Green Gables Read-Along | Discussion 3

Happy (almost) Easter and the last day of March! Today's discussion for the Anne of Green Gables read-along covers chapters 27-38 (the last part of the book). The main discussion is happening at Jenni Elyse. You can hop over there to leave a comment! Of course, you're totally welcome to comment here, as well. :)

Here are Jenni's fun questions to conclude the read-along, as well as my responses:

1. Is this your first time reading Anne of Green Gables, or is it a reread? Either way, what did you think about it?

My Thoughts: I believe I read this when I was younger. I'm not sure if I read it again before now...but I'm very familiar with the basics of the story from the movie version with Megan Follows. :) It was really sweet to read the book now, though! I enjoy L.M. Montgomery's descriptions of scenery and characters. And it's fun to know you're enjoying a book along with a group of fellow readers!

2. If this is your first time reading Anne of Green Gables, do you plan to read the rest of the series? If you've read Anne of Green Gables before, have you read the rest of the series? What do you think about it?

My Thoughts: Again, I believe I read the whole series (or most of it?) when I was younger, but if I did, it's been a long time. I remember my grandparents having the series on their shelf in my grandma's art room in back of the den. :) Right now, I think I only have books 1 and 3. I'd like to read/reread Anne of the Island sometime soon-ish! I also got Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery at a library sale last fall, and I want to read that one soon-ish too!

3. Who is your favorite character and why?

My Thoughts: I adore Marilla and Matthew, how they take Anne in and fall in love with her. Matthew is a total sweetheart! And it's endearing, the way Marilla takes her responsibilities so seriously, yet she can't help but enjoy Anne's spirit and misadventures.

It's hard to pick a favorite, though! I really like Anne, and everything centers around her in the book. But then there's also such lovely characters like Mrs. Allan, who lives out her faith with care and joy, and Miss Stacy, who makes school and learning a delight. And Gilbert...who, as we all seemed to agree, needed a bigger role in this story!

4. Who is your least favorite character and why?

My Thoughts: Hmmm... It's difficult to like Josie Pye, with the many ways she puts down Anne. And of course, Mrs. Blewett, even with how little we see her in the book, hardly seems like a nice person!

5. What was your favorite scene and why?

My Thoughts: Oooh, that's a tough question! There are so many memorable scenes, like when Matthew has a dress with puffed sleeves made for Anne, or when Anne pretends to be the lily maid. So cute and funny! But I also love those moments when Anne simply admires the view and world around her. Those descriptions of the coast or the woods or the twilight air are simply delightful.

6. What did you think about the last third of the book and why?

My Thoughts: It's bittersweet! In some ways, it's lovely to see Anne growing up, being a help and comfort to Marilla, excelling in school, facing her future with joy and courage, and even (finally!) forgiving Gilbert and making friends with him. But it's also sad to see her leave childhood behind, as Marilla notes too...and Matthew's death is tragic. He died as he wanted to, and there's peace in his passing, but it's difficult to see Anne and Marilla lose such a dear loved one and struggle through their grief.

I'll add that while the ending wraps up nicely with a hopeful but open finish, it does leave plenty of room for the books that follow, and lots of eagerness to read more of Anne's life and adventures!

* * *

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the last part of the book...

• "'As for your chatter, I don't know that I mind it—I've got so used to it.' Which was Marilla's way of saying that she liked to hear it."

• "She had an odd, newly awakened consciousness under all her outraged dignity that the half-shy, half-eager expression in Gilbert's hazel eyes was something that was very good to see. Her heart gave a quick, queer little beat."

• "There is no sweeter music on earth than that which the wind makes in the fir-trees at evening."

• "The best of it all was the coming home."

• "It's nicer to think dear, pretty thoughts and keep them in one's heart, like treasures."

• "I'm not a bit changed—not really. I'm only just pruned down and branched out. The real me—back here—is just the same. It won't make a bit of difference where I go or how much I change outwardly; at heart I shall always be your little Anne, who will love you and Matthew and dear Green Gables more and better every day of her life."

• "Anne has as many shades as a rainbow and every shade is the prettiest while it lasts."

• "She had looked her duty courageously in the face and found it a friend—as duty ever is when we meet it frankly."

• "I shall give life here my best, and I believe it will give its best to me in return."

• "If the path set before her feet was to be narrow she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it." {So fun to come across the title of my dear friend Kara's blog! Now I know where this line comes from. :D}

* * *

Many thanks to Suey, Kami, and Jenni for hosting this read-along! If you'd like details about the Twitter chat tonight or the watch-along on April 6th, head over to Jenni's blog!

Green Gables Read-Along | Discussion 2

Woohoo, it's Friday and the start of the weekend! Today's discussion (technically, yesterday's) for the Anne of Green Gables read-along covers chapters 14-26. The main discussion is happening at Kami's blog, Kami's Library Thoughts. You can hop over there to leave a comment! Of course, you're totally welcome to comment here, as well. :)

Here are Kami's great questions and my responses:

1. Anne has a gift for loving nature in all its forms. She even gives it delightful names. Do you find yourself appreciating nature more as you read this?

My Thoughts: I adore the way nature is described in this book! The White Way of Delight, the wooded paths in all their seasons, the way Anne puts flowers in her hat or her new teacher sends the boys up into trees to look for nests... Everything feels so vibrant and gorgeous in how L.M. Montgomery wrote it. I think it does make me appreciate nature more—or at least want to do so!

2. We have finally met Gilbert! What do you think of him? Do you think Anne is justified in hating him so much?

My Thoughts: I think Gilbert's infatuation with Anne is adorable, and I like that he's competitive, but good-natured about it. He's smart, and he seems genuinely contrite when he realizes how angry he's made Anne. I'm hoping to see more of him in the book, though. ;) Right now he's sort of a hovering presence, affecting Anne without her willing to acknowledge him. I don't think Anne's attitude toward him is justified. It may be understandable, knowing how sensitive Anne can be, but her cold shoulder feels unforgiving and over the top.

3. Anne's imagination finally got the better of her in the Haunted Wood. Do you think she learned anything from that experience? Do you think she'll tone down her imagination a bit?

My Thoughts: Based on Anne's reaction after being forced to walk through the Haunted Wood at night and her conversation with the reverend's wife (I believe?), it really does seem like she understands she went too far. But I don't know if her imagination will be toned down...maybe just redirected for now. ;) Although I'm sure as she continues to grow up and have real-world experiences, she'll find (and maybe already is finding) that life is worth experiencing in its own glory.

4. What do you think of Diana and the other schoolgirls? Do you think Anne chose wisely for her bosom friend?

My Thoughts: They're quite a group! :) It's fun to read about their schoolgirl antics and dramas. Diana seems like a very loyal and loving friend, and I think she and Anne suit each other well. I like that Diana appreciates Anne for who she is, while also not being afraid to point out when she thinks Anne is going too far (like the situation with Gilbert, even if Anne doesn't necessarily listen).

5. I've always dreamed of visiting Prince Edward Island someday. Do you want to visit there also? What other real-life literature places do you want to visit?

My Thoughts: Definitely! I grew up watching The Road to Avonlea series and the Anne of Green Gables movies with my grandparents and uncle, and visiting Prince Edward Island would be a dream come true, for sure. :) I can't decide if I'd rather visit in the fall or the spring... I bet both would be delightful! As for other real-life literature places...that's a great question! I'm not really sure. Perhaps some places in Europe? (Not very specific, I know!)

* * *

It's so sweet to see Anne finding her place at Green Gables and among her new friends and family. It's also fun to spot the similarities and differences between the book and the movie (starring Megan Follows). I confess I really liked the movie's subtle changes to the scenes with Matthew getting Anne a dress with puffed sleeves. :) If you've seen the movie, are there scenes you like better in the film adaptation versus the book?

Finally, here are some of my favorite quotes from the last section of reading...

• "It was a little narrow, twisting path, winding down over a long hill straight through Mr Bell's woods, where the light came down sifted through so many emerald screens that it was as flawless as the heart of a diamond."

• "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

• "Ruby Gillis says when she grows up she's going to have ever so many beaux on the string and have them all crazy about her; but I think that would be too exciting. I'd rather have just one in his right mind."

• "'When I am grown up,' said Anne decidedly, 'I'm always going to talk to little girls as if they were, too, and I'll never laugh when they use big words.'"

• "There was a magnificent sunset, and the snowy hills and deep blue water of the St Lawrence Gulf seemed to rim in the splendour like a huge bowl of pearl and sapphire brimmed with wine and fire."

• "I never knew before that religion was such a cheerful thing. I always thought it was kind of melancholy, but Mrs Allan's isn't, and I'd like to be a Christian if I could be one like her."

• "Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"

• "'The trouble with you, Anne, is that you're thinking too much about yourself. You should just think of Mrs Allan and what would be nicest and most agreeable for her,' said Marilla, hitting for once in her life on a very sound and pithy piece of advice. Anne instantly realized this."

Green Gables Read-Along | Discussion 1

Hope you all are having a delightful Sunday! Today's discussion for the Anne of Green Gables read-along covers chapters 1-13. The main discussion is happening at Suey's blog, It's All About Books... You can hop over there to leave a comment or learn about the upcoming Twitter chat! Of course, you're totally welcome to comment here, as well. :)

Suey noted that the following questions came from various websites:

1. In chapter 2, when Matthew is driving Anne back to Green Gables, she asks him: “Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive.” Given her tragic childhood, how do you think Anne is able to maintain such a positive attitude?

My Thoughts: It is pretty incredible to see how positive Anne tends to be despite everything she's endured! But then, she seems to be the kind of person who feels everything in extremes, from the joyful moments to the "depths of despair." I definitely think her big imagination and eager mind help her find a positive side to her difficult circumstances.

2. Anne is insistent on renaming places and inanimate things. Why do you think she does this?

My Thoughts: I think Anne has a deep need for friends and a sense of belonging. As Anne says in chapter 5, "I like things to have handles even if they are only geraniums. It makes them seem more like people." When she names place and objects, she gives them personality and endears them more to herself. But I'm glad Anne now has a chance to make more friends and feel at home. :)

3. Marilla gives several reasons for finally deciding to keep Anne. What reason do you think most changed her mind?

My Thoughts: I guess it was probably Marilla's conscience that really swayed her. She had gotten to know Anne a bit, and it bothered her to think of leaving her with someone who would be unkind to her and mistreat her. But Matthew's love for Anne and Marilla's own growing fondness for her certainly played a part...perhaps the greater part? But it seems like she was fairly determined to send Anne back until she knew what Anne's lot would be if she left Green Gables.

4. If Anne grew up today, would she have been happier with how she looked? What would she have pined for, looks- and fashion-wise? What is our society's equivalent of plumpness, dark hair, and puffed sleeves?

My Thoughts: I think Anne still would find ways to compare herself and come up lacking. It's something we all can struggle with! If her story were contemporary, she might long for a more graceful figure, tame but attractively wavy hair, and the latest jeans or most stylish tops or accessories.

5. How would Anne have turned out if Marilla had let Mrs. Blewett take her? Would that life have crushed Anne's imaginative spirit, or would she have changed in a different way?

My Thoughts: I'm sure Anne would have found ways to hold on to hope, as she had in the other places she'd lived. She would have invented friends and found opportunities to daydream and imagine a different life for herself. But she might not have blossomed and flourished the way she does at Green Gables; she might have spent an unhealthy amount of time in her imaginings and never known real love and family.

* * *

I'm really enjoying rereading this sweet story (I'm sure I've read it at least once!) and immersing myself in the beauty of Green Gables/PEI, along with the quirky but lovable ways of Anne Shirley and her new family and friends. Here are some of my favorite quotes so far...

• "Not even a brook could run past Mrs Rachel Lynde's door without due regard for decency and decorum."

• "Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive."

• "Listen to the trees talking in their sleep.... What nice dreams they must have!"

• "What good would she be to us?" "We might be some good to her."

• "It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will."

• "Down at the base of the cliffs were heaps of surf-worn rocks or little sandy coves inlaid with pebbles as with ocean jewels."

• "It gives you a lovely, comfortable feeling to apologize and be forgiven, doesn't it?"

• "Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them."

Don't forget to stop by Suey's blog for information about the upcoming Twitter chat! And please do share your thoughts about these topics or your favorite lines from the first 13 chapters of Anne of Green Gables. :)

Will You Join Me in the Anne of Green Gables Read-Along?

Some Twitter friends are participating in an Anne of Green Gables read-along next month (waving to Jenni and Kara ♥), and I think I'd like to join the fun! I'm fairly certain I read most of the Anne series when I was much younger... But I'm pretty sure it's been ages since I've read any of the books, and I have this absolutely gorgeous copy of the first book that I'd love to dive into!

I know I'm not the only one who has fallen in love with this cover/edition. :) Raise your hand if you own this copy too!

I'm also a huge fan of the Anne of Green Gables movies with Megan Follows (particularly the first two; the third is just so intense and bittersweet!). The read-along hosts are doing a watch-along/movie party after the read-along, if you're also a fan and that interests you!

Reading Schedule

• Chapters 1-13: March 1-11
• Chapters 14-26: March 12-22
• Chapters 27-38: March 23-31

Discussion Schedule

• March 11 on Suey's blog (It's All About Books)
• March 22 on Kami's blog (Kami's Library Thoughts)
• March 31 on Jenni's blog (JenniElyse)

To learn more about the read-along/movie party and to sign up, click HERE.

Whether you're new to Anne or wanting to re-read this first book for the thousandth time, it would be so great to have you join us! Let me know in the comments if you're signing up too. :)