I used to belong to an Anne of Green Gables club (as embarrassing as that is to say). And, I have all these ancient tid bits and articles on the first two series that I should probably post. But, you are right... there was something remarkeable about the Anne books. My sorority sister couldn't stop reading Anne of the Island and that's how I learned about Anne. But, when the mini series came out, I was completely enfatuated with it. This was during the Laura Ashley era so I probably started to dress like her with the huge bowhead included... as we all did.
I think what made Anne 1, the series really work and be sooo successful was it was so close to the original first novel which even Mark Twain was enchanted with. It was a little like Christy... which is probably why that first season of that tv show was amazingly good.
I have all the Anne books and more, but, I had a hard time reading past the first novel. The book Gilbert started to loose his appeal as each book went through because he seemed more and more ordinary with each passing novel, not like Jonathan Crombie. The novel Gilbert was almost non-existant in Anne of the Island. But, seeing him in the first mini series really was what hooked me and made me read. Megan Follows did an amazing job playing her and watching her portray a character realistic grow, quiet and mature. And, Jonathan Crombie was just amazing.
To be quite honest... I had a hard time with Anne 3. I didn't like the idea that Anne was interesting in another man when she was supposed to be completely and totally devoted to Gilbert. Yes, she went to Europe to search for him, but, the whole orphan thing felt contrived and that new love interest...
(SPOILER)
...dying was just too convenient. And, I just didn't feel Anne loved Gilbert like she should have. I didn't think she did in Anne 2 either. But, that could be because Megan Follows didn't really have chemistry with Jonathan Crombie. And, I'm sure it's hard to appear interested... when you're not. But, Gilbert seemed to really love Anne. Maybe that's why I watched and loved Anne 1 so much.
I absolutely and completely adored Anne 1. It was so inspiring. I had an aunt who took care of me when I was growing up who was very Marilla, so, I completely related. And, even though I didn't think I had a Gilbert, an old beau says he was mine and I was his Carrots. But, we were only twelve, so that doesn't count. But, it did end with a kiss under the mistletoe at seventeen, so, to him it counts.
I didn't marry him, though. I married a man who is just like him... a Gilbert.
He refuses to accept anyone as my Gilbert other than him... hahaha!
But, Anne 1 really was amazing. And, Gilbert giving up the Avonlea school just for her was beyond compare.
