Customer Reviews

The Complete Anne of Green Gables Boxed Set (Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne of Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, ... Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside)

5 star:		(214)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The ANNE OF GREEN GABLES series is one of the most unforgettable, and one of the most enjoyable, series of all children's literature. This series chronicles the life and times of Anne Shirley.

Anne Shirley is the plucky, imaginative, red-haired orphan. Her parents die when she is baby, and so she spends the first 11 years of her life going between homes and orphanages, with no one really wanting to keep or to love her. By a mistake, she is brought to Avonlea--instead of a boy--to be adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a pair of farmers who never thought they would be raising a girl in their old age.

You may want to skip this next part of my review, because I am going to sum up each book briefly. No plot spoilers will be revealed, but some of the contents will, and if you haven't read all the books, then maybe you don't want the content revealed ahead of time.

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES covers a span of Anne's first 5 years in Avonlea. She will age from 11 to 16. Her immortal antics that have made this book so beloved include her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, dyeing her hair, and falling off of Mrs. Barry's roof...

ANNE OF AVONLEA spans two years. Anne is 18 at the novel's finish. She has become a teacher. Marilla adopts twins. Also, Anne has some more humorous and immortal moments.

ANNE OF THE ISLAND spans 4 years--Anne college years at Redmond. She will be 22 at the end of the novel. Anne discovers the real meaning of romance and love and courtship in this novel.

ANNE OF WINDY POPLARS also known as ANNE OF WINDY WILLOWS covers the 3 years of Anne's engagement to Gilbert. She is a Principle at Summerside High School where she has to deal with the Pringle clan, Katherine Brooke, and plenty of other interesting folks.

ANNE'S HOUSE OF DREAMS covers the first two years of Anne's married life. She and Gilbert now live in Four Winds Point, 60 miles east of Avonlea. Gilbert is making a living as a doctor, and the Blythes have new and interesting neighbors. **My favorite book of the series.**

Note: there is about a 6 year break between AHoD and AoI.

ANNE OF INGLESIDE covers about 6 years. Anne and Gilbert have moved to Glen St. Mary, near Four Winds Point, and now have children. This novel covers the birth of Rilla to the 15th wedding anniversary of Anne and Gilbert. More about Anne's children's adventures than Anne herself.

RAINBOW VALLEY takes place in 1 year. It is about Anne's children, and more specifically their neighbors, the Merediths--Faith, Una, Jerry, and Carl--and Mary Vance, but Anne does come in at important points within the novel. Faith is reminiscent in many ways of the young Anne.

Note: there is about a 9 year break between RV and RoI.

RILLA OF INGLESIDE is a heroine in her right. She ages from 15 to 19 during World War 1, the setting of this novel's time period. Anne is by now in her 50s and is a background character, but Rilla is a delightful and outgoing heroine with or without her mother.

This series was meant to be loved and reread and reread. Read the books in chronological order, or read them out-of-order but you'll still find them as fresh and enjoyable and as humorous as the first time you read them.

***Montgomery wrote some books about Anne's neighbors in Avonlea (CHRONICLES OF AVONLEA, FURTHER CHRONICLES OF AVONELEA) and in Glen St. Mary (THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY). And so if you enjoy the Anne books you might enjoy those books as well---although any Montgomery book is a reccommended read.***

I first loved the "Anne-girl" books at 12 or 13. Since then, whenever I am feeling glum, I re-read the detail-filled tales of an orphan girl from PEI with a vivid imagination and an enviable, wholly positive outlook on life. I recently realized that I skipped volumes #5 and 6 so it was a real treat to go back to read them (I could relate better at 25 and a newlywed to "Anne's House of Dreams.") It's hard not to see the beauty and romance in these books. Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote charming tales--I imagine it's the sort of thing that Anne wrote during her B.A. days at Redmond.

I'm back online to buy the boxed set for my sister, age 10. I hope she learns to love Anne, Diana, Gilbert and the host of other kindred spirits Lucy Maud Montgomery created as much as I do.

When I was in high school I was a mean, black leather wearing, heavy metal girl. A long time friend forced me against my will to read the first "Anne" book and my life has been so much more beautiful ever since. These books made me see the magical beauty in nature, bosom friends, family, imagination, and even crabby old ladies (this last has come in handy on many occasions). I now have made a point of buying the set for every girl I consider a friend. I am now 23, and when I have children of my own, girls or boys, I will read them "Anne" as soon as they can understand what I am saying. If you liked the "Anne" books I would also recommend books by Louisa May Alcott (Little Women)and Frances Hodgson Burnett (A Little Princess)

I started the Anne of Greene Gables series when I was 10 or so and could not stop reading it. This book is one of the best classics and one of my all time childhood favorites (Ramona Quimby being the other)! I read all the series that followed as well and they were equally excellent. Lucy Montgomery has created characters that are so endearing and heartwarming that you feel as if they are real and that you can identify with them. The story is a beautiful story with so much imagination, depth, and heart, and even subtle sweet romance...stories that are very rare to come by these days. It truly touched my heart and has continued to warm my heart even to this day at the age of 24 when I am down or just need some inspiration and good fun reading! Girls and women alike should all read this as this series should never fail to inspire you and make you see the world in a more beautiful and different light. Truly touching, inspiring, romantic, and humorous all at once!

Anne Shirley rocks. I don't know what else to say. I received the series as a gift when I was 11, and after I read one chapter I devoured all 8 books. I've now read Anne of Green Gables so often that I can practically quote the whole thing - I still read it whenever I need an escape from the real world.

The novel is essentially a portrait of a sweet, lovable, imaginative child growing up in Prince Edward Island in the late 19th century. An orphan since infancy, Anne is tossed around by people who don't want her until she is accidentally adopted by the Cuthberts, who wanted a boy. With the Cuthberts, Anne at last finds the home she has so long desired - and her adopted family (aging siblings Matthew and Marilla) rediscover the beauty of the world through the bright little girl.

Montgomery fills this book with glorious descriptions of the PEI landscape she knew so well, and with simple, touching stories of growing up. It is so easy to relate to Anne as she deals with her innumerable "scrapes," from accidentally setting her best friend drunk to dyeing her hair green to being made to sit with a boy in school. You will love Anne the minute you meet her, and you will laugh and cry with her through the entire series.

first of all, let me begin with I LOVE THIS BOOK! I have read this book more times than I can remember...easily more than a dozen...thus, I am going to set my mind to write a glowing review of it.

This book portrays a stunning sketch of Canadian History and Culture in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The character personalities are so real and so amazingly "human" that one cannot help but fall in love with them. You really get a taste of PEI in its glory.

This story is set in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island (Canada), a fictional settlement which is really Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, the place where Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author grew up.

The main character is Anne Shirley...and eleven year old, enigmatic, imaginative, sparkling, highly intelligent orphan who is sent to Green Gables, a farmhouse in Avonlea, under the impression that she was to be adopted by a pair of elderly siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthburt. But, apon arrival to Green Gables, Anne discovers that there had been a horrible mistake...the Cuthburts never wanted a girl...they wanted a boy who could do the chores and help Matthew with the farm. Anne was was in the "depths of dispair". Matthew, on the drive home from the train station had taken a great shine to Anne and had his heart set on keeping her, regardless of any mistake. Marilla, however, was not so easily enchanted. She agreed to let Anne stay at Green Gables on trial, to see if she would behave herself and lend a helpful hand to Marilla. After the trial, Anne is welcomed to Green Gables and flourishes under the love of the Cuthburts and all Avonlea folk. Anne, however, has one big problem. Her Hair. It is a hopeless shade of carrotty red and Anne felt that it was the ugliest hair anyone could imagine. She was extremely sensitive about it and she was horribly embarrassed about it. On her first day of school, Anne's hair was made fun of by Gilbert Blythe, the smartest and handsomest boy in school. "Carrots! Carrots!" he said. Anne's temper got the better of her and she was so angry she broke a slate over his head. After that, for many years, she snubbed Gilbert every time he spoke to her and he developed a boyhood crush on her.

Ah, but to keep this review interesting and the book mysterious, I will stop telling you the story and begin reviewing. The characters in the book are so well-defined that it seems to you that you know every character personally, like an old friend or neighbour.

And by all means, don't let the age recommendation fool you either...this book can be read by all ages alike...and I have no doubt that this book will still be my avid favorite at the age of 85.

The book is not boring, contrary to many opinions of those who read the first chapter of small print and historical settings. The discriptions will place you right into the heart of the story and you find you will laugh and cry while reading this story. Every time I read it I cry at a certain part which I'm not sure if I should reveal to you for fear of spoiling the good parts in the story, but it is dreadfully sad. If you read the book, then you will know what part I am talking about. The one saddest part in the whole story.

Although this book has some old ideas and ways of expressing them, you will learn a great deal of Canadian history through them and there's no doubt in my mind that this book will still be popular decades and most likely even centuries to come.

Okay, so I met this wonderful girl and fell in love back in early 1996 and she informed me that for her birthday she wanted me to watch a movie with her. Little did I know she meant the entire Anne of Green Gables video series. We married. Her birtday came, and the deception was discovered. I revolted, but was reminded that I had promised. I was surprised by how truly delightful the series was. I was later convinced to read the books -- with a lot less resistance. Gentlemen: here's the bottom line. The books were great. Get over your pseudo-macho pride and dive in. The stories and issues are, admittedly, a little dated. However, if you've ever had a wife/sister/daughter/friend/mother that you just couldn't quite understand, these books may help--as they did for me. Not in some pop-psychology best-seller sort of shallow way, but rather through getting into the mind of a delightful, dream-filled girl to understand her hopes, desires, and challenges in a way that men almost never can.

Read Anne 1-3, watch the movies, but if they truly move you and you love the spirited romance between Anne and Gilbert, Anne's winsome personality and outlook on life, and all of her scrapes, do not expect any of the same in books 4-8.

The first three Anne books are truly wonderful and were a very influential part of my childhood. As a kid, however, I strongly disliked books 4-8. I've reread 1-3 many times, and I love the Anne movies from the 80s, although of course the producer took certain liberties with the original plot. I tried reading the later books again when I was in my 30s and married to see if my own growing up would change my unfavorable opinion of the depiction of an older Anne and her "mature" relationship with Gilbert.

However, I may dislike the later books even more now than I did then. Here are some of the reasons why, although my disappointment in the later books is so strong, these may just be external reasons! The bottom line is that Montgomery changes Anne and Gilbert dramatically and for the worse.

1) Anne. Sure, Anne can't stay young forever and people do change. But just because a character gets older doesn't excuse the author for completely inconsistent and poor character development. Anne's ambition, her zest for life, and her ability to share her loving outlook with others, including those closest to her (who somehow disappear from the story) are not likely to vanish the second she turns 24 and gets married. Which brings me to the next problem: her relationship with Gilbert. In books 4-8, it sucks. As in, Gilbert is almost invisible, as if he just happens to reside there.

2) Gilbert: The movies do a better job of depicting Gilbert as a likable, spirited and passionate person, worthy of Anne's fire. Montgomery does a decent job with him in books 1-3, but writing male characters doesn't seem to be her strong suit. Matthew was wonderful, but mainly silent. Thomas Lynde--nearly silent. Charlie, Roy, the list goes on--most of the male characters are pretty shallow compared to the wonderfully rich female ones. Montgomery's depiction of Gilbert in books 4-8 leaves much to be desired. He's utterly distant, uninteresting, and unengaged. Not a great partner or consistent with their earlier relationship. Of course, relationships aren't always a fairy tale, but it's not asking too much to retain SOME compatibility, interesting dialogue or relationship sparks.

3) Location: Why on earth would Anne and Gilbert move so far from Avonlea, and why would this be a good idea from a literary point of view? Contriving the story such that the only place Gilbert could get a job is super far away is not believable, nor is Anne's contentment at hanging out in the house. Anne loves Avonlea, and both their families are there. It just doesn't make sense and helps ruin the story by separating Anne and Gilbert from their friends and family, which Montgomery made such pains to create as beautiful and meaningful in books 1-3.

4) Other/Basic facts. Montgomery seems to have forgotten her own earlier writing, especially in books 5 and 6. Sometimes it's little things like writing that Gilbert is a Conservative, when she wrote in the earlier books that he was a Grit. Not a big deal, but kind of off. Sometimes it's bigger things like Anne's weird jealousy of Christine based on some suspicion that maybe Gilbert didn't get over his relationship with her, when it was clear at the end of the 3rd book that Christine and Gilbert never had a romantic relationship. What is the author talking about? Is this just lazy writing? And why does Anne get domestic help? It seems out of place and strange given her hardworking and middle class upbringing.

I couldn't shake the feeling books 4-8 were written by a ghost writer or L.M. Montgomery didn't want to write them, but felt compelled to do it, so she just wrote without passion. As it turns out (according to Wikipedia), L.M. Montgomery had a very unhappy marriage and suffered terrible depression later in life, during the time she wrote the later books. Perhaps this put a damper on her literary skill or even her memory of her own characters. It seems likely that her own illness may have emotionally detached her from her lovable characters in books 1-3. This shouldn't take away from how fantastic Books 1-3 are, but I recommend not ruining their magic (or wasting your time) on Books 4-8--they are truly not a continuation of the original trilogy in heart, mind or soul.

I am not afraid to admit that I am 16 years old and still read these books that I first read at seven. They are amazing. Anne doesn't seem to be a made-up character to me, neither do any of her friends or "family". I read these books at least 6 times a year, each in one sitting. My children will read these books. If you have a daughter age 7, let her read these or read them too her! They open a world of imagination that every child should have.

I have loved the Anne of Green Gables stories since I was a girl, but never had the books as I used to borrow them from the library. Finally as I got older I resolved to get the whole collection and this set is a relatively inexpensive set that comes in a nice box that holds all of them together. Every girl should read Anne's stories at some point in her life for they are filled with childhood innocence, beautiful scenes, and heartwarming characters that remain with you long after you've read the stories.