Kyland’s Comments (group member since May 18, 2020)

Kyland’s comments from the Irmo Branch Library - Multimedia Book Club group.

We are nearing the end of our discussion everyone!

We hope you have enjoyed taking a deep dive into the Loving case that changed American law and the American family forever. Finally, we are going to discuss the film dramatizations of the lives of this trailblazing couple.
If you have not seen a particular film, that is fine! Feel free to answer any of the questions based on whichever film you've seen or any other medium of which you may have used to learn about the Lovings.

1. How were Richard and Mildred portrayed in the dramatization? How were their family and friends portrayed?

2. What were the most important aspects of the Loving's lives shown in the 2016 dramatization, "Loving," (or 1996 film, "Mr. and Mrs. Loving,") that you feel help us to understand Richard and Mildred as individuals and as a couple? What, if anything, was left out from the story that you feel should have remained?

3. How does the film, "Loving," (and/or, "Mr. and Mrs. Loving,") compare to the photo-essay and documentary film? What aspect of each medium adds to your knowledge and opinion of the Loving case?

4. Is there any piece of knowledge, wisdom or information that you feel you can apply to your life going forward after learning about the Lovings?

Hello Everyone,

At this time, we are going to move forward with questions on the documentary film of the story of the Lovings. MMBC would also like to welcome Laura back to the group discussion! The next part will cover dramatizations!

1. How did you feel hearing thoughts and feelings about the trial coming directly from Mildred and Richard Loving in the documentary? Did it change the way you viewed them?

2. What sentiments from critics or supporters of interracial marriage featured in the documentary struck you the most? How would Grey Villet's photos (which were also featured in the documentary) support or refute those sentiments?

3. Did you learn anything new about the attorneys, judge or Supreme Court members working on this case through the documentary?

4. What did you learn about the environment, culture, family and friends that surrounded the Lovings from this documentary? How did their environment influence them and their decisions?

5. Do you feel that the documentary shows positive or negative bias towards the Lovings, or do you feel it is mostly unbiased? What leads you to this conclusion?

Hello MMBC,

I hope you all are having a great week and enjoying experiencing Grey Villet's photo essay so far. Let's start our discussion with some questions on the photographs taken, along with Barbara Villet's supplemental text.

1. The first few images that Villet uses to introduce us to the Lovings as a couple and as a family are close-up portraits. Why do you feel he chose to use these photos in the Love vs. The Law chapter and as the first photos in the book? What effect do these shots have?

2. How does Barbara Villet's biographical text change how you view the photos of the Lovings? What do you understand about Mildred and Richard's case that you did not know before?

3. What do the photos in Love vs. The Law say to you about the Lovings daily life, work, and their children? How does this affect the argument against interracial marriage?

4. Do you feel that these images show any bias in favor of or against the Loving family or the institution of interracial marriage? Why?

Hello all!

To add to this experience and discussion, I would like to share that if you are a LCPL cardholder or Netflix subscriber, you can find the movie, "Loving," a 2016 dramatization of this true story. The film stars Ruth Negga as Mildred Loving and Joel Edgerton as Richard Loving.

There is also a 1996 film creation of the Loving's story entitled, "Mr. and Mrs. Loving," starring Lela Rochon and Timothy Hutton.

Questions will reflect aspects of the photo-essay, documentary and the fictionalized film adaptations of the Loving's story. Let's continue to dive deeper into the lives and legacy of Richard and Mildred Loving!

Happy February and Black History Month MMBC!

This month, we will be taking on a book that is a little different from our previous works. This month's book, "The Lovings: An Intimate Portrait," is a work of art featuring images taken by photojournalist, Grey Villet. This photo-essay documents the lives of a couple who changed the face of marriage and civil rights in America. Mildred Loving, a young woman of African American and Native American descent, and her husband Richard Loving, a white man, were arrested in Virginia in 1958 for interracial marriage. Villet's profound pictures, along with the text of Barbara Villet, bring an up close and personal look at the couple's day to day life as well as their fight for love in the US Supreme Court.

Along with Villet's photo-essay, the documentary film, "The Loving Story," will supplement our reading and discussion. This film will follow the experiences of the Loving family during the time of their court case.

This month's material will cover various aspects of media to convey information: photographs, text and film. Additionally, we hope that this will be a beautiful combination of Black history and February's emphasis on love (with Valentine's Day being celebrated across the nation) in America!

The ebook of "The Lovings: An Intimate Portrait," and the documentary, "The Loving Story," can be found on Hoopladigital.com. Happy viewing!

Well, we are at the end of our discussion on Girl with a Pearl Earring. I hope you found both the novel and the film to be interesting and gave you much to consider. Let's take this last discussion to compare and contrast the plot, emphasis and themes in the film versus the Chevalier's novel.
(SPOILER ALERT- Please note that the following answers and comments may contain spoilers to the film and novel)


1. Did you feel that the film adaptation of Girl with a Pearl Earring, stayed true to the original story? In what ways did you feel that it honored the written material; and in what ways did it not?

2. How was the relationship between Griet and Peiter portrayed in film? How was the relationship between Griet and Vermeer portrayed in the film? What element of the film adaptation was helpful in understanding these relationships?

3. What role did religion play in the film adaptation compared to Chevalier's novel? Should it have played a greater or lesser role in the film?


4. How did you feel about the ending of the film, Girl with a Pearl Earring? What impressions of the characters did you leave the experience with in contrast to the novel? Which ending was stronger in your opinion and why?


Thank you for joining this month's book club and discussion! We hope you enjoyed reading and viewing along with the Irmo Branch Library Multimedia Book Club Group!

1. Throughout the novel we are reminded, usually by the protagonist, of her standing in society. Griet is always thinking of staying "in her place" as a maid although Vermeer constantly places her in positions where she must step out of the stereotypical boundaries of her station. Wearing colors "meant for ladies," Vermeer urging Griet to pose doing activities that women of her financial status and trade would not normally do, having the ability to learn about painting with her master at times when she would have been cleaning for her mistress. All of these actions are outside of what Griet would have been considered to be allowed to do by society. This causes a clash between Catharina and Griet, as the young girl tries to keep her time with Vermeer a secret as to not risk losing her job. Her family relies on every bit of money Griet brings home, so she walks on eggshells daily not to upset her very insecure mistress. There is a stark contrast in the way that the Vermeers live versus the way that Griet's family lives and Griet angering her mistress could mean the death of a loved one if they cannot afford basic resources to live. With all of this in mind, I felt I saw the young protagonist grow in maturity by learning when to speak, when to step back, and learning how to be firm with the situation called for it most. She had to learn to make difficult decisions throughout the story and had to live with the consequences that they led to.



2. Griet had to grow up very quickly as a teenager. Because of her family's financial woes, she had to give up a somewhat carefree childhood, for caring for the household and children of someone else. That is not typical of teenagers, at least compared to the modern generation. However, this may have been more common for young girls of the 1600s. Griet was disappointed, but did not complain. She attempted to make the best of her circumstances even when she was treated unfairly. Given her situation in life, I feel that she was as giving as she could be. Vermeer put her in compromising positions many times and she did what she thought best as to please him as her master without displeasing his wife. I thought it was sweet how she made time for her sister who was lonely once Griet and her brother left to work to help the family survive. Griet showed compassion when letting the children like Maertge spend time with her even at times when she really wanted to be alone. In my eyes, although very soft spoken and timid, Griet was compassionate, kindhearted and strong when it mattered most.



3. Griet's first thoughts of the Vermeers were heavily influenced by her faith and how she viewed them as a Catholic family. She focuses on the crucifix that hangs in her room and when she is confronted with Catholicism and luxury living, it challenges her own beliefs and thoughts on modesty and simplicity. Griet was taught that Catholicism was a faith not to be trusted, and she maintained a silent but watchful observance of the family. I think to an extent, they did live up to her expectations when it comes to money and status, but in some ways did not seem as terrible as she was taught people with that belief system could be. What I noticed about the family is how detached Catharina seemed from her many children and how even more detached Vermeer appeared to be from them. The maids were more like parents to the Vermeer children than the actual parents themselves. I believe this was an elevated observation for me because of the modern lens that I was reading from. Parents in our generation are much more involved in the lives and daily activities of their children; whereas in the novel set in the 1600s, Catharina and Vermeer had many children but did not seem to spend much quality time with any of them. I know that maids in that time period would do much of the child rearing, however, it still came as a surprise to me when Catharina wanted to continue having more children.



4. Religion shapes how Griet feels about the family initially. She was not keen on working for a Catholic family and was very uncomfortable with Catholic imagery in the household. She did her best to stay steadfast and loyal to her own faith practice of Protestantism. There was a level of distrust of the Vermeer family when she first arrived, that softened as she began to get to know Maria Thins and Johannes Vermeer as more than master and mistress. When she has philosophical conversations over paintings with Vermeer, Griet's mind opens to what may be beneficial about both Christian faiths. I do believe however, that the distrust remained between Catharina and Griet as we can see by the final circumstance at the end of novel, and by a mischievous incident created by Cornelia towards Griet. This distrust began as a seed planted by religious differences and lifestyle differences, and continued to grow due to issues of class and status between maid and mistress.


I listened to the audiobook version of this novel read by Jenna Lamia, who perfectly captures the quiet strength of Griet, and wonderfully portrays each character. The plot kept my attention and the relationships between the characters had great variety and detail. I really enjoyed Girl with a Pearl Earring!

Hallo allemaal! (Hello Everyone, in Dutch)

We hope that, "Girl With a Pearl Earring," has given you much to consider in terms of how history is portrayed, characterization, religion and relationships. Tracy Chevalier paints a vivid picture (no pun intended) of what life must have been like for a young maid and an artist in the 17th century. We will begin the first part of our discussion with questions about the protagonist, issues of social class and religion, and how they affect our characters.

1. What role do social and class differences play in creating a divide between some of the characters? How do these differences in class and social status create conflict? How do these differences lead to character development?

2. Do you think Griet was typical of other girls her age? In what ways? How did she differ? Did you find her compassionate or selfish? Giving or judgmental?

3. What is Griet's first impression of the Vermeers? How does the couple live up to Griet's expectation? How does Griet's first impression differ from your impression as the reader? What do you feel are the reasons for these differences?

4. In what ways do you feel religion affected Griet's relationship with Vermeer, his wife and Maria Thins? How does religion affect the story?

Comment and post your thoughts and any replies below.
We hope you continue to enjoy the story as January continues!

Happy New Year Everyone!

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed the past two months' conversations on, "A Christmas Carol." This month, we will be transitioning into the new year with a historical fiction novel written in 1999. Author, Tracy Chevalier wrote, "Girl with a Pearl Earring," creating a unique story about a young woman depicted in one of the world's most famous paintings by Johannes Vermeer circa 1665.
Mysterious and alluring, Chevalier fashions a young servant girl in the household of a passionate painter. With like minds, the pair forms a bond, creating scandal and chaos in a strict and organized surrounding. You can read the author's summary of the novel here: https://www.tchevalier.com/gwape/story/
Why did Vermeer paint solitary women in various settings? Why did he choose to paint this young woman? What story is her countenance telling? That's up to the readers to find out and decide.
Such a striking tale caught the attention of screenplay writer, Olivia Hetreed. Hetreed created a screenplay to pass on to director, Peter Webber. Webber turned the screenplay of "Girl with a Pearl Earring," into a three-time Academy Award nominated film starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth. For the month of January, let's dive into Chevalier's novel and the film adaptation to meet the, "Girl with a Pearl Earring."

The novel and film can be found on hoopladigital.com. Happy reading!

Seasons Greetings Everyone!

As we dive further into the holidays, many of you may have finished reading, "A Christmas Carol," or watched a couple of adaptations at this point. If you have not completed the novella, not to worry! There is still plenty of time as we will be discussing the story and its various forms for the entire month of December.

In our previous discussion, we shared our favorite film adaptation and whether we thought it was the best adaptation of, "A Christmas Carol," overall. As you browse responses in the group, do any of the favorites of others catch your eye? For this week, pick an adaptation suggested by a group member, or look at a list of adaptations online and find a version that you've never seen or heard (if listening to a Radio play/audio dramatization) before.
Once you've experienced a different take on the classic story, consider the following questions:

1. What new (or new to you) adaptation did you choose to experience? What made you decide on this particular version of the story?

2. How was Scrooge portrayed in this adaptation compared to your favorite adaptation? Was the transition in his demeanor and character quicker or more prolonged? Why do you think the directors made this choice?

3. How did this version of, "A Christmas Carol," compare to your favorite version in terms of character development, adherence to the original novella, and entertainment factor? Do you have a new favorite after watching a different adaptation?

4. Compared to your favorite version, did this adaptation place a greater emphasis or less emphasis on supporting characters? Why do you feel they utilized (or did not) supporting characters in this way? Was it effective for the story?

5. Does this new/new-to-you adaptation have the qualities of a "classic film (or audio play)?" What aspects, if any, would make it a classic? If this version does not have the qualities of a classic to you, what is it lacking?

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed "A Christmas Carol," immensely, as I did. As Laura stated, I will be continuing to facilitate our conversation on this novella as we continue through the end of the year. Let's send Laura our well wishes!

1) There are so many wonderful versions of "A Christmas Carol," and I may be in the minority here; but I love the 2009, Robert Zemeckis film starring Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge. Many have said that it has the flaw of falling into "Uncanny Valley," with almost life-like animation; however, that is one of the aspects that I enjoy about the film. It feels like you are watching a "real" Ebenezer Scrooge with "real" ghosts, without the cheesy green-screen effects that tend to come with a live-action film of this nature. The animation is eye-catching and when I first saw this in the movie theater back in high school, in 3-D, I was thrilled and scared by many aspects. From what I've read, this adaptation (although it still takes liberties for entertainment purposes) stays pretty true to the written work in script and in the way that the characters are portrayed. TV stations have started playing it yearly, which means to me that it is hitting cult classic status! It definitely stuck with me and I consider it to be the best (and my favorite haha)!

Also, in the Disney line, a close 2nd place in my heart is "Mickey's Christmas Carol." I feel like this version of the story is cute, light-hearted and still stays true to the overall story of Dickens's original work. The language is a lot more modern and simple for younger audiences, but it is still fun to watch as an adult as well. And who doesn't love an adorable Mickey as the sweet and mild-mannered Bob Cratchit?

2) There are a few versions I've seen that have fundamentally changed the storyline; but the main idea is still there to where you know it was inspired by "A Christmas Carol." This includes "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past," starring Matthew McConaughey (mainly for adults), "A Diva's Christmas Carol," starring Vanessa Williams, "Christmas Cupid," starring Christina Milian (targeted towards teens and young adults), and even "Barbie in A Christmas Carol," yes, I said Barbie! I feel that these adaptations still have heart. The message of considering others above oneself and living a life of love and generosity is still the main focus of each story. Being able to create a unique spin on a story and have it resonate through multiple decades, keeps "A Christmas Carol," timeless. I enjoy each version for different reasons. Love stories have been added to the ones targeted towards adults and teens (who doesn't love a good romance right?). A lighthearted and magical twist has been added to the plots of the youth-targeted films, which I also enjoy.

3. There are merits to making the adaptations targeted to specific groups, however, I enjoy when a movie is adapted for multigenerational enjoyment. The benefit of an adaptation targeted towards adults is that the content can be much more profound. The audience can be encouraged to think, reason, and consider various perspectives that just a simple plot with a one-dimensional character. This could allow for an entirely different spin on the original novella that can leave an older audience with a longer lasting impression on the soul. For younger audiences, the adaptations can be tailored to emphasize simpler lessons that are important for children to pick up on such as caring, not being selfish and showing kindness to others. I would consider the original text to be for all ages. Although the language is a bit dated and sometimes goes above the modern reader's head, it is still a pretty simple story to understand. I think it was meant to be read around the fireplace to the entire family.

4. I would like to recommend listening to a dramatic reading or radio play adaptation. It is enjoyable to create images and your own version of the story in your mind based on the dramatic reading that you listen to. Tell us which is your favorite reading of "A Christmas Carol."

I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts and perspectives on the novella as well as various adaptations.

1. Placing myself in the position of one of the novels original readers, this would have been a thrilling journey to go on with the protagonist. Ghost stories were surprisingly popular at Christmastime in this era and seeing glimpses from various parts of one's life would be, as it is in the present, an exciting notion. To me, this story resonates so well because of the strong message of morality and the adventurous plot that brings one to the overall lesson. Travelling through time, coming face to face with phantoms, hearing conversations in rooms that one would have never heard otherwise, seeing how one's choices can affect more than just oneself; but still with a cheery, Christmas mood, is a perfect recipe for a classic. I have seen multiple adaptations of this novella; but this is my first time actually reading Dickens's original written version of the tale.

2. I sympathize with Scrooge when he goes on a journey with the Ghost of Christmas Past. Reading that he was left alone on Christmas, separated from family and friends, made me feel pity for him. Knowing that at one point, Scrooge had a loving sister, a benevolent boss and a gentle-hearted fiancé who cared for him, helped me to see him as a more complex character than when the novella begins. He seems like a horrible, unfeeling man when we first meet him; but there must have been something kind and warm within him to draw or maintain the love of those he once knew. We see Scrooge's evolution quite early on in the story. His heart starts to soften when he sees his former schoolmates, his younger sister, Mr. Fezziwig and his former fiancé. It seems to me that he already begins to realize the error of his ways when he relives how he chose riches over love. Scrooge tells the first ghost that he can no longer bear to see the shadows of the past, which shows a sense of remorse and regret over what has been.

3. Although we do not see much of him in the story, I really favor Scrooge's nephew. He is high spirited, and wishes to spread merriment to others during the Christmas season even if he is rejected for it. It is obvious that he is compassionate, generous and thinks beyond pursuing his own happiness. There's a kindness in him that seems to stem from his mother (Scrooge's younger sister) which leads me to think that this is why he continues to be persistent in sharing joy with his Uncle Scrooge.
When it comes to the Spirits of Christmas, they have personalities all their own that fit the era they are in. The ghost of Christmas past illuminates the room and seems young and old all at the same time. He inhabits the faces of many and is resolute in what he says as the past is what it is and once an action is performed, it is resolute and set in stone. The ghost of Christmas present is jolly, young as he represents the current year. I enjoy the fact that he shows the peace and joy we can have when we live in the present. He is surrounded by a feast, gifts, a merry, ruddy glow, and is a jovial fellow. However, the present is fleeting as the spirit is. Finally, the ghost of Christmas future is very telling just in it's appearance. Faceless, empty, mysterious, unknown as the future is. The future is shaped by daily choices, which means it could be changed at any time. There is no true or deliberate form of what the future looks like until it becomes the present, and soon the future becomes the past. The way that each spirit is portrayed says much about the experience of life and makes the plot and moral of the story much stronger.

4. Similarly to Laura, I was surprised at the narration by Dickens. He made personal aside statements that I did not expect, especially for the time period that we consider to be so pristine. In many of the adaptations I've seen, the narrator was usually obvious at the beginning and kept most personal thoughts out of the storyline. In one adaption, the narrator is only heard at the beginning and revealed at the end, but it is not a representation of Dickens. Narration was not something I considered much in this story; but now I will be paying more attention to the various adaptations takes on the narration and how it moves the story along (or not).

1) As I read further into "The Phantom of the Opera," I am increasingly invested in the fate of the characters. I enjoy having a deeper perspective into the backstory, minds and motives of the characters that a movie or play may not be able to fully provide. The psychological warfare that is waged on the theater troupe, especially young Christine is very intriguing. Who really is the angel of music? Who is this opera ghost that places specific demands on the owners, managers, directors and performers of the opera? Why is Christine the sole object of his affection and desire? Her devotion due to her beliefs is unwavering and I am excited to continue reading to see how her relationship with the "angel of music" changes and how that affects her other relationships in the novel.

2) I have yet to see the 1925 horror film classic adaptation or the 1980s movie adaptation, but they are on my list as I love classic movies! Because I am only familiar with the Andrew Lloyd Weber stage play and 2004 film, it will be interesting to compare and contrast both films' interpretations of Leroux's story. Having the musical versions of "The Phantom of the Opera" in my head, I find myself waiting for familiar scenes in the novel that I can picture from the visual adaptations. It helps me to keep track of where I am in the story compared to the play, and if I get a little lost in translation with the verbiage of the era, it is a good marker to make sure I still understand what is happening as the plot progresses. Of course, it's hard not to sing those catchy pieces from the film and stage play adaptations when certain parts of the novel mirror those scenes. This is one of the aspects I enjoy about taking in a story from various media. From those versions, I already have certain thoughts about the opera ghost, Raul, and Christine. I also picture hilarious versions of Carlotta when the Phantom "punishes" her for rebelling against his demands.

3) In the novel, we get a deeper look into Christine's past to understand her devotion to the angel of music. It is also nice to have a better understanding of Raul and Christine's childhood friendship compared to their relationship as young adults.

4) As Laura states in her blog post, serialized novels were the Netflix binges of their day! People love a good continuous story and want to go on a journey with characters that they've become invested in. Authors like Leroux would keep readers engaged and wanting more as each story ended. We've seen a continuous pattern of novel series becoming extremely popular even in modern times and I do not think that this will be changing anytime soon!

Hello MMBC!

I am very excited to read this novel! If you check out Andrew Lloyd Webber's YouTube channel, "The Shows Must Go On" during the weekend of 10/09-10/11, you can stream the live stage performance of this classic as well. (View here: https://youtu.be/CZRBIbpYs6A) As Laura mentioned, this version of the live stage performance is also found on Hoopla digital under "The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall." I hope that this will add to the experience. Clips from the performance will be available on the YouTube channel after the full show is removed. Happy reading and viewing!

1.) Humans are complex, which we tend to not give ourselves or others credit for. Because I tend to be very "either, or", "yes or no", "right or wrong", I like a resolved ending with a clear-cut answer. However, because the issues between legality, morality and emotions all played a part in Kabuo's case, the jury and the readers walked away feeling torn and being partially split on Kabuo's guilt. Prejudice and "not like us" tactics were used (and performed very well, by the actor in the film adaptation) during the case by Alvin Hooks. The notes given by Ishmael may have made all the difference in Kabuo's final outcome. Nels Gudmundsson tried to appeal to logic and the complexity of humanity when speaking with the jury. This reminded me of Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" in a way. He pleaded with the jury, not just to see a Japanese man who was not white like them, but to see a man, his motives or lack thereof, the facts, the context, and not just a villainized version of an entire race in one human being. Given the time period, I imagine that this was probably a more realistic ending because cases dealing with murder, prejudice, race and the effects of a World War can become ones that are hard to come to a conclusion about although the outcomes usually are not desirable or necessarily fair.

2.) It was interesting to see this entire case from someone with an outside view and little stake in the matter. However, the fact that Ishmael was once Hatsue's lover gave him a tie to the case and outcome. Would he be able to look at the facts objectively when he knew that the man on trial was chosen over him by the woman who had stolen and ultimately crushed his heart? As a newspaperman, could he report from an unbiased point of view to offer both parties a fair coverage of the trial? I felt like I had a good understanding of how the case may have looked to a typical jury member having to determine the verdict of Kabuo's trial, reading the novel through the eyes of a bystander. I am happy to see that Ishmael did more than just stand by however, he did deeper research himself to find answers and do what he knew was right and honorable to the legacy of his father and America's justice system.

3.) I really enjoyed the film adaptation of "Snow Falling on Cedars." The story was very compelling and to see the looks on the faces of the Japanese families affected by war and internment camps brought a greater sense of reality to history. I liked that even though there was some violence, it was not shown to a deep extent (I am a bit squeamish about visual violence) and I could still understand the pain and the past of the characters involved in the war or finding Carl Heine Jr. The romance aspect was more pronounced to me in the movie, which I think also kept my attention as a romance lover. What was missing for me, was seeing the dynamic of the relationship between Kabuo and Hatsue when they first met and were dating before they got married. They seemed to have a marriage based on mutual respect and love, but it would have been nice to see it developed a little more (once again, romance lover here!).

Hello Multimedia Book Club!

1) At first, I was a bit slow to get into the novel, but once I read a bit more, I have found the murder mystery aspect very interesting. I am usually a big fan of romance, so that is always a draw for me in a novel; but to have this "whodunnit" spin on a tale is quite thrilling. I am also a history lover, so this novel is continuing to pique my interesting as a diver further into the tale. Before this reading recommendation, I was not familiar with "Snow Falling on Cedars" as a film or novel, so I am enjoying trying a genre that is different from what I would normally read.

2) I was introduced to World War II and the Japanese internment camps when I was in middle school and early high school. This is always such a difficult and heartbreaking subject, but a much needed conversation in history. Going into this novel, I already had my thoughts on injustices and the pain of those placed in internment camps and how certain aspects of history have reappeared in modern times. I was interested in the perspective that would come from the author of this novel.

3) When diving into banned books, the first question to ask is, "Why is this book a threat?" What is it about this written piece that is so powerful that others feel the need to hinder it from getting into the hands of the public? Is it offering dangerous rhetoric that history has shown can lead to undesirable consequences? Is it exposing the wrongs of a system that may be rigged against its citizens? Is there a level of guilt due to a truth that is being exposed? Banned books can challenge a common line of thinking and offer those who read it the choice to decide if they still believe in the values and ideals they once held, or could a shift in mentality be in order? I think banned books or previously banned books should be read by age groups that typically can begin comprehending or fully comprehend the situations discussed in the book enough to form their own opinions and ideas about the issues expressed. Usually late middle school and early high school age is best for tougher and more complex subjects, such as some of the content in this book. If the subject is a bit more black and white, late elementary to early middle school could probably handle banned novels.

As Anne matures, Marilla notices that she is much quieter in nature. This tends to happen with most young teenagers. As children, many of their thoughts and ideas are shared out loud as Anne's were. However, as they grow they become much more introspective and verbalize their thoughts much less. When Marilla brings this to Ann's attention, the young teenager states that she finds it more favorable to meditate on her dreams instead of always voicing them. Ann's independence, ambition, and beauty seem to develop quickly before Marilla, Matthew and the town's eyes. As a young child, Anne provided a new and beautiful way to view the world. She found the good in everything, and in spite of her numerous blunders, found her way into the hearts of everyone she met with her well-meaning spirit. As a teenager, Anne inspires and awes people with her intelligence and potential. Her friends, caregivers and peers get a glimpse into all that she can offer the world. I feel that the greatest shift can be seen in her desire to replace ambition and dreams with even greater care and responsibility. Anne has always been a caring individual, as she cared for children when she was just a young orphan herself, and helped save child's life. However now, she has a greater sense of responsibility and selflessness as she desires to give back to Marilla even a small bit of what Marilla gave to her as a young orphan.

2. I feel that Anne's decision at the end of the book was a beautiful and selfless act. She could see how lonely Marilla was and how much help she would need around Green Gables. Anne did not want selling their home to even be an option and was determined to be there for the woman who cared for her so dearly. I feel that there are still selfless people in the world who care enough about family to make a sacrifice. I cannot lie and say that I did not hope Marilla would still encourage Anne to go and continue with her education afar; but this ending also reminds us what is most important in life. True and genuine love for others will never come back to you void. It was returned to Marilla after all those years of caring for Anne expecting nothing in return, and I truly believe that it will be returned to Anne for her sacrifice as well. The fact that she really did not see it as a sacrifice but as a privilege to care for her home and her loved ones was probably the most beautiful aspect of this ending.

3. I watched the PBS Adaptation of "Anne of Green Gables" and really enjoyed it. The young girl portraying Anne Shirley really brought the character to life and was delightful to watch. Also, I loved the casting of Marilla and Matthew. They portrayed the emotions that were expressed in the book extremely well. I could see how Anne was capturing their hearts despite their trying to fight it and it was very heartwarming. I was impressed at how the actress who played Marilla captured the character so well. She was not overly stern and unlikable, but was doing her best to be firm, understanding, and empathetic to a young orphan girl. I did notice that key events like the missing jewelry, Anne's first experience with church and more were condensed in the adaptation. Although I feel the adaptation overall was very true to the story, I still feel that one can miss out on important motives, emotions and conversations that occurred leading up to the events or as consequences of the events that shaped the characters and the storyline much better. After reading the book and watching the PBS adaptation, I feel that the film supplements the novel very well. It is great to be able to visualize what was in my head while reading and see the characters come to life!

Thank you for sharing your thoughts Laura!

It is quite beautiful how children seem to have a natural knack for diving into another world and creating the beauty they wish they could see in their own circumstances. Anne definitely makes the most of her imagination to overcome her traumatic past. I find it interesting how the darker film version resonates better, as it appears more realistic historically for orphan children than L.M. Montgomery's focus on the happy imagination with nods to Anne's painful past. One version for young readers may convey a particular message and focus on one aspect of Anne's life more than a more complex view and version created to target adult viewers who may be able to handle difficult subjects a bit better. I imagine that more adults will appreciate the realistic adaptation a bit more than the overly optimistic novel. I'm a bit of a child at heart, so I like lighthearted novels and films as an escape from the everyday realities of life's certain drama. However, I do appreciate when a rose-colored glass is not always placed over tough subjects such as being an orphan during the Victorian Era.

As you stated, the book seems to provide a deeper perspective when it comes to Marilla and how she is navigating her way through parenthood. Going from a woman who has no idea how to raise children to being the full-time mother-figure for a preteen child, is a tough transition to make. Although I am not a mother yet, I do appreciate, as Laura also stated, that Marilla tries to raise Anne with a stern and firm hand. However, just like any parent, Marilla will tend to indulge Anne and have grace for the child's mistakes with good humor. I have come to really like Marilla as Anne's caregiver and overall as a character. She is well-rounded, and also goes through the typical stages of motherhood as she sees Anne growing and developing right before her eyes in what seems like no time at all. Her like for Anne develops into care and love just as if Anne truly was her own daughter.

Finally, I love your perspective on why Anne may have not been so quick to forgive Gilbert Blythe as she was to forgive Mrs. Lynde and Mrs. Barry. She is highly motivated by what would please Marilla and keep her at Green Gables. If Marilla insists, or her friendship with Diana (whom she declares to be her bosom friend) is in jeopardy, Anne will quickly reconcile the situation as it is to her benefit. As stated, Gilbert provides Anne with no social, emotional, or any other benefit during their childhood years. She has no reason to give him any sort of respect or grace. Additionally, the fact that he is her peer and not an authority figure probably makes her less likely to feel like she has to let go of her grudge against him. Being upset with him will not cause her to be punished or disadvantaged in any way. This grudge also motivates her competitive spirit against young Gilbert, which makes her stronger academically. In this way, holding a grudge may have seemed more beneficial to her than forgiveness. It will be exciting to see how their relationship changes and grows in the second portion of Montgomery's novel!

As we continue to venture through the world of Avonlea with Anne Shirley, we hope that you are discovering more about the way each character relates to one another as well as the way they relate to the world around them.
For example,
1) When Anne and Matthew first ride home to Green Gables together, she exclaims, “Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive!" Given Anne's tragic childhood, how does she maintain her positive attitude and how is this portrayed in Montgomery's book compared to the film adaptation?

2) How does Marilla and Anne's relationship develop and change from when Anne first arrives to Green Gables to when she start's attending the Queen's school? Do you feel that the relationship is understood and developed better in the film or the movie? Why?

3) Anne makes a number of mistakes and blunders, which can cause others to judge her harshly. Even still, she is very quick to find compassion and forgive those who unfairly judge her character, such as Mrs. Rachel Lynde or Mrs. Barry. Why then, do you think she holds such a long grudge against young classmate, Gilbert Blythe? How is their relationship explored in the film compared to Montgomery's novel?

This will be my first time reading and exploring the world of "Anne of Green Gables." In starting the novel, I am already enjoying this spunky, loquacious and precocious young girl. It will be interesting to see how this character is brought to life in various media adaptations!