This book tells us the story of a young orphan girl of twelve who ends up mistakenly at the house of a rather elderly couple who wanted a boy of twelve to help tend the farm which is beginning to be too much of a burden for Matthew. But both he and Marilla, his wife, fall under the charm of the little girl, and they adopt her. Anne is an obstinate girl, she has a lot of character, and she is given to daydreaming. Overall, she is very eager to learn, and wants to please her foster-parents, aware of their generosity and love towards her. The book describes the growth of the little girl until she graduates from school. She makes a lot of friends, and both her foster parents contribute in her education. In the story, we are witnessing her growth and the maturity that she gets in the village of Avonlea, a real place in the province of Prince-Edward-Island, Canada. The book is about friendship, faithfulness to people, work and trying to be good. There may be a bit too much emphasis on special friendship, but sooner or later, Anne opens up to all, in an effort to be realistic and understanding to all. This book is certainly a piece of Canadian anthology, and I would recommend it for Canadians and foreigners alike, desirous to know the rural Canadian countryside of the 1900s.
D.S.M. (2009)