Happy Weekend, My Lovelies! Thanks for your patience with this post. I had such a great time at the artists' workshop, and I'll post all about it next week.
Today I want you to join me for this month's book club discussion: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery.
Come on in and grab a mug and fix either tea or coffee to your liking. Then we'll tuck-in for raspberry tarts and discuss this lovely book!
"The little girls of Avonlea School always pooled their lunches, and to eat three raspberry tarts all alone or even to share them with only one's best chum would have forever and ever branded as "awful mean" the girl who did it. And yet, when the tarts were divided among ten girls you just got enough to tantalize you."
First of all I want to share a few things before we begin with questions and discussion. I went to the library and checked-out the annotated edition of Anne of Green Gables. It took me forever to read the story as well as the notes, but it was so worth it.
One thing I found interesting is Montgomery's model for what Anne looked like in her mind:
Evelyn Nesbit is an artist's model and chorus girl who was the focus of a scandalous murder trial in 1906 that was the subject of intense media attention. Nesbit's husband Harry K. Thaw shot and killed Stanford White, the well-known New York architect. An unstable millionaire, Harry Kendall Thaw, who had become obsessed about White's previous relationship with Evelyn, shot him at close range at a New York City play.
Is this how you pictured Anne?
Another thing I wanted to share is about the traditional Canadian quilts mentioned in the book. This month I noticed an article in the 2019 edition of Victoria Magazine's Victoria's Classics: English Cottage.
This is an example of a traditional red and white Canadian quilt. I love quilts, and I love the red with the white.
If you'd like to read more about the landscape of Prince Edward Island and try a few Anne of Green Gables inspired recipes, I'd like to recommend the books pictured below.
"People laugh at me
because I use big words.
But if you have big ideas
you have to use big words
to express them,
haven't you?"
-Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables
Discussion questions are posted in the Comments Section below. If you have a question you'd like to ask, please feel free to post a question or two.
Until next time...
Happy reading!
Ricki Jill
In The Heroine's Bookshelf, Erin Blakemore admires Anne Shirley for her happiness. Anne certainly has the willingness and/or ability to remain positive in spite of her sad childhood. Do you think she exemplifies any other character quality? If you were to write a chapter about her, which character trait would you focus on?
ReplyDeleteThere are so many wonderful quotes in Anne of Green Gables. I shared my favorite one in my post, above. What's your favorite Anne quote from the novel?
ReplyDeleteIf anything, re-reading this book has made me want to visit Prince Edward Island. Have you ever been? Tell us about it!
ReplyDelete“Scope for imagination” is a characteristic that Anne treasures highly in others. Discuss the role of imagination in the novel. How does Anne's scope for imagination influence those around her?
ReplyDeleteI love Anne's obsession with fashion and pretty things. I cringed whenever I read about her overdone fresh flowers on her hat during her first visit to church and I really want Anne to get a dress with puffed sleeves (props to Matthew for buying her one). Why do you think these things are so important to Anne?
ReplyDeleteDo you think that having an imagination like Anne's is more of an advantage or disadvantage in life?
ReplyDeleteAlthough a century old, Anne of Green Gables seems timeless. What do you love most about this book?
ReplyDeleteI love Anne's Flair with words, like everything is either "tragical" or "romantical." Do you have any favorite "Anne-isms" you'd like to share?
ReplyDeleteHave you watched any episodes of "Anne with an E?" Do you have a favorite adaptation of the novel?
ReplyDeleteMarilla and Rachel's friendship has lasted since childhood. What lessons would we learn today from their friendship?
ReplyDeleteThis relationship truly is special to me. The ups and the downs they have. The honesty they give each other. I think a true friend will be honest with you. Yes, it may hurt your feelings, but if it is a true friendship, you will be able to continue on as friends.
DeleteAnne has a forgiving spirit toward everyone but Gilbert. Why, do you think?
ReplyDeleteI confess that I have not read the entire series. Do you have a favorite book in the series other than Anne of Green Gables? Tell us about it!
ReplyDeleteI read this as a child
ReplyDeleteI did, too, and loved it! We're reading clssics this year (one per month) based on the book "The Heroine's Bookshelf" by Erin Blakemore.
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