Anne of Green Gables

By: L.M. Montgomery

Narrated by: Barbara Caruso

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

This endearing, heartwarming book has charmed generations of children and parents since it was first published in 1908. A true literary classic, Anne of Green Gables has given the world the spunky, irrepressible little girl who Mark Twain hailed as "the most moving and delightful child of fiction since the immortal Alice." To date, more than 50 million copies of the books in the series have been sold.

On Prince Edward Island, aging siblings Mathew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt a boy to help with chores around the farm. But when Mathew arrives at the train platform, the only living creature in sight, legs dangling from the piles of shingles where she sits, is a freckled, green-eyed, redheaded little girl. Mathew senses immediately that life at Green Gables is going to be very different. And how right he is. The independent and fiery girl, Anne, changes the Cuthberts' lives immeasurably, and for the better.

Originally published in 1908; (P)1989 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

"The sweetest creation of child life yet written." (Mark Twain)

EVERY SUCEEDING THRILL WAS THRILLER THAN THE LAST

I'M I TALKING TOO MUCH?
Another great selection from the kids section. Anne, which should always be spelled with an E., is a very talkative, red headed eleven year old orphan. Anne thinks she is ugly and she has been told that to her face by adults, but she does not let that get her down, matter of fact, she is one of the most positive minded people you will ever meet. IF YOU CAN'T BE CHEERFUL, BE AS CHEERFUL AS YOU CAN.

YOUR BOTH QUEER ENOUGH, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU MEAN BY KINDERED SPIRTS.
Anne's adoptive mother, although she is always called by her first name, and never called mother, finds it necessary to bring the daydreaming overly dramatic Anne down to Earth. It is harder to tell who has a bigger influence on who though.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE AGGRAVATING THAN A MAN WHO WON'T TALK BACK, UNLESS IT IS A WOMAN WHO WON'T TALK BACK
The adopting father, who is also called by his first name and never dad, is the strong silent type. He is deafly scared of females, but easily falls for Anne. He was expecting a boy to help him on the farm, but Anne's honesty and wonderful outlook on life captures his soul. Without saying a word or putting down his foot, he lets his wife know, he wants Anne to stay.

I PUT MY HAND TO THE PLOW AND I AIN'T LOOKING BACK
I have had this in my library for a year and a half. I bought it in some sale. I was worried about it being a kid's book and it being so long in comparison to most kid books. Silly of me, as I always have better luck in liking the kid's books. I honestly think, a lot of them are better written, than adult books.

IT'S BEEN THE DREAM OF MY LIFE, WELL ATLEAST FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS
Caruso is excellent. I believe there are 62 different recordings of this book available. Some may be as good as this, but I can't see any of them being better.

kindred spirit

I love the book, as it is an old favorite, and I really like the reader! She really brings out the spirit of Anne and all the other characters! The reader truely understands what it means to be a kindred spirit! I really enjoyed this reading of Anne of Green Gables!

The narrator ruined it

I read this series as a girl and loved it. Anything that featured a bright, capable, brave girl as the main character thrilled me. And my name is Anne - with an "E," - and I had freckles as a girl, so I was even more bound to to this wonderful character. So when I bought this book to revisit this special little girl and her wonderful community, I was prepared to love it.

I didn't. And it was the narrator. Ms. Caruso had very little range for the various characters, but I rather got used to that. But her Anne was just too over the top. I understand the temptation to portray her precociousness and her excitement, but I simply could not get over mostly finding Anne annoying up until she was in her teens.

As Anne the girl spoke, all I could think was "annoying!" But Anne doesn't - or shouldn't *read* that way. It took me a while to figure out that the narrator's voice was too mature. Anne didn't sound like a girl. She was too "adult" in tone. The narrator couldn't seem to "youthify" the tone of her voice. I'm not sure that makes sense, but it's a bit like a male narrator who doesn't know how to give voice to a female character.

Anyway, I was disappointed.

I ♡ Anne

I've loved Anne since reading this book as a girl. I loved revisiting Green Gables and Avonlea as I listened to it as an adult. When I was a girl I wanted to be like Anne with an imagination leading me away on magical journeys and helping me to see the world at its best and most beautiful. Anne's optimism inspired me to adopt my own optimism and to see the best in people. As an adult reader/listener I found myself in tears as Marilla learned to be a mother and found herself softening under Anne's love. There's so much to love in Anne of Green Gables no matter what age you are.

Barbara Caruso's reading is just right and captures the characters perfectly. I want to keep listening to her read this series for sure.

The Joy of Introducing a Dear Friend to the Family

I grew up reading the Anne of Green Gables books. The older children had also read a few of them, but the younger ones had missed out. I was so happy to be able to get this book for a car trip. Barbara Caruso does a wonderful job of reading this book. Everybody enjoyed listening together. They couldn't wait until we could load up the second book in the series. This is a wonderful book for family bonding!

Lovely Story and Narrator

I'm so glad I thought to look this book up on Audible! It was nice to listen to on my early autumn commutes (the story doesn't specifically take place only in autumn, but it still felt appropriate!). I am very particular about narrators, and I thought from the beginning that Barbara Caruso did a wonderful job. I'm happy that I'll have this in my library for future listens!

I have loved this book for 40 years .

This book comes to life with the narrator's lively, loving voice. One could suppose she loved the characters as much as I ........ and that is quite a monumental task!

A story for all little girls, actual and at heart!

Would you consider the audio edition of Anne of Green Gables to be better than the print version?

yes, and it was only because of how well the narrator captured the main characters personalities so well!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Of course ANNE, how can you not. But of course Mathew has a special place in my heart always.

What about Barbara Caruso’s performance did you like?

She captured Anne PERFECTLY. She had the range to do the other supporting characters just as well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"A story for all little girls, actual and at heart!"

Awesome read!!!

This is a story for all ages. I'm 46 and I read this book at least once every year, love it.

Audible fan

Delightful story, beautifully read. Characters, descriptions of nature and story line are all enjoyable and so well presented. I highly recommend this this book!

Very comforting

I suffer from regular bouts of insomnia, and I purchased these audio books to listen to when I can't sleep. Anne of Green Gables was a perfect choice - it is entertaining, but gentle enough to allow me to fall asleep. It is well read, and the character voices are all very good.

Feel good story

I read this because a friend of mine has loved all the Anne books as her favourites since childhood. I thought I should see what all the fuss was about! This was a good read. I really loved the character of Marilla, perhaps because she reminded me a little of myself?! Anne I found quite annoying as she never shuts up, but she grew on me, and in the end I cared what happened to her. The story is beautifully written, and I even shed a tear near the end when one of the characters died. I immediately downloaded the next in the series, Anne of Avonlea.

A word to the English who are considering which narrator to chose - I find some American/Canadian narrators too American (sorry to sound racist), but Barbara Caruso was very easy on the ear, nice clear pronunciation and enough differentiation between characters without resorting to silly voices, two thumbs up.

I loved it

This is is such a classic feel-good book beautifully read. It made me smile and cry.

Great audio book

It was really good.I enjoyed many parts of this book.I think it was very good to make Anne of green gables