I've enjoyed the first movie in the past; I finally made it to reading the book. Montgomery clearly loves Anne as a character and enjoys writing the book. The part of me that is a high-nosed, Dickens & Tolstoy reading critic recognizes that this is not the same calibre of book; nonetheless, I mark it "classic" without hesitation. Anne's overwhelmingly optimistic and beauty-seeking look at life, particularly her imagination and drive, are refreshing and rejuvenating. This is a book that can be enjoyed looking at lessons and principles as well as just riding the surf of Anne's zest for life.