Consider This Classic: Rachel Recommends
Consider This Classic is a monthly feature where bloggers highlight and recommend their favorite classic. They'll tell you when they first read it, why they love it and where to go from there. If you'd like to participate in Consider This Classic, click here to sign up.
Rachel from Hello, Chelly wanted to know if anyone had talked about a certain classic yet, and I was bursting at the seams when she told me what book she wanted to recommend. It's one of my absolute, all-time favorite books! I'd been wishing and hoping that someone would highlight this book, and I couldn't be happier that it's Rachel. Her blog is one of my favorites - the design is gorgeous, her reviews are thoughtful and her content is so unique. That's a winning combination right there! I'll turn it over to her now, but just know that I heartily second the recommendation for this book.
Publication Year: 1908
Originally Published In: United States
Amazon | Goodreads
Summary (from Goodreads)
Redheaded orphan Anne Shirley longs for a real home, somewhere she can truly belong. When she first arrives at the Green Gables house on Prince Edward Island, it's everything she ever imagined. But to stay, she'll first have to convince Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert to adopt her. And that means controlling her temper (even when Gilbert Blythe calls her "Carrots"), staying out of trouble (and away from hair dye), and not getting too carried away with her daydreams (though she would make the perfect Lady of Shallot floating down the river). Anne might not always get it quite right, but she does keep things interesting...
Through Anne's eyes, the ordinary world becomes magical and every day is an adventure. She inspires the dreamer in all of us, never hesitates to say the things we wish we could get away with, and makes us cherish every kindred spirit we meet. It's no surprise Anne is loved around the world by generations of readers.
This is so sad but I can’t remember exactly when or why I read it. I’m pretty sure it was towards the end of middle school, probably 8th grade. Most of my teachers had little collections of books in their classrooms and I was the only person who regularly borrowed books (because obviously the school library and town library were not enough for me!). Once I read Anne of Green Gables, I slowly but surely began reading the rest of them when I realized there were more. By the time I got through the series, it was probably early high school. Then soon after that I watched the movies featuring Megan Follows and the series (books and film) have been a favorite of mine ever since.
There is so much to love in this book. Anne was the perfect heroine for me at the age that I read it and I saw a lot of myself in her. The love of books, the constant daydreaming, wanting to write. I loved watching Anne grow from a young girl into a beautiful woman and seeing all the decisions and mistakes she made in between. I loved her relationship with Gilbert that started on a memorable teasing note (“Carrots!”) and turned into a one true soulmate type of love. I loved that Anne and her best friend Diana referred to themselves as kindred spirits (my childhood BFF and fellow Anne fan did the same thing for years!). I loved Marilla and Matthew, her adopted “parents”, and just everything about this world. I know I’m starting to talk about the series as a whole and it is amazing but the first book will always be my favorite and holds a very special place in my heart. Just a month ago when I bought my 7th copy of the book (no joke!), I randomly opened it to a scene with Matthew and I immediately teared up. If that’s not proof of its timelessness, I don’t know what is!
Classic: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Contemporary: Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan. I even surprised myself by thinking of this book but I do see some parallels. Mostly both protagonists speak the truth in a way that seems to shock or exasperate the people in their lives. Both have trouble seeing what’s right in front of them. Also, both are amazing books!
I am SO surprised this book has not already been on Consider This Classic, or I would have done it myself! Love this post. Anne is the best ♥︎
ReplyDeleteA thousand times yes! I just bought this book as a Christmas present for my mom since it's her favourite from childhood.
ReplyDeleteI have owned this book for over a decade now and have not read it! I vow to make amends and read it in 2015! It's time!
ReplyDelete