Anne of Green Gables

By: Lucy Maud Montgomery

Narrated by: Shelly Frasier

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

When Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables send for a boy orphan to help them out at their farm, they mistakenly get Anne Shirley, a feisty, independent but warm-hearted 11-year-old girl. Fortunately her sunny nature and quirky imagination win the hearts of her reluctant foster parents and everyone in the community. But not a day goes by without some memorable adventure or prank in the tragicomedy of her life. Early on she accidentally dyes her "cursed" red hair green. Later, in an effort to impress a neighbor, she bakes a cake, but with liniment instead of vanilla.

Lucy wrote that Anne is an extension of herself and represents the independent, "new" woman of the emerging 20th century. Individualistic, resourceful, and of a great humanitarian heart, she remains a great role model for girls and women today.

(P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Sweet story in a time when life was simpler

STORY - (classic) Anne of Green Gables is an easy listen and is beautifully written. It is the story of Anne, an 11-year-old orphan who is adopted and moved to the rural Canadian settlement of Avonlea. Anne is smart, very imaginative and talks too much. She finds joy and beauty in everything (except her own red hair). I suspect much of the timeless appeal of this book is Anne's loving descriptions of the countryside around Green Gables and the life she has found there.

There is not much of a plot, however. It is a very simple story of Anne's daily life from age 11 to about 16 -- going to school, making friends, etc., but it is sparked by her overactive emotions and some silly adolescent antics. There is some sadness toward the end, but the story ends on a positive note.

PERFORMANCE - Shelly Frasier does a great job with multiple characters' voices. She portrays Anne's emotions perfectly -- her pouting, her joy, whispering secrets to her best friend. A classic performance for a classic story.

OVERALL - I enjoyed this book, but I don't quite understand why it's achieved such a classic status. (I guess I like a more complex plot rather than just meandering through daily life). But it is beautifully written and performed, relaxing to hear and will make you feel good.

timeless story…subpar narration

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

this is one of my favorite books of all time

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

it is and I have many times!

Any additional comments?

not the best narration in my opinion

Precocious brat from hell

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Someone who downloads kitten photos

Would you ever listen to anything by Lucy Maud Montgomery again?

Never. Ever.

What does Shelly Frasier bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A Canadian accent?

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Intense irritation

Any additional comments?

I am grateful that I have never met such a manipulative, pretentious, and persistently noxious child.