Anne Shirley

[dotinthesky]

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Before sexy vampires, before muscular werewolves, before mortal games in dystopian futures, teenagers had to content themselves with reading fiction that made them daydream of being top of their classes, losing their ginger hair when they grew up and perhaps marrying a boy who'd get a job as a teacher. Being orphan and poor was so much worse than having a boyfriend that glittered in the sunlight, but with the right prayers at night and good Christian morals one could overcome anything.

Gosh... Anne of Green Gables hasn't really aged well! It's still easy enough to read, and is sickly sweet in a sort of nice way, but it now reflects an age long dead. I remember reading this for the first time when I was 17 (as a dare from a friend - she had to, in exchange, read one of the horror novels in my collection) and being enchanted by it. But that may have been a result of watching the Canadian TV series not too long before it.

I don't think I'll be reading the sequels.

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Comments

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

So sad to hear it doesn't stand up. I've always thought books like that are kind of timeless (was there ever an age like that?) but then I haven't read it for a very, very long time.

[rockingthemike.livejournal.com]

on a related note, i've actually been wanting to re-read the little house series, but have this strange feeling that i'm going to have a similar experience as you did with anne... i guess period pieces in kiddie lit just aren't meant to stand the test of time.

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

I read the Anne of GG books when I was 12 or so and absolutely loved them. I also *adored* the TV series that you've clipped above. I occasionally hope it might get shown again, but if it did I would probably be afraid to watch it for precisely the reasons you state.

I fear I just no longer have the palate for such syrupy sweetness and would hate to ruin the memory... you probably have to be young and innocent to really get it.

[msanthropist.livejournal.com]

It's disappointing, isn't it? I have the same experience with "vintage" films, and early tv series. They bore me rather than amuse or inspire, and I find myself wondering that I/we were ever that innocent and easily entertained. We've changed a lot as a species in my lifetime. I told a friend just this morning "don't become cynical Teresa." And she said "too late, I already am." I agree, I don't know if I can become any more jaded. But the simpler concerns of life, the ability to be entirely consumed and grateful when spiritually connected with nature, sharing an inside joke through a glance and a smile with a stranger, the sound of laughter in the morning, a spontaneous hug, a good stretch, etc. they haven't changed. AND there's puppies!

[reggaechicken.livejournal.com]

i haven't read these! it sounds like i may not have the patience for them, but i enjoyed reading your review.

[myendeavorca.livejournal.com]

Aw, I loved that series as a 12 year old me!

[bella1978.livejournal.com]

I loved the book and the series - I even had it on boxset. I think I would be cautious to read it again after what you've said, in case I felt the same way!

[bella1978.livejournal.com]

I've just watched the trailer and I actually beg to differ - I think I would still love it!! I had such a crush on Gilbert Blythe!

I read a book from my childhood recently and I cried - it made me think how innocent I used to be :/

[odetothepillow.livejournal.com]

YOU haven't really aged well! Some of us still dream of being at the top of our class, NOT losing our hair when we grow up, and marrying a boy who'd get a job as a teacher.