!
Thank you! :)
You're so right about the book vs the movie. Anne, Marilla and Gilbert are so much better in the book :) I've read this one so many times I can't count them...a definite childhood favourite that has held its own over many rereadings.
I've got to watch the movie again now!! We did have very similar thoughts. I didn't like the whole haunted woods part either, but it didn't seem to be as bad in the book as I thought it would be from watching the movie. I hate that I waited so long to read it! :)
Oh, my, how I miss Anne when I'm in college! Counting down the days until the summer when I can read them again... :-)
It's so nice to hear your thoughts on Anne of Green Gables! I agree, that this book is timeless. There are some books that capture the human spirit so beautifully that the era they were written in doesn't matter.
I'm here from Carrie's. I found the movie first some years ago when it first came out, and that led to reading all the books. I enjoyed reading your thoughts -- they were much the same as mine.
And by the way, I'm delighted to have you join us for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Challenge as well!
Thank you!
I also enjoy the way the format of a book allows access inside characters heads. One of my favorite parts of Anne of Green Gables is when Mrs. Lynde is thinking in exclamation points: "A boy! From Nova Scotia! Well, I never!" (Rough quote from my brain, not the exact words.)
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