Marian's 2015 Reads - 'Anne of Avonlea'

13/7/15

via http://wattsalot.com/anne-of-avonlea

Title: Anne of Avonlea
Author: Lucy Maud Montgomery
Original Publisher: L.C. Page & Co.
Original Publication Date: 1909
Pages: 421 (Vintage Classics Edition)

Why, look at that cover! The artist has captured the natural essence of Anne's deep connection with Avonlea (the gorgeous landscape), Anne's ridiculous encounter with a jersey cow (the cow), and Anne's infatuation with literature (the book placed next to her). So much symbolism in one cover!

'Anne of Avonlea' is the second edition of L.M. Montgomery's fantastic and addictive book series. Anne Shirley is now 16 years of age and teaches at the local Avonlea school, simultaneously completing her studies in correspondence and being a secretary for the 'Avonlea Village Improvement Society'. Throughout the book, we meet new characters such as 'An Irate Neighbour', a pair of twins Marilla had adopted, and a new favourite pupil of Anne's named Paul Irving. Marilla Cuthbert, Diana Barry, and Gilbert Blythe return as supporting characters once again.

I took pleasure in reading this book because the main themes are love, individuality and decisions. Firstly, love is reflected upon because there is a rekindling of a romance between old lovers. Love also takes place when the twins are adopted -- Marilla and Anne now have young hearts to fulfill. Secondly, individuality is cogitated in 'Anne of Avonlea' through the meeting of one of the new characters, Miss Lavendar. Everybody in Avonlea thought of Miss Lavendar as a queer old lady, but when Anne and Diana met her there was a beautiful maiden concealed within her facade. Thirdly, decisions took place in this book through Anne's thoughts. It may not seem of it, but the whole plot represented Anne's risky decision of going to university and leaving Marilla alone with the twins.

'Anne of Avonlea' was a bit humdrum in a sense that nothing really happened in this book. As beautiful as this story is, not many opportunities ceased to affect Anne's character. But I shall remember all book series have at least one sequel that lacks an effective plot.

For the remainder of this book review, I will answer a questionnaire I found on Tumblr that accompanies this book very well. It may have more to do with my personal experiences.

Compared to the first book, how did you like Anne of Avonlea? Compared to the rest of the series (if you’ve read it)?
I perceived it as a 'feel-good' book. Nothing very tumultuous happened in 'Anne of Avonlea' compared to its predecessor, which I thought lacked empathy.

Anne begins teaching at age 16. When you were sixteen, would you have been able to handle a class of unruly pupils of all ages?
When I'm sixteen, I'd only be able to teach pupils also sixteen or younger. If I were in Anne's position, I'd induce a concussion from all the stress!

How do you feel about Davy and Dora? Love Davy? Love Dora? (Personally I’m like Anne: “Marilla, it may be a dreadful thing to say, but honestly, I like Davy better than Dora, for all she’s so good.”
Davy's character had more depth. I prefer rambunctious Davy over angelic Dora. It means that Anne could reform him and explore the interior of his disposition.

What about the other new characters? (Mr. & Mrs. Harrison, Paul Irving and his father, Lavender Lewis 
and Charlotta the Fourth, also Fred because for some reason he was only introduced in this book)
Paul Irving was such a darling in this book. I never wanted him to grow up as in 'Anne's House of Dreams'. I could relate to Miss Lavendar by her peculiar reputation and her splendid imagination.

Speaking of Fred, how do you feel about Fred and Diana?
DIANA AND FRED! HAHA! Pardon, my colloquialism. It's strange to see Fred appear out of the unexpected. It makes me feel as if Fred's only goal in life were to marry Diana Barry. 

Did you whisper, “It’s okay, Gilbert baby, you only have to wait six more years?” every time Gil showed up? Because I did. 
Oh, poor Gilbert! I have to admit that I did. However, it was more: "ANNE, CAN YOU NOT?"

What did you think about Mr. Irving and Lavender’s romance? I thought it was the most romantic thing ever (coming together after years of separation), so maybe I’m like Anne in that respect.
Yes! It was oh, so romantic! Nevertheless, I wanted answers to why they fought. Did one of them need more time to understand themselves? Did either of them need to manage their career needs? 

Speaking of romance: favorite Anne/Gilbert scene? Other than the ending, I mean. They didn’t have enough, it seemed.
EVERY MOMENT. Anne could just look at him and I'd swoon.

Do you think Anne grew up a lot in this book? Were you grown up at ages 16/17/18?
Anne could conquer the world at the ages of 16-18! Anne's age was considered "grown-up" because there wasn't much to study back then. When I reach the ages of 16-18, I'd be completing my NCEA levels and trying to enter university. 

Finally, THAT ENDING. Best foreshadowing ever? Best depiction of romance ever? Best passage ever? SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS.
Oh, my Gilbert. It was tragical but amorous. I wanted more, but the best stories end with an ethereal conclusion.

This closes my 'Anne of Avonlea' book review! The Tumblr discussion questions were written by the user avonleavignettes. I've written this review out of sincerity and I hope you've enjoyed reading this lengthy review!

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,

- M ★ 

Letters to Electra - An Abstract Lesson in Friendship

3/07/15

Dear Electra,

Is it wrong to be mad at people who are smarter than you? I asked Gwen that question this week, and she advised me that it's fine. My other older peers may seem to consider this "a ridiculous form of jealousy." I wish I weren't able to possess this unbecoming characteristic, but I can't change that part of me! It's been part of me for so long that it's inevitable to appear whenever an intelligent classmate surpasses me.

For the first time in 2015, I cried at school. In music, we were assigned to write a piece which told a story, just like Peter and the Wolf. My group consisted of Gwen, Sakura, Charisma, two other girls and me. When I thought we had finished our work, our teacher sauntered towards us and uttered, "Let's hear it with narration." (by "it," he meant what we've done so far.)
When he sat down on the table, my jaw dropped and my eyes popped.
"But Sir, we don't have narration," I stammered and then turned around. "What are we going to do, Gwen?"
Gwen gave a silent shrug.
I guess I'll have to do this myself, I thought as I turned on the keyboard.
"There was a girl named... Cordelia! And, and... she was walking alone... to get some exercise?" I narrated vaguely.
Next, I pointed at the glockenspiel. The glockenspiel replied with delicate rings.
"And, and... behold her was an enchanted forest!"
The tubular pipes chimed after my signal.
"And then--"
"Instead of cueing them in, you all should know when to play," intervened Sir.
The whole operation failed miserably! Sir smiled at the end despite the tragic performance. With this, I excused myself to hide my crestfallen tears.
It was definitely better outside of the music suite. The bushes quivered in the refreshing breeze, all was at peace.
That is until Gwen came outside and attempted to cheer me up.
"Marian, you did well! If I were conducting this whole assignment, it would fall apart," confessed Gwen.
I remained silent.
"Although, if I were you, I'd lose it and burst into tears," she added.
My tears came to a halt a couple of moments later. I turned around and became surprised at the sight of Sakura. She had been there a few seconds after Gwen came to me. The former was as silent as a ninja which gave me a tiny fright.
"Thank you for cheering me up, guys," I thanked my friends as I walked with them after class. My swollen eyes and runny nose persisted at this point.
Gwen and Sakura smiled. I am delighted to have friends who can tolerate my naive emotions.

That concludes the last week of term 2! I wish that my schoolmates will remain safe and have a hedonistic time during the holidays. As usual, I will be taking a break from writing these letters during the upcoming two weeks, but 'Marian's 2015 Reads' will remain active. See you next week, Electra!

Stay powerful and beautiful as usual,

- M ★