Anne of Avonlea
An argument could be made that all fiction is fantasy, on some level. Hell, an argument could probably be made that all writing is fantasy, but for now we'll stick with fiction. These books about Anne are often considered historical fiction. Actually, they can probably just be called fiction, since LM Montgomery was writing, in some ways, about her own life. They're books for children, morality plays in a way, though they go down a bit easier than Little Women did. But if I were to ever formally argue that all fiction is fantasy, these books would be Exhibit A.
To start with, they are Montgomery's fantasy life. The life she wishes she could have led, had she had a bit more confidence and a bit more education and a bit more luck. Her writing, and Anne's own optimism, makes it so easy to fall into this trap of believing that she lives in a perfect, idealized world. The books are comforting, the writing lovely. It's like stepping into nostalgia. Who wouldn't want to live in this world?
A closer reading reveals that not all is perfect. Tragedy slinks around the edges of this story. Anne had a deeply unhappy childhood before being adopted by the Cuthbert's. As comfortable as her life seems, she and Marilla aren't too far from destitution after Matthew passes. Other characters suffer, too. Death is everywhere in these books, and friendships are lost to pride over and over again.
It's the optimism that runs through these books, that is, in fact, the foundation of these books, that makes them so special. Anne's imagination saves her, and it saves the people around her from drowning in their sorrows. Time heals all wounds, or at least dulls the pain. And all you can do is look to the future and try not to make the same mistake twice,
This book in particular spans the two years Anne spends as a school teacher. She has her ups and downs, makes mistakes and learns from them. She's only human, and the book never lets you forget that. But she's a better human than me or anyone I know. Like Gilbert, I'm half in love with her for her sheer determination to live up to her ideals. She makes you want to be a better person because she leads by example and seems so content.
All you want is for her to get her every heart's desire. And this being something akin to fantasy, you feel sure she will. There will be setbacks and tragedy. But nothing can hold Anne down for long.
To start with, they are Montgomery's fantasy life. The life she wishes she could have led, had she had a bit more confidence and a bit more education and a bit more luck. Her writing, and Anne's own optimism, makes it so easy to fall into this trap of believing that she lives in a perfect, idealized world. The books are comforting, the writing lovely. It's like stepping into nostalgia. Who wouldn't want to live in this world?
A closer reading reveals that not all is perfect. Tragedy slinks around the edges of this story. Anne had a deeply unhappy childhood before being adopted by the Cuthbert's. As comfortable as her life seems, she and Marilla aren't too far from destitution after Matthew passes. Other characters suffer, too. Death is everywhere in these books, and friendships are lost to pride over and over again.
It's the optimism that runs through these books, that is, in fact, the foundation of these books, that makes them so special. Anne's imagination saves her, and it saves the people around her from drowning in their sorrows. Time heals all wounds, or at least dulls the pain. And all you can do is look to the future and try not to make the same mistake twice,
This book in particular spans the two years Anne spends as a school teacher. She has her ups and downs, makes mistakes and learns from them. She's only human, and the book never lets you forget that. But she's a better human than me or anyone I know. Like Gilbert, I'm half in love with her for her sheer determination to live up to her ideals. She makes you want to be a better person because she leads by example and seems so content.
All you want is for her to get her every heart's desire. And this being something akin to fantasy, you feel sure she will. There will be setbacks and tragedy. But nothing can hold Anne down for long.
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