Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables, a children's book by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, was first published in 1908. Montgomery found her inspiration for the book in a newspaper article about a couple who were mistakenly sent an orphan girl instead of a boy yet decided to keep her. Montgomery also drew upon her own childhood experiences in rural Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Plot Summary

Anne Shirley is a red-haired, freckled orphan who is mistakenly sent to live with an elderly bachelor, Matthew Cuthbert and his prim, spinster sister, Marilla, in the fictional town of Avonlea, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Her wild imagination, incessant talking and fiery temper ensure that she is the centre of a series of entertaining adventures. As she matures, nurtured by the love and discipline of Marilla and Matthew, she develops into an intelligent and independent young woman who harnesses her imagination constructively. Other important characters include her best friend, Diana Barry, classmate rival and eventually love interest, Gilbert Blythe, and town gossip, Rachael Lynde.

Montgomery continued the story of Anne Shirley in a series of sequels:

• Anne of Avonlea[?] (1909)
• Anne of the Island[?] (1915)
• Anne of Windy Poplars[?] (Willows)(1936)
• Anne's House of Dreams[?] (1917)
• Anne of Ingleside[?] (1939)
• Rainbow Valley[?] (1919)
• Rilla of Ingleside[?] (1921)

Many tourist attractions on Prince Edward Island have been developed based on Anne. Anne's house, Green Gables, was created in Cavendish, PEI[?], from detailed descriptions in the book.

The popularity of Anne has extended into many countries and Anne of Green Gables has been translated into seventeen languages. Tourism from Anne fans is an extremely important part of the Island economy.

Adaptations

The book was adapted into a silent movie in 1919 and into an early "talkie" in 1934. The most popular film adaptation was made by Canadian film producer Kevin Sullivan[?] in 1985, starring Megan Follows[?] as Anne. Sullivan Films[?] also created two more Anne films, Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987), and Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story. This last movie has nothing in common with the book series except the names of the characters.

In addition there have been many television adaptations in various countries. An animated television series was produced in Japan which translates literally to "Red Hair Anne." It has been exported to neighbouring Asian countries. There has also been an animated television series in the United States.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island features a popular musical production Anne of Green Gables - The Musical that has been running every summer since 1964. A West End musical was also based on the story.