“She looks dead, like a raggedy Ann doll brought to life through witch-craft,” was my first thought when Anne made her first appearance in the graphic novel adaptation of ‘Anne of Green Gables’. She has green eyes, but they have no light in them, like a hypnotized puppet.
Just look at the image from the book and tell me if she doesn’t seem slightly creepy at first glance (because of those button-like eyes)? She does, doesn’t she? But once you get past that empty stare, Anne is quite endearing in the graphic novel. Adapted by Mariah Marsden and illustrated by Brenna Thummler, the book feels very rushed, but still makes for a delightful read.
The bright, crayon-like artwork is gorgeous, painting a memorable image of Anne’s beloved Avonlea, the place where she spends her happiest years. The story is about orphan Anne Shirley, who is taken in by the Cuthbert siblings Matthew & Marilla. While they were expecting a boy to help them with their farm, the orphanage only had the loquacious Anne left to spare. Despite their initial apprehensions, the siblings increasingly grow fond of the girl, who is charmingly melodramatic and chatty.
You don’t even have to have read the original to understand that a lot of the original text didn’t make it to the adaptation, simply because there isn’t enough space to accommodate all of Anne’s thoughts. The plot progresses at an escalated pace, and Thummler’s artwork so succinctly captures countryside charm that you don’t want the pages to end ever. So, when the climax arrives a little to quickly, you cannot help but feel disappointed. Regardless, this was such a fantastic distraction that I can’t help but give it a full 5/5!
The original author Lucy Maud Montgomery first published ‘Anne of Green Gables’ in 1908, and the novel went on to become a beloved children’s classic, spawning several sequels and adaptations. The story celebrates the feisty individuality of a young girl and lays emphasis on both the importance of education and quality relationships in a person’s life. It’s a book that is both sentimental and practical in parts, and entertaining throughout.
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