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Screen & Stage • Literature

Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 children’s novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery, published under the name L.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Anne of Green Gables is a 1908 children's novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. It follows Anne Shirley, an imaginative 11-year-old orphan mistakenly sent to live with siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on Prince Edward Island.

What it is

The novel is a coming-of-age story set in the fictional town of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island. Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables by accident — the Cuthberts expected a boy to help on the farm — but her lively imagination and talkative nature soon win them over. Montgomery published the book under the name L. M. Montgomery in 1908, and it became her most famous work.

Why it matters

Anne of Green Gables is one of the best-known works of Canadian literature and a classic of children's fiction. It has remained popular for generations, inspiring multiple sequels and adaptations across stage, film, radio, and television. The story is closely tied to Prince Edward Island, where Montgomery was born and where the real-life locations that inspired Avonlea and Green Gables still draw visitors.

Key details

The main series includes eight books, starting with Anne of Green Gables. Anne Shirley is 11 years old at the start of the story. The book is fiction, though Montgomery drew on her own experiences and places on Prince Edward Island. It is widely regarded as a classic of children's literature and a defining piece of Canadian fiction.

In short

  • Written by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery and published in 1908.
  • Follows orphan Anne Shirley, who is mistakenly sent to Green Gables on Prince Edward Island.
  • A classic of children's literature and one of Canada's best-known works of fiction.
  • Sparked a series of eight books and many adaptations.
Canadian angle

Anne of Green Gables is one of the best-known works of Canadian literature and is closely associated with Prince Edward Island, where the story is set and where Montgomery was born.

Quick questions

Who wrote Anne of Green Gables?
Lucy Maud Montgomery, who published as L. M. Montgomery.
Where is Green Gables located?
In the story, Green Gables is in Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Is Anne of Green Gables a true story?
No. It is a work of fiction, though Montgomery drew on places and experiences from Prince Edward Island.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Anne-of-Green-Gables
    Supports: Author, publication year, plot summary, setting, and Anne’s age.
  2. Government of Canadahttps://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/women-impact/arts/lucy-maud-montgomery.html
    Supports: Montgomery as creator of Anne of Green Gables, publication year, and the Anne series.
  3. L. M. Montgomery Institutehttps://lmmontgomery.ca/about/l-m-montgomery/
    Supports: First novel, publication details, and biographical context.
  4. EBSCOhttps://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/literature-and-writing/anne-green-gables-l-m-montgomery
    Supports: Series information, Anne’s age, and overview of the novel.
  5. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Green_Gables
    Supports: Series count and general work overview.