Anne of the Island | L.M. Montgomery

Have you ever read the last sentence of a book, shut it, and dreamily gazed out into nowhere as you hold it close to your heart?

I have, today, for the first time ever.

It was a beautiful, melodramatic scene of a reader suffering through the ending of a most beloved novel. But I shall take a step back...

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"How Horrible It Is That People Have To Grow Up!"

Wishing couldn't keep Anne of Green Gables from growing up. Anne's whole world was changing— her childhood friends marrying, Anne herself leaving the Island for four years of college. But as much as life changed, important things stayed the same— especially spirited, irrepressible Anne.

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As I read the Anne of Green Gables series for the first time I was struck with the welcome fact that I like each book better than the last. The first book, Anne of Green Gables, was adorable but a little hard for me to get into; Anne of Avonlea was much better, and I love it dearly (read my review here); and the latest I have read, Anne of the Island, was incredibly captivating.

Anne has developed so much— bloomed fully into a woman. She has gained a steadiness and maturity that was far out of reach in the beginning of her story.

I have seen some people say they disliked that most of the characters in Anne of the Island practically idolize Anne, telling her she is their favorite, perfect, sweet, angelic, etc. I can definitely see how that could become quite annoying, although it never struck me as too bothersome. Anne surely has her problems— it would be blind to say she is a perfect angel, but even with that in mind, Anne IS... well... Anne. She's sweet and imaginative and captivating. I cannot blame any of her acquaintance for holding her in high esteem. However, perhaps L.M. Montgomery fashioned Anne to be viewed as TOO perfect in the eyes of all other characters. Again, this did not bother me as I read, but I understand where others have been annoyed by it.

Now something about Anne that did annoy me is they way she handles her little adopted brother, Davy, and his habit of general naughtiness and disobedience. Unlike Anne at his age, Davy deliberately seeks trouble. When Anne got in scrapes it was rarely because she premeditated naughtiness. Davy, however, is constantly disobeying his authorities, and even when he knows the right thing, running off to do the opposite. Anne- sweet, gentle Anne- does not handle this in the best way. Often, when Davy tells her about something bad he did, she cuddles him up on her lap, asks him how he feels knowing he was naughty, then says his feelings of remorse are the only punishment he needs and asks him not do such a thing again. This method of discipline can work occasionally, on the right child, but does it work on Davy? Of course not. The next day he is back at his disobedience with vigor. So that is my other criticism of Anne of the Island, although a minor one. Anne's handling of Davy is not effective at all, and reading such passages was irritating. I'm not a mother myself, but I know a thing or two about how to handle direct disobedience, and Anne obviously does not understand that her method won't work on mischievous Davy.

But now let us put criticism aside.

I so, so badly wish to talk about the relationship drama that occurs as Anne reaches the age of having to navigate such topics. There would be too many spoilers, however, so I will settle and simply note that very few characters have put me through the turmoil of emotion as Anne has.

I could go on and on about the romance, but will be kind and let each read for themselves. Then reach out and let's talk about it. 😉

L.M. Montgomery's writing doesn't dwell in one moment in time for too long, certainly not past the end of a chapter. In between each scene, any length of time can and does pass– days to months even. It was a little hard for me accept that I wouldn't get to "observe" Anne in many, if not most, of her personal interactions, but once I adjusted and accepted my role as an outsider, I was content with letting Anne have her own experiences without breathing down her neck.

Anne's new friends are all so wonderful and unique, I cannot chose who I like more! And of course, her old acquaintances were endearing as ever.

I'll admit that the changes to the people and place of Avonlea were bittersweet to read. However, change is assured to come along with life, and despite the unhappy passing away of dear things, new ones do come along to provide a brightness and hopeful assurance of the future. Just as in life, so it is in Anne of the Island.

So, as always, there is a very important question to be addressed, though I believe the answer is quite obvious at this point; Is Anne of the Island joining the books in my Most Excellent Library?

Absolutely yes!

Anne of the Island is a delightful little book, and I'm so, so excited to read the rest of the series!

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Here are some lovely quotes before you go!

"The little things of life, sweet and excellent in their place, must not be the things lived for; the highest must be sought and followed; the life of heaven must be begun here on earth."

"'I wonder if it will be— can be— any more beautiful than this.' murmured Anne, looking around her with loving, enraptured eyes of those whom "home" must always be the lovliest spot in the world, no matter what fairer land may lie under alien stars."

"Beyond the harvest hills were basking in an amber sunset radiance, under a pale, aerial sky of rose and blue. The distant spruce groves were burnished bronze, and their long shadows barred the upland meadows. But around them a little wind sang among the for tassels, and in it there was a note of autumn."

"It was November— the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines."

"There had been no snow up to this time, but as Diana crossed the old log bridge on her homeward way the white flakes were beginning to flutter down over the fields and woods, russet and gray in their dreamless sleep. Soon the far-away slopes and hills were dim and wraith-like through their gauzy scarfing, as if pale autumn had flung a misty bridal veil over her hair and was waiting for her wintery bridegroom."

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Content warnings

Language:

~A little boy struggles with the temptation to say a "bad word" that he heard his friend use.

~Children use "Shut up"

~A little boy flippantly says "God knows" he is reprimanded for his lack of respect for the Lord's name

Drinking, smoking, and drugs:

~A little boy wants to smoke tobacco

~A character jokingly throws out the idea of going into town and getting drunk

Romance:

~A little boy blackmails a little girl, saying he will tell that "Frank Bell kissed you in school last Monday"

~MINOR SPOILERS. Many characters get married and engaged. there is a lot of relationship drama, with break-ups, rejected proposals, and long-time crushes.

~A female character is extremely flirty, and is not ashamed in her habit of leading on multiple admirers at once.

Other:

~A little boy is very often naughty and disobedient, often without much reprimand.

~A character very seriously says she knows she will go to heaven because she is "a church member" (we know that simply being a church member does not guarantee heaven). The character is still very scared to die, however, as it will be so "different". She talks about this for a good while. It is stated that she is struggling with this because "she had laid up her treasures on earth only"; so we have some concerning theology in this segment, but also some solid insight.