Book Review: Anne Of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

This book, considered a classic, follows 11-year-old Anne Shirley and her adventures after moving in with siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. The Cuthberts had reached out to an orphanage in need of a boy who could work around the farm, and they would provide housing and food. In a shocking turn of events, they end up with Anne, who is adventurous, imaginative, and quick to share how she feels to whoever is listening. Although written in 1908 and regarded as a children’s story, it has elements that will always apply to being a girl regardless of what age you are. With so many characters and relationships, the story is relevant for readers of any age. Anne of Green Gables is a story about found family, female friendship, first love, and the importance of staying true to oneself. It truly deserves a high ranking. The dialogue flows seamlessly, enabling the reader to fully comprehend the characters through their words. The characters are well-rounded and realistic, even those that aren’t the main characters. Anne might be one of the most likable young women characters in literature. She’s imperfect and makes mistakes, but is quick to fix and learn from them. She encourages those around her to be creative, longs for more from life, and is quick to befriend someone she considers “a kindred spirit.” The book falls short of a perfect five ranking because it leaves the reader wanting more. The good thing is that this book is the first in a series, so it doesn’t have to be over yet, with eight books in total. To see how the characters are portrayed on screen, you can check out a movie with the same name that came out in 1985 and a show on Netflix based on the series called Anne With An E, which comprises three seasons. I suggest that everyone grab this book and fall in love with Anne, The Cuthberts, and the rest of their stories. Parents of young kids can enjoy reading this book aloud to their children to work through the more difficult topics of death, religion, and societal expectations. Anne of Green Gables is a classic for a reason with lessons that everyone can gain wisdom from.