Anne of Green Gables

By: Lucy Maude Montgomery

Narrated by: Mary Sarah

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island, send for a boy orphan to help them out at the farm, they are in no way prepared for the error that will change their lives. The mistake takes the shape of Anne Shirley, a redheaded 11-year-old girl who can talk anyone under the table. Fortunately, her sunny nature and quirky imagination quickly win over her reluctant foster parents. Anne's feisty spirit soon draws many friends - and much trouble - her way.

Montgomery wrote the novel in the twilight of the day, sitting at her window and overlooking the fields of Cavendish. Since publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million copies.

Public Domain (P)2013 Trout Lake Media

Even this old man love Anne

I see that virtually all of the reviews of this book are (understandably) from women. I, on the other hand, am a 68 year old, male, retired academic & scientist who typically reads sci fi & fantasy these days. I bought this audiobook because a) we'll soon be going on a cruise to Prince Edward Island (the setting of the story) and b) Audiobooks was offering it for 95 cents. I expected to hate it. The language, particularly of the heroine, is flowery & archaic and the character of Anne is loquacious to the point being manic. I fully expected to want to strangle her by chapter 3. Much to my surprise, I loved this book. The author & narrator are equally responsible for my enjoyment. I can't imagine anyone doing Anne better than Mary Sarah. I'm still not certain why I loved it so much but I did. Maybe it's the fact that the writing is so much better & more interesting than in most of the sci fi & fantasy I've been reading. Maybe it's the use of words with which I was unfamiliar (or which I hear only infrequently) because I love words & pride myself on my vocabulary. Maybe it's the simple coming of age story set in a quaint past in a culture that may or may not have ever really existed. Whatever the reason, I loved it and have already bought volume 2. For another 95 cents, how could I not?

Wonderful narration!

I love this series...and this narrator gives the perfect performance! I have listened several times now :-)

A Pleasure No Matter Your Age

This has to be one of the best bargains I've ever found on Audible. I was searching around for a low stress summer listen and came upon this beauty for just 95 cents! I usually shy away from reading books written for children--but in this case I am really glad I overlooked the genre. The narration was excellent and the story was sweetly engaging. Somehow I missed out on reading this series as a child. Better late than never. It was great.

Fabulous narration of a classic

If you could sum up Anne of Green Gables in three words, what would they be?

Charming, seductive, classic

What did you like best about this story?

I loved hearing the old fashioned sayings the characters use. I also love that each character has their own little catchphrases that the narrator highlights perfectly. But of course, I love Anne! She captivates the characters if the book, as well as the reader. She gets into great micpschief but always has the best additude. I have listened to this more than once!

Have you listened to any of Mary Sarah’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Mary Sarah narration. I am hooked, she was great. I am sorry that she does not narrate the whole series. I sampled other narrators for the Anne of Green Gables series, and Mary is the best! Perfect cadence and emphasis on the right words. I can't imangine enjoying the story as much with out her. She brings Anne's rants to life!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes I did laugh! You never know what will come out of Anne's mouth! And Mrs. Lynd says equally ridiculous things although they are not so kind.

Any additional comments?

This story and narration by Mary Sarah has become like Linus' blanket for me and I love to listen to it anytime I want to relax and escape to Avonlea.

Not just for 8 - 10 year old kids!

I'm a 74 year old male who loves this beautiful book. Author L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery released Anne of Green Gables in 1908 but it is as fresh and relevant today as it was 109 years ago. Twelve year old Anne Shirley is an scrawny red haired orphan on Prince Edward Island (Canada) when she is sent to Green Gables when the owners requested a boy to help with the farm work. After much consternation the owners decided to keep the trouble prone and very talkative girl. This novel covers a bit over 4 years of Anne's life. There are several other novels in the series. Do not be misled by Audible's "kids" designation; this is a novel that will be enjoyed by all people regardless of age or gender. The narration is superb.

Audible charges members $0.95 for this novel which provides 9.5 hours of great entertainment.

Classic!

Well worth the listen... Every time. I'm always amazed at the goodness and the self reflection that I get out of this book.

Terrible performance

Of course Anne of Green Gables is a fantastic classic, but the delivery of this audio version is such a disappointment. Reader is way too cute and glib and all wrong for such passionate, fiery personalities such as Anne and Marilla.

Superb!

The story is excellent, as is the narration. It's most rewarding to follow Anne's development, from awkward and unwanted orphan to fine young lady and scholar. Though certainly distinct stories, there are parallels between this book and another fine favorite, A Tree Grows In Brooklyn.

Highly recommended if you like to observe the positive growth and development of endearing characters.

A Treasure

Reading this book would not have been as enjoyable as listening to the narrator capture the spirit of Anne. Loved it and the narration too.

Revisiting a childhood favorite

I can't think why it has taken me so long to revisit this wonderful story. I must have read it at least 4 or 5 times in my early teen years. Listening to it now after so many years was like being reunited with old, dear friends.

A welcome tonic😀

I somehow managed to miss out on some of the essential reads of childhood and so I am trying to make up for it. I loved every minute of this gentle, beautifully read tale and I will be revisiting it.

Happiness!

What did you like most about Anne of Green Gables?

The whole book is just so uplifting, the character Anne is a bundle of joy, throwing herself fully into everything in her life whether it be happiness or despair.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lucy Maude Montgomery? Why or why not?

Yes, I really enjoyed this writing, even though the main character is a young girl who uses lots of big words and sometimes sounds so grown-up, it also feels so real.

Have you listened to any of Mary Sarah’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I haven't, at first I wasn't sure about the narrator but I guess I learned to love her along with the character and have already bought the next in the series, checking that it was Mary Sarah again.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

All of Anne's adventures were so uplifting and really made you appreciate things that little bit more. If I every feel down, I know that giving this book a listen will make me feel happy again.

Any additional comments?

This is a classic that I felt I really should catch-up on and I'm so glad that I did, it is not just a book for children!

A true classic which is a delight to listen to

What made the experience of listening to Anne of Green Gables the most enjoyable?

I loved the narrator and her clear pronunciation of words. She put expression and tone into the reading and seemed to sympathise with Anne.

What other book might you compare Anne of Green Gables to, and why?

Traditional classics of that era where there are morals to be learned throughout the book.

What about Mary Sarah’s performance did you like?

Style of reading, clear diction, good orator.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Anne pleading with apologies - funny :)

Compulsive listening

Really enjoyable made me laugh and cry, in several places, descriptive and easy to imagine yourself there with all the colourful characters and lovely surroundings, great story left me wanting to get the next book 😊

Delightfully splendid!

I have read the "Anne" series years ago and loved it, so I knew I was going to enjoy this recording. The narrator is perfect and I chose this particular version as she sounded exactly like the Amne of my imagination. Wish I could give more than 5*

Truly a delightful listen.

The pairings of this wonderful book and this narrator is such a perfect match indeed.

A favourite childhood book

Any additional comments?
I have 2 books narrated by Mary Sarah and though she's not bad her phrasing is very odd. You are constantly aware of the narrator. I bought this book as it was cheap and I loved it as a child - I still have the complete 'real' collection!- and did enjoy it.

Beautifully Read!

Listened to this with my 5 & 7 year old and enjoyed it so much! My girls were drawing the story as we listened, time well spent!

A tonic to a fast, hard, uncaring modern world.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'd recommend this to anyone. Its just a lovely, warm and funny story, well told. It made me laugh and smile and it just gave me that feel good glow. I was also crying at the end, as I drove my lorry around. Very cathartic! It makes you want to escape from this mad world to a simpler, slower time, when people cared for their neighbours and family.

What did you like best about this story?

Its got to be the ginger, chatterbox herself.

What about Mary Sarah’s performance did you like?

A good performance. With a nice range of voices for the many characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's highly addictive. I'd downloaded Anne of Avonlea before I was halfway through listening to this.

Any additional comments?

Well worth a listen. I would recommend it to anyone.

Performance rating explained

The reader is quite good, apart from whenever she comes across a word that she doesn't know the meaning of, in which case she simply uses a word she is familiar with but which means something completely different (one example is replacing "deprecatingly" with "depreciatingly"), or when she sometimes misconstrues the context and enunciates sentences wrongly - but otherwise, she does an excellent job.