A review by melodypowers65
Anne of Greenville by Mariko Tamaki
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I'll start by saying that I liked the character of Anne and thought she was a really well done modern interpretation of Anne Shirley. I particularly liked this very Anne-ish line early in the book: "A shard of light pierced my dark mood."
There were other nods to the original book, some subtle, some more overt, that I liked it. It wasn't a direct retelling of the story of Anne of Green Gables and so didn't include all the "big moments" (the middle grade graphic novel retelling I read earlier in the year, Anne of West Philly, did more of that). I would have liked this novel to include a few more of those nods to the original story, but I don't think it lessened it too much overall, because it is its own book.
One thing I will note for other fans of the original book is that there is a lot of homophobia and racism present in this retelling. It is an important part of Anne of Greenville's story (and just generally an important issue to explore) and a good modern take on how Anne was initial treated with suspicion in Avonlea for being an unknown orphan. However, if like me, you turn to Anne as a nostalgic comfort read, just be aware that it is very present and that, for me, this novel therefore doesn't fall as much into the comfort read camp.
Overall, I would have given the first 3/4 or 4/5 of this book 3.5 or 4 out of 5. However, I am leaving it unrated because I felt that the end of the book really pulled it down overall. I felt the ending was very rushed and that the resolution came suddenly and without a clear explanation (as far as I could see) why the townspeople had suddenly changed their attitude (there was sort of an explanation, but I felt it lacked emotional resonance).
I also did not like how the romance plot line ramped up very quickly and then, just as quickly, did a complete and unexpected u-turn. Both love interests for Anne were women, so I don't feel I am depriving the world of sapphic representation by complaining that I wish they could have just stayed friends, rather than turning it into romance. I think there was something about how it was set up and how rushed the ending was that turned me off it, because I quietly squealed when Anne of West Philly had a similar twist at the end.
Overall, I think Anne of West Philly is a better modern Anne of Green Gables retelling, whereas I think Anne of Greenville is more of a story about a modern Anne Shirley, if that difference makes sense. I'm just really disappointed that the ending lets down what was otherwise a good book.
There were other nods to the original book, some subtle, some more overt, that I liked it. It wasn't a direct retelling of the story of Anne of Green Gables and so didn't include all the "big moments" (the middle grade graphic novel retelling I read earlier in the year, Anne of West Philly, did more of that). I would have liked this novel to include a few more of those nods to the original story, but I don't think it lessened it too much overall, because it is its own book.
One thing I will note for other fans of the original book is that there is a lot of homophobia and racism present in this retelling. It is an important part of Anne of Greenville's story (and just generally an important issue to explore) and a good modern take on how Anne was initial treated with suspicion in Avonlea for being an unknown orphan. However, if like me, you turn to Anne as a nostalgic comfort read, just be aware that it is very present and that, for me, this novel therefore doesn't fall as much into the comfort read camp.
Overall, I would have given the first 3/4 or 4/5 of this book 3.5 or 4 out of 5. However, I am leaving it unrated because I felt that the end of the book really pulled it down overall. I felt the ending was very rushed and that the resolution came suddenly and without a clear explanation (as far as I could see) why the townspeople had suddenly changed their attitude (there was sort of an explanation, but I felt it lacked emotional resonance).
I also did not like how the romance plot line ramped up very quickly and then, just as quickly, did a complete and unexpected u-turn. Both love interests for Anne were women, so I don't feel I am depriving the world of sapphic representation by complaining that I wish they could have just stayed friends, rather than turning it into romance. I think there was something about how it was set up and how rushed the ending was that turned me off it, because I quietly squealed when Anne of West Philly had a similar twist at the end.
Overall, I think Anne of West Philly is a better modern Anne of Green Gables retelling, whereas I think Anne of Greenville is more of a story about a modern Anne Shirley, if that difference makes sense. I'm just really disappointed that the ending lets down what was otherwise a good book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs