If there is one book series and television adaptation I wish I could experience again for the very first time, it would be Anne of Green Gables.
Written by L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables introduced readers to Anne Shirley, a spirited orphan with a vivid imagination, a kind heart, and a knack for finding herself in all sorts of adventures. While the stories are set in another time, the characters feel timeless. Anne’s dreams, insecurities, friendships, mistakes, and triumphs are all things many of us can relate to in one way or another.
What I love most about the books is how they make ordinary moments feel magical. Whether Anne is walking through the White Way of Delight, getting into trouble with Diana, exchanging words with Gilbert Blythe, or learning important life lessons, there is always something meaningful woven into the story. The characters feel like old friends, and Avonlea feels like a place I could happily visit again and again.
While I adore the books, my favorite film adaptation is the one created by Kevin Sullivan. In my opinion, Megan Follows is the perfect Anne Shirley. She captured Anne’s imagination, determination, humor, and heart so beautifully. The entire cast felt as though they stepped right out of the pages of the books. From Colleen Dewhurst as Marilla to Richard Farnsworth as Matthew, every character felt exactly as I imagined them.
I have lost count of how many times I have read the books and watched the series. It is one of those rare stories that never grows old. Even though I already know what happens, I still find myself laughing, smiling, and sometimes getting emotional at the same scenes I have seen countless times before.
If I could erase one story from my memory just long enough to experience it again for the first time, Anne of Green Gables would be my choice. There is something special about discovering Anne, Avonlea, and all of its wonderful characters for the first time. Yet somehow, even after all these years, every visit still feels a little bit magical.
Crowned Brunette 