Summer vacations tend to be filled with lazing around or moping around the house doing nothing. So, when I got the chance to write a book review I threw my book aside and opened my book case to decide on a book. And even though there were a lot of different genres, I kept looking for a classic and my eyes rested upon this lovely book by Lucy Maude Montgomery. I grabbed the book and got to work.
Lucy Maude Montgomery or L.M. Montgomery as she is popularly known (1874- 1942) was born on Prince Edward Island, off the east coast of Canada. Like, many a future writers, Lucy Maude Montgomery was not only an avid reader as a child, but also composed numerous short stories and poem. The Anne of Green Gables series is based on the very Prince Edward Island and readers will find of plenty of scenes drawn from the author’s happy memories of the island and the farmhouse where she was brought up.
The story starts with the Cuthberts, Marilla and Matthew who are siblings. They decide to adopt a boy to help them on their farm. But, a misunderstanding ensues and they end up with Anne Shirley, a skinny red-head who never stops talking. Marilla at first says that the girl must return to the orphanage, but later relents because of Anne’s contagious cheerfulness. And thus begins the journey of Anne’s misadventures, colourful outbursts, hilarious disasters and life at the Cuthbert household. The book recounts Anne’s adventures in making a home: the country school where she excels in her studies, finding a “bosom” friend in Diana Barry, her rivalry with the very handsome but “obnoxious” Gilbert Blythe, who teases her about her red hair. For, which he earns a slate broken on his head, her hatred for geometry because she is a dunce at it and her domestic mishaps such as dyeing her hair green or accidentally setting Diana drunk.
Anne Shirley makes you fall in love with her as soon as you are introduced to her. She’s one of the most intelligent, articulate and likeable child protagonists. She makes you want to be as awesome as her. She fervently disapproves of anything that leaves ‘no scope for imagination’. Adults are sometimes threatened by Anne’s vocabulary, but she doesn’t dumb herself down for anybody. The book is also quite progressive as women in the book talk about voting and visit another town to witness a political tour.
L.M. Montgomery waves around her wand and creates magic with it. Her language is simple and can be understood by all. She weaves the story like spun sugar and makes the book unputdownable. Every character of hers has a story to tell, something that people can relate to.
The reason I chose this book is that even after reading this book five times I can never get enough of it. It appeals to people of all ages. It will make you cry and laugh at the same time and believe it or not teach you a lesson or two about life too. Words really won’t do justice to this gem of a book and I know for sure that I will read this book again and again. I hope you read it too and don’t forget to let your imagination run wild.
My Verdict
4.5
Anne of Green Gables is a must read for people of all ages. This tale about a precocious orphan delights and will fill your world with happiness.
