[.ca] Anne of Green Gables (ISBN 0194227251)

From Amazon.com:
When Marilla Cuthbert's brother, Matthew, returns home to Green Gables with a chatty redheaded orphan girl, Marilla exclaims, "But we asked for a boy. We have no use for a girl." It's not long, though, before the Cuthberts can't imagine how they could ever do without young Anne of Green Gables--but not for the original reasons they sought an orphan. Somewhere between the time Anne "confesses" to losing Marilla's amethyst pin (which she never took) in hopes of being allowed to go to a picnic, and when Anne accidentally dyes her hated carrot-red hair green, Marilla says to Matthew, "One thing's for certain, no house that Anne's in will ever be dull." And no book that she's in will be, either. This adapted version of the classic, Anne of Green Gables, introduces younger readers to the irrepressible heroine of L.M. Montgomery's many stories. Adapter M.C. Helldorfer includes only a few of Anne's mirthful and poignant adventures, yet manages to capture the freshness of one of children's literature's spunkiest, most beloved characters. There's just enough to make beginning readers want more--luckily, there's a lot more in the originals! Illustrator Ellen Beier creates vibrant pictures to portray the beauty of the land around Green Gables and the spirited nature of Anne herself. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

Happy 100 Year Anniversary!:
I have lived in Canada for over 15 years and even became a citizen of this beautiful country, but I had never read Anne of Green Gables. I knew that I had to be remedy soon, so I started to read it. Then I happened to be on the Internet a few days ago and found out that this is the 100 year anniversary of this fine book. Anne is picked up from an orphanage by a friend of the Cuthberts. They asked her to choose a boy for them, but somehow this was miscommunicated and they ended up with a girl. Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert debated right in front of Anne trying decided if they should bring her back and exchange her for a boy. During this part it seems like they are debating over a sack of potatoes rather than a human being. However, they did decide to keep her and that's when the story truly begins. Anne easily wins the hearts of the Cuthbert's, all of Green Gables, and the reader's. L.M. Montgomery's characters come to life in this heart warming but not over sentimental book. I was able to visualize all of the places in Prince Edward Island with her breath taking descriptions. At times I forgot that I was actually reading a book. It was like I became part of the story, part of the town. I definitely want to read the entire series now, and would very much like to visit P.E.I. I highly recommend this book, and you don't need to live in Canada to love it.

Revisiting my childhood:
I read these books when I was in elementary school, and I loved them then. Recently, I was on a trip out of town and went browsing at a used bookstore. I found a boxed set of the first three Anne books and decided to reread these books that I adored. Rereading your favorite childhood books is always a bit risky--sometimes you find that your memory of the books is better than the books themselves, or that you have simply gotten too old to enjoy them anymore. Not so with Anne. The writing is wonderful, the characters are rich and entertaining, and the setting is so beautifully described that it made me long to take a vacation to Prince Edward Island. Anne is easy to love, even (especially) when she misbehaves. I loved revisiting her various escapades: her fits of temper unleashed upon Rachel Lynde and Gilbert Blythe; falling off the ridgepole; jumping on Diana's Aunt Josephine; making Diana drunk; and nearly drowning while playing Lady Elaine. I was also incredibly moved by Anne's interactions with both Matthew and Marilla. I remembered crying as a child when I read about Anne's interactions with Matthew. But I was also surprised about the quiet sweetness and poignancy of Anne's scenes with Marilla. Reading this book as an adult made me more aware of the fact that Anne saved Marilla and Matthew as much as they saved her. Mark Twain remarked that he had never met a more delightful childhood hero or heroine than Anne in literature. What high praise for L.M. Montgomery! I have read a great deal of literature with childhood heros and heroines, and I may agree with Mr. Twain's assessment. Anne deserves a place in literature along with Huck Finn and Scout Finch.

Well...:
I first picked up this book when I was seven years old. I fell in love with Anne and quickly devoured the rest of the series. However, around age eleven or twelve I realized I had outgrown Anne. You see, Anne is perfect. She is pretty, imaginative, intelligent, talented, friendly, kind, moral, popular, etc. Yes she has a quick temper but this hardly seems to be a flaw, and her scrapes are always done with the best intentions. The author brings up her unhappy childhood many times, but after a while it loses its effect. So I defenitly reccomend this book to any young girls, but after a while Anne starts to fade.

The most readable book known to mankind!:
Anne of Green Gables is the best book known to mankind! This wonderful story takes place in Prince Edward Island. Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert are going to adopt a boy from Nova Scotia, but when Matthew goes to pick up their boy what he gets is... a GIRL! A girl named Anne. The story is about Anne's life in the Cuthbert's house, "Green Gables," and her wonderful imagination. Anne always imagined herself with the name Cordelia. She also names parts of her land (Lake of Shining Waters, Dryad's Bubble, Haunted Woods and Lover's Lane, etc.). Anne and her best friend Diana promise to be best friends forever and never get married, but live together as nice old maids. Anne and Diana are "Bosom Buddies." "Anne of Green Gables" is my favourite book of all time because Anne's imagination and wonder is the most readable thing in the world!

Beautiful and Imaginative:
L.M. Montgomery has done a splendid job with this novel. Anne is such a superb character full of life. When reading, you actually feel like you are there with Anne and Marilla. In fact, there are times in the book when Anne is talking away and you, the reader, can actually feel Marilla's exasperation at the amount Anne talks. I have seen the movies, but reading the books is a much richer experience.