Ana of California: A Novel

by Andi Teran

A modern take on the classic coming-of-age novel, inspired by Anne of Green Gables

In the grand tradition of Anne of Green Gables, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and The Three Weissmanns of Westport, Andi Teran’s captivating debut novel offers a contemporary twist on a beloved classic. Fifteen-year-old orphan Ana Cortez has just blown her last chance with a foster family. It’s a group home next—unless she agrees to leave East Los Angeles for a farm trainee program in Northern California.

When she first arrives, Ana can’t tell a tomato plant from a blackberry bush, and Emmett Garber is skeptical that this slight city girl can be any help on his farm. His sister Abbie, however, thinks Ana might be just what they need. Ana comes to love Garber Farm, and even Emmett has to admit that her hard work is an asset. But when she inadvertently stirs up trouble in town, Ana is afraid she might have ruined her last chance at finding a place to belong.

• ISBN10: 0143126490
• ISBN13: 9780143126492
• Publish Date: 30 June 2015
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Penguin USA
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780143126492

Reviews

[alisoninbookland]

Surprisingly good take on Anne of Green Gables!

[bookishzelda]

When I was asked if I would be interested in an Anne of Green Gables retelling, my first thought was….Gilbert. Then it was...will he still be named Gilbert. Then of course...will I still want to have his babies like I do Gilbert. So Ana of California does not have Gilbert but it does have Cole, the story takes much of the idea of what it’s based off of but has it’s very own unique story.

Ana is an orphan who has been moved from home to home. Her story is both interesting and heart wrenching. When the way she lost her parents and grandmother finally comes to light, you want to hug her. I enjoyed Ana’s character and loved that she still contained the flare for dramatic, the constant talking and her strong spirit. I also loved that she could express herself through her brilliant sketches. The descriptions of the drawings made me want to see how they actually look.

We also have Ana’s bff Rye (Diana) and of course Cole (Gilbert). I actually did not like Rye that much because she just managed to get under my skin. Of course Cole was sweet but it felt like their relationship and his development was a little rushed. It’s something that needed to spread across more books.

Abbie and Emmett are the brother and sister duo that take Ana in. I loved how the story followed them and their growing affection for Ana. Forming their own little family. Ana needed them and they needed her and I liked seeing how that developed.

This is the first time I’ve read a retelling like this and I thought that it was well done. I definitely enjoyed the story and the way it gave it’s own new twist. I think if you are fan of Anne of Green Gables you should give this a try.