I have loved the 'Anne of Green Gables' stories for a long ...
937924
I have loved the 'Anne of Green Gables' stories for a long time. Anne is such a lovable character. full of mischief and wonder.
2926917
It has been years since I've read Anne of Green Gables and my husband bought me the entire series for Christmas. So with great anticipation, I sat down with the first book of the series ... and realize that as an adult, Anne just talks too much. But I still love her as much as I did as a child ... but this time, as a mom, I relate more to Miralla's story than I did before. Ah. Anne sure has imagination and determination and grits!

If you have never heard of the orphaned girl who was accidentally sent to a household that is run by a brother and a sister ... who were actually looking for a boy to help Matthew with the farm chores, then you are in for a treat. Anne may talk a lot (as I mentioned above), she sure is full of flight and fancy that will tickle every serious reader's bones. Everyone who meets her just falls in love with her ... she is an unique character, that's for sure. I have never met a character like Anne Shirley. I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the chronicles.

This is a perfect book for young readers looking to start out on their own. It is full of good morals and stories and about life. If you have children that are imaginative and loves to read, I would encourage this book for them. I plan to introduce this book to my sons ... when they're a little bit older. It is such a fun book to read and to discuss over.

I think my husband has made my Christmas a bit sweeter by giving me the entire series of Anne of Green Gables.

12/31/08
3737764
I very rarely review any DVDs I watch, but I felt that I had to write one for Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, since I almost -- almost -- didn't watch it, due to the reviews I read here at Amazon.  Personally, I'm happy that I disregarded the majority of the reviews and decided for myself to take the chance.  For me, it was worth it.  Yes, this installment doesn't follow the books.  But then, I never really felt that the later books ever reached the high plateau set by the earlier books either. And yes, there were some facets of the miniseries (most glaringly, Ann's unexpectedly vocal antiwar stance and the uncharacteristic whiskey consumption, which at least had the benefit of eventually being related, if not absolutely necessary, to the plotline) that diverged significantly from the direction which Ms. Montgomery had taken Anne's character. And yes, there was certainly a good bit of playing fast-and-loose with the author's timeline.

On the other hand, if there was going to be a sequel, the time and cost demands of making such a production more or less required that the story could not follow the series of books. Just the basic setting up of the sequel as defined by the author would almost insist on a miniseries of its own, and let's be real: once Anne and Gilbert get married in the books, it's pretty well their children's story, and while I certainly can't speak for the other 300 reviewers for this miniseries, I myself can say that the reason I would -- and did -- watch any sequel to the first two installments was to see Anne and Gilbert finally get together.  At least in this series, we did in fact see Anne and Gilbert together at last, finally the kindred spirits they were always meant to be.  In fact, one of the major pluses for me for this series was that Gilbert actually played a major role in the plotline, rather than playing the peripheral character he has mostly occupied in both the earlier miniseries and the books.  And I have to say, it was good to see Anne, for once, putting her entire heart and soul into her devotion to Gil, rather than constantly walking away from his own never-wavering devotion to her.

Finally, let me say that I thought the performances were quite up to the standard set by the earlier miniseries.  Of course, Megan Follows and Jonathan Crombie were admittedly more mature than they had been during the earlier miniseries, and that did take some getting used to.  But I also felt that their ages seemed more appropriate to the ages of the characters at this stage in their lives than was sometimes the case with the second sequel.  What did surprise me was how little Schuyler Grant had changed over the years.  That girl must keep the Fountain of Youth in her backyard!

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with this final installment of Anne of Green Gables.  I honestly felt that the first half truly did reflect a great deal of the charm and ambiance of the earlier miniseries, and while the second half does occasionally strain credulity (Anne has the strangest habit of running into old friends and new acquaintances at the most unbelievably convenient times and in the oddest locations), the story always kept my attention, and in the end, I was glad I hung in there.

For what it's worth, my recommendation is to please do give this one a try, unless you're a dedicated book purist or you cannot bear the idea that favorite characters do grow up and change.  You may or may not be glad you did -- but at least, like me, you'll have made that determination for yourself.
3740989
I always had a love for Anne of Green Gables but had not read any other books or stories from  Lucy Maud Montgomery until I read this series.  All the rest of her books and stories are just as intriguing as Anne of Green Gables. Once I finished reading the series I started over and reread it. It's such an enjoyment.
3493661
These stories are wonderful - I've loved them since I was a girl and I'm so glad to own the set!
4347863
My actual rating is 4.5* as the last story just didn't do it for me.  Out of 5 stories and one poem, the first 4 stories are classic Gothic tales by the great authors of the genre from their period in time.  Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu was fantastic; a vampire story which influenced Stoker.  I love this prolific Victorian short story writer and this was my favourite in the collection.  Then comes Ann Radcliffe's "The Mysteries of Udolpho", a classic of the genre and considered one of the first such novels.  I haven't read the novel yet so this was fun to read, though it is such a complicated and convoluted story that adaptation only makes it more so.  Edgar Allan Poe's short piece "The Oval Portrait" is well done, then follows Jane Austen's pastiche of the genre "Northanger Abbey" which readily makes references to "Udolpho".  I'm not a fan of Austen, but I've read some of her works including this and must say I enjoyed the graphic much more than the novel!  My only complaint is the last story by Myla Jo Closser, whom I'd never heard of, entitled "At the Gate".  I wouldn't by any definition call this Gothic.  A story of dogs in Heaven.  It is a bright, happy, cheerful story (those are not elements of Gothic) and with the wealth of Gothic short stories available I'm sure a more appropriate title could have been selected for inclusion instead.  Otherwise a fine volume with the usual pleasing art and a special call out to Lisa K. Weber's excellent work on "Carmilla".
4234360
I read Anne of Green Gables as a child and loved it.  I have enjoyed a very happy reunion with Anne recently in my 70's.  The writing is as delightful and complex as I recalled.  I ordered her complete works and had trouble tearing myself away from the books in order to read the stack of more current books that were piling up.
4794063
I used to read books like this when I was young and had more time, and I loved the stories.  I have found that as an adult, wow, people used a LOT of words to say something simple back then.

The story is the classic tale that I have long loved, but reading it is a bit tedious.
3426114
These stories have stood the test of time; in fact I enjoyed them more now that I'm mid-life than I did in my 20's. "Different" they certainly are; the only think that unifies them is their longer-than-a-short-story length, which is perfect for me. My least favorite was Breathing Method, which felt like two tales stuck together; but each story left me wanting more of the characters, who feel very real in my mind.
29052
Anne of Avonlea by Lucy M Montgomery is the second of the&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/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/dp/0553609416/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">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)</a>&nbsp;series.  I had never read the books as a child but when PBS showed&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Anne-of-Green-Gables-The-Collection/dp/B000XSKDH4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Anne of Green Gables: The Collection</a>&nbsp;I became curious and read at least the first three books.  Truth is, I think there were only six still being published at the time or maybe my bookstore didn't have more than the first six.  Either way, I was surprised to find out there are eight.  I read at least the first three books but then became bored . . .?  Or I found Anne less charming . . . ?  I don't know.  I honestly can't remember why I stopped reading the books.

Sooooo . . . I am rereading them.  Or some of them anyway.  Some of them will be first time reads for me.

I remember when I saw the PBS miniseries&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Anne-Of-Green-Gables-The-Sequel/dp/B00005Y7AN/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Anne Of Green Gables - The Sequel</a>, I was confused.  The story was so different from anything I remembered and, at the time, I reread the first three books.  The television show departs drastically from the books, give or take some minor similarities.  The book is charming, a little more romantic as Anne plays matchmaker and watches her friends slowly fall in love.  Things at Green Gables change but Anne, herself, is still enchanting as she dreams through her life but also does what needs to be done, growing into the kind of young woman who manages to maintain her innocence and imagination.

I'm curious to see how I respond to the rest of the books in the series.  Will Anne lose her charms for me?  Will she outgrow them and become less enchanting?  Or will what is adorable in a young girl become deplorable in a mature woman?  It'll be interesting, I think.
4086540
I haven't found many writers who write as beautifully descriptive as LMM. This was a trip down memory lane for me, having read all but the final book in the series in my pre-teens. These stories are at the turn of the last century, and pre WW1 set on Prince Edward Island, Canada. The Anne books are a foundation of some of the tourism on PEI. Kindred spirits, the family of Joseph, children playing, the reality of not having enough food to eat and clothes to wear, pure romance without the sex, even the "secret" when pregnant, these are stories of long ago, a bygone era and not everyone's cup of tea. But for me, it was a walk down memory lane, everything I had hoped and more.
3401323
I grew up reading Anne Shirley's adventures and over the years my copies have fallen apart or disappeared from the bookshelf, so it is a joy to have such a comprehensive collection.  I found it easy to navigate amongst the stories and I love dipping into old favourites, particularly the short stories.

I would recommend that people who have not read the Anne books before start off by buying/ borrowing the original ones as this collection can be daunting for a novice. As others have mentioned, there are two books missing from the Anne series and this could cause confusion for someone not familiar with the stories.
926985
Anne of Green Gables is the story that comes to mind when I think about the books I read alone as a child.

There are very few in the readers world that are unfamiliar with this story. The movies made were fantastic and Megan Follows the perfect choice to play Anne with an E, but nothing can compare to the original story.

I picked up Anne of Green Gables because I was challenged on Twitter to pick up a book I loved and read it, instead of picking up a book I should be reading. I read half of the book in a single evening, devouring it with the same satisfaction that I would my mom's potato salad or my grandmothers Texas cake.

My favorite scene in the book is when Anne, just after her performance at White Sands, speaks to the girls and talks about how she likes being just Anne of Green Gables. I'm a person who loves and cherishes home and that, I think, is why I love this book so much. Anne understood me as a child, a teenager and as an adult. She was my literary kindred spirit, as I'm sure she was countless others as well.

One last thing before I wrap this sentimental review up. I still own the 1983 Junior Illustrated Edition of Anne of Green Gables. This is the only book I've read the story in. It's spine is broken and some of the pages are loose and stained with fingerprints or sustained water damage. The illustrations inspire memories of their own, laying on the top bunk of the bunk bed in my grandparents basement, sitting on the big, green chair in my parents living room, eating a sandwich at the battered, scuffed dining table. Each illustration felt like an old friend had emerged from the shadows of my memory and waved hello, and just like that, once again, Anne has inspired my dramatic imagination to flare again.
4304723
I have loved this series for years and just began reading it again.  I was glad to see Anne McCaffrey on eBooks, as I no longer have many paper books on hand in my little home.  I love pioneer stories whether past, present or future and the stories of Kris and her Catteni mate never fail to deliver excitement, adventure and life lessons.  You can't miss with an Anne McCaffrey story.
4523644
I grew up not far from the home of Anne. I was raised on her stories and others from Lucy. You can't go wrong with the Anne stories or any that Lucy has written.  Try some of her older stories as well.
3091250
Words fail me to describe how much I loved reading Catherine Reids newest book, The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables.  I felt like I was opening a treasure each time I read from this book and gazed at the beautiful pictures of the breathtakingly beautiful Prince Edward Island.

I first read Anne of Green Gables as a young adult and loved Lucy Maud Montgomerys writing so much so that I read all her books.  What a gifted writer!  Her poetic lyrical writing captured characters thoughts and emotions and enabled readers to imagine the beautiful landscapes of Gods creation.

Who could not fall in love with Price Edward Island when reading Anne of Green Gables or seeing the wonderful TV mini-series by Sullivan Entertainment?  With each page you turn in this book you will be entranced by the beauty of this island.

Catherine Reed does a wonderful job in telling about Maud Montgomerys wonderful, yet hard life.  She achieved success, but was not immune to tragedy.  Catherine intertwines thoughts and experiences from Mauds life and shows how they were reflected in the lives of characters she wrote about.  The landscapes that inspired and moved Maud, where an integral part of her books and her life.  Included in the book are numerous quotes from Mauds writing, not only her personal journals, but also her beloved fiction books.

I forewarn you, after reading The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables, you may want to reread all of Lucy Maud Montgomerys books.  This book is a treasure; I wanted to savor each page.  It will help you to see the beauty in nature in a new and fresh way.  You may even be inspired to visit Prince Edward Island and behold it for yourself.

If you know someone, young or old, who loves Anne of Green Gables, or is enchanted by gardens and nature, you may want to get them a copy of The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables by Catherine Reid.  I would like to thank NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read this book.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Even though I got to read this book for free, I liked it so much that I may go ahead and purchase it.  Its a keeper that I would like to go back to again and again.
3575467
I would recomend Anne of green gables to anyone. Anne Shirley has been my favorite heroine ever since I was eleven years old. I love how Anne is always naming things and places. After reading this book I went out and found myself a lovers lane. I also enjoy that Anne love poetry. When ever I read poetry I always get a tingly feeling. I love Anne of Green Gables.