Anne of Windy Poplars

By: L. M. Montgomery

Narrated by: Tara Ward

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

Anne Shirley has left Redmond College behind to begin a new job and a new chapter of her life away from Green Gables. Now she faces a new challenge: the Pringles. They're known as the royal family of Summerside - and they quickly let Anne know she is not the person they wanted to be principal of Summerside High School.

But as she settles into the cozy tower room at Windy Poplars, Anne finds she also has great allies: the widows Aunt Kate and Aunt Chatty and in their irrepressible housekeeper, Rebecca Dew, are on her side. As Anne learns Summerside's strangest secrets, winning the support of the prickly Pringles becomes only the first of her triumphs.

©1936 Heirs of L.M. Montgomery,Frederick A. Stokes Company (P)2017 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Curse You Narrator Change!

I love the Anne of Green Gables series. It is a classic, but out of all the Anne books, this, in my opinion, is the weakest. I still love the book because I am loyal to the series, but this one drags at times. This has probably been written about many times, but this particular book just drives home that Anne is a bit of a blueprint for the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Before you start furiously typing I am well aware that Anne does not meet many of the qualifications. She is a fully realized character and doesn't solely exist to make Gilbert Blythe's sad life better. But, she is quirky in the extreme, creative, adorable, and just seems to flit in and out of people's lives and magically make them all better. I digress though. The thing that bothers me most about this book is the change in narrator. I have absolutely nothing against Tara Ward, but a lot of the women in this book sound like linebackers. I also thought that Anne's voice wasn't as vibrant as it was in the books narrated by Barbara Caruso. I wish that the entire Anne series narrated by one person was available.

Hard to get past the narration

I’m trying to finish the Anne of Green Gables series but the narration for this book was hard to take. The narrator used a man’s voice for some women. Just because a woman is older and not married does not mean she should sound like a man. And I didn’t really like the voice for Anne either. Plus there were several children’s voices that were so grating. Sorry to be so critical, but I really think I would’ve been better off reading this instead of listening to the audio version.

Reader interpretation is important

Narrator did not understand Ann's character. I loved first 3 books. different narrators.Older women all sounded gruff and sometimes Anne seemed out of character. even Anne's voice was not consistent. I missed the sweetness of Anne's voice and of the sense of "kindred spirit" so evident Montgomery's work.

Poor narrator

I am disappointed to only find one production of Anne of Windy Poplars, narrated by Tara Ward on Audible. I struggled to get through this narration, and finished by reading a paperback.

Thankful for this; character voices odd at times

What did you like best about Anne of Windy Poplars? What did you like least?

I love this story. It is probably one of the less eventful Anne books, but I enjoy the slower pace, letters to Gilbert, and the fun relationships Anne develops with her new neighbors in Windy Poplars.

If you’ve listened to books by L. M. Montgomery before, how does this one compare?

It's one of her simpler novels. There are a couple of plot lines worth following. Much is just everyday-type events, but it's a nice diversion.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The narrator reads very smoothly and accurately. However, some of the voices did not seem right to me. She uses a deep, husky voice for several characters, including Rebecca Dew and Katherine, and another single female character of 29 - these characters were too spunky for that slow, deep voice. The voice of Elizabeth was too timid. There was one character whose voice was so annoying (yes, it was in character, but still), I fast forwarded through two chapters, which I don't usually have to do. I was able to find a deal at a lower price, and at that lower price, I don't regret purchasing it. It may not get the repeat listens like the recordings, but I enjoyed the experience overall.

Did Anne of Windy Poplars inspire you to do anything?

Look to see what other new LMM books are being released.

Just What I Needed!

I have wanted this book in audio format for years. I was so excited to see that it had come available. The book, of course, is wonderful! LM Montgomery can do no wrong. The beloved characters stole my heart, as always. The narrator did a wonderful performance worthy of the book! Highly recommend.

At LAST an audio version of this Anne book!!!!

I was so thrilled to FINALLY find this Anne of Green Gables title released into audio! I thought the narrator did a good job and brought this favorite to life for me quite well. I liked that this book was written as letters Anne wrote to Gilbert while she was a principal at a school and Gilbert was in medical collage. I will definitely listen to this again and again!
AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

A good escape listen

This is great for getting your mind off anything. It's generally happy but with a complex enough set of overlapping characters and storylines to get your mind off your own stress

Too many grouchy old ladies but still charming

This was a charming installation in the Anne series. My only dissatisfaction is that there are too many monologues by grouchy old ladies.

Fine story, poor narration

Unfortunately this is the only option for this book. The narrator has no understanding of the characters and makes Anne far too high pitched and annoying. All other female characters have deep voices that make them sound extremely old. Nothing sounds natural or comfortable. And she mispronounced Montgomery in the opening, which is an omen of what is to come. Someone come out with another recording! It isn’t a favorite book but I dislike Anne being poorly performed.