A Few Quick Notes on Rereading Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, and Part of Anne’s House of Dreams
This was one of my lovely bookmooch finds, and I have this to say:
1. The first is the best, by far. Everything else pales in comparison.
2. Anne becomes more irritating the older she grows.
3. Paul Irving is a smarmy little pansy. Davy, on the other hand, rocks.
4. Marilla tells it like it is when it comes to Miss Lavendar.
5. I am really tired of kindred spirits.
6. Gilbert is like no man alive.
7. And finally, as pertains to this particular edition: What happened to the volume where she’s in college? There was a mighty jump there.
Comments
Hmmm. I think Gilbert formed my image of how a man should be, so addicted was I to A of GG as a child. No man should have to live up to such a paragon; it’s just not fair.
I hear you on the “Anne gets more irritating as she ages” bit. Don’t ever read “Rilla of Ingleside,” (about her daughter, Rilla), is all I can say. Yikes. But, oh, sigh, Gilbert. It may be time to watch the first two movies on video again. (And sigh, Marilla, too. I LOVE Marilla, out there telling it like it is.)
Okay you two, you\’ve convinced me: I need to reread the missing volume between Avonlea and House of Dreams. I remember being half in love with Gilbert myself when I was a child. I was just having a hard time with his glowing with pride saying the word wife and all the my darling Anne-girls scattered around. On the other hand, keep in mind that I live with a man who, when I was wearing a glittering vintage top once, said, \”OHHHH, you look nice, just like fishing tackle.\” My standards have obviously lowered tremendously.
Zia, while that it perhaps not the compliment one might expect, I can assure you, coming as I do from a long line of fishers of men, that that is indeed the highest praise. Fishing tackle can be amazingly sparkly and pretty. Your man is obviously of poetic bent.
All I can say is that I’m glad I’m not his previous girlfriend, to whom he made the observation that her stockings reminded him of sausage casings.
Wah, am I the only person in the world who actively hated Anne of Green Gables as a child? It was because I had long red hair that my mum would do in plaits and when the book was serialised on TV, my nickname became Anne of Green Gables. That’s why I only read the first book. Now I’m intrigued by Gilbert…
My husband once told me I had a moustache.
If I had had red plaits, I probably would have hated Anne too. I think I hate the grown up Anne, though, if that’s any consolation.
And that’s a pretty bad one from your husband! It’s even worse than what he said to me this weekend: “I’m going to the grocery store; do you want me to pick up some hair dye?”
Fishing tackle! Ha! That’s awesome. My husband pretty much knows better than to comment on anything, but my dad used to tell me to “paint up a little bit.” Evidently he was a-feared I’d live with them forever…
Is “Anne of the Island” the one you’re missing? I think she’s in college in that one, and I can heartily recommend it. Much better than the married years.
Oh, and there’s nothing WORSE than a nickname association. I can see why anyone who had red hair and got called A of GG would hate the books.
I also find the adult Anne very irritating. I particularly resent how dismissive she becomes about her writing post-marriage. But the missing volume (“Anne of the Island”) is one of the good ones. It holds up to adult re-reading very well for me.
I have to dissent on Gilbert though. He bores me to tears. It always seemed to me that settling down with him was part of what drained Anne of her spirit.
I’m a redhead who loved Anne as a child, partly for her redheadedness. But my childhood predates the Sullivan movies so none of my classmates ever thought to taunt me with Anne’s name…
Alrighty then, I’ve just ordered the missing volume.
I HATE THIS BOOK DONT READ IT ITS HORRIBLE BUT MY TEACHER IS MAKING ME READ IT
Tyler, I sympathize completely. It’s always awful trying to read something when you HAVE to read it. But you know what? It’s actually a pretty good book.