Every year more and more great books are coming out. Let’s take a deeper look at them.
Hello readers!
I am so excited to start this new blog series. Every Friday I will be looking at a 10-year span and looking at the book(s) from that time period. The number of books discussed will be dictated by the decade. For example, the 1950s will have 5 books mentioned.
This week I am putting 1900-1909 and 1910-1919 together so I can talk about two books.
This will be a Century of Books.
Let’s jump in!
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1900-1909: Anne of Green Gables (1908)
L. M Montgomery wrote Anne of Green Gables the first book in the Anne series in 1908. I wonder if she knew a little redhead girl would gain so much popularity.
Anne of Green Gables is about a fiery redhead 11-year old who has grown up in an orphanage in Nova Scotia, Canada. Her name is Anne Shirley and she talks more than the average 11-year old.
Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert are siblings who own a farm in Avonlea. They decide to contact the orphanage to get a boy to help them on the farm. The work gets harder as they age.
To Matthew’s surprise, Anne is waiting for them at the train station. While they do try to take her back, Matthew grows fond of the chatty little girl and they decide to have her join their little family.
Anne goes to school where she shows off her reading skills but gets in trouble because of her mouth. Her best friend, Diana is changed by Anne and their friendship grows throughout the novel.
Anne of Green Gables is a story for all ages. Throughout the book, she struggles with a sense of identity because she never knew her parents. Many people can identify with feeling out of place. But by reading Anne’s story, you can find comfort because Anne never fits in. Instead, everyone learns to love her quirks and she embraces her troubling story.
Why is it important?
I chose this book for The Century of Books’ first post because it appeals to readers of all ages. It was assigned to me for a university class and it was a favorite among many of the students.
This book is full of controversy among the characters. For example, Avonlea hires Miss Muriel Stacy, a female teacher, even though the elders oppose her because she is a woman. But she becomes a vital person in Anne’s life because of her resilience and liberal teaching style.
1910-1919: The Metamorphosis (1915)
The Metamorphosis was written by Franz Kafka in German.
When Gregor Samsa wakes up one day, he realizes he has been turned into a bug. There is no real explanation as to why and he is as baffled as everyone else.
The story turns dark when his own family turns against him. They no longer want to feed him and just sees him as a pest.
Gregor tries to communicate with his family because he feels guilty about no longer being able to provide for his family. His sister Greta steps into the role but this makes Gregor obsolete. He is only seen as a nuisance.
When Gregor realizes this, he knows he can’t do anything about it and eventually passes away. This is his last way of providing for his family. His family moves away and he is forgotten as they focus on the strength of Greta.
Why is it important?
Honestly, I am not sure. It is a weird story.
There are many interpretations of it that have come out over the years. They range from a Christianity meaning because Gregor sacrificed himself in the end as Christ did. Or many people have taken the feminist side of the story that it is praising Greta for stepping up and it symbolizes the rise of women to power.
Personally, I don’t know my interpretation of it but all I know is it is a unique story that shows the changes that can happen in people’s lives.
In Conclusion.
This is part 1 of my 9 part series A Century of Books! Anne of Green Gables and The Metamorphosis are two books that I think defines the era that they are in.
Also feel free to check out some other of my mini book reviews HERE!
Over to you!
What are your favorite books from 1900-1919? Let me know in the comments.
I had to read The Metamorphosis in school and it was weird. Don’t remember the metaphor behind it. My school also performed Anne of Green Gables as a play though, and it was adorable!
I love theatrical versions of Anne of Green Gables!
I love Anne of Green Gables! And though they are from the next century, but by the same author, I love Emily of New Moon series as well. I love all of LM Mongomery books, short stories, and poems!
I really want to read more of her books!