Anne of the Island
Anne of the Island
by Lucy Maud Montgomery
326 pages
First Published in 1915
Anne of the Island is book three in an extraordinary series of stories of the charming and precocious Anne Shirley. In this tome, Anne leaves the house of green gables and Marilla behind and heads off to Richmond College. She lives with her friends in Patty's Place and they enjoy, as it is impossible they wouldn't many adventures and scrapes of all sorts and sizes. All around her her friends are getting married, engaged and having children, which leaves her to wonder what life has in store for her. Anne is growing up, and maturing, but her impulsiveness still shines right through the tips of her reddish hair. Or is it auburn now? She is still playing at love with others, while Gilbert Blythe is hopelessly trying to forget his little friend Anne from Green Gables.
There is so much to tell about this little spunky heroine, but I wish to not unveil any more. I like to read my novels clueless and I guess I assume you do too. I loved this Anne of the Island just as much as its two predecessors, it is never dull or dry-- you can thank Anne for that, as she seems to be the cure to any dry moments in anyone's life. She keeps winning me over page by page, however I will say that I get pretty annoyed with her for not falling hard after Gilbert, but flitting and flirting while breaking his heart. Anne is many things, but she is not quick to forgive him, she is an expert at holding on to her little grudges and grievances.
I was also entranced by the dream world she lives in, the things she wants to do, wants to accomplish and because of them many times she is willing to forsake herself in order to reach her dreams. It is a good eye opener, that no matter how lofty your dreams, or how close they are to completion-- staying true to yourself is a much bigger aspiration.
Have you fallen in love with Anne Shirley yet?? Goodness, what are you waiting for!?
Dreadlock Girl Reviews Anne of Green Gables series:
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Avonlea
Anne of the Island
Spoilers from here on down:
The ending of this book is one of the most romantic scenes ever. This paired with Anne of Green Gables on film, which does not fail to match the romantic appeal of Anne and Gilbert coming together at long last. I felt like my teeth were going to fall out, and gray hair would pop out before these two sweeties would ever figure out they were meant to be. It is a dream. Oh, and you have to watch Anne of Green Gables, and then The Continuing Story to see the beauty of this classic book moment made into a classic film moment. It is perfection.
Yeah, let this clip refresh your memory, romance....here we come!!!
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I adoringly HEART—>
May 20th, 2009 - 22:35
I read everything Anne related when I was, oh, 14 or so. Loved those books. And the movies! One of the few shows to do a book series justice.
May 20th, 2009 - 22:48
Ah, dear Anne, the stuff of my childhood…
) Glad to see her story still has legs.
For some obscure reason, the Japanese are crazy about her. They sell wedding packages to couples wanting to get married in PEI. Go figure.
May 20th, 2009 - 22:53
Trish- I know, I am pretty late hopping on the train, but I am SO glad to be here.
Janet- I would have loved Anne as a kid, I wish I had been introduced then!
I have heard about he Japanese being extremely interested in Anne and all things Anne. Too cute!
May 21st, 2009 - 02:27
Ohhh I adore the Anne books! I can’t remember if I’ve posted on one of your Anne reviews before, but I spent a year reading the series when I was at school, and I fell completely in love with them.
Thanks for sharing the YouTube clip – am going to have to try and find the DVDs now!
May 21st, 2009 - 04:03
Ah, but Anne of Windy Poplars is the one I like the best. That’s coming up next for you — how exciting!
May 21st, 2009 - 04:26
I’ve loved the whole series so far. Glad you like it too!
May 21st, 2009 - 05:55
Anne is most definitely a kindred spirit! It’s great fun to see so many other Anne lovers.
I just found your blog and really like it! I’ll be back.
May 21st, 2009 - 06:29
“I don’t want diamond sunbursts or marble halls – I just want you.” *weeps* This STILL makes me cry, and I’ve seen it so many times I can recite it along with the actors. I’m so glad you watched the movies – I’m so glad you fell in love with Anne!
May 21st, 2009 - 09:39
Thanks for making me cry!
I haven’t watched this film in a long time. I actually saw the movies first. When I was about 13 I was over at one of my sister’s friend’s house – they had a flag team meeting & rehearsal that lasted for about 5 hours so her mom put on the Anne of Green Gables movies for me. When they finished their meeting I still had some of the second movie left to watch and didn’t want to leave.
I went straight to the library and got the books after that. I love them!
May 21st, 2009 - 11:54
Hummmmm. Thanks for the video clip. I read the entire series when I was young and then again a few years ago with my niece. And I’ve watched the movies twice. Ahhhhh. Loved the memories.
May 21st, 2009 - 15:11
I think the last time you posted about Anne I had just picked up a copy of the first book and guess what? It’s still sits completely untouched. I know (hanging my head in shame).
I know the books are good. I know they are probably really charming but I need to make room for them and right now they don’t fit in between what I am reading. I hope to get to them this summer.
May 21st, 2009 - 17:58
So romantic. That final scene in the book and the movie, just gets me so bad. I think that’s why I never saw the attraction of the ‘bad boy’, they weren’t like Gilbert. I’m glad you loved the books too.
You wouldn’t believe the number of Japanese tourists on PEI in the summer. It’s crazy and they are crazy for anything Anne.
May 21st, 2009 - 18:27
I really want to get back to this series. I just love Anne. I’ve only read the first two so I have a lot of good ones in store for me. Glad you loved this one too!
May 22nd, 2009 - 06:21
I knew you would love this book!
May 22nd, 2009 - 10:22
None of the Anne books ever capture my heart as well as the first one did, but I do remember reading a good bunch of them when I was 10 or so. And I looooove the Kevin Sullivan adaptations that were made (although I will never watch the third movie made as it departs dramatically from the books) – I even own them on DVD! Sigh… I may need to re-read those books again soon!
June 3rd, 2009 - 08:47
This series is the best I can watch it every year and not get tired of it. My husband even loves it. We introduce Nate to it as well and he liked it too.