Anne of Avonlea has everything I love about Anne of Green Gables: the gorgeous descriptions, the endearing character moments, the most perfect slow-burn love story of all time. While reading Lucy Maud Montgomery’s books, I feel like Charlotta the Fourth: constantly watching Anne in the hopes that I might take on a little of her character if only I try hard enough. Even though I’m 34 and Anne’s only 17 in this novel, she’ll always feel like an aspirational figure of impossible enchantment. Some might find that cloying, but I simply get swept up in Anne’s spell the same way her most ardent admirers do. 

Fortunately, some of the other characters are a little more down to earth. Before this reread, I’d entirely forgotten about Mr Harrison, but I love how he morphs from tirading bachelor to almost a kindred spirit in a matter of moments. I’d forgotten about Marilla adopting the twins, too, and this time around I felt quite bad for Dora. She’s constantly described as being incredibly obedient and yet she is so overlooked that adults describe her as monotonous and forgettable. She’s a child! As an overlooked orphan herself, it really feels as though Anne could have taken more of an interest.

Of course, Anne of Avonlea’s true kindred spirits are Paul Irving and Miss Lavender Lewis — Echo Lodge with its fairy echoes is one of the most memorable settings on Prince Edward Island. I spent much of the book waiting with bated breath for Anne and Diana to finally stumble upon the little stone house. Miss Lavender inviting the girls to share the tea she prepared for pretend guests is up there among my favourite moments in the series.

As I said in my review of Anne of Green Gables, Gilbert Blythe continues to be literature’s most perfect romantic lead. His steadfast love for Anne, even before she is ready to realise it, never fails to make me feel emotional, and I know that Anne of the Island will have even more perfect moments of happiness for the pair of them.

No book is perfect, so I draw attention once again to the fact that Anne’s female friends her own age are, barring Diana Barry, fairly forgettable. Jane and Priscilla are different from one another, but I literally can’t remember a single thing either of them did in the previous novel, and by the time I start the next I doubt I’ll remember what distinguishes them. Diana makes up for it all, though, because her friendship with Anne is so beautifully encapsulated on the eve of her engagement. It was another moment that made me all misty-eyed. 

I love the whole Anne series so whole-heartedly that I literally hugged the book to my chest every evening after I finished reading. I can hardly wait to carry on inhabiting Lucy Maud Montgomery’s beautiful world.

This was so disappointing. Hopefully the next one is better.

I really disliked the storyline with the twins. They did Dora dirty. And Davy can go eat a rotten, bug infested turnip. He's not cute, he's a walking red flag.

miss lavender is such a delightful character. i wish that she had been introduced earlier so we as readers would have had more time with her but i hope to see more of her in anne of the island!!

Title: Anne of Avonlea
Author: L.M. Montgomery
Series: Anne of Green Gables, #2
Genre: Classic
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 14, 1909

T H R E E • W O R D S

Whimsical • Cheerful • Nostalgic

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Now 16, Anne has matured and taken on new responsibilities, and in the wake of Matthew's death, she is bound and determined to take care of Marilla. About to begin her teaching job at the local school, she's soon the one learning life lessons. In typical Anne fashion, she is drawn into the lives of others, often meddling in their affairs.
💭 T H O U G H T S

As an avid booklover (and Canadian), I am not sure how it took me until my early 30s to start this series. Green Gables feels like such an enchanting and luminous place, and this second book provided a breath of fresh air. It was an escape to a different time and place, much needed during another lockdown. I enjoyed getting to know the new characters and Anne's ever evolving relationships and her new roles, but I just didn't feel as invested as much as the first. I cannot help but continue to love Anne's imaginative spirit. This timeless series is just such a joy to pick up even if at times it doesn't feel like a whole lot if happening.

With each book I read, this series continues to blossom my dream of visiting PEI one day. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing my journey with Anne in 2022.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• Anne of Green Gables devotees
• Canadian readers
• young readers

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"'She told Mother she'd never live to eat their fruit, but she waned to think that something she had planted would go on living and helping to make the world beautiful after she was dead.'"

"That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs."