New adventures lie ahead as Anne Shirley packs her bags, waves good-bye to childhood, and heads for Redmond College. With old friend Prissy Grant waiting in the bustling city of Kingsport and frivolous new pal Philippa Gordon at her side, Anne tucks her memories of rural Avonlea away and discovers life on her own terms, filled with surprises…including a marriage proposal from the worst … worst fellow imaginable, the sale of her very first story, and a tragedy that teaches her a painful lesson. But tears turn to laughter when Anne and her friends move into an old cottage and an ornery black cat steals her heart. Little does Anne know that handsome Gilbert Blythe wants to win her heart, too. Suddenly Anne must decide if she’s ready for love…
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Anne enjoys college and a busy social life. She meets her academic match in Phil, a bright student with many beaus. Then she meets the man of her dreams…
There’s a lot to love about this book. The characters are written with the same heart as the previous books, and even Marilla has an outwardly loving moment. Davy is not as terrible as he was in the previous book, though Dora is still basically nothing. I will say that there has become a kind of repetition among the characters. Many newly introduced characters seem a lot like those that were larger in previous books. Phil, for example, is a lot like Ruby (and wow with what happened there). Even Patty’s Place has some similarities to Echo Lodge. However, the charm is still there.
There are some things that happen in this book that seem like a cliche, but I can forgive that, because this book was written before they became such cliches. Anne has started to become a little too perfect and loved by all, but it seems kind of natural, rather than forced. There are quite a few romances going on in this book, which I personally enjoyed quite a bit.
Because of how quickly these books speed through time, I echo Anne’s sentiment that it’s sad people have to grow up. Characters come and go so much, it’s hard to get attached to any of them. Still, there are a few permanents, and at the end of this book, because of the writing and dialog style I was so immersed in by then, the word “sweetheart” seemed like a whole new word when it was used. I’m a little less excited about continuing the series than I was up to this point, but I’m still looking forward to seeing what happens to Anne next.
Another series I loved as a kid.
Oh! I have no words for how delightful this novel was!
I adore Anne and it was simply beautiful to continue to see her grow up. Our little Anne is not so little anymore, however, nothing has dampened her kind spirit, brilliant imagination and zest for life.
I loved all the kindred spirits Anne met and it was lovely to see familiar and beloved characters.
The romance between Anne and Gilbert at the end was one of the most beautiful and adorable things I have ever read and I was left crying happy tears for them.
Anne of the Island, but who will always be Anne of Green Gables, has firmly captured my heart!
They just keep getting better. Though WAY too many deaths in this one. Keeping tissues nearby from here on, I only expect more tears to follow.
In the beginning I didn’t care for Phil’s character, she was rather obnoxious, but she grew on me. So happy Anne wised up, really fictional characters can be so myopic sometimes. 🙂
There’s just something about these books! It’s the poetic horrid lovely combination of drama and bore that explains life just so splendidly. I enjoy that. I’m working my way through the whole series of these books, having only read one or two as a child. I’m just sure I’m enjoying them more now than I ever could have as a kiddo. There are many quotables I’m adding to my “keepers” book, too! For example, here is one I’m sharing with myself in my book for later, or very soon, examination:
And she discovered that, while solitude with dreams is glorious, solitude without them has few charms.
It wouldn’t do for us to have all our dreams fulfilled. We would be as good as dead if we had nothing left to dream about.
I want to feel alone and free and wild.