Anne of Windy Poplars - LM Montgomery

⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Joseph)

This is now the fourth book in the Anne series, and it's definitely an odd one. Anne has gone off to teach at a school during the years of her engagement, so she is away from home. This book is half letters to Gilbert describing her time, and the other half just normal prose doing the exact same thing. It's a bit of an odd narration choice, not that I minded, because you get a little closer of a look into the mind of Anne, which is kinda what I've been wanting these last books.

However, there are NO appearances from previous characters. There is one short chapter where they appear in passing, but this book is all about Summerside and the people she meets there. I can't prove this (I even did some research) but what I think happened is that she published book 5, then years later went back to do book 4, and so couldn't really effect the overarching plot. That would explain a lot, because this book feels like an assortment of short stories all disconnected from the overarching Anne narrative. Nothing happens here that could effect life at Green Gables.

Anyways, despite being odd, I still loved it. Almost all of the side arcs are similar. Two people are in love, but there is an issue that prevents them from marrying, and Anne has to solve it. Essentially every story has a happy ending, and things always end incredibly tidy. This would maybe bother me if the stories weren't so charming and optimistic and generally hilarious. So many amazing characters here, mostly grouchy old women, which is Montgomery's forte.

The other arc style is similar, but mostly just someone trying to find happiness or purpose, and Anne helps them find the way (I guess that's actually the whole book, just that happiness otherwise involves marriage). These were usually my favorite chapters, because I always have a soft sport for the hearts of hard people being melted by kindness .

I don't have a ton to add. These are easy reads, but if you want some sort of overarching plot that is typically present in her books, you will not find one here. The last chapter could have very well been in the middle. That's usually not my thing, but Montgomery has converted me in a number of ways. I just enjoy reading whatever she wants to say.

I'll probably take a break from Anne for now, but I think this book does the best job of characterizing her as an adult. I now fully know what she is about, and I'm in love with her, and looking forward to getting back to her story.