Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1) in 100 books to read before you die

Nov 12, 2011 Kathy rated it it was amazing

Absolutely on of my favorite books. I love Anne so much and feel so connected to her. I love her imagination and her strong spirit. This book is such a delight every time I read it.

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Jun 23, 2013 Vanessa rated it it was amazing

Anne of Green Gables, the 1985 movie, was one of my absolute favorites as a kid. I probably drove my grandmother to the brink of madness with my constant requests to go 'down town' to to the video store to rent it. I fancied that Anne (spelled with an 'e') and I were kindred spirits, since we both loved books so much. Many years later, I still recall being completely in awe of Anne in a frilly, puff-sleeved white dress giving her recitation of Sir Alfred Noyes' The Highwayman. In fact, The Highw Anne of Green Gables, the 1985 movie, was one of my absolute favorites as a kid. I probably drove my grandmother to the brink of madness with my constant requests to go 'down town' to to the video store to rent it. I fancied that Anne (spelled with an 'e') and I were kindred spirits, since we both loved books so much. Many years later, I still recall being completely in awe of Anne in a frilly, puff-sleeved white dress giving her recitation of Sir Alfred Noyes' The Highwayman. In fact, The Highwayman is probably one of the first poems I ever read on purpose, and remains a favorite of mine today.

For all of my love of the made-for-TV movie, it's hard to believe that I've never read the book on which it was based. Sometimes, stories that are so precious and wonderful as a child can't be appreciated in the same way as an adult. I was afraid that I had missed the boat on the simple enjoyment of so many classic stories (as was the case with The Adventures of Tom Sawyer), and this one in particular. This year, I'm making an effort to read some of the classics that I somehow never read, and this was near the top of the to-read list. I'm so glad I did.

Anne of Green Gables exceeded all of my expectations. It is a sweet and simple story about a remarkable orphan girl who finds a family in an unlikely place. However, the book is so much more than the plot. Anne Shirley annoyed me with her ceaseless chatter, made me roll my eyes at her high theatrics, laugh at her foibles, and even sniffle a little at her sorrows. Most importantly though, she reminded me to stop and appreciate the sheer beauty in everything around me.

"...'Dear old world', she murmured, 'you are very lovely and I am glad to be alive in you'..."

I can't help but think that this old world would be a much better place if more people thought like Anne Shirley.

I listened to the audio version, narrated by Shelly Frasier, who will now and forevermore be the voice of Anne Shirley in my head. Fantastic narration.

******

ETA: I felt a hankering to watch the movie again, so I went to Netflix, where I realized that AoGG was actually the first in a TRILOGY of TV movies!!! Hmmm.... did grandma hide that from me on purpose??? ...more

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Aug 05, 2019 LaRae rated it really liked it

Shelves: audible-books, 2019-poster-challenge

Another classic from my poster challenge. How is it that I never read this when I was younger? Such a sweet story and Anne will grab you and not let go. I loved her imagination and her ability to see all the beautiful things in life. A feel good book for sure!

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