Before Green Gables

Last updated
Before Green Gables
Before Green Gables.jpg
Cover of Viking Canada 2008 Hardcover
Author Budge Wilson
Language English
SeriesAnne of Green Gables
Genre Children's novel
Publication date
2008
Publication place Canada
Media typePrint (Hardcover)
Pages400
ISBN 0-425-22576-3
OCLC 312933557
Preceded by Anne of Ingleside  

Before Green Gables is the title of a prequel to Anne of Green Gables . [1] The book was published in 2008 by Puffin, a division of Penguin Books, as part of Puffin's celebration of Anne of Green Gables centennial anniversary. [1]

Contents

The author of the prequel is Canadian children's author Budge Wilson. [1] In the official press release, Budge Wilson wrote: "I will, of course, try to be true to the astonishing character that Lucy Maud Montgomery created… But I would not – in fact, could not – presume to tell my part of Anne's history in Montgomery's voice. I will do this in my own voice, hoping that she would approve of the project if she were alive today." [1]

Synopsis

This book describes Anne's difficult pre-Green-Gables childhood. That time includes the deaths of her parents, her subsequent life with the Thomas and later the Hammond families, and her time in an orphanage. [1]

Along the way, she meets some kind people who give her hope. Anne's imagination helps her get through these hard times, preparing her for her future at Green Gables. [2]

Publisher

Three editions are available from different publishers:

Translation

Before Green Gables was translated into Japanese as Kon'nichiwa Anne (meaning "Hello, Anne") and sold by Shinchosha [3] and Polish as Droga do Zielonego Wzgórza (meaning "Road/Way to Green Gables"), published by Wydawnictwo Literackie. [4] The book was also translated in French with the title Anne... : Avant la maison aux pignons verts (meaning "Anne : Before Green Gables..."), published by Trécarré. [5]

Reception

Benjamin Lefebvre, co-chairman of the L.M. Montgomery Research Group wrote, "while the links to Montgomery’s series are not always seamless, Before Green Gables is nevertheless a captivating story in its own right." [6]

Budge Wilson of the Putnam Publishing Group reviewed the book for Publishers Weekly and wrote "the book is a quick read that will keep the reader invested in its compelling characters from start to finish." However Kirkus delivered an opposing review predicting "[t]his drab, unappealing story probably won’t please Anne’s many admirers, nor will it inspire a new audience for Anne of Green Gables." [7] [8]

Adaptations

The series was adapted into an anime, Kon'nichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables , the latest entry in Nippon Animation's World Masterpiece Theater series. It aired in Japan from April 5, 2009 to December 27, 2009.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Penguin Books ltd., Press Release: December 14, 2007.
  2. "Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson". The Guardian.
  3. こんにちは アン Archived 2008-07-09 at the Wayback Machine ISBN   978-4-10-211339-4 and ISBN   978-4-10-211340-0
  4. Droga do Zielonego Wzgórza ISBN   978-83-08-04308-0 and ISBN   978-83-08-04311-0
  5. Wilson, Budge; Fortier, Dominique (2009). Anne...: Avant la maison aux pignons verts. ISBN   978-2895684398.
  6. "Eternally Anne". Benjamin Lefebvre. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  7. "Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
  8. BEFORE GREEN GABLES | Kirkus Reviews.