Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of)

Part of the appeal for me of Anne of Green Gables is the big, exaggerated personalities of all the characters and their often ridiculous antics. This retelling that moves the people and events of the original novel to the present day, while fairly good, unfortunately chooses to soften everyone and everything just a bit too much.

The orphaned Anne Shirley isn't quite as voluble, choosing to express herself almost as much in a diary/sketchbook. Foster parent Matthew Cuthbert isn't quite as introverted, and his sister Marilla Cuthbert isn't nearly so rigid (seeing her with a hip haircut and stylish glasses reminds me of my shock as long-time comic book fan at the casting of Marisa Tomei as Aunt May Parker in the most recent Spider-Man show more films).

Even the setting is softened. Is it still Prince Edward Island? Or is it even in Canada? Vancouver is mentioned once, but the Avon-Lea apartment building could easily be in any mid-sized city in Canada or the United States.

Some of the modernizing is more successful than other parts. For instance, Anne gets involved in making zines with a school club, and the book maybe goes a little overboard on the actual production of zines. But on the other hand, a favorite fan theory about Anne Shirley is delightfully brought to fruition here.

This is my third graphic novel adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. I'd say this ties with Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden and Brenna Thummler, but my favorite remains the energetic Manga Classics: Anne of Green Gables by Crystal Chan and Kuma Chan. show less

This was very cute! At first I worried they were sticking too close to the book in a way that felt weird in a modern setting (Rachel Lynde dressing down Anne right in front of her when they meet felt a little strange in a contemporary plot) but it really found its feet once Anne starts going to school. I love Anne of Green Gables but it does feel a little arduous to read as an adult because it’s just one unjust calamity after the next for her, and she often suffers consequences that feel too harsh to a modern reader. This is a good update in that it stays true to that spirit of getting into childhood scrapes but there’s the comfort of a much more emotionally supportive home/school context.

Okay from the outset I'm going to say I was not happy that the author made Anne gay in this book. I mean, I loved everything else about it but really I think the author could have left that part about her sexuality untouched and stayed true to Montgomery's original. Nevertheless, its a great adaptation with Anne shuffled between foster homes and being picked up by an elderly brother and sister who live in an apartment block instead of a farm. The school setting is also updated and Anne is still the feisty girl we remember standing up against her bullies and for her friends.
Illustrations are great.

2/17/2023
Adding review in light of HarperCollins union approval.
4.5 rounded up. I only read "Anne of Green Gables" for the first-time last year and really fell head over heels for it. This graphic novel adaption has done such a wonderful job of capturing Anne's spunk and love of life, and I ADORE the queer aspect! The chemistry between Anne and Diana was always there, and Gros handled their relationship with a lot of care. Although the art style is a little bland, and not to my personal preference, overall this is a wonderful Anne retelling.

1/23/2023
Withholding review & rating due to HarperCollins strike.
This review is being held until the HarperCollins Union gets a fair bargaining contract.
For more information and ways to help: show more target="_top">https://linktr.ee/hcpunion show less

Anne is exactly what it says in its title: a modern-day sort-of adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. Having never read the original (I know, boo, hiss, etc.), I can't speak for how true it comes to the source material, but what I can say is that this story is so sweet that I don't think its adherence to the source matters. Anne is incredibly likeable, her problems are real problems, and she and her friends feel like real kids; the author clearly put time and effort into adapting this into a modern story, and it shows. The art style is perfect for the story, and I'm so glad full color was chosen for the interior - it's what Anne would have wanted!

Thank you to Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

3.5 stars

This is a graphic novel adaptation of “Anne of Green Gables”. It’s also set in a more current time period. Most of the characters are in it, and many of the events, but not all. There is more diversity in this one.

The characters had pretty much the same personalities (as in the original), but it was a bit odd to have Matthew and Marilla living in an apartment (called the Avon-Lea) in a city. It was good, but it’s just so hard to live up to the original. That being said, it’s probably not the original book in my mind (I have read it twice, but it’s been a while), but the CBC miniseries from the mid-80s, which remains one of my all-time favourite movies. I liked the artwork.

Enjoyable, had the moments from the source material but was thoughtfully updated, for the most part. Fun sub-focus on zines and zine-making. The romance stuck out to me as pulling too much focus from the rest of Anne's life, but those who are more into romance may be delighted by it.