Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Review

This book is genuinely so good. Definitely one of the highlights of my reading year. I actually had to read this for a children’s literature class that I took two years ago, but I just never read past the first chapter—which is usually how it goes for English classes that make you read about a book a week. And who said I was a perfect student? So I put it back on my shelf. The other day, my sister picked it up from my shelf and asked me, "You read this?" I felt pretty ashamed because I actually didn’t read it, so I finally picked it up this month and was shocked that I found it so good.

This book is so sincere. Anne is so sweet and earnest. Honestly, a big appeal of this book is that it’s so nice to step into the shoes of a romanticized small Canadian town, and it gave me Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls vibes. It feels like immersing yourself into a different era—one where the days are slow, filled with little sweet routines, beautiful and familiar scenery, the same faces that you’ve grown to love seeing. Anne is a force to be reckoned with, but she’s so sincere that Marilla can’t help loving her despite all the trouble she brings. Her little accidents and scrapes she gets herself into are funny and so Anne. My favorite moments were when Marilla can’t help but unbutton herself a little and let down her uptight manner to laugh out loud at something Anne does or says or the like.

This isn’t going to be your cup of tea if you like plot-driven stories, or powerful character development and a strong climax or the like. Yes, Anne does grow up a bit by the end and such, but this isn’t that sort of story. This is more slow-paced, and everything works out in the end, for every scrape. So take from that what you will.

I’ve read my fair share of children’s books and classics, and this one is truly one of the best.