Books
8 things you might not know about Anne of Green Gables
L. M. Montgomery’s classic and beloved novel Anne of Green Gables is now more than a century old, yet it remains as popular today as ever before. The novel follows the story of newly-adopted orphan Anne as she settles into her new life at Green Gables on Canada’s Prince Edward Island. Here are 8 things you might not have known about this charming, iconic book.
- Many famous authors are fans – Mark Twain called her “the dearest and most lovable child in fiction” since Alice from Alice in Wonderland, and Margaret Atwood penned an essay in 2008 in praise of the beloved character.
- Japan loves Anne – A missionary left a copy of the book with her Japanese friend in 1939 who then translated it into Japanese, titling it Akage No Anne (Anne of the Red Hair). She kept her translation hidden throughout the war, only releasing it in 1952. It was adapted into Japan’s school curriculum and quickly rocketed the novel to fame, partly due to Anne’s “exotic” red hair and her strong work ethic, a value highly praised in Japanese society.
- Anne was a figurehead of Polish resistance – Anne of Green Gables was unofficially translated into Polish in 1912 under the pseudonym “Anne Montgomery”. Over the next four decades, during the hardest times in Poland’s history, the book remained a symbol of everything the Polish resistance was fighting for.
- Anne is just as popular as ever –It may have been more than a century, but to this day more than 125,000 people still flock to setting of the novel, Cavendish (or Avonlea in the books), each year – around 20 per cent of which come from Japan. Montgomery’s books and Anne of Green Gables merchandise are still huge earners.
- Anne is a reflection of L. M. Montgomery – Montgomery was raised by her strict grandparents who never made her feel like part of the family. She created Anne as an idealised version of herself, and this is particularly clear in quotes like, “Nobody ever did want me.”
- Montgomery didn’t want any sequels – The author confessed that she never wanted to create a sequel, but was coerced into doing so by the publisher. “I’m awfully afraid if the thing takes, they’ll want me to write her through college,” she wrote to a friend in 1908. “The idea makes me sick.”
- The girl who played “Anne Shirley” was named “Anne Shirley” – Seems too good to be true? Well, in a way, it is. In the 1934 film, the actress hired to play Anne, Dawn Paris, was forced to change her name to Anne Shirley to boost publicity for the film.
- Not just books – The character of Anne has appeared in three films (one more to come in the next year or so), 17 television series and specials (with another to come next year) and six stage productions.
What was your favourite book as a child? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Related links:
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How to encourage your grandchildren to love reading