How to take a beautiful coming-of-age story about imagination, hope, and individuality in the face of society who doesn't "get" you... and turn it into a grimdark woke-avenger trash-fire
I loved Anne of Green Gables. I LOVED Anne with an E. I might need to write a rebuttal to this story, as I actually watched the series all the way through.
In short, I love that AwaE went where the original couldn’t, but said in the subtext. Of course Anne would’ve been abused as the orphan/nanny/slave in her life before Green Gables. Of course she was exposed to sexual violence, whether acted on her or near here (Anne with an E leaves this ambiguous).
And of course she’d make terrible missteps entering the provincial Avonlea, and the town wouldn’t respond kindly.
Watching Marilla’s horror as Anne—through no fault of her own—offends the town makes so much sense. And seeing how the strong but mostly silent Matthew completely understands the gravity of the situation is beautiful. When Marilla rants how wrong Anne was to speak inappropriately with her peers, and Matthew gently chides her to say, isn’t it more wrong that she even has that vocabulary and knowledge? To see the light of true morality hit Marilla’s face, as she recognizes the likely horrors of Anne’s early life, and how in need she is not just of moral guidance, but of kindness, safety, and protection—that moment is magical.
(I’m paraphrasing of course, but that’s the gist.)
Then we get the joy of watching Marilla unfurl emotionally to Anne, and to actively take on the role of mother she never thought she wanted.
I really think you should give it more of a chance. The show takes many liberties with the story and not all work (there’s a whole subplot with two tenants who come to live at Green Gables I didn’t love). But if you go with the premise that this is a period piece, but told in a new era where we can discuss things like child abuse, racism, and queer people in ways the original could not, it might be easier to enjoy.
I have read the books, and enjoyed “Anne with an E” - I thought it a fresh take on the story, a more introspective look into what life was like for orphans in Anne’s situation.
If you would like to continue, and try out the season, the dreamy, whimsical, and hopeful nature of Anne shines through. The characters are amazingly casted and developed beautifully - there are flaws (and what show doesn’t have flaws), but the characters, the throwbacks to the original writing, and development of Anne outshines it.
Anne is the epitome of hope, warmth, and compassion in her town - just like in the books - and her growth is so inspiring to those around her.
That being said - to each their own! 😊 It was interesting to read your review of the show.
I appreciate your point of view and I'm not here to change your mind. But I felt very much the same way about 'Anne with an E' when I started watching it. Growing up, Anne Shirley felt like my friend, a true kindred spirit. I've read the series many times over. I enjoyed the Megan Follows TV version, so much so that I literally wore out the VHS tape of 'Anne of Green Gables.' Back to this remake: I was pretty angry; I felt violated. When I texted a friend and rage-vented to her, someone who loves the series, she told me to give it another chance. To not compare it to the original. So I did and I ended up falling in love with it. This version of Matthew has my heart forever. There are still directions in the show that I don't agree with, that are hard to watch, or aren't necessary or feel forced sometimes, but overall I do feel like it captured the spirit of Anne.
I think that's the problem for me... there's no way I could remove the original from my brain and watch this without comparing. I've successfully done it with other series before, so I totally get what you're saying, but this one has too much of a precious place in my heart for me to not view it through the lens of betrayal, heh.
I did give Anne with an E a try, but when they strayed so off book I gave up. Nobody messes with Anne and Gilbert. I struggled with the last of Sullivan’s three movies because it was so out there. I have read ALL of Montgomery’s books, so I will tolerate some changes.
The 1985 mini series is the only one to watch. I also wasn’t particularly happy with the new version they did with Martin Sheen.
Anne of Green Gables is an old, dear friend of mine. I return to the series frequently, especially when I’m in need of a reprieve from difficult seasons. I haven’t watched the TV show for reasons similar to what you’ve voiced here… thank you for saying what needed to be said. I really don’t understand why producers feel the need to woke-ify these beautiful classics.
Do. NOT. Mess with Anne of Green Gables. I don't have any streaming services and live in a hole so I had no idea, but I'm glad I didn't. I suspected I would have thrown something at the TV.
The thing that frustrates me the most is that casting was perfect, the sets, costumes, cinematography- absolutely gorgeous. It could have been so lovely. Instead it was like, “wouldn’t you like one of your favourites served with a heavy dose of dread and anxiety?”
I've read the book and seen the 1985 series. I also watched the entirety of Anne With an E. I didn't dislike it at first, but by the time it was over... I was kind of over it. I don't have any desire to watch it again... but I would gladly re-watch any of the Kevin Sullivan adaptations of Montgomery's work.
What I feel coming away from Anne With an E is that someone wanted to make a statement about a lot of things (feminism, the burden of menstrual cycles, suicide, homosexuality, residential schools, etc.) and thought the best way to get the biggest audience was to tie their ideas to a beloved story that would be sure to bring in viewers (at least until they realized they weren't getting the true Anne Shirley at all). I wouldn't have had nearly as much of a problem with the series had it been an original historical fiction piece. Using Anne as a vehicle to make a statement just seemed disrespectful.
That's exactly my problem with these remakes. If you want to tell that story, do it! I'd probably love to watch it. But don't take something I've loved for 30 years and wash it in someone else's story and tell me it's the same thing I loved.
Ok, so I haven’t read the books so I can’t hate on how true/not true to the source material it was. But I can see why the series is so well received and praised - I personally loved it. It’s far to rare that we get a cast of characters in this and similar genres where the chemistry between them is palpable - this series excels at this.
Great critique. I didn't make it through Anne with an E either. I thought the darkness and trauma would have been better served in remaking Emily of New Moon. The 1934 version of Anne of Green Gables is super cute. Love the 1985 version Sullivan productions too. Rewatch Anne and the sequel once a year.
Anne of Green Gables was one of my favourite books, though I haven't revisited it for some time. I am grateful for the warning about this Netflix adaptation - I am wary in general about Netflix book adaptations after attempting to watch their version of Persuasion (I think I lasted 10 minutes, if that) and even Bridgerton season 3 which was an utter travesty, even though it isn't really in the same ballpark as the other two adaptations I've mentioned!
I actually liked Anne with an E, however I have not read the books. I watched the '85 version as a young girl (under 10 years old) and loved it. I watched it with my Nan and Pa and they both commented how much Anne Shirly was like me and I felt seen when I was constantly being told to be quiet and stop talking so much. But I had not seen it since then so when Anne with an E came out, it hit just enough nostalgia and covered the main parts of the tv movie that I remember that I enjoyed it.
Reading this, however, has made me want to read the books. So much so, that I've now placed a reservation on a copy at my local library to read!
I read the Anne books to my anxious, neurodivergent pre-teen during the pandemic. They were the perfect bridge between childhood and adulthood, as we prepared together for scary transitions like puberty and starting in secondary school. You hit the nail on the head, the books are about hope (and resilience). Also, I do think they are implicitly feminist, just in a ‘show, don’t tell’ kind of way - all the more powerful for that. We lasted an ep and a half with AWAE. It took away all that was good about the books and replaced it with a rub-your-nose-in-it imaginary realism. Yuck.
I loved Anne of Green Gables. I LOVED Anne with an E. I might need to write a rebuttal to this story, as I actually watched the series all the way through.
In short, I love that AwaE went where the original couldn’t, but said in the subtext. Of course Anne would’ve been abused as the orphan/nanny/slave in her life before Green Gables. Of course she was exposed to sexual violence, whether acted on her or near here (Anne with an E leaves this ambiguous).
And of course she’d make terrible missteps entering the provincial Avonlea, and the town wouldn’t respond kindly.
Watching Marilla’s horror as Anne—through no fault of her own—offends the town makes so much sense. And seeing how the strong but mostly silent Matthew completely understands the gravity of the situation is beautiful. When Marilla rants how wrong Anne was to speak inappropriately with her peers, and Matthew gently chides her to say, isn’t it more wrong that she even has that vocabulary and knowledge? To see the light of true morality hit Marilla’s face, as she recognizes the likely horrors of Anne’s early life, and how in need she is not just of moral guidance, but of kindness, safety, and protection—that moment is magical.
(I’m paraphrasing of course, but that’s the gist.)
Then we get the joy of watching Marilla unfurl emotionally to Anne, and to actively take on the role of mother she never thought she wanted.
I really think you should give it more of a chance. The show takes many liberties with the story and not all work (there’s a whole subplot with two tenants who come to live at Green Gables I didn’t love). But if you go with the premise that this is a period piece, but told in a new era where we can discuss things like child abuse, racism, and queer people in ways the original could not, it might be easier to enjoy.
My two cents as typed with my thumbs. 😏
I have read the books, and enjoyed “Anne with an E” - I thought it a fresh take on the story, a more introspective look into what life was like for orphans in Anne’s situation.
If you would like to continue, and try out the season, the dreamy, whimsical, and hopeful nature of Anne shines through. The characters are amazingly casted and developed beautifully - there are flaws (and what show doesn’t have flaws), but the characters, the throwbacks to the original writing, and development of Anne outshines it.
Anne is the epitome of hope, warmth, and compassion in her town - just like in the books - and her growth is so inspiring to those around her.
That being said - to each their own! 😊 It was interesting to read your review of the show.
Megan Follows forever.
It warms my heart that you shared Anne with your boy and he enjoyed it. I'm sorry he's not here to sit with you and watch it again. 💔
I appreciate your point of view and I'm not here to change your mind. But I felt very much the same way about 'Anne with an E' when I started watching it. Growing up, Anne Shirley felt like my friend, a true kindred spirit. I've read the series many times over. I enjoyed the Megan Follows TV version, so much so that I literally wore out the VHS tape of 'Anne of Green Gables.' Back to this remake: I was pretty angry; I felt violated. When I texted a friend and rage-vented to her, someone who loves the series, she told me to give it another chance. To not compare it to the original. So I did and I ended up falling in love with it. This version of Matthew has my heart forever. There are still directions in the show that I don't agree with, that are hard to watch, or aren't necessary or feel forced sometimes, but overall I do feel like it captured the spirit of Anne.
I think that's the problem for me... there's no way I could remove the original from my brain and watch this without comparing. I've successfully done it with other series before, so I totally get what you're saying, but this one has too much of a precious place in my heart for me to not view it through the lens of betrayal, heh.
That's totally understandable!
I prefer an ardent opinion to blathers any day. Thanks for the discussion. I enjoyed your take.
Regards.
gSr
I did give Anne with an E a try, but when they strayed so off book I gave up. Nobody messes with Anne and Gilbert. I struggled with the last of Sullivan’s three movies because it was so out there. I have read ALL of Montgomery’s books, so I will tolerate some changes.
The 1985 mini series is the only one to watch. I also wasn’t particularly happy with the new version they did with Martin Sheen.
I wanted to not like it, but I loved it. So there’s that….
Anne of Green Gables is an old, dear friend of mine. I return to the series frequently, especially when I’m in need of a reprieve from difficult seasons. I haven’t watched the TV show for reasons similar to what you’ve voiced here… thank you for saying what needed to be said. I really don’t understand why producers feel the need to woke-ify these beautiful classics.
Do. NOT. Mess with Anne of Green Gables. I don't have any streaming services and live in a hole so I had no idea, but I'm glad I didn't. I suspected I would have thrown something at the TV.
The thing that frustrates me the most is that casting was perfect, the sets, costumes, cinematography- absolutely gorgeous. It could have been so lovely. Instead it was like, “wouldn’t you like one of your favourites served with a heavy dose of dread and anxiety?”
Stripped of all joy and hope, the two things Anne's character was centered around. Le sigh...
I've read the book and seen the 1985 series. I also watched the entirety of Anne With an E. I didn't dislike it at first, but by the time it was over... I was kind of over it. I don't have any desire to watch it again... but I would gladly re-watch any of the Kevin Sullivan adaptations of Montgomery's work.
What I feel coming away from Anne With an E is that someone wanted to make a statement about a lot of things (feminism, the burden of menstrual cycles, suicide, homosexuality, residential schools, etc.) and thought the best way to get the biggest audience was to tie their ideas to a beloved story that would be sure to bring in viewers (at least until they realized they weren't getting the true Anne Shirley at all). I wouldn't have had nearly as much of a problem with the series had it been an original historical fiction piece. Using Anne as a vehicle to make a statement just seemed disrespectful.
That's exactly my problem with these remakes. If you want to tell that story, do it! I'd probably love to watch it. But don't take something I've loved for 30 years and wash it in someone else's story and tell me it's the same thing I loved.
Ok, so I haven’t read the books so I can’t hate on how true/not true to the source material it was. But I can see why the series is so well received and praised - I personally loved it. It’s far to rare that we get a cast of characters in this and similar genres where the chemistry between them is palpable - this series excels at this.
Great critique. I didn't make it through Anne with an E either. I thought the darkness and trauma would have been better served in remaking Emily of New Moon. The 1934 version of Anne of Green Gables is super cute. Love the 1985 version Sullivan productions too. Rewatch Anne and the sequel once a year.
Anne of Green Gables was one of my favourite books, though I haven't revisited it for some time. I am grateful for the warning about this Netflix adaptation - I am wary in general about Netflix book adaptations after attempting to watch their version of Persuasion (I think I lasted 10 minutes, if that) and even Bridgerton season 3 which was an utter travesty, even though it isn't really in the same ballpark as the other two adaptations I've mentioned!
I actually liked Anne with an E, however I have not read the books. I watched the '85 version as a young girl (under 10 years old) and loved it. I watched it with my Nan and Pa and they both commented how much Anne Shirly was like me and I felt seen when I was constantly being told to be quiet and stop talking so much. But I had not seen it since then so when Anne with an E came out, it hit just enough nostalgia and covered the main parts of the tv movie that I remember that I enjoyed it.
Reading this, however, has made me want to read the books. So much so, that I've now placed a reservation on a copy at my local library to read!
I also haven't read the books in decades and I feel like I should!
I read the Anne books to my anxious, neurodivergent pre-teen during the pandemic. They were the perfect bridge between childhood and adulthood, as we prepared together for scary transitions like puberty and starting in secondary school. You hit the nail on the head, the books are about hope (and resilience). Also, I do think they are implicitly feminist, just in a ‘show, don’t tell’ kind of way - all the more powerful for that. We lasted an ep and a half with AWAE. It took away all that was good about the books and replaced it with a rub-your-nose-in-it imaginary realism. Yuck.