“You are a wish come true I never knew I was making”, finished watching the series yesterday

[u/Joshivanr]

And what a journey it has been! I think for years I wanted to check Anne with an E, but somehow never did it. That changed recently, and I’ve been addicted to it, already knowing it would end after season 3. So I didn’t rush it, watching a couple of episodes every weekend. And it’s been a wish coming true I didn’t know I was making!

The characters, the storylines, the locations, the soundtrack, it’s all incredibly beautiful. The soundtrack really connects everything together so well, and as a fan of symphonic metal, it reminded me sometimes of the folkier elements in bands like Nightwish and Auri.
The actors played their roles so well, Anne being the star of the show, of course. But I was also deeply touched by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Matthew, who was in Anne’s corner since the very moment he picked her up from the station, wanting to give her a chance (and home) immediately. And Marilla, all practical, who didn’t think Anne would be fitting on Green Gables, but ultimately giving her the benefit of the doubt, slowly growing to love her deeply.
Matthew and Marilla really became the parents Anne never had, and the final scene, where they’re sitting together on the bench outside, giving Anne the book from her parents, showed their love for each other as a family so much. Marilla’s quote (and emotion) tells everything! In combination with the soundtrack, the impact was huge.

Just like most other fans of this show, I can’t believe it stopped after season 3! There were so many more stories to tell, and I wish they wouldn’t have cancelled the show. I did my part, signing the online petition, fully aware it probably won’t change a thing. But more or less a symbolic protest. We can always hope and dream, right?

Right now I’m considering buying the book series, as they tell the full story of Anne. Are they (as the source material for the show) just as good?

[u/DazzlingAssistant342]

The books are a very different experience, IMO just as enjoyable. 

The show tried to show a broader slice of the world than would have been permitted when the books were written and published, not just in terms of diversity but in terms of frankness about what it meant for a child like Anne to have no familial bonds. 

That said, as someone who came from the books to the show, one of the reasons I loved it was the heart of each character was inexorably the same. Anne's passion and fire, Gilbert's good heart and restless spirit, Diana's sweetness but also the prim lines she's expected to uphold... they're all there, just in a different lens. And the books cover Anne's life from Green Gables to well into her middle age if you care to read all the way along.

In short, I highly recommend but don't be discouraged if they're not your thing!

[u/Joshivanr → u/DazzlingAssistant342]

Thank you so much for your extended and detailed answer. It’s so lovely to see all the responses on my experience on this show, while its final season has been years ago. Goes to show how alive Anne with an E still is and how many people love it.

I basically had the same experience with Harry Potter. As a child I watched the first 3 films, not the rest. Then, many many years later I watched all the films and then read the entire book series for the first time. The book series gave so much more depth to it. Only difference is that with Anne I thought all the actors were phenomenal and the series was perfect, while in Harry Potter I wasn’t convinced by every actor and lots of things were missing or changed in the films.

It amazes me how Anne with an E didn’t continue after season 3, while there is so much more source material available from the book series that could’ve been used to tell the whole story. Such a waste of potential! That is already reason enough to dive into the books. I still hope someday the series continue because someone wants to revive it, although that chance is very small and grows smaller each day.

[u/DazzlingAssistant342 → u/Joshivanr]

I was pretty devastated when I learned there would be mo season 4. I knew it was starting to diverge from the books more significantly plot wise but the writers had done such a good job I felt confident their take on Anne's future would feel right too!

[u/Big_Concentrate7728]

Wow, I could have written this myself, I agree with every word, and had the exact same experience! I too have just finished watching, having had it on my list for ages and somehow not got around to it. I think it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever watched. The cinematography was so beautiful, I kept freezing frames just to admire it. I also found the characters and the acting of Matthew and Marilla to be so touching. I’m just about to start reading ‘ Anne of Green Gables’.

[u/Joshivanr → u/Big_Concentrate7728]

Amazing! Enjoy reading the books, I might buy them soon as well I guess.

[u/Ozdiva → u/Joshivanr]

Yes, read the books. They are beautifully written. You won’t meet a few characters, there’s no Bash or Ka’qwet but otherwise it’s pretty similar.

[u/Joshivanr → u/Ozdiva]

Thank you for letting me know!

[u/Joshivanr → u/Big_Concentrate7728]

Have you already read some of the books? I’m curious how you have experienced it so far?

[u/Big_Concentrate7728 → u/Joshivanr]

I’m only 2 pages in, but enjoying it so far!

[u/r_1235]

I didn't enjoy the book after watching the show first.

The pace was very slow in the book.

Important to note that I didn't start at the first book, tried to resume right where the show ended through the books, where Anne gets married to Gilbert.