Anne Shirley, a young orphan from the fictional community of Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia (based upon the real community of New London, Prince Edward Island), is sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings in their fifties and sixties, after...
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Anne Shirley, a young orphan from the fictional community of Bolingbroke, Nova Scotia (based upon the real community of New London, Prince Edward Island), is sent to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, siblings in their fifties and sixties, after a childhood spent in strangers' homes and orphanages.
Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L.M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-twentieth century. Set in the late 19th century, the novel recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl, who is mistakenly sent to two middle-aged siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who had originally intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way through life with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town.
Since its publication, Anne of Green Gables has been translated into at least 36 languages and has sold more than 50 million copies, making it one of the best selling books worldwide. Montgomery wrote numerous sequels, and since her death, another sequel has been published, as well as an authorized prequel. The original book is taught to students around the world.
The book has been adapted as films, made-for-television movies, and animated and live-action television series. Musicals and plays have also been created, with productions annually in Europe and Japan.
Lucy Maud Montgomery OBE (November 30, 1874 – April 24, 1942), published as L. M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author best known for a series of novels beginning in 1908 with Anne of Green Gables. The book was an immediate success. Anne Shirley, an orphaned girl, made Montgomery famous in her lifetime and gave her an international following.
The first novel was followed by a series of sequels with Anne as the central character. Montgomery went on to publish 20 novels as well as 530 short stories, 500 poems, and 30 essays. Most of the novels were set in Prince Edward Island, and locations within Canada's smallest province became a literary landmark and popular tourist site – namely Green Gables farm, the genesis of Prince Edward Island National Park. She was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1935.
Montgomery's work, diaries and letters have been read and studied by scholars and readers worldwide.
This has to be my favourite book of all time. Introduced to this magical book at a young age, I find myself coming back time after time to be reminded of the magnificent story.
Anne, the main character, epitomises everything I hope to be: someone who takes joy in the world around her, and, with her fantasies (though up in her red head) shares that joy around her. As a child with an imagination, I found myself relating to her day-dreaming, and letting her mind run away with itself – I would go as far as to say that Anne helped me to come out of my shell a little, her obvious wonder-struck appreciation of life made me truly appreciate the small things; and her never-ending determination and straightforward manner allowed me to grow into the person I wanted to be.
She is my favourite character, and thus this is my favourite book. What I love also about it is how the story flows. You can actually imagine the characters saying the things written. And Montgomery wrote in such a way that I found myself constantly rooting for Anne through all her unfortunate – though hilarious – mishaps. This is a book I will always fondly associate with wonderful days of reading in my childhood, securing its place in my heart forever.
Age: For Ages 8 and Up
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