Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden

Anne with an “E” is back and she’s enchanting as ever in this modern rendition of a Canadian classic! Anne of Green Gables, originally penned by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is adapted by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Brenna Thummler. Anne Shirley, a feisty 11-year-old orphan, arrives in Avonlea to help aging siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, with managing their family farm. She wasn’t the boy they were expecting at Green Gables, but Anne easily wins their affections. Anne is a red-haired dreamer with a hot temper. Her propensity for embellished ramblings and whimsical adventure is what endears readers to her. She adds a spark of playfulness to every misadventure and the lives around her: kindred friend, Diana Barry; town busy-body, Rachel Lynde; antagonizing tease, Gilbert Blythe. Join Anne as she wins hearts and builds a life that we all dream of. Fans of the original will be pleased to know that Marsden stays quite true on all accounts.

Reading Level: 8-12 years old
Read Aloud: 7+

This is a book I’d happily revisit over and over! What an absolute joy to leaf through! Brenna Thummler’s mix of modern and vintage tones captures the essence of Green Gables and Avonlea perfectly. The color palette and interplay of light and movement transport the reader back in time. You can almost hear the leaves chattering in the wind and see the sunlight dancing through the trees and straight off the pages. There’s gorgeous attention to detail that is impossible to ignore. The pages shift from full wordless artistic spreads to the typical graphic novel style, creating a sense of flow and time passing. Anne grows up before our very eyes; from insecure tween to homesick student at Queens. It’s an effortless and at times, emotional read. You’ll want to pause and take it all in!

Thummler has an incredibly distinctive art style. She illustrates complex human emotion with elegance and grace. Her artistic approach conveys elation, joy, movement, utter despair, and so much more. A wide range of body postures and expressions are delivered. Character traits and subtle mannerisms are portrayed so naturally. For instance, Matthew’s charming and quiet nature is exquisitely characterized. Tender moments,  such as Marilla and Anne holding hands, depicts the growing affection between them. The text coincides with how Diana feels upon drinking raspberry cordial, by becoming blurry, illegible and disorienting; a both brilliant and simple technique. Following this scene, the graveness of the situation is painted through drab colour and a solitary extinguished candle. Finally, friends are reunited and no words are necessary! The many detailed scenes of Diana and Anne reconnecting are heart warming. Further examples of Thummler showing off character attributes are plentiful.

The faces from time to time resemble an automaton; with pupilless eyes that are more like colored discs. This doesn’t detract from the overall essence, in my opinion, but may not appeal to all readers. Marsden condenses and adapts the beloved story without disrupting any major plot lines (raspberry cordial, puffed sleaves, green hair, bosom friends, etc.) She stays very true to the original novel, depicting Anne as the talkative dreamer so many of us know and adore. Key scenes are pulled from the novel and highlighted very well. The novel is written primarily in dialogue form, with the occasional scene highlighting a Narrator’s voice. It’s evident how closely author and illustrator worked together to recreate such an enthralling re-creation. Together, they give us snapshots throughout of a rich and satisfying life. All the glorious ordinary moments in time culminate at the very end in vivid simplicity.

Language:
Anne yells “I hate you” repeatedly to Rachel Lynde who insults her.

Questionable Behaviors:
Anne lies about Marilla’s missing brooch when she’s accused of taking it; a fanciful confession for the sake of storytelling, since she can’t prove her innocence.
Anne shows her temper in the face of Gilbert when he calls her Carrots and pulls her braid, by shattering her slate over his head.
Diana mistakenly drinks current wine when Anne serves what she thought was raspberry cordial. Diana becomes inebriated.
Anne buys tonic from a peddler that will turn her hair raven black. Instead, it turns green and she must cut her hair to cover up the shame she feels.
Anne pretends she’s the Lady of Shalott and nearly sinks in the boat as her imagination gets the better of her.
Josie Pie dares Anne to walk the roof’s ridgepole, resulting in injury.

Sexual Content:
Gilbert wishes to be friends with Anne and apologizes for the past. He comments on how pretty she is now. All romantic exchanges are subtle and innocent.
In dialogue with Anne, Marilla recalls the memory of her past beau, Mr. Blythe.
Gilbert gives up the Avonlea school position, so Anne can be close to Marilla while the two grieve their loss. Gilbert hands Anne a flower while walking her home. Her heart thumps out of control. Marilla observes them standing at the picket fence. This concludes the story.

Other Things to Know:
Anne imagines the Haunted Wood before traveling in the dark to see Diana for an apron pattern. It’s quite descriptive: ill wind, gloomy spruces, wailing cries, white lady, murdered child, headless man, creeping…shivers…snatched… Marilla urges her to conquer such fears and forces her to go despite her terror. Sensitive readers beware.

I’d like to add that all language and questionable behaviors mentioned are opportunities for redemption. In the end, Anne learns the power of an apology. There are many saving and teachable moments as Anne grows into a respectable young woman. While I list these incidents as questionable, the story doesn’t end there. These are opportunities for parents and reader to discuss peer pressure, vanity, letting our imagination run wild, taming the tongue, humbling ourselves before others, fruits of the spirit, etc.

This review is written by Kristine Karen-Lynn. To learn more about Kristine, click HERE.

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