Anne of Avonlea
Written by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Narrated by Colleen Winton
4/5
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About this audiobook
Lucy Maud Montgomery
L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery (1874-1942) was a Canadian author who published 20 novels and hundreds of short stories, poems, and essays. She is best known for the Anne of Green Gables series. Montgomery was born in Clifton (now New London) on Prince Edward Island on November 30, 1874. Raised by her maternal grandparents, she grew up in relative isolation and loneliness, developing her creativity with imaginary friends and dreaming of becoming a published writer. Her first book, Anne of Green Gables, was published in 1908 and was an immediate success, establishing Montgomery's career as a writer, which she continued for the remainder of her life.
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Reviews for Anne of Avonlea
2,270 ratings61 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This sequel to Anne of Green Gables finds Anne learning the ropes as a school teacher and Green Gables inhabiting some little people. As Anne remains bestfriends with Diana, new friendships blossom with old and new neighbors. And - Anne's dreaming never ceases.I found this sequel to be a little less enjoyable than the first. I like Anne and the rest of the characters and will eventually continue with the series, but I wasn't drawn to her as I was before. Maybe it's because she's growing up and acting more mature while I was anticipating more of the younger Anne - I don't know, she did have some impulsive moments. Anyway, I'll be more prepared for the next book. (3.75/5)Originally posted on: "Thoughts of Joy..."
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Even though I enjoyed “Anne of Avonlea”, I didn't like it as much as the first book in the series. I think it was because Anne was older and no longer creating havoc at every opportunity. This book focused on her first two years of teaching so was far more serious. However, I did like young Davy, one of the twins Marilla had taken in. He brought humour to the book with his cheeky personality and insatiable curiosity. In fact, he reminded me of Anne at the same age.My biggest complaint about “Anne of Avonlea” was the abrupt way each chapter came to an end. I found this annoying as it created a sense of discord. However, overall, still a sweet read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anne has big dreams for how she will teach her new class, but the bigger question is whether it's possible to follow them. Can she win the love and affection of all her students the traditional way? Meanwhile she's planning improvements for Avonlea and wondering just how she feels about Gilbert after all. She has new friends and at the end is wondering the same question of the last book- should she go away to college?
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5At first I was totally aware of how dated this book was in comparison to Anne of Greene Gables, but it didn't take long for the charm of the characters to take over and you are transported back to this world that you love without judgement.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5A teenager is a schoolteacher.2/4 (Indifferent).I can see how people like it. It has a particular sort of folksy charm. I'm just not that sort of person that can get invested in things like what color the hall is painted.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Continuing the tale of Anne and the people of Avonlea. At 16, Anne and her girlfriends were done school and certified to be teachers in the communities on the island. Anne continues with her fanciful ways, Marilla has taken in twins - a docile girl and spirited Davy. And Anne meets Miss Lavender, who was once engaged to a pupil's father. He's now widowed, sent his son back to PEI to be cared for by Grandma & finds out that Miss Lavender is still single - so romance happens for that lucky couple. The book ends with Anne and Gilbert preparing to leave for college.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The second in the Green Gables series. Not as good as the first, but still great. Loved it.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I was completely prepared to adore this book, but I just didn't. I feel like nothing happened, which is probably why hardly any of this made the cut for the Anne of Avonlea movie. I'm still going to finish the series, and I still love Anne, but this was disappointing. Borrow it?
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sequel to Anne of Green GablesI love happy endings
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anne is a "grown-up woman of 16". She is now a teacher. Yet she retains her sense of wonder and her amazing imagination. She enjoys teaching. She meets new "kindred spirits". And works to improve Avoanlea. A lovely, sweet book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Read my full review here.
Reading Anne is like going on an adventure; it’s like stepping into an alternate reality which resembles a fairytale. Montgomery describes nature almost as if it’s magic, and that makes the book seem even more special. Also, there were times when Montgomery would directly address the reader which rather made the book seem even more like a conversation between writer and reader.
It’s really great when you can see a genuine growth in a character from one book to another. The book itself even acknowledges the scrapes Anne got into in the previous book, and makes light of how silly she behaved sometimes. Small details like these make the book so good. The books seem to be rather episodic in that they cover different stages of Anne’s life. I actually quite like this because we get to see Anne grow up, and go on different journeys with her.
Also, Gilbert Blythe is a sweetheart. In this book him and Anne are so close. They meet all the time to talk, and the two definitely have a strong friendship (though Gilbert is obviously in love with Anne). I do wish there were more scenes with them interacting because Montgomery knows how to write very sweet scenes with them.
Overall, Anne of Avonlea is a wonderful book. I’m glad I’ve already got the next book in the series because now I can dive right back in to Anne’s world. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Watching Anne grow up by degrees, I understand it better now than I would have if I'd finished reading this book the first time I started it, a good many years ago. I appreciate the beauty of it now, as well as the way Montgomery, as usual, takes you directly to Avonlea and Prince Edward Island, with all of its seasons and charms. Splendid imagery!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I couldn't possibly tell you how many times I have read and reread L.M. Montgomery's eight-book "Anne" series over the years, from the classic Anne of Green Gables, in which our red-headed heroine finds a home at the eponymous Green Gables farm of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, to the much-loved Rilla of Ingleside, which follows the story of Anne's youngest daughter during the first world war. Suffice it to say, it's been a fair few times, and every reading, I am happy to report, has strengthened my love for Montgomery's characters, and my appreciation of her work.Originally published in 1909, the year after Anne of Green Gables, this second installment of the series follows Anne through her two years as Avonlea school-teacher, and although I wouldn't say I was blind to its faults (it has a few), it has always been a favorite. There is something so delightful about Anne of Avonlea - a restful quality to it that allows me to sink into the reading experience as I would into a soft feather-bed. Perhaps because its heroine is now an established member of the Avonlea community - no longer the orphaned outsider struggling to find a place to belong - but still young enough to get into scrapes, it seems to function as a transition piece, between Anne-the-child and Anne-the-young-woman, and has all the wistful appeal that such transitions always hold for me. Yes, Davy and Dora Keith - the twin siblings that Marilla and Anne adopt - are a little annoying, and the dreamy Paul Irving can be somewhat precious, but the ups and downs of Anne's first teaching experience, the entertaining efforts of the Avonlea Village Improvement Society (A.V.I.S.) founded by Anne and her friends, the romantic tale of Miss Lavender and her long-lost beau, and Anne's own hilarious misadventures (my favorite was probably her accidental sale of Mr. Harrison's cow!), all combine to make this an immensely engaging read! I'm so happy to own a lovely vintage copy of this jewel, complete with the George Gibbs image on the cover, as Anne of Avonlea truly belongs on my "treasures" shelf!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'm really not sure why I liked this book so much. Anne should really come across as a mary-sue, she gets so close sometimes, but ultimately (at least in my mind) she dodges that particular bullet every time. I think it has to do with how many scrapes she gets into, and how many people think she's crazy. It also probably has to do with the fact that I listened to it as I went to bed, instead of reading through it; I am not sure if I could have stuck with such an optimistic character for so long if I had had to read it.
So I must say that this book manages to balance happy optimism and realism to the greatest extent that I can remember any book I've read ever doing. I kind of wish that they still let sixteen-year-olds teach elementary schools :p - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5"Anne Of Avonlea"is a great book. It is about a women(Anne) who is a teacher. She teaches all grades because she lives in older times. In the book Marilla adopts twins and Davy (the twin) is crazy. Dora is more of a serious girl. Davy causes the trouble. Dora learns to help around the house. Anne says that Davy reminds her of herself when she was little. Dora is practical and never gets in trouble. Anne likes Davy better. At one point in the story Davy locks Dora in a shed. Anne and Marilla started panicking and looking for her. They eventually found her hours later. Davy got in big trouble. Then he gets sent to his room and a hour later he broke a platter. He was not allowed to eat dinner. He said he felt bad for doing it. I hope you like the book as much as I did.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved every minute of this book. It is a great follow-up to the classic first book.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Uggh, Davy and Dora suck. Especially Davy.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The first sequel to 'Anne of Green Gables'. Anne is now 16 and begins teaching at the local school. she meets new people, affects lives positively and learns more about herself. Very moving in places, and overall an enjoyable light read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anne, now sixteen, begins her job as a schoolteacher.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Audiobook read by Shelly Frasier
In book two of the series, Anne Shirley has graduated from school and is now the only teacher in Avonlea. Only sixteen, she is barely older than many of her pupils, but she moves forward as best she can and with the confidence of youth. Many of the characters from the first book reappear, and a few new ones are introduced.
I am late to the party in regards to this series. I never read them as a child and read Anne of Green Gables only a few years ago. But I immediately fell in love with Anne. Her enthusiasm for life and natural predilection for finding trouble continue to charm and engage readers a century later. There is not much plot, but the characters shine and their relationships are what give the books such universal appeal. The novels are enjoyable for adults and children alike.
Shelly Frasier does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She imbues Anne with an infectious charm and is particularly delightful when voicing young Davy Keith. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
I never read this series as a child, and don't know why not! I loved it; I am a kindred spirit to Anne, lol! I will read the entire series this year and see if I can find the tv series as well. What a great classic series! Now I want even more to visit Prince Edward Island in Canada - some day. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anne of Avonlea is the second in the series, and sees Anne now teaching in the old Avonlea school. Because of Matthew's death, Anne has given up her dream of college in order to stay at Green Gables and help Marilla, whose eyesight is failing. As may be expected, Anne starts her teaching career with a great many pretty theories — several of which are proven wrong in funny ways. Anne is sixteen in this story, so the childish high jinks are left to six-year-old Davy Keith, whom Marilla adopts along with his docile twin sister Dora after their mother's death. This is the book in which we first meet Miss Lavendar, and I'm not sure why but I never really liked her very much. Even now I can't really analyze it. I never really cared for Paul either; despite Montgomery's assurances otherwise, he always came across as something of a wimp. Charlotta the Fourth is priceless, however, and not just for her voluminous bows and funny speeches. The parts when she is in her room trying to imitate Anne are so poignant. In some ways she reminds me of a character from a very different book, Sam Gamgee of The Lord of the Rings. Both are lower-class servants who dearly love the ones they serve and have a vague, inarticulate yearning for beauty. I suppose the comparison breaks down if you take it any further, but I'm reading The Lord of the Rings at the moment and noticed that similarity. L. M. Montgomery was a minister's wife; I wonder if she wrote the character of Mrs. Allan as herself — or perhaps who she wanted to be? I haven't delved into Montgomery's history, but from the little I do know, it seems her life was not particularly easy either. We only get hints of Mrs. Allan's worries... gossip that she dressed too prettily for a minister's wife, a "little grave" in the churchyard, another child's illness, her youth and bloom worn away, and eventually the call to Charlottetown, a bigger church with perhaps higher expectations. I wonder. Again, Montgomery does a wonderful job with her characters — especially Anne, who remains a consistent, believable character although she is now verging on adulthood. The dialogue is excellent, the anecdotes and village gossip hilarious, and the serious parts sincere. This installment is another of my favorites in the series, and a worthy sequel.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anne of Green Gables returns in this classic. Now she’s a school marm at age 17. Her little batch of students charm and try her by twists and turns. Toss in the recently orphaned twins Davy and Dora Keith, and Anne has her hands full indeed! She has many mishaps and whimsical adventures in this tale.This is a charming little book about Anne. While there’s no central plot to the tale (it reads more like a string of interconnected short stories), the characters really make it work. Anne is so well-meaning even if she makes mistakes and causes property damage. She always apologizes and makes amends (whether through doing repairs or paying for replacements). I especially liked Anne’s idea of the Avonlea Village Improvement Society (AVIS) and the Pye family.Anne wants everyone to love her and she strives to find a way to win the trust, love, and approval of all those around her. However, as a school marm she sometimes finds this impossible when the rascals try her sorely. Then there’s Mr. Harrison and his sailor-mouthed parrot Ginger. Davy would probably give her early grey hairs if he doesn’t learn to behave.Marilla, Anne’s adoptive guardian, is still a significant part of the story. I like her steadying hand and well-placed advice. While I did like Book 1 a little more since is was about Anne fitting into this new life, it’s so good to have Marilla be such a backbone presence in this tale.Occasionally the tale dips a toe into the preaching pond with examples of good morals and what not. It was mild but once or twice I did roll my eyes. There is one short discussion about ‘injun’ feathered headdresses which dates this work.Anne grows up a bit in this book. She’s working full time, has her own chores and adult friends. Then she and Marilla take on Davy and Dora. Marilla’s eyesight is failing so Anne has all the sewing to do for the household. Even though she hates sewing, she’s willing to do it to give these kids a good home, even if just temporarily.There’s busted plates, caterpillars down a shirt, frog in a bed, a cow sold accidentally, a horrendous storm, and plenty more in this tale of Anne’s young adulthood. My favorite was the parrot Ginger. He swears a lot (though we never get to hear it swear) but it provides meaningful companionship for Mr. Harrison.I received a free copy of this book.Narration: Colleen Winton was a great pick for Anne. She has that wonder and gentleness that Anne is well known for. She also does a great Marilla, being a little sour but overall well meaning. She has distinct voices for all the characters and her male character voices are quite well done too. Her little kid voices are great as well as though few for the elderly.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In Anne of Avonlea we follow Anne Shirley through the two years she spends teaching school and ends with her about to embark upon her university years. Anne’s sphere is a little wider in this book, instead of concentrating on her home, Anne is now both the teacher of Avonlea’s young, and a member of the community, taking part in many activities and events.Anne is growing up and showing signs of the mature, thoughtful woman she is to become, but, there are flashes of the old Anne where her impulsiveness and her fiery temper lead her into some terrific scrapes. Anne and Marilla open Green Gables to a pair of orphaned twins, she meets some new “kindred” spirits to spend time with along with her much loved best friend Diana and other friends. Gilbert and Anne are enjoying their new found friendship and are growing closer as time passes. This is a delightful read encompassing the passing seasons of this peaceful rural community and although I freely admit to being biased, I highly recommend the Anne books as great comfort reads.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I thought I hadn't read this one before, but I had. It's as delightful as the first, and I made such happy noises at the end, with Anne and Gilbert. I wish there were a little more of Gilbert in this one, but that's my only complaint, really. That, and I miss Matthew.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Much preachier than I remembered. I rolled my eyes a lot.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is quite possibly one of my favorite in the series. The others aren't nearly as dog-eared.
I do think this book (and any other by Montgomery) are a little tough to get through if you're older than 13. Mostly because of the very fluffy and antiquated language. But I love them! - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
I came to this second installment in the Anne of Green Gables series with no clear memory of having read it as a child, although I'm fairly sure that I did. This means that I lack the strong emotional attachment to the book and to the series as a whole which I know is felt by many readers.
When I recently listened to the audiobook of Anne of Green Gables for the first time since my childhood, I felt engaged by the characters and by the setting. I especially responded to Marilla as she came to recognise her love for Anne and developed her ability to express that love. However, I felt less engaged by the characters in this book. In my view, there's not enough of Marilla and the teenage Anne of this book is less interesting a character than the child Anne of the first book. She still has a wonderful imagination, a poetic attachment to the landscape in which she lives and she still gets into scrapes, but Anne appears to undergo very little development until the last paragraphs of the novel. In addition, the other main child characters are not particularly satisfying: Paul seems too good to be true, Davy is irritating and Dora is rather overlooked and neglected.
Another weakness of the novel is that whereas Anne of Green Gables had Anne's character and her development as its narrative focus, this novel seems to be much more a series of episodes strung together without a real theme. That said, one element that emerges is that of communication in relationships between women and men and the danger to happiness caused by unresolved misunderstandings. This, of course, is also a theme of the first novel, with Anne's long-standing refusal to forgive Gilbert Blythe and Marilla's tale of having rejected Gilbert's father.
A particular disappointment for me was the narration by Laurel Merlington. Her reading is very clear, but her voice lacks warmth and softness. My unhappiness with Merlington's narration was probably increased because of my very positive reaction to Kate Burton's reading of Anne of Green Gables. As I listened, I kept feeling that I would be enjoying the book more if I were reading it. I usually count the voice of the narrator as a positive feature of the audiobook format, but not this time.
Overall, I can appreciate how much more I would have liked the book had it been a childhood favourite. It would have had all the familiarity and comfort of visiting old and much-loved friends. This felt a bit like visiting acquaintances after a very long interval and not being totally sure the visit was a good idea.
I don't want to give the impression that my less than totally favourable reaction to this book means that I don't want to read the the rest of the series. I've become attached enough to Avonlea and its inhabitants to want to know what happens next. If I choose an audiobook next time, I'll make sure it's narrated by a kindred spirit with a warm and pleasant voice.
For me, this was a 3-1/2 star read. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I remember liking Anne of Avonlea immensely when I first read it as a young teenager, and during my recent reread (for a group discussion of the book), I enjoyed most of the story as much as I did then, especially the anecdotes about the Avonlea Village Improvement Society (AVIS). But even more than the AVIS anecdotes, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed reading about both Paul Irving and Lavendar Lewis (two characters to whom I did not really feel drawn when I originally read the novel).However, I did find myself having major problems universally liking the character of Davy Keith. And it is not Davy's mischievous nature that I find problematic, but the fact that he is so often deliberately cruel to his twin sister. Not only that, but I find that Dora is more often than not ignored or denigrated by almost everyone from Anne to even Mrs. Lynde and all simply because she is a quiet, unobtrusive child and must therefore also be monotonous. When one remembers what Anne's own childhood was like, and how she was both emotionally and spiritually neglected before she came to Green Gables, it is supremely ironic that she now seemingly neglects Dora as well throughout the story, often ignoring her because Davy's exploits are more interesting or perceived as being more interesting.I also think that there is a somewhat uncritical acceptance by L.M. Montgomery herself of this viewpoint, as Anne's (and others') attitudes towards and perceptions of poor Dora are not really ever actively criticised (Anne does realise that she might have a bit of an unfair, unflattering perception of Dora, but although she is aware of this, she does not really strive to rein in her at times quite overt favouritism of Davy). As someone who was rather quiet and unobtrusive as a child, this angered me somewhat during my recent reread (but strangely enough, when I was a teenager and reading Anne of Avonlea for the first time, this did not seem to bother me all that much, or perhaps I was not all that aware of it, even though at that time I often did feel very much ignored and under-appreciated by both my family and society).
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Listened to the Recorded Books CD edition narrated by Barbara Caruso. I've changed my rating from 5 stars to 4 for this one - it's just a little too sickly sweet for me. Paul Irving is sooo precious (not necessarily in a good way) and I'm not convinced any child ever talked the way he does. However Davy balances that sweetness somewhat and I love his constant "How come? I wanna know," questions. I think the rest of the series improves over this - I know Montgomery hadn't originally planned to write a sequel and wasn't thrilled at the thought, but maybe by the time the series continued again she had become more enthusiastic. This is a tough one to listen to thanks to the TV adaptation. Caruso's voices don't always match the voices I have in my head for the characters; she also pronounces Avonlea somewhat oddly with the emphasis on the second syllable and it's distracting to me every time she says it. By the end of the recording I was more used to Caruso's style and it didn't bother me as much, but I wonder if I'm more able to overlook the saccharine parts when I'm reading than when I'm listening. Previously read many times.