So I recently discovered (to my absolute horror) that my mother had never read the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. Now, this is a series I have read and reread and reread some more. How is it possible that my mom missed out on such beloved books? That has now been remedied. She has read Anne of Green Gables, and I asked her if she would be willing to share her thoughts about it on Smiling Shelves. Here they are!
For some reason, I missed reading some of the childhood classics until I was older. I don’t know why. My mother devoured books when she had time, read to us often, and took us to the library frequently. Before every vacation we made a trip to the library and came home with bags of books. Still, I only discovered The Chronicles of Narnia when I was 25, read Tolkien in my 40’s, and am reading Anne of Green Gables for the first time now in my 60’s (early 60’s, mind you. :) )
It’s different reading books intended for a younger audience when you’re older. I’ve read the Chronicles of Narnia three times now, I think, and find new insights each time. I remember being totally absorbed in the Tolkien trilogy. (And, with my imagination, being glad I hadn’t read it as a child).
Anne presents some different thoughts. Had I read these books when I was in middle school, I think I would have reread them a number of times and romanticized them. Now I can enjoy L. M. Montgomery’s thoroughly developed characters and appreciate them from a different point of view. A teacher by trade and also a mom, I keep wanting Marilla to hug Anne, encourage her, praise her for trying to “behave”, and just basically let some things go. That Anne can accept her own imperfections with the experiences she has had in her life is pretty amazing. But what an engaging optimist! Montgomery has you cheering for her in every chapter.
Matthew is consistent as well, with his drawling, “Well, now….” as he gathers his thoughts. His trying to buy Anne a dress and coming home with farm implements was hilarious!
Anne, of course, is my favorite character. One of my favorite chapters was when she nursed Diana’s little sister through the croup, endearing herself (finally) to Diana’s mother. And the walk through the Haunted Wood, when her own imagination had her terrified was laughable. Her rapturously expounding on natural beauty makes one appreciate one’s surroundings a little more.
All in all, I think I am fully enjoying Anne more than I would have had I read it in my teens. Some books can be discovered and savored at any age.
It’s different reading books intended for a younger audience when you’re older. I’ve read the Chronicles of Narnia three times now, I think, and find new insights each time. I remember being totally absorbed in the Tolkien trilogy. (And, with my imagination, being glad I hadn’t read it as a child).
Anne presents some different thoughts. Had I read these books when I was in middle school, I think I would have reread them a number of times and romanticized them. Now I can enjoy L. M. Montgomery’s thoroughly developed characters and appreciate them from a different point of view. A teacher by trade and also a mom, I keep wanting Marilla to hug Anne, encourage her, praise her for trying to “behave”, and just basically let some things go. That Anne can accept her own imperfections with the experiences she has had in her life is pretty amazing. But what an engaging optimist! Montgomery has you cheering for her in every chapter.
Matthew is consistent as well, with his drawling, “Well, now….” as he gathers his thoughts. His trying to buy Anne a dress and coming home with farm implements was hilarious!
Anne, of course, is my favorite character. One of my favorite chapters was when she nursed Diana’s little sister through the croup, endearing herself (finally) to Diana’s mother. And the walk through the Haunted Wood, when her own imagination had her terrified was laughable. Her rapturously expounding on natural beauty makes one appreciate one’s surroundings a little more.
All in all, I think I am fully enjoying Anne more than I would have had I read it in my teens. Some books can be discovered and savored at any age.
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