Before Green Gables: A Novel Audiobook

" tells the story of Anne before she came to green gables. Great book! "

" Actually, I want to give it 3.5. It's not perfect -- Anne starts speaking like an 11-year old when she's like 3, there isn't anything especially innovative, and there are some mindsets and turns of phrases that felt anachronistic -- but in general I liked this a lot more than I thought I would. It almost ended up on my "Abandoned" shelf, but I wanted to keep reading about Anne's childhood. And the end result was that I got super re-energized to reread the actual Anne series, to the point that I started digging around in my closet for my books and movies (the horror: they're still at my parents' house!). So I guess that means that by the end of the book the author had really gotten Anne's personality and voice down pretty well -- I was frantic to read about Matthew picking her up at the train station, Anne bashing the slate over Gilbert's head, and Marilla teaching Anne to pray. The author has an interestingly sympathetic take on the alcoholics and abusive foster parents who raised Anne in her early years. It was also interesting to see how the author took Anne's established personality traits, quirks, and interests and gives them a foundation in the early years -- this is part of what felt non-innovative about the book, but simultaneously what felt kind of rewarding and made me want to reread the originals. "

" While she tries to write in the style of L.M. Montgemery, she is NOT. I did enjoy the story though, and the missing pieces of Anne's life do seem to be accurately filled in. It rekindled my love for the Anne stories. I am rather guiltily re-reading the entire series, even though I have a whole boat-load of books on my to-read list. They are mac-and-cheese to my heart and soul! "

" Great idea for a novel. Good read. Kept me going. Author kept Anne true to character. "

" This prequel was commissioned by LM Montgomery's family in honor of the 100th anniversary of the original book's publication. Wilson does a fine job of detailing Anne's (often bleak) young life; she is true to the original but retains a unique voice and subtly inserts some modern subtext here and there. (For example, it is gently hinted that a minor character might be gay.) All in all, an enjoyable read for those of us who spent their childhoods obsessed with Anne Shirley. "

" This book was interesting... nice backstory to Anne of Green Gables "

" Well, it's not written by L.M. Montgomery and it is about Anne's difficult and tragic early life, so I don't know how I feel about it.There were some enchanting moments and some nods to future events (croup, twins, parents were teachers, etc.), but it just wasn't as fun or as sweet. Eh. "

" This is a very well written book. Written in the same style as the Montgomery books. I enjoyed the book very much. "

" Fun to read for "Anne" fans. Retains what we love best about Anne - her imaginative charm that captures friends as she rises triumphantly from the trials that so ofter beset her. "

" I loved this book and I love Anne!! "

" I was a little concerned that "they" would try to ruin my favorite Anne but I was pleasantly surprised. Not as good as the original but I thought it was well written. I was happy to hear that this was published with the blessing of the Montgomery family. "

" a prequel! and i loved it! (there are some serious differences with the real anne books and some things that seem very unlikely to have happened, but overall the book made me happy. four stars for making me happy.) "

" I really enjoyed this book... "

" If you loved Anne of Green Gables I highly recommend this book. You never know what other authors are going to do with beloved characters, but Anne was safe in Budge Wilson's hands. Most excellent! "

" Interesting perspective, but I really miss Gilbert. That's when I REALLY love the Anne stories. "

" Loved L.M. Montgomery's Anne as a child. Thought this was horrific. I actually stopped reading - which is something I rarely do. "

" Standing alone this is a great book and I loved hearing "the rest of the story" but I missed Anne's humorous mishap's. "

" I think this is a sad telling of Anne's early life. I understand that Wilson was approved by the LM Montgomery estate, or whomever, but I could have told the story better. "

" If you loved Anne of Green Gables I highly recommend this book. You never know what other authors are going to do with beloved characters, but Anne was safe in Budge Wilson's hands. Most excellent! "

" Backstory to Anne of Green Gables. It was well done, but since we knew how it had to end, it took some of the fun out. "

" I have loved the Anne movies. This book makes me relive them again. Though not written by the same author, the story seems believable. "

" I read this book out loud to my daughter. She loved it and is now excited to read the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery (which I loved as a child-and still do). "

" Ms. Wilson did an excellent job capturing Anne's voice. Loved it! "

" A family- approved version of Anne's life before Green Gables. Creative, true to character. OK to spend time on this one. Quick. "

" this book had too much sad stuff but i mean it was nice to listen to it i guess.... "