Anne of Green Gables

Kip and Henry

Anne and Diana

Before Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari became Bosom Buddies, Canadian author Lucy Maud (L.M.) Montgomery had already penned the term in her 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables.



Montgomery tells the story of Anne Shirley, an 11 year old orphan who comes to live at Green Gables with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Set in the fictional town of Avonlea in Prince Edward Island, the Cuthberts are middle-aged siblings looking to adopt a boy to help on the farm. Instead, they get Anne, a talkative, dramatic, intelligent, freckled, red-haired girl. Matthew was taken with her straightaway and he and Marilla agree to keep her. Anne settles into her new life in the close-knit farming town. She meets her bosom friend Diana Barry,  and confides to Marilla, Miss Barry is a kindred spirit after all.  She also meets Gilbert Blythe who teases Anne about her red hair, calling her "Carrots". Anne hates her red hair,  red hair is my life long sorrow  and despises Gilbert for teasing her. Gilbert becomes Anne's adversary in school but will eventually become very important in her life.


My sister and I read the book as children, and eventually the entire series. Montgomery decided to continue Anne's story and there were eight books published in total, following Anne throughout her life. Millions of fans of the book have traveled to Prince Edward Island, where they can see numerous Anne-related attractions.

In 1985, the CBC created a four hour television miniseries which I spent more than a couple Sunday afternoons watching with my Grandma Kennedy. It starred Canadian actress Megan Follows as Anne, and Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe. They went on to film Anne of Avonlea in 1987, Road to Avonlea in 1992, and Anne of Green Gables:The Continuing Story in 2000.

Gilbert Blythe played by Jonathan Crombie

The Brits may have Mr. Darcy, but we Canadians have Gilbert Blythe. When Gilbert first meets Anne, he is immediately smitten. He teases her to get her attention but this backfires and Anne resents him. They become rivals at school, competing for the highest grades and a scholarship. Gilbert saves Anne from drowning when she's 16, and although her friends find this romantic, Anne still refuses to warm to Gilbert. He eventually gives up a teaching job so Anne can take the position and continue to live at Green Gables. This act of kindness finally cements their friendship. Eventually Anne and Gilbert marry and have children. Gilbert sets the bar high for romance!

Adelaide, Andrea and myself

Imagine my delight when my very own bosom friend...my kindred spirit Andrea, asked if I'd accompany her and her daughter Adelaide to an Anne of Green Gables play. It was showing at the Community Centre about an hour and a half away in Petrolia. When Andrea got the tickets, she realized it was a musical and her cousin had a role as Miss Stacey, Anne's teacher. The play followed Anne's adventures from 11-16 years old and for the most part, stayed true to the book. Andrea and I both think Adelaide would make the perfect Anne with her red hair and just the right amount of dramatic flair!

The book has been a favourite of mine for years. It's a must-read that will make you laugh and cry. As Anne says, I love a book that makes me cry. I was so happy to share this musical experience with Andrea. We both share such a love for the book and Gilbert Blythe! If you're not much of a reader, than check out the miniseries. I'm sure you will love it just as much as I do.

~MT