Anne of the Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery — Firm Favourite

Cover: simonandschuster.com

^{Previous in the series: Anne of Avonlea.}

As I said to Nickie last weekend, I love all the Anne books so much that I can’t pick a favourite. Anne of Green Gables has the incomparable Matthew, Anne of Avonlea has Miss Lavender, and Anne of the Island has not only the culmination of Anne and Gilbert’s relationship, but also Miss Patty’s Place — one of the many, many places in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s writing that I would live if I could.

The moon rose in the silvery sky, empearling the clouds around her. Below, the pond shimmered in its hazy radiance.

Anne of the Island, Lucy Maud Montgomery

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s descriptions never fail to enchant me. She has a way of making places feel absolutely magical, whether they’re an old house owned by two elderly spinsters, a flower-filled wood or an ancient graveyard. Her language is perfectly simple, but she uses colour and beautiful-sounding words which make every page of Anne of the Island a delight, as long as you’re into sort of thing.

I’ve found my father and mother. Those letters have made them real to me. I’m not an orphan any longer.

Anne of the Island, Lucy Maud Montgomery

The heart of the Anne book is, of course, Anne Shirley herself — the way she’s different from everyone else, feels things more deeply and thinks in unexpected ways. In Anne of the Island, Lucy Maud Montgomery surrounds her with the memorable Phil Gordon and Aunt Jimmie, as well as old favourites Diana and Gilbert. However, not all Anne’s friends stand out so clearly: Priscilla and Stella fade into the background somewhat, becoming difficult to tell apart.

Laugh at your mistakes but learn from them, joke over your troubles but gather strength from them, make a jest of your difficulties but overcome them.

Anne of the Island, Lucy Maud Montgomery

Fittingly for a book set at college, Anne of the Island does show a tendency to lecture. Lucy Maud Montgomery makes more explicit references to a life lived according to the bible than she has in previous books. Many of her messages are just as applicable today and to readers who don’t share Anne’s faith, but not all, which comes as a slightly unexpected surprise.

Anne of the Island is a fabulous book for readers putting down roots in a new place, or looking back at a period of life to set down the lessons learned.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

^{Next in the series: Anne of Windy Willows.}