Reviews tagging 'Death'

Anna í Asparblæ by L.M. Montgomery

12 reviews

julesadventurezone's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

My favourite thing was the implication that Anne was regularly writing steamy letters to Gilbert.
I also liked Katherine and particularly
that she does not get her problems solved via marriage
.
The bullying in the first section was pretty tough to read about, as poor Anne has half the town against her and the rest too scared to do anything about it.
I also didn't enjoy the lengthy monologues by people just telling their random family histories etc. Please be a little bit relevant to the plot....
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rchulin1's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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sophiaofbroadmoor's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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annelihghh's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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soph22's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Oh, Anne. I love you with all my heart, you are my happy place and you didn’t disappoint in this fourth book. I can’t wait to read the other four!
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erinwolf1997's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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faithfulflora's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I really enjoyed this wholesome little book. The episodic nature was fun and manageable. 
I missed Gilbert though!
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chalkletters's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Every Anne book has so many things I love that something I’ve forgotten always pleasantly surprises me. In this case, I’d remembered little Elizabeth, but entirely forgotten about Katherine Brooke, despite the fact that she has exactly the kind of character arc which appeals to me. I love her and I love Nora — both of whom start out being prickly towards Anne, before inevitably softening up.

Anne of Windy Willows feels slightly different from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s previous books. The book consists primarily of ‘extracts’ from Anne’s letters to Gilbert while she’s living in Summerside, so readers are given Anne’s own perspective and descriptions for the first time. This mostly works delightfully, but there are a few sections where Anne supposedly faithfully reports entire paragraphs of other people’s dialogue which stretch credulity somewhat. There are also fewer of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beautifully coloured narrative descriptions of things, but as the previous books still exist to go back to, that’s an acceptable trade-off to get more of Anne’s inner thoughts.

These give the reader a deeper understanding of Anne and how her life (especially her life before Green Gables) shaped her. Lucy Maud Montgomery calls extra attention to this when Katherine explicitly compares her own upbringing with the details of Anne’s history before she was adopted. There have always been hints of this, from as early as Anne telling Diana she didn’t know anybody could love her, but Anne of Windy Willows is the first time the reader is allowed into Anne’s head to see what she thinks of herself.

Anne of Windy Willows is chronologically fourth in the series, but was written seventh, after Rilla of Ingleside, which perhaps explains the almost complete absence of Diana. Her only mention is as part of Katherine’s subplot, to show Katherine’s feelings about babies. While Diana’s marriage and motherhood would naturally change her and Anne’s relationship somewhat, it shouldn’t bring it to such an abrupt and total halt! 

Despite a more-than-usually-critical review, Anne of Windy Willows still has all of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s usual charm. Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel is based largely on Anne of Windy Willows and capitalises on some of the best small stories — Pauline Gibson’s day of freedom, Jen Pringle’s betrayal of the amateur dramatics society. I particularly enjoyed seeing how Marilla Cuthbert’s name stands for household competence, even outside of Avonlea.
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kindred_reader's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad

3.75

 Just as always, Anne is a delight to spend time with. I missed seeing her interact with some of our favorites (Marilla, Davy, Gilbert, etc.) but watching her charm a whole town with her lighthearted spirt and kind heart was a treat. I loved the drama with the Pringles and the young people Anne listened to that had problems similar to her own or at least with just as must enthusiasm. The Aunts and Rebecca Dew were darling and amusing. Little Elizabeth stole my heart from the minute she arrived, and I'm so glad Anne meddled when she did. 

It sometimes felt a little tedious to read because I just can't wait for her and Gilbert to be married and live in their house of dreams, but this book isn't worth skimming because the people she met and the experience she had really shaped her. And her letters to Gilbert are something I'm sure formed their relationship for the long three years they were apart. 
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woolgathering_jane's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

“I hate to lend a book I love…it never seems quite the same when it comes back to me…” 
The weakest book in the series yet. I think mainly because there are almost no old characters and Anne herself seemed to be reacting to the people around her, rather than doing anything herself. It was still lovely though, even despite the scandalous lack of Gilbert and Marilla.
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