Anne of Green Gables - I have questions

[drspouse]

So, I'm listening to this on Sleepy Bookshelf.
I really like it, having not read it as a child, and I'm wondering:
Are all the others worth reading?
What order do they come in? The listed order doesn't seem to match up with the dates.
And very important:
What kind of currants went into the currant wine? Because I understood that blackcurrants were banned in North America. Or is that recent? Or are these redcurrants?

It's interesting you say possible bipolar - I was thinking ADHD.

I find it interesting that LMM might have had bipolar disorder herself and wonder if she wrote those extreme highs and lows into Anne.

"those who can soar to the highest heights can also plunge to the deepest depths, and that the natures which enjoy most keenly are those which also suffer most sharply."

All “spirit and fire and dew,” as she was, the pleasures and pains of life came to her with trebled intensity. Marilla felt this and was vaguely troubled over it, realizing that the ups and downs of existence would probably bear hardly on this impulsive soul and not sufficiently understanding that the equally great capacity for delight might more than compensate.

But then they didn't have the courage to kill off Matthew and took a sharp turn into wokedom, centring the show around new characters representing The Issues, in a really weird way.

They didn't kill Matthew?!

I only have to think of Richard Farnsworth's Matthew dying in Anne's arms and I'm blubbing. I loved his quiet performance.

Me too @Classica

Lovely Matthew

Also can't believe they didn't kill him in the new one!

@Waitwhat23 it’s just heartbreaking. I was so shocked when I first read it, I just didn’t imagine them going there. Up until then I thought Anne’s last visit with Ruby Gillis would be the most I’d sobbed over these stories.

It’s so nice being able to chat about these characters as old friends you all also know 😊. My friends weren’t as into the books and I never got my younger sister onboard. Making plans for my niece (maybe after she learns to walk first 😂)

I'm still reasing some of rhe comments but regarding Gilbert's decision making over homes - I always assumed it was for practical reasons. He'd been to see the House of Dreams and sorted it out as part of setting up for his job with his Uncle. The way he describes it to Anne suggests thst he did take here preferences into account when choosing it. And the move at the end of HoD was necessary - he consulted Anne and she agreed. He was always practical and matter of fact and it was a good balance to her more romantic side.

@Classica

Whew. Thanks for that, *@snakelinguine*. Lucy Maud, was a bit of a strumpet! Sounds like the poor woman had quite a sad life overall so I hope that her younger lusty experiences were of some comfort when she found herself in that unhappy marriage. She married Moody Spurgeon it seems.

But you’re right, I can’t see Anne indulging in any of that. In fact I’ve just remembered in one of the books where Gilbert is described as getting all hot and bothered after catching sight of the curve of Anne’s virginal neck. The wholesomeness!

She definitely makes a reference to Gilbert kissing the nape of her neck in a letter in Windy Willows / Poplars.

Another adaptation didn't have the courage to kill Matthew, if anyone has ever seen the old black and white film. There was also a dire, in my opinion, Anne of Windy Poplars film, starring the same actress, too.

I've just remembered that Follows started in a poor adaptation of What Katy Did. She played, a very interestingly portrayed Cousin Helen.

starred, not started!

@NotImpossible, necks must be gilbert's thing. I'd imagine once the engagement ring was firmly on the finger not many people would disapprove of the odd kiss on the neck. Even Rachel Lynde would turn a blind eye, pragmatic woman that she is!

@ArabeI

Another adaptation didn't have the courage to kill Matthew, if anyone has ever seen the old black and white film. There was also a dire, in my opinion, Anne of Windy Poplars film, starring the same actress, too.

I've just remembered that Follows started in a poor adaptation of What Katy Did. She played, a very interestingly portrayed Cousin Helen.

I remember seeing that once. I seem to recall that the actress even changed her name to Anne Shirley. It played pretty fast and loose with the actual book. But I remember lots of artistic licence being used in the 1940s version of Pride and Prejudice too, starring Laurence Olivier as Darcy. Charming film but not P&P.

I've just remembered that Follows started in a poor adaptation of What Katy Did. She played, a very interestingly portrayed Cousin Helen.

Interestingly portrayed?

I'm intrigued by 'interestingly portrayed' too - in the books, Cousin Helen is the epitome of the notion of the 'angel in the house' - is that not how it's played in the 1999 film?

I commented on the house-choosing stuff. I wasn't trying to imply Gilbert was a tyrant - I don't think he was at all; he was the one encouraging her to write Captain Jim's book and he'd definitely picked that house knowing Anne would love it - but after the independence of the first three books (Anne choosing her own house – Patty’s Place, focussing on her own studies and working and earning her own funds) and the way she matched Gilbert consistently (they dead-heated through school, tied on the Queens list, both went off to Redmond and won prizes/scholarships, worked during holiday times to keep themselves), it suddenly became very apparent that, despite Anne being every bit as smart and proactive as Gilbert, her life was now going to be determined by his work. While he saved lives, she would make his dinner and have the visiting Rachel Lynd commenting on her housekeeping prowess. I think the issue for me almost was that Anne was such a modern, independent heroine up to that point. I almost expected this not to happen to her.

I'm not denying the practicality of his choosing the house in a fiercely patriarchal world where she couldn't hit the road and go with him, unchaperoned, or even have him follow her to where she would start her career. It all made sense. But I still resented that shift.

I probably also resented Gilbert for taking Anne from Avonlea as I never warmed to the Glen so much - even though it contained the absolute powerhouse that is Miss Cornelia Bryant. One of the best, funniest characters in the series, I reckon.

Ah, not the fault of Follows, to add.

No, not quite the same as the Cousin Helen depicted in the books. If I recall she shouts something about rat poison, for other potential customers to hear, outside a cafe, after not being allowed admittance on account of her wheelchair. She also dies at Katy's house (so that would be the first book).

It's not an easy book(s) to transfer to screen/play in my opinion, and to be fair.

Yes, agree @Classica about the 1940s P and P. Lots of irritations in that particular film!

Follows is the most perfect casting I've seen in anything, ever. They were all perfect.

Strangely enough, the copy I'm re-reading (as a direct result of this thread) has Fellowes on the front, looking exactly how I would have imagined Anne to look!

[quote Classica]@NotImpossible, necks must be gilbert's thing. I'd imagine once the engagement ring was firmly on the finger not many people would disapprove of the odd kiss on the neck. Even Rachel Lynde would turn a blind eye, pragmatic woman that she is![/quote]
I do wonder when and how often they get 'alone time' during the engagement. Is it all walking in the woods and cart (carriage, trap - horse drawn vehicle) rides?

I always thought there was a lot implied in those 'missing pages' of the Windy Willows letters!

@KookaburraSits

I commented on the house-choosing stuff. I wasn't trying to imply Gilbert was a tyrant - I don't think he was at all; he was the one encouraging her to write Captain Jim's book and he'd definitely picked that house knowing Anne would love it - but after the independence of the first three books (Anne choosing her own house – Patty’s Place, focussing on her own studies and working and earning her own funds) and the way she matched Gilbert consistently (they dead-heated through school, tied on the Queens list, both went off to Redmond and won prizes/scholarships, worked during holiday times to keep themselves), it suddenly became very apparent that, despite Anne being every bit as smart and proactive as Gilbert, her life was now going to be determined by his work. While he saved lives, she would make his dinner and have the visiting Rachel Lynd commenting on her housekeeping prowess. I think the issue for me almost was that Anne was such a modern, independent heroine up to that point. I almost expected this not to happen to her.

I'm not denying the practicality of his choosing the house in a fiercely patriarchal world where she couldn't hit the road and go with him, unchaperoned, or even have him follow her to where she would start her career. It all made sense. But I still resented that shift.

I probably also resented Gilbert for taking Anne from Avonlea as I never warmed to the Glen so much - even though it contained the absolute powerhouse that is Miss Cornelia Bryant. One of the best, funniest characters in the series, I reckon.

Oh, I loved Miss Cornelia!!!

I agree tbh, I was a little disappointed when I first read the books (especially with the inevitable comparisons to Jo March!)

My copies have Kim Braden from the 1970s BBC version which apparently is the only faithful dramatization of 'Anne of the Island'.

Didn't the BBC erase that series? Apparently that was a thing they used to do!

@Classica

Didn't the BBC erase that series? Apparently that was a thing they used to do!

I had those! Although they got lost in a move

I always thought there was a lot implied in those 'missing pages' of the Windy Willows letters

When she had just the right kind of pen...