BEST BOOK EVER!!! And not just for children!!Seriously, why did I wait so long to read this gem? The writing is simply beautiful and the characters believable and "real".

Nach der sehr schön idyllischen Netflix-Serie "Anne with an E", habe ich mir den ersten Doppelband der Anne Shirley-Reihe als Urlaubslektüre auf einer kleinen Insel vorgenommen, was wunderbar gepasst hat. Wie auch bei der Serie musste ich mich auch beim ersten Buch erstmal an Annes Art gewöhnen, war aber ansonsten alles in allem sehr glücklich mit dem Leseerlebnis. Im Vergleich zur Serie kamen mir die Nebencharaktere etwas zu kurz, der Fokus lag ganz klar auf Anne, Marilla und Matthew. Der Schreibstil ließ sich auch heute noch problemlos lesen. Ungewohnt waren für mich nur kleinere Aspekte: So hätte ich mir z.B. gewünscht, dass einige Ausflüge, Feste und Erlebnisse etwas ausführlicher in der Gegenwart geschildert werden, während diese im Buch fast immer nur von Anne in der Rückschau nacherzählt werden - und das im Vergleich zum sonstigen Erzähltempo auch nur sehr kurz und knapp. Daneben gibt es dann aber auch wieder sehr große Zeitsprünge, so dass ein Großteil der Handlung von Frühsommer-Herbst spielt (über mehrere Jahre hinweg). Das war für mich alles nicht ganz ausgewogen, vielleicht aber auch nur ungewohnt.
Das zweite Buch hat mir etwas weniger gut gefallen, da hier für meinen Geschmack zu viele neue Charaktere eingeführt wurden und ich mir dann eher ein Fokus auf die etablierten Nebencharaktere gewünscht hätte. Dafür kam ich mit Annes Art deutlich besser zurecht.
Am Ende ist der Doppelband für mich ein 4-Sterne Buch und ich werde mir auf jeden Fall auch noch den nächsten Doppelband kaufen und freue mich darauf.

I finally finished this book! I have watched the tv series on Netflix a couple months ago and I enjoyed it a lot. Then I tried reading the book, after I remembered that I had it since 2016.

1. Anne of Green Gables
I was surprised when I read the first chapters. It looked exactly like the tv series! But then, some things were different. I also just couldn't stand Anne–she talked too much. Sometimes there's a whole page full of her dialogue AND READING IT MADE ME TIRED JSKSKSKS. Well, I can say that I much prefer the tv series.

2. Anne of Avonlea
This part wasn't in the tv series so it's new to me. Didn't really enjoy it but I read the whole thing anyway.

Tried to read it so many times but kept falling asleep. Horribly boring, and Anne is obnoxious.

Det er så fint og hyggeligt

Oh what a beautiful, charming, enchanting, book! It's a lovely, clean one, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Except for.. (note at the end)]

It's hard not to fall in love with Anne Shirley. Might I say that most of us who are into books might see a bit (if not a lot) of ourselves in her. She reminded me of the time when ma once exclaimed in exasperation that she should not have bought me all those Chandamamas and other books, because I used to be so lost in my own world most of the time. Lel! Oh! How I miss those days. Sigh!
That's another thing about this book. It made me all nostalgic about the simple joys of childhood and of the life I live when I am at my amumma's (maternal grandma's). I would have promptly left for her place, if only she wasn't away on one of her teerthayatras.

Coming back to Anne, I definitely want to read more about her, though there were times when I went, 'I need a break from this child', and put the book down. I mean she is a non-stop chatterbox. Also, a tad tempted to check out that series on Netflix just for those beautiful, scenic settings.

Note:
If only, that casual distaste towards 'heathens' and glorification of foreign missionaries (mentioned a couple of times in the beginning) can be gotten rid of from the book. But then, I guess that might mean staying untrue to how certain things are. Before someone says, that's how things WERE and not are, especially in the places that this story is based out of, let me tell you that, that is not the case. That hatred and dislike towards 'heathens' has been passed on to quite a few of Indian Christ-followers here. Just the other day I crossed paths with a certain lady (while traveling locally via public transport) who was trying to engage a few of us random strangers on Jesus, she kept going on and on, and about how he saved her and her family and, etc, etc, etc. I listened to her patiently for some time and then interrupted her saying it's wonderful that Jesus has helped her out in her times of difficulties and has given her strength and support. I added that my Vishnumurthy has done the same to me, and whether I should start talking about it all. She promptly got off the seat and got down at the next station

I really love the character of Anne of Green Gables, despite her thinking Anne is only pretty with an "e" and my middle name is without it. I've read these books before but I loved reading them again as an adult and enjoying her adventures, but also appreciating her optimistic outlook on life. I love how descriptive the author is especially of the landscape. Such a beautiful reminder that joy can be found in the simplest of things. Definitely recommend to read it again if you haven't since your childhood! There is more to be learned from Anne!

I loved this book. Oh what a happy heart warming story of Anne Shirley. I could not stop reading this book. I found this story to be the best that I have read in a long long time. It brought joy to my heart and happiness into my day. This wonderful little girl changes the lives of Matthew and Marilla. Once she arrives at Green Gables there world is filled with endless stories and imaginations from Anne. She grows to become a scholar and makes Matthew And Marilla proud. The funny things Anne does are warm and fun. The pictures the author paints in my mind makes me want to be in Green Gables. It will bring a tear to your eye when Matthew passes. In simple terms a story of a girl that is rare in this old world. A story of times that were filled with fun. If you wish to brighten your day, take this book and read it.

I have never felt such a strong connection to book character like I have with Anne Shirley. I was reading this thinking ‘oh my god, I’m Anne of Green Gables.’ I shared this thought with my mother and her response was ‘why do you think I’ve been trying get to to read them since you were eight!’

Such a lovely, wholesome, beautiful story, my heart is full.

See wildflowers' Amazon review for a list of books included in this complete set.
https://www.amazon.com/review/R3J3934...


From wildflowers review:

"ANNE OF GREEN GABLES covers a span of Anne's first 5 years in Avonlea. She will age from 11 to 16. Her immortal antics that have made this book so beloved include her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, dyeing her hair, and falling off of Mrs. Barry's roof...
ANNE OF AVONLEA spans two years. Anne is 18 at the novel's finish. She has become a teacher. Marilla adopts twins. Also, Anne has some more humorous and immortal moments.
ANNE OF THE ISLAND spans 4 years--Anne college years at Redmond. She will be 22 at the end of the novel. Anne discovers the real meaning of romance and love and courtship in this novel.
ANNE OF WINDY POPLARS also known as ANNE OF WINDY WILLOWS covers the 3 years of Anne's engagement to Gilbert. She is a Principle at Summerside High School where she has to deal with the Pringle clan, Katherine Brooke, and plenty of other interesting folks.
ANNE'S HOUSE OF DREAMS covers the first two years of Anne's married life. She and Gilbert now live in Four Winds Point, 60 miles east of Avonlea. Gilbert is making a living as a doctor, and the Blythes have new and interesting neighbors. **My favorite book of the series.**
Note: there is about a 6 year break between AHoD and AoI.
ANNE OF INGLESIDE covers about 6 years. Anne and Gilbert have moved to Glen St. Mary, near Four Winds Point, and now have children. This novel covers the birth of Rilla to the 15th wedding anniversary of Anne and Gilbert. More about Anne's children's adventures than Anne herself.
RAINBOW VALLEY takes place in 1 year. It is about Anne's children, and more specifically their neighbors, the Merediths--Faith, Una, Jerry, and Carl--and Mary Vance, but Anne does come in at important points within the novel. Faith is reminiscent in many ways of the young Anne.
Note: there is about a 9 year break between RV and RoI.
RILLA OF INGLESIDE is a heroine in her right. She ages from 15 to 19 during World War 1, the setting of this novel's time period. Anne is by now in her 50s and is a background character, but Rilla is a delightful and outgoing heroine with or without her mother.
This series was meant to be loved and reread and reread. Read the books in chronological order, or read them out-of-order but you'll still find them as fresh and enjoyable and as humorous as the first time you read them.
***Montgomery wrote some books about Anne's neighbors in Avonlea (CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA, FURTHER CHRONICLES OF AVONELEA) and in Glen St. Mary (THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY). And so if you enjoy the Anne books you might enjoy those books as well---although any Montgomery book is a reccommended read.***"

Read in a fit of nostalgia one afternoon. As lovely as I remember (albeit unsurprisingly extremely dated in some aspects) from reading it as a child.

i’ve loved anne ever since i met her in the movies. her talent and her optimism really does inspire me. it’s genuinely so much fun watching her learn about life, her thought process intrigues me because it is so realistic.

i especially love the descriptions. so softly does the author describe pretty things.

“i think they must be the souls of the flowers that dies last summer and this is their heaven.”

“‘what do you think of the new moon, teacher? i think it is a little golden boat full of dreams.’

‘and when it tips on a cloud some of them spill out and fall into your sleep.’”

“you always bring youth in your hand like a gift.”

these are some of my favourite lines. this book is filled with beautiful lyricism. if the voice in my head spoke like this, i would never be sad.