REVIEW OF THE NETFLIX SERIES 'ANNE WITH AN E'

‘Anne with an E’mpact 

I sit here, mesmerized of the experience rendered by the Netflix series ‘Anne with an E’, a brilliant adaptation of the classic novel ‘Anne of Green Gables’ by Lucy Maud Montgomery. The book published way back in 1908 is meant for all ages despite the given classification ‘Children’s Literature’, or why would a 32ish me still go gaga over it? I am unsure if you would deem me unfit for a review if I told you that I’ve only watched the series and not read the book. Nevertheless, I am here pouring out my heart’s content for I’m profoundly touched by the series and feel at a loss that it ended.

Anne with an E. We are talking about the title character Anne Shirley played to perfection by Amybeth  who was orphaned at the tender age of 3 months. She is the live wire of the entire series. Her ways and wayward acts dig you deep in.

She is adopted by the aged siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert and she grows up in their farm , Green Gables. The series show us how she turns out to be an indispensable part of their lives as well as ours. But all of these happen only later. 

When the first episode begins, with Marilla we also expect Matthew to bring home a boy to help. But we see Anne instead at the railway station. The initial impressions one forms go quite wrong mostly. Matthew looked plain and submissive. He first appeared to be a character of trivial importance. I’m also guilty of judging and criticizing Anne for her shower of chatter. I never realized then that it would be the same quality in her that  I would fall for in a matter of few days. Matthew and Marilla deserve accolades as they lived their roles. The subtle movements of even their wrinkles and smiles speak volumes.

It is not just Anne whom we fall for. Few of the countless reasons to love the series are the breathtaking visualization of country life in Canada, tender moments at Avonlea school that make us relive our childhood, the baking sessions, antics of Ms.Lynde, the way Anne bonds over Matthew and Marilla and the budding romance between Anne and Gilbert .

L.M Montgomery is a rather nonchalant writer for she did not limit her novel to sweet matters alone. She called out racism through the lives of Sebastian and Mary. We see patriarchy shouting out loud when the men leaders of Town Board burnt down the Avonlea school. We also see ladies themselves glorifying the ideas of girls limiting oneself to household chores like a norm. It’s quite ironic that the first lady teacher Ms.Stacy Muriel is condemned and becomes an object of wonder as she wears trousers but no corsets by the group of ‘Progressive Mothers’. The narrative of indigenous people being uncouth and uncivilized is fiercely questioned through the horrors Ka’kwet of Mi’kmaw family has to go through in the English school. The writer has gone a step ahead and commendably cleared the air around homosexuality through the characters Cole and Aunt Josephine. This is the mid twentieth century we are talking about and the topic is still scandalous as I write.  

What exactly attracted me to the series? Anne did. Her perception about the world did. She imagined beautiful things even when she had clouds on the horizon. She found rapture in intricate words and delicate flowers. Her sensibility is what I connected to. Her love for literature is what won me over. To see beauty in the ordinary is one of the many reasons that give me a high. Then, how can I not love the red haired precious Ms. Cuthbert? 

I am the same person who has faithfully watched adventurous and sci-fi series. I am the same viewer who enjoyed Vikings, The 100, Money Heist and Breaking Bad. Even then, Anne with an E owns my heart. You will be missing out on the beautiful journey that the series will take you through if you let this go. 

Watch and let me know what you think. 😊