Synopsis
Book 1 of 9 of the Anne of Green Gables series. Eleven-year-old orphan Anne Shirley has just arrived at Green Gables, and already her guardians want to send her back. First, she’s not the boy the Cuthberts expected. Second, she talks too much. And even with her generous spirit, the redhead’s a trouble magnet. She gets the neighbor drunk and nearly poisons the pastor! Still, despite a rocky start, Anne eventually wins over her guardians and her new community. She enjoys life at Green Gables, excels in school, and earns a coveted scholarship. But when tragedy hits, Anne must choose between her dreams and the only home she’s ever known.- ★★★★★
- ★★★★★
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- ★★★★☆
- Discuss boredom and how Anne does not succumb to it.
- Anne allows gratitude to motivate her and to guide her decision-making. Do you have something that you are so grateful for?
- What is peer pressure? Anne certainly feels it (puffed sleeves!) but does not let it determine her behavior and values.
- Holding grudges can destroy one’s life, while forgiveness can open previously unseen opportunities. What would have happened to Anne if she could not forgive and let go of her petty grievance against Gilbert?
- Reflect on Mrs. Lynde’s habit of “idle” gossip. Does Mrs. Lynde intend any harm with her gossip? Can gossip ever be harmless? Words should serve to build, not break, relationships. Discuss the Quranic verse: O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful. (49:12)
Mindful Muslim Review
Through sincerity that “breathed in every tone of her voice,” Anne, an orphan brimful with imagination, wins over even the most resistant personalities in the tight-knit farmtown of Avonlea. Anne demonstrates an enchanting medley of values including devotion to friends, service and gratitude towards elders, and multi-faceted resilience–all of which come together to produce a heroine that readers will learn from and learn to love. However, this is not a coming-of-age story of an innately perfect child effortlessly bringing others to suit. Many of Anne’s merits are hard-earned through the course of the story. Anne works diligently and consciously to develop her moral character through the course of her own mistakes. She struggles against her own vanity (after accidently dying her hair green), her anger (she risks losing her future soulmate because of a years’ long grudge), and her vindictiveness (she refuses to attend school for months because of an unjust punishment meted out by her teacher, thereby potentially sabotaging her own future). Resilience through both her worldly and inner trials leaves Anne and the reader with this wholesome, heart-warming sentiment: “Dear old world, you are lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”
Mindful Muslim Reader recommends Books 1-6 in this series.
