I agree with you about everything. The switching between letters and 3rd person narration felt chaotic. I expected that we would also read Gilbert's replies and was disappointed. It also appears that all the juiciest parts from the letters are omitted (when Anne's Pen is right). I miss all the characters from previous books and I felt overhelmed by the number of new characters. There's little to no introduction to them and I was often searching for them in my e-book because I wasn't sure whether they had been introduced before. I enjoyed the different stories (but they did feel like dusconnected vignettes or short stories), but they felt a bit repetitive from previous books (insufferable old ladies, children who live in fairy lands, meddling and match making).
It's definitely episodic, but it feels more coherent than, for example Anne of Avonlea. I actually loved it - I started reading a few days ago and shot straight through to the end! Just didn't want to pause at the end of the first year.
I do think it becomes less "letters" and more actual narration after the first year, and there's some nice character development (as well as a visit to some beloved characters from previous books).
I agree that this is not as engaging for me as the previous books. Perhaps it is because I so seldom write or read letters other than the occasional Thank You or Get Well card. Emails, texts, zoom are where I convey info and chat these days. I do like her way of beginning and ending the letters. “Your most Anne-est Anne” is a favorite.
Catching up … I too miss some of the original characters. But isn’t that how life is. I rarely see childhood friends. Life moves on. As I believe someone else stated, I think the letters would have been more effective if we’d been treated to Gilbert’s letter ms as well.
By the way, did you know that it's called Anne of Windy Willows in the UK? (I guess maybe willows are more familiar here?) I always assumed all they'd done was change the title, but it turns out that there are some differences in the text! In this first year, some of Miss Valentine's choice graveyard anecdotes are even gorier and spookier in the UK edition! One example:
"This is my cousin, Noble Courtaloeʼs grave. We were always a little afraid he was buried alive; he looked so life-like. But nobody thought of it till it was too late."
I agree with you about everything. The switching between letters and 3rd person narration felt chaotic. I expected that we would also read Gilbert's replies and was disappointed. It also appears that all the juiciest parts from the letters are omitted (when Anne's Pen is right). I miss all the characters from previous books and I felt overhelmed by the number of new characters. There's little to no introduction to them and I was often searching for them in my e-book because I wasn't sure whether they had been introduced before. I enjoyed the different stories (but they did feel like dusconnected vignettes or short stories), but they felt a bit repetitive from previous books (insufferable old ladies, children who live in fairy lands, meddling and match making).
I had also been hoping for Gilbert’s replies!
This is how I felt, too!
It's definitely episodic, but it feels more coherent than, for example Anne of Avonlea. I actually loved it - I started reading a few days ago and shot straight through to the end! Just didn't want to pause at the end of the first year.
I do think it becomes less "letters" and more actual narration after the first year, and there's some nice character development (as well as a visit to some beloved characters from previous books).
Good to know!
I did love the characters she lodges with and the cat.
I agree that this is not as engaging for me as the previous books. Perhaps it is because I so seldom write or read letters other than the occasional Thank You or Get Well card. Emails, texts, zoom are where I convey info and chat these days. I do like her way of beginning and ending the letters. “Your most Anne-est Anne” is a favorite.
I really love the greetings Anne borrows from Aunt Chatty's grandmother!
Catching up … I too miss some of the original characters. But isn’t that how life is. I rarely see childhood friends. Life moves on. As I believe someone else stated, I think the letters would have been more effective if we’d been treated to Gilbert’s letter ms as well.
By the way, did you know that it's called Anne of Windy Willows in the UK? (I guess maybe willows are more familiar here?) I always assumed all they'd done was change the title, but it turns out that there are some differences in the text! In this first year, some of Miss Valentine's choice graveyard anecdotes are even gorier and spookier in the UK edition! One example:
"This is my cousin, Noble Courtaloeʼs grave. We were always a little afraid he was buried alive; he looked so life-like. But nobody thought of it till it was too late."
Here's the link to a complete list of changes, in case you're interested: https://anneofgreengables.fandom.com/wiki/Notes:Anne_of_Windy_Poplars_vs._Anne_of_Windy_Willows
That’s super interesting, thanks for sharing!
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing! Maybe poplars didn't sound as poetic as willows?
Yes, I definitely enjoy the alliteration of "Windy Willows".