Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

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.