Discussion Post: Anne's House of Dreams

[myr_soleil]

Hi everyone! Welcome to our discussion post for one of my favorite books, Anne's House of Dreams. I hope you liked it as much as I did, and I can't wait to hear what you think!

Comments

[kindness_says]

1. Did you like the book? Do you like the setting of Anne married, or did you miss having her in school?

fjdkslgajdsklfljesd!!!! As you can tell, it took me about two weeks to get through this book, for some reason - STUPID REAL LIFE, DON'T YOU KNOW I HAVE LIVEJOURNAL HOMEWORK, GOD - but I did like it! I think I really loved it, actually, but it's hard to tell sometimes when I don't read things in one sitting? I very very very much like the setting of Anne married; especially as I get older, those later grown-up chapters of books like Little Women and the Little House series, I tend to love more than the ones from when they're four or twelve or whatever? but then I have very traditional hopes and dreams in some ways, too, so maybe that contributes. I don't really miss Anne as a student/teacher, because I think those phases in her life had their place and now she's outgrown them? but I do love seeing cameos by the familiar old characters. Jack "St. Clair" Donnell! A carpenter! Dora's beau! I just read the first page of Anne of Ingleside before remembering I should come post here first and found out Davy married a girl who was as curious as a chipmunk about everything! Eeeee.

2. How about those new characters? Leslie, Captain Jim, Cornelia, Susan, Jem, Owen - did you like their addition?

YES I LOVE EVERYONE. I think Owen might be a little flat for me? either that or I can't remember what they tell us about his personality because it was like last week, but I did like him! CAPTAIN JIM. Ugh, poor Leslie. LOLOL CORNELIA. And Susan. BABY JEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. AHAHAHAHAHA, Anne's sentiments on baby talk, hilarious times.

3. What do you think of Gilbert in this book? Is there finally enough Gilbert for you? Do you like seeing what happens after the main couple gets married?

I'm going to echo everyone and say, THERE CAN NEVER BE ENOUGH GILBERT, but basically yes, it was wonderful. I think when I was younger I liked the lead-up to the happily ever after more, I liked all the DRAMZ beforehand, and that's still wonderful, but more and more I think I value the like really delightful quiet happiness that follows. :D Not that life is ever quiet with Anne! (Sidebar: I LOVE when she says, "Please just call me redheaded and forgive me." I mean, I don't like the like illogical-women subtext of that whole section (though I totally understand the conflict), but I LOVE that line because I flashed back to boy!Gilbert and just cracked up because in some ways they almost don't seem like the same person?! though of course they are! and somehow I have an easier time associating young Gilbert with that actor (Jonathan something?) than older Gilbert.)

4. Which love story did you prefer - Captain Jim and lost Margaret? Leslie and Owen? Cornelia and Marshall Elliott? Anne and Gilbert?

Um, how is this a question, A/G DUH. But I like them all. I don't think Leslie and Owen's rings as true to me sometimes because I was like LOLOL CALLED IT DUH SOMEONE HAD TO GET TOGETHER, but I did very much want her to end up happy OF COURSE. Although, uh, I cracked up at, "She did not like the feeling of matchmaking Miss Cornelia's whispers gave her," because um, sometimes I feel like all Anne does is matchmake?! and I posted on Katie's wall being like LOLOLOL ANNE YOU HYPOCRITE. ... Jim/Margaret saaaaad. =( ... Does Cornelia's and Marshall's count as a love story? I think I missed some of it early on maybe or forgot...but I feel like it just kind of happens. Cracks me up, though!

[beth_shulman]

LOLOL CALLED IT DUH SOMEONE HAD TO GET TOGETHER

LOL YUP.

[h_loquacious]

I think Owen might be a little flat for me? either that or I can't remember what they tell us about his personality because it was like last week, but I did like him!

You know, now that you mention it, I don't remember much about his personality either. I feel like he might just be a bit generically good. Perfectly nice, great guy, smart, a bit dreamy/romantic, but nothing really jumps out.

I mean, I don't like the like illogical-women subtext of that whole section

Oh, that bothered me too. As a logical woman myself.

I don't think Leslie and Owen's rings as true to me sometimes because I was like LOLOL CALLED IT DUH SOMEONE HAD TO GET TOGETHER, but I did very much want her to end up happy OF COURSE.

I believe my reaction when I first read this was, "OH, THAT'S CONVENIENT." I was not very romantic at 14 I don't think. :)

[kindness_says]

I am a pretty illogical woman, actually, but I certainly know many who are NOT. Like my two closest female friends, are much more like "boys" in that sense.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I love pairing the spares, though!!!!!!!!!!!! as TVtropes would say.

[h_loquacious]

I know. It's so true though. And don't bring up TVtropes! That's a way to waste three hours without even trying!