Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables #1), L.M. Montgomery

A beautifully written story about an orphan girl, Anne Shirley who surprises everyone when she arrives at Green Gables. Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew initially asked for an orphan boy to help around the farm but it turns up not just a girl but a talkative girl with a bright red hair and a wild imagination.

Despite of Matthew's intention to keep her, Marilla plans to send her back to the orphanage. However, things changed when there is another plan to send Anne to Mrs. Blewett, a bad-tempered woman with a quarrelsome family. Marilla feels it's better to keep Anne for her own. It's not easy at the beginning for Marilla as she has no experience before in taking care of a girl. It's not something easy for Anne as well. She needs to get used with Marilla's strictness but nothing can challenge her positiveness.

In school, Anne is popular and lovable by everyone but an intense rivalry starts when the popular and handsome Gilbert Blythe makes fun of her hair. Anne has a fiery temper and causes a lot of troubles but she always remember them and promises herself not to make the same mistake again. Anne's positivity brings joy to everyone around her especially Matthew and Marilla. She talks a lot to anyone and sometimes, it makes people laugh and easily to forgive her mistakes.

It's not a surprise for me when the story has a lot flowery words as this classic story was firstly published in 1908. I felt Anne was quite annoying at the beginning but as she grew older and became more mature, she talks lesser and thinks more before she talks. With her positive thinking, she has a very lovable character as she grew older compared to the time when she just arrives at Green Gables. I almost wanted to give up reading this book as I couldn't stand with her attitude but since this book is easy to read, I don't mind to keep going and see what will happen next. Luckily the story turns better towards the end.

Initially, I disliked Rachel Lynde because she's not only nosy but also prefers people to listen to her even though nobody asks her to offer any advices. Her curiosity level really annoys me but I have to admit that sometimes she has her points and her words are quite true as well. I liked Matthew because he always encourages Anne and his shyness is quite amusing. So, in summary, the story is about Anne's life with different people who lives in Avonlea.

Rating: ★★★
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