Anne of Green Gables
by L. M. Montgomery, published 1908
“There’s such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I’m such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne, it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn’t be half so interesting.”
This was such an important children’s book to me as a young girl, I wondered how I would feel re-reading it. The effect was terrific: I could see precisely why Anne had such an impact, as I related to her character so strongly. Certainly not because of where she lived, but, because of her gumption, her imagination, her joie-de-vivre, and the way she just kept moving ahead.
It is a cliche to say things are timeless, but a children’s book like Anne of Green Gables really is. There’s nothing awkward reading it today. The emphasis on character development, and the growing pains of a young girl really stand the test of time. As someone once said, while technology may change our world, the needs of the soul never really change. In this children’s book, we watch the heart and soul of Anne pour out in overflowing abundance.
I love the book. I hope young girls will continue to love it as much as I do. The language and writing takes work but it’s well worth it.
