May 17, 2005 10:37 PM
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(Updated May 17, 2005 10:41 PM)
Some years ago, while on a ''book shopping'' trip with my sis, I picked up a book not knowing I would be so addicted to it that the coming years would see me running from one store/library to the other, searching for the rest of the series. I must confess I found the first part (read first chapter) a bit boring but thankfully I read on. For classic lovers, this would prove a hearty and tasty book to relish.
Plot: -
''The ageing brother sister couple of Marilla and Mathew Cuthbert who live at green gables in the village of Avonlea decide to adopt a boy from a known orphanage but they send a girl-Anne Shirley by mistake. The red haired Anne (spelled with an -e if you please, as she would have said) captures the affection of quiet old Mathew who doesn’t have the heart to send her back. His crispy and practical sister Marilla though initially shows displeasure, relents eventually. Soon the constant never ending chatter of Anne adds charm not only to the life of the couple but to the whole of the sleepy town of Avonlea.''
Its impossible not to fall in love with the Avonlea folk, from the gossiping but good natured Mrs Rachael Lynde, Quiet old Mathew, stern Marilla to the dimpling Diana Barry (Anne's closest friend), and Gilbert Blythe (Marilla's old flame's son). Like any cherishable classic, the book gives you its share of laughter & joy, along with a bit of sorrow.
I suppose I am too small a person to comment on a known writer's writing style. What I can say is L.M.Montgomary has the charm to make even middle-aged ladies' gossip sound really interesting. Every character in the book is well sketched and you feel like you have always known them (if you know what I mean).
Similar books that I have read include, ''Pollyanna'', ''Rebecca of Sunnybrook farm.'' etc the former has been made into a movie and Pollyanna is famous as the little glad girl. But neither of them can match Anne.
''Anne of Green Gables'' is followed by 7 more titles: -
Anne of Avonlea
Anne of the Island
4.Anne of windy poplars
5.Anne's House of Dreams
6.Anne of Ingleside
7.Rainbow Valley
- Rilla of Ingleside.
The 5th book sees Anne married, the next one 15 years past. The last 2 books has little of Anne and more of her children. ''Rilla of Ingleside'' is more about the effects of WWI on the country. The first 3 books are the best of the 8.
