Anne of Green Gables: A Review

When Matthew Cuthbert arrived at the Bright River train station that sunny afternoon, what he expected to find waiting for him was a "smart, likely boy of about ten or eleven", and not the little red haired girl he spotted sitting on the pile of shingles. After all, a boy is what he and his sister Marilla had requested when they decided to adopt from the Nova Scotia Orphan Asylum. Upon hearing from the stationmaster that no other orphans are "concealed thereabouts", Matthew realizes (much to his horror) that Mrs. Alexander Spencer has made a grievous mistake. Not being of the sort that likes to take foolish risks (such as informing a little orphan girl she is not wanted), Matthew decides to bring her home until such time as Marilla (better equipped to handle such dubious circumstances) can decide what to do with her. So begins the story of "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery.

"Anne of Green Gables" is a delightful book that is sure to entertain young and adult readers alike. It's the story of a red haired orphan girl named Anne (spelled with an "e") who comes to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm at Green Gables. At first, the stay is only temporary. Marilla, dead set against adopting a girl, fully intends on returning Anne first thing in the morning. But circumstances and pity (along with a little gentle coaxing from Matthew) persuade Marilla to give Anne a chance. From the beginning, it looks as if the arrangement is a recipe for disaster. Anne has a knack for always getting into trouble - from losing her temper with the gossipy Mrs. Lynde to getting her best friend Diana drunk on currant wine (which she mistakes for raspberry cordial). But it isn't long before the quirky, talkative and imaginative Anne captures the hearts of the entire town of Green Gables - including the stern and stodgy Marilla Cuthbert herself.

Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of "Anne of Green Gables", was born at Clifton (now New London), Prince Edward Island, Canada in 1874. An avid writer and poet, she began keeping a journal at the age of nine, which she continued to contribute to throughout her adult life. In addition to writing 450 poems, an entire book of poetry, over 500 short stories, an autobiography and one work of non-fiction, Lucy has also authored a total of twenty three fictional novels, including "Anne of Avonlea", "Anne of the Island", "Anne's House of Dreams", and "Magic for Marigold". Her most famous work, however, continues to be her first published novel "Anne of Green Gables", and the character of Anne Shirley. Originally geared towards young girls, nevertheless its popularity has continued to spread, so that even today there are clubs devoted in their entirety to L.M. Montgomery and her works. Even Mark Twain, a remarkable writer in his own right, was a fan of the book. According to various sources, Twain was quoted as saying that Anne was "the dearest and most lovable child in fiction since the immortal Alice".

Playful as a fairy, yet wise beyond her years, Anne is a remarkable young lady who sees the world in unique and somewhat unusual ways. She is a young woman who has been dealt much bitterness in life, yet chooses to see beauty in even the simplest things. Speaking with an open frankness and honesty that many others wouldn't dare express, most find Anne's candidness uncomfortable. Most, that is, except for the elderly Miss Barry, Diana's grandmother. It is often said that the young strive to become adults, yet when they become elderly, revert back to childhood. Perhaps that is why Miss Barry becomes so enthralled with "that Anne-girl" (as she calls her). At first the interest is pure amusement on Miss Barry's part. A tired and somewhat embittered old woman, Miss Barry finds the overly dramatic Anne humorous, entertaining, and completely refreshing. It isn't long, however, before the crotchety old lady's heart is won over by Anne's open innocence and charm. A deep bond of friendship and love is formed between them, which Anne likes to refer to as "kindred spirits".

Though the book is somewhat lighthearted, "Anne of Green Gables" is also a story laden with hidden ironies, which are often disguised with subtlety and gentle humor. When reading the story, one must be willing to read between the lines of what the characters actually say and do, in order to comprehend the deeper meaning. Green Gables is your typical stereotypical Victorian era town - a place where everything is done decently and in order, and any behavior otherwise is, at best, regarded as eccentric and improper. At first, Anne is like a fish out of water in her new surroundings. Try as she might to do the right thing, it is Anne's transparent honesty that seems to get her in trouble the most. Marilla sees a potential in Anne, however, and decides it to be her altogether predestined duty to train Anne up "right and proper". In time, Marilla surmises, perhaps the hot tempered, highly imaginative and overly talkative Anne can be tempered into a quiet and respectable young lady. Indeed, Marilla and Matthew's upbringing, combined with the guidance of those around her in Green Gables, serve to influence Anne in many positive ways. It is the perceptive reader, however, who ponders who is influenced the most – Anne, or the Cuthberts themselves.

It's interesting to note the similarities between the character of Anne Shirley and the true-life story of L.M. Montgomery. When Lucy's own mother died of tuberculosis in 1876 (when Lucy was less than two years old), her father sent her to live with her stern maternal grandparents. Being the only child in that home and having little or no companionship with those her own age, it is said that Lucy spent much of her time either buried in books or creating stories of her own. When her father chose to remarry in 1887, Lucy was only slightly older than the character of Anne when she arrived at Green Gables. Like the imaginative Anne, who spends much of her time daydreaming, Lucy also spent much of her childhood weaving tales. It's as if the character of Anne Shirley is a mirror image of Lucy herself, or possibly who she aspires to be. Perhaps, in a certain sense, Anne is Lucy's alter ego, or "kindred spirit".

"Anne of Green Gables" is a story that can be read over and over again, each time being a journey into a place much sweeter and simpler than our own. While the world around us continues to spin, sometimes filling even the most courageous with dread and fear at the unknown tomorrows which lie before, the town of Green Gables stands in contrast as a sanctuary almost frozen in time. In Anne's world, everyone is wholesome, hearts are pure, and all things turn out right in the end. As Anne Shirley herself would say, "God's in his heaven, all's right with the world."