Anne Shirley

[commonpeople1]

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.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I think the TV series is more timeless than the books! The problem with the book is that a lot of the info is given to the reader through long monologues by Anne, which are meant to show what a kookie chatter box she is (Murilla is constantly stifling a giggle.) It comes across now as slightly grating. But it's not terrible - it was somewhat enjoyable to read, mostly because it's so easy and short.

[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.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Never read the Little House series but I loved the TV show!

[rockingthemike.livejournal.com]

while the television series is definitely not reflective of the books, it was still a fantastic inspired-by adaptation! i watched that show waaay too much as a child *stares at his female parental unit*

[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.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

The TV series was my first introduction, and I loved it too. Also remember liking the book first time around, but now it just doesn't have the same effect. #TooOld

[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!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Yes, one can always count on puppies!

Some things have aged well - Hitchcock's classic films for example! But there are some tv series from Brasil that I used to love which now look terrible... I guess it's just time sorting the wheat from the chaff when it comes to art!

[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.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's a quick read, if you ever feel the curiosity...

[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 :/

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I think the TV series is far superior... we don't get so much internal monologue! I think that's the problem with the book - you hear Anne's voice far too much, and it's a saccharine one. The TV series is brilliant because of the main actress, who did such a brilliant job of showing her change from a little girl to a young woman.

[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.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Thing is... all those things happened to me! I still have all my hair, I'm top of my class (of work) and my boyfriend is a teacher.... ;-P