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Comic and Graphic Books. Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. Historical Fiction. HTML: The spirit of Anne is alive and well in Mariah Marsden's crisp adaptation, and it's a thrill to watch as the beloved orphan rushes headlong through Brenna Thummler's heavenly landscapes. Together Marsden and Thummler conjure all the magic and beauty of Green Gables. Like Anne herself, you won't want to leave. �?? Brian Selznick, author/illustrator of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and "The Marvels"The magic of L.M. Montgomery's treasured classic is reimagined in a whimsically-illustrated graphic novel adaptation perfect for newcomers and kindred spirits alike.When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan who can help manage their family farm, they have no idea what delightful trouble awaits them. With flame-red hair and an unstoppable imagination, 11-year-old Anne Shirley takes Green Gables by storm.Anne's misadventures bring a little romance to the lives of everyone she meets: her bosom friend, Diana Barry; the town gossip, Mrs. Lynde; and that infuriating tease, Gilbert Blythe. From triumphs and thrills to the depths of despair, Anne turns each everyday moment into something extraordinary. … (more)
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All the other art is fine. Even the choice to make all the eyeballs
I've watched a few episodes of the Netflix series, "Anne with an E," that left me lukewarm about whether I should bother read Montgomery's original novel, but Marsden's engaging adaptation makes me want to seek it out. The scene with Matthew and the brown sugar made me laugh out loud for a full minute.
But Anne's piggy snout kept me from falling in love with this book.
I grew up eating a lot of cheesy macaroni and hanging around women who obsessed over Anne of Green Gables. They watched the films, read the books, pretended to be the characters. I understood macaroni but failed to understand the pull people had
As I got older, I gained an appreciation. My reading branched out to more than just Stephen King and Hardy Boys. I read the first book in the series and evolved into a big bearded dude who doesn't change the channel when some variation comes on the Hallmark channel. Netflix launched 'Anne with an E' and I holed up in the bedroom with my wife to consume it.
I nearly peed myself when I found out a new Graphic Novel was slated for release.
Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel (Brenna Thummler, Mariah Marsden)
232 pages
Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN-10: 144947960X
ISBN-13: 978-1449479602
I will refrain from a full plot review. Everyone knows what happens in this story. If you do not know the story, buy this comic and allow it to be an easy stepping stone.
I have to say that "stoked" is an inaccurate description of how pleased I was to get an early look at this stellar Anne of Green Gables Graphic Novel. Beautiful presentation and respectful of the original work and its fanbase.
Marsden did a wonderful job adapting the story for a comic format. Immense Green Gables fans can rest easy knowing that the original book is treated with love. Many sections play out the plotline in detail. Other key scenes in the story are vignettes, moving forward quickly rather than dwelling. Marsden keeps the story moving and ensures all reads are aware if what is happening, why it is important and doesn't dawdle.
The artwork... Thummler is the star of this effort. The artwork is seriously amazing. Watching Anne grow from awkward orphan to young woman organically flowed across the pages. Thummler captured the changes in seasons for both Gables and Anne alike.
This Graphic Novel is a beautiful testament to the classic. Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are wonderful and generous loving parents. Diana is a bosom friend. Aunt Josephine is a strong example. Mrs. Lynde stays nosy and powerful. And Gilbert- he remains the steadfast friend Anne refuses to acknowledge.
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Disclosure: This Graphic Novel was supplied to me for review purposes by the author or publisher. With great power comes great sandwich making responsibilities. I have said power and will make fine sammiches for all who ask. The publisher did not ask for a sammich.
Actually, I had to work a bit to be able to read this, since I couldn't see half the pages of the file I received. I had to download it several times, contact Netgalley customer service (and wasn't that a treat), and finally download a whole new program to read it with. I almost gave up bothering several times, because - really, was it going to be worth all the effort?
First impression: I'm incredibly disturbed that L.M. Montgomery's name does not appear on the cover of this graphic novel. I don't know if some designer wanted to keep the front cover "clean", or ... no, I can't make up any more spurious reasons. But Lucy Maud Montgomery - you know, the woman who wrote the book this graphic novel is based on? - is nowhere. Wait - there's a dedication. That's nice. But I don't care how long a book has been in the public domain, I don't care whether it's legally required or not - if you're using another author's work her name belongs on the cover. At this point in time, of course, AoGG is in the public domain – but a labor of love, which this very much seems to be, ought to also show the utmost respect for the author.
I find this especially surprising since the text of the graphic novel is very faithful the book, often using original wording. (I've read it enough that I can very easily tell.) That's a definite plus, and very much a reason for as high a rating as I'm giving it.
Second impression: and I don't like saying this about the work of a young artist, but - my God, some of the artwork is ugly. I should probably say simply that it's not to my taste, shouldn't I ... anyway. Initially trying to read the book, I found half of the pages to be blank (apparently my slightly ancient laptop's fault, according to the enchanting "Netgalley concierge" I dealt with). And the artwork I could see was one reason I very nearly didn't bother with all the calisthenics I had to go through to read the whole thing.
Second impression of the second impression: it's by no means all ugly. There are some lovely touches; while the coloring is acidic and unsubtle and not very pleasant, the settings are beautifully rendered; figures are expressive and graceful. Anne's maturation is prettily handled. In the end, really, the main thing that creates an impression of ugliness about the art (besides some of the color choices) is the rendering of characters' noses. I mean - I get it. Noses are hard, second only to hands (which the artist does rather well). But this - between the shapes used and the choice to frequently make noses a different shade from the rest of the face - no. Maybe this is why the following exchange does not appear:
"And oh Marilla, Jane Andrews told me that Minnie MacPherson told her that she heard Prissy Andrews tell Sara Gillis that I had a very pretty nose. Marilla, that is the first compliment I have ever had in my life and you can't imagine what a strange feeling it gave me. Marilla, have I really a pretty nose? I know you'll tell me the truth."
"Your nose is well enough," said Marilla shortly. Secretly she thought Anne's nose was a remarkably pretty one; but she had no intention of telling her so.
That makes the artwork all the more sad to me.
My other complaint about the artwork is ... and I mean this as a serious question, not sarcasm ... did Brenna Thummler ever read the book? And regardless of whether she did, did no one who knew the book ever review her pages before it was too late? Because while I was pleased with how well the book was boiled down to fit into a 232-page graphic novel and still stay faithful (if nearly uncredited), the depictions bothered me rather often. Matthew sitting around in his stocking feet? Anne barefoot all over the place, and coming down in the morning stretching and yawning? Mrs. Lynde reacting to seeing Matthew heading off at the beginning with a "huh"? No. It's along the same lines as Peter Jackson's decision to insert fart jokes throughout his Lord of the Rings movies - I'm pretty sure the person who created the original work would be horrified. I also questioned why Diana was shown as considerably taller than Anne, when the latter is described as being tall several times throughout the book, while Diana's height is never remarked on as far as I can remember.
But the thing that made me ... well, I'll be honest, it made me very slightly angry (because if you're going to take someone's work you ought to at least pretend to pay attention) was - well, on my blog I added pictures, but LT doesn't allow them, so ... Anne wears pink several times in the book, obviously at least a couple of different dresses.
"And isn't pink the most bewitching colour in the world? I love it, but I can't wear it. Red-headed people can't wear pink, not even in imagination."
Well, they can in graphic novels, I guess.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
The magic of L.M. Montgomery’s treasured classic is reimagined in a whimsically-illustrated graphic novel adaptation perfect for newcomers and kindred spirits
Anne’s misadventures bring a little romance to the lives of everyone she meets: her bosom friend, Diana Barry; the town gossip, Mrs. Lynde; and that infuriating tease, Gilbert Blythe. From triumphs and thrills to the depths of despair, Anne turns each everyday moment into something extraordinary.
The spirit of Anne is alive and well in Mariah Marsden’s crisp adaptation, and it’s a thrill to watch as the beloved orphan rushes headlong through Brenna Thummler’s heavenly landscapes. Together Marsden and Thummler conjure all the magic and beauty of Green Gables. Like Anne herself, you won’t want to leave.
— Brian Selznick, author/illustrator of “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” and “The Marvels”
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely love this cover! As many of you may or may not know, I collect editions of “Anne of Green Gables” from 1st editions, to unique concepts, anything Anne. I’ve been doing this for a very long time. L.M Montgomery is my favorite Canadian author.
So when I saw this edition available at Andrews McMeel Publishing site, I sent my request with the hopes they’d agreed to allowing me to review it. I was very anxious until it arrived lol. And Oh My! I was NOT displeased.
What a beautiful book, a heavy one too. 😉 It’s pages were lined with stunning artwork/illustrations. The only thing I didn’t like was how the characters’ profiles looked around the nose. I’m not sure I would have done it that way, but still, all makes this book unique, the author/illustrators original and overall, so very well done. The cover art is beautiful too. Simple and classical.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to my contact at Andrews McMeel for generously sending this book my way. This is an excellent book for those who are first learning about Anne. (Also great for kindred spirits too!)
My daughter has recently been getting into Anne stories lately, both in DVD and book formats and loving them. When she saw this one, she couldn’t wait to sit down and read it with me and she absolutely adored the pictures and story. What an excellent collector’s item.
I loved this, absolutely loved it. I have been a huge fan of Anne since my Grandmother bought me my first book back when I was a child. This is a good adaption of L.M. Montgomery's work. There were a few changes to the original novel, but I think it made the graphic
Mariah Marsden faithfully recounts orphan Anne's story, using dialogue to shape the narrative rather than description. Whether it's getting Diana drunk on currant wine or breaking her slate on Gilbert's head after he calls her "carrots," Marsden re-creates Anne's most memorable moments in simple yet vivid portrait. The adaptation builds on Anne's high energy, and greatly simplifies many of Anne's celebrated interactions.
Brenna Thummler's has accompanied the text with bright, expressive illustrations. The expression for Anne display her fierce heart and buoyant curiosity. Anne claims she is not pretty and she is not portrayed as such. Her sparkling personality makes you love her as did the Cuthbert’s
.
Much of her story is told through full-page spreads of wordless panels, suitable for both younger and reluctant readers.
The book starts at the beginning, and and goes right up until Anne is ready for collage.
What a great way to share with a child your love of Anne of Green Gables, a
This is geared to 7 to 12 year olds to create a new group to endear with this wonderful series, and you will soon find yourself back on Prince Edwards Island, Canada, and bringing the spirit of Anne alive for your child!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Andrews McNeel Audio, and was not required to give a positive review.
An excellent graphic book adaption of a great classic , brings to life in a graphical way what one would imagine when reading the books themselves