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1foggidawn
Welcome to the Hogwarts Express Anne of Green Gables Group read! All are welcome to participate. This is the SPOILER thread -- the following posts will probably contain details about major plot points and events from the middle and end of the book, so if you haven't read the book and don't wish to know what happens yet, you may want to check out the spoiler-free thread.
2pollysmith
I love the opening of this book! It puts you immeadiately in Avonlea
3Kerian
I've finished reading and have to get ready for work pretty soon so I'll mostly wait for others to catch up.
One thing I will say now is that I understand where Anne's coming from when she asks Marilla that if she must call her 'Anne,' that she be "Anne spelled with an E" (chapter 3). As someone with that as part of my own name, I've always told myself that I would never stand for being just 'Ann,' and if I had been, I would most certainly want that 'E.' 'Ann' has always seemed to me the most boring name there was to have and I've always been very grateful for the first half of my first name. I do think that I would have enjoyed having 'Ann' in my name better if I had read this book as a child. Books can change what people think of names. For instance, I've always liked the name 'Elizabeth' because I know and care about several people with that name, but I also associate it with strength, such as Pride and Prejudice's Elizabeth, since reading that book.
One thing I will say now is that I understand where Anne's coming from when she asks Marilla that if she must call her 'Anne,' that she be "Anne spelled with an E" (chapter 3). As someone with that as part of my own name, I've always told myself that I would never stand for being just 'Ann,' and if I had been, I would most certainly want that 'E.' 'Ann' has always seemed to me the most boring name there was to have and I've always been very grateful for the first half of my first name. I do think that I would have enjoyed having 'Ann' in my name better if I had read this book as a child. Books can change what people think of names. For instance, I've always liked the name 'Elizabeth' because I know and care about several people with that name, but I also associate it with strength, such as Pride and Prejudice's Elizabeth, since reading that book.
4pollysmith
I do want to say that I would consider anyone who said such things to a child should be apologizing to the child! I know times were different back then, and children were altho treasured by their family , quite expendable commodities to everyone else
5pollysmith
Here's a question~ Is Anne too good? is she a believable character? How about Diana?
L M Montgomery supposedly modeled her stories after her own childhood visits to P E I Is she believable in her descriptions of how beautiful it is?
L M Montgomery supposedly modeled her stories after her own childhood visits to P E I Is she believable in her descriptions of how beautiful it is?
6foggidawn
Montgomery's books always make me want to visit PEI and see if it's really as lovely as she says.
As to whether Anne and Diana are believable characters, I don't see them as "too good." I do think Diana isn't a particularly well-developed character; she serves mostly as foil for Anne's vibrant personality, and I have sometimes wondered if Anne would have been "bosom friends" with any of the Avonlea girls (Jane Andrews, for example, or Ruby Gillis) if they had lived on the next farm over.
As to whether Anne and Diana are believable characters, I don't see them as "too good." I do think Diana isn't a particularly well-developed character; she serves mostly as foil for Anne's vibrant personality, and I have sometimes wondered if Anne would have been "bosom friends" with any of the Avonlea girls (Jane Andrews, for example, or Ruby Gillis) if they had lived on the next farm over.
7elbakerone
That's an interesting point to consider foggi. I also think it's interesting that Diana has what Anne considers an ideal life (at least in terms of her looks and her family situation). And yet instead of reacting with envy toward her, Anne embraces her as a dear friend. This could be an example of Anne being "too good" but at the same time I think it's neat that despite having everything that Anne deems perfect, Diana lacks imagination which is what makes Anne such an endearing character.
Another kind of funny question I was thinking about is do you think Anne would be annoying in real life? Her dialog is really fun to read but I think if I knew someone who actually talked that much and that tangentially about every little thing, it would probably drive me bonkers. :)
Another kind of funny question I was thinking about is do you think Anne would be annoying in real life? Her dialog is really fun to read but I think if I knew someone who actually talked that much and that tangentially about every little thing, it would probably drive me bonkers. :)
8elbakerone
And one more question - who wants to be the first to weigh in on Gilbert Blythe?
In short, I really wish we saw more of his character directly, but I think the way he and Anne react to each other is rather realistic.
In short, I really wish we saw more of his character directly, but I think the way he and Anne react to each other is rather realistic.
9littlegeek
Well, I for one find Anne extremely annoying even to read. I've been skipping over those long paragraphs of Anne waxing rhapsodic about some random thing. I find myself agreeing with Marilla every time she loses patience with Anne.
I know these books are real favorites for lots of people and that's great. I think I missed the window on this one, tho.
I know these books are real favorites for lots of people and that's great. I think I missed the window on this one, tho.
10pollysmith
Well Gilbert....he sounds like a lot of boys I've known. I do think the testosterone level was running rather high in this book.
11foggidawn
#9 -- Some books are easiest to love when you first encounter them at a young age. I'm not sure what I would think of the Anne books if this were my first reading of them; I know that I lost all objectivity about them long ago.
12Kerian
RE #5 polly's questions:
I don't think Anne's too good. She gets into enough trouble of a sort.
I thought her character a bit unusual at her age from the start of the book, but took in consideration what sort of past experiences she may have had to lead her to become how she is. For instance, she is so very talkative from the start, but who has she much had to listen to her? It's my opinion, too, that she's someone who thinks out loud.
I'm not completely sure of my opinion about Diana and am still thinking it over. Like foggi said though, she doesn't seem to be a well developed character to me, either.
I think it's possible that Montgomery may have made the place seem more beautiful that it really is. She could have written based on a time in which it seemed to her exactly as she has described it, but possibly at at older age returning there, found it different.
#7 el:
At times, I would think maybe. In real life, I could see other people being frustrated sometimes.
I don't think Anne's too good. She gets into enough trouble of a sort.
I thought her character a bit unusual at her age from the start of the book, but took in consideration what sort of past experiences she may have had to lead her to become how she is. For instance, she is so very talkative from the start, but who has she much had to listen to her? It's my opinion, too, that she's someone who thinks out loud.
I'm not completely sure of my opinion about Diana and am still thinking it over. Like foggi said though, she doesn't seem to be a well developed character to me, either.
I think it's possible that Montgomery may have made the place seem more beautiful that it really is. She could have written based on a time in which it seemed to her exactly as she has described it, but possibly at at older age returning there, found it different.
#7 el:
At times, I would think maybe. In real life, I could see other people being frustrated sometimes.
13lefty33
I am maybe half-way through, so I haven't read everyone's posts yet. Just wanted to say that I am loving the book! Can't believe I haven't read it before now. Also that Anne's and Diana's birthdays are in February and March and my bosom friend and I have February and March birthdays too! I'm so easily amused.
14suge
AoGG is probably the reason I read so much. I can't remember how I originally came a cross the book, but it has long been a favorite. I try to read it every few years or so. I cry every single time, and the scrapes Anne gets into never cease to entertain me. Reading this book is one of my best memories of growing up.
Foggi: I always want to visit PEI when I read these books too. Isn't it the most idyllic sounding place on Earth? If you ever do go, count me in! I almost went in 2008 when the book became 100, they had all sorts of Anne related everything.
Foggi: I always want to visit PEI when I read these books too. Isn't it the most idyllic sounding place on Earth? If you ever do go, count me in! I almost went in 2008 when the book became 100, they had all sorts of Anne related everything.
15foggidawn
#14 -- I know, I wanted to go then, too, but couldn't swing it!
I just finished listening to the book. I'm not impressed with the version I listened to (Blackstone Audio, 1991, narrated by Susan O'Malley). The narrator would sometimes break for a breath at a bad place in a sentence, which destroyed the meaning of the sentence and took me out of the story. She also had some quirks about how she pronounced certain names -- for instance, she sometimes pronounced Carmody with the emphasis on the first syllable, and sometimes with the emphasis on the second syllable. I'm not sure if this should be chalked up to bad narration or bad direction, or a combination of both (a good director should have corrected the mangled sentences and pronunciation issues; a good narrator would not have made those mistakes in the first place). The sound quality was also bad, but I'm blaming that on my iPod or Overdrive, which I used to download the audiobook.
I don't know how relevant all of that is to the discussion of the book, actually, but I thought I'd mention it in case anyone else is listening to an audio version, or is thinking about listening to an audio version.
As for the book itself, I still love it, though I must admit that I actually like the next two books in the series (Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island) even better.
As always, I cried at Matthew's death. Actually, since I know what's coming now, I usually start crying at "My girl -- my girl I'm proud of!"
Anybody else want to share reactions to that part of the book? Did you know it was coming, or did it come as a shock? How do you feel about Anne giving up college to stay and help Marilla?
I just finished listening to the book. I'm not impressed with the version I listened to (Blackstone Audio, 1991, narrated by Susan O'Malley). The narrator would sometimes break for a breath at a bad place in a sentence, which destroyed the meaning of the sentence and took me out of the story. She also had some quirks about how she pronounced certain names -- for instance, she sometimes pronounced Carmody with the emphasis on the first syllable, and sometimes with the emphasis on the second syllable. I'm not sure if this should be chalked up to bad narration or bad direction, or a combination of both (a good director should have corrected the mangled sentences and pronunciation issues; a good narrator would not have made those mistakes in the first place). The sound quality was also bad, but I'm blaming that on my iPod or Overdrive, which I used to download the audiobook.
I don't know how relevant all of that is to the discussion of the book, actually, but I thought I'd mention it in case anyone else is listening to an audio version, or is thinking about listening to an audio version.
As for the book itself, I still love it, though I must admit that I actually like the next two books in the series (Anne of Avonlea and Anne of the Island) even better.
As always, I cried at Matthew's death. Actually, since I know what's coming now, I usually start crying at "My girl -- my girl I'm proud of!"
Anybody else want to share reactions to that part of the book? Did you know it was coming, or did it come as a shock? How do you feel about Anne giving up college to stay and help Marilla?
16foggidawn
Another thought:
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Anne floats down the pond, pretending to be The Lady of Shalott, and gets stranded under the bridge. I don't know if I had ever read the poem before, but here it is, if anyone else wants to read it:
http://charon.sfsu.edu/tennyson/tennlady.html
I think Miss Stacy must have had them read background material on the legend the poem describes, as they know more about the story than what is in the actual poem!
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Anne floats down the pond, pretending to be The Lady of Shalott, and gets stranded under the bridge. I don't know if I had ever read the poem before, but here it is, if anyone else wants to read it:
http://charon.sfsu.edu/tennyson/tennlady.html
I think Miss Stacy must have had them read background material on the legend the poem describes, as they know more about the story than what is in the actual poem!
17pollysmith
that's probably true since it says something about how they studied it bit by bit. i wonder if kids today would even know the poem by name! and Poor Anne! trying to be so dignified when the last person in the world she would've wanted to see her like that comes along!
18Kerian
RE #15:
"My girl -- my girl I'm proud of!"
I was wasn't aware of what was going to happen to Matthew so I didn't cry at that point, but I did once he died. I was waiting for something major to happen at some point, but I just couldn't tell what exactly. After this quote above I think I was sniffly, but for how things turned out - Anne being someone's daughter/girl, versus not.
I think Anne was right to give up college to stay with Marilla. After Matthew's death, it's a time when they needed each other already. Adding the likelihood of Marilla becoming blind gave more reason for Anne to stay.
"My girl -- my girl I'm proud of!"
I was wasn't aware of what was going to happen to Matthew so I didn't cry at that point, but I did once he died. I was waiting for something major to happen at some point, but I just couldn't tell what exactly. After this quote above I think I was sniffly, but for how things turned out - Anne being someone's daughter/girl, versus not.
I think Anne was right to give up college to stay with Marilla. After Matthew's death, it's a time when they needed each other already. Adding the likelihood of Marilla becoming blind gave more reason for Anne to stay.
19ejj1955
>3 Kerian: Thanks, K, I like my name, too!
I'm about halfway through re-reading this; I'm enjoying it but I'll admit that I'd find Anne annoying if I had to spend a lot of time with her. I certainly don't think she's "too good"; she has a lot of admirable qualities, but she has plenty of faults, too. Her tendency to forget what she's supposed to be doing because she's daydreaming has a lot of potential to cause problems in the day-to-day tasks she's supposed to be doing.
For example, she mentions making a cake and forgetting the flour and making taffy and letting it burn. She's a bright girl but I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen with her!
ETA: I do think it's probably as beautiful in PEI as is described. To be honest, a lot of the description reminded me of growing up in upstate NY. I hate it now for the long winters, but spring and summer and fall are all still lovely. Many of the flowers are the same, and I responded to the descriptions of the field of violets and the gorgeous fall colors.
I'm about halfway through re-reading this; I'm enjoying it but I'll admit that I'd find Anne annoying if I had to spend a lot of time with her. I certainly don't think she's "too good"; she has a lot of admirable qualities, but she has plenty of faults, too. Her tendency to forget what she's supposed to be doing because she's daydreaming has a lot of potential to cause problems in the day-to-day tasks she's supposed to be doing.
For example, she mentions making a cake and forgetting the flour and making taffy and letting it burn. She's a bright girl but I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen with her!
ETA: I do think it's probably as beautiful in PEI as is described. To be honest, a lot of the description reminded me of growing up in upstate NY. I hate it now for the long winters, but spring and summer and fall are all still lovely. Many of the flowers are the same, and I responded to the descriptions of the field of violets and the gorgeous fall colors.
20Kerian
#19 ejj:
You're welcome, ejj. :)
The author must have captured the description of PEI well, then.
You're welcome, ejj. :)
The author must have captured the description of PEI well, then.
21pollysmith
it does sound lovely!
22ejj1955
I poked around and found that there is an actual Green Gables House, where LMM"s cousin lived, that is now part of the PEI National Park. It looks like this:
23pollysmith
it even has the red sandstone step in front! Where Anne sat m!any times!
24lefty33
This is the first time I've ever read this book and I can't believe I haven't read it sooner. I love the descriptions of the area and love the page-long paragraphs of Anne's dialog. In real life, I doubt I would enjoy Anne's company in large doses, but she is a charming character to read.
I love Marilla. I would so be gruff like her towards someone so gushing like Anne. Like I need to balance out her gushing.
As a child, Anne gets into plenty of trouble so she isn't "too good." However, as she gets older and calmer, I can see this "too good" trait emerging some. Her older self doesn't have half the flaws her younger self does! And she would not have been allowed in my kitchen. ;)
Speaking of kitchens, I have food cooking in mine that needs attending or I'll have to stick my foot in my mouth for having "pulled an Anne"!
I love Marilla. I would so be gruff like her towards someone so gushing like Anne. Like I need to balance out her gushing.
As a child, Anne gets into plenty of trouble so she isn't "too good." However, as she gets older and calmer, I can see this "too good" trait emerging some. Her older self doesn't have half the flaws her younger self does! And she would not have been allowed in my kitchen. ;)
Speaking of kitchens, I have food cooking in mine that needs attending or I'll have to stick my foot in my mouth for having "pulled an Anne"!
25elbakerone
I thought I weighed in on this thread more recently but I guess I've just been lurking again...
Matthew's death got me really choked up. I knew it was coming, but I was still pretty moved. And I thought the graveyard scene where Anne and Gilbert finally reconcile was really poignant. I think it was really believable that losing someone so dear softened Anne's heart, and I thought Gil giving up the teaching position for Anne to be with Marilla was super romantic.
And speaking of Marilla - love lefty's point (#24) about her gruffness being a sort of balance to Anne's emoting!
Love ejj's picture too! (#22)
Matthew's death got me really choked up. I knew it was coming, but I was still pretty moved. And I thought the graveyard scene where Anne and Gilbert finally reconcile was really poignant. I think it was really believable that losing someone so dear softened Anne's heart, and I thought Gil giving up the teaching position for Anne to be with Marilla was super romantic.
And speaking of Marilla - love lefty's point (#24) about her gruffness being a sort of balance to Anne's emoting!
Love ejj's picture too! (#22)
26ejj1955
Just finished reading this (for the second time, I think). Started to tear up when Matthew told Anne he was proud of her, knowing what was coming. I'm not much of a weeper, but . . . oh, well, at least I'm in good company here!
27Katniss_Mellark
I cryed too when matthew died, it was even worse in the movie....I want to move to avonlea
