Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of)

Written and illustrated by Kathleen Gros

Quill Tree Books (HarperCollins)

978-0-06-305766-1

304 pp.

Ages 8-13

October 2022

 

This is not L. M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. Sure there is an Anne, a Marilla, a Matthew, Diana and Gilbert. But this is a new Anne, a contemporary one, and one with her own story. And, it's a story that might resonate a little more with young readers today.

From Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) by Kathleen Gros

When Matthew Cuthbert comes by the case worker's office to pick up their foster child, he's surprised to meet twelve-year-old Anne Shirley, a child much older than the one he and his sister Marilla had intended to foster. Although Anne, a consummate writer and doodler, sees herself as "in between being an outsider and belonging" (pg. 2), she's delighted to go to the Avon-Lea, the apartment building where Matthew is a handyman. Marilla, an accountant, may want child services to look into the placement–a server crash may have caused the mismatch–and appear cool towards Anne but she generously buys her a sketchbook and takes her shopping for clothes.

Matthew and Marilla introduce her to a number of the residents of the Avon-Lea, including Mr. Barry, Marilla's boss, who lives with his wife and daughters Diana and Minnie in the penthouse, and Rachel Lynde, a woman who comments on Anne's red hair and gets an earful from the girl. Diana and Anne become fast friends, hanging out in the nearby ravine, before the beginning of their Grade 7 year at Carmody Middle School.

From Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) by Kathleen Gros

At school, she meets Ruby and Josie but also Gilbert who teases her relentlessly, even getting her in trouble. It's only when she makes it clear to him that as a foster kid being labelled as a troublemaker could get her moved, that he takes responsibility. Still school is also where she joins the Carmody Zine Club, an extracurricular that gives her an venue for her creativity.

From Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) by Kathleen Gros

Of course, this is an adaptation of Anne of Green Gables so we know that there have to be a number of unfortunate events, though these definitely have a contemporary feel. There is the hair-dying incident, a visit to a fancy restaurant with Diana's Great Aunt Josephine, a misunderstanding about being asked to the dance, and a dare. And there's an unexpected and heartwarming crush between two friends.

Maybe life is just a cycle of forgiving and accepting forgiveness–if we let ourselves listen and change. (pg. 262)

It's tough to write an adaptation that is fresh and unparalleled by staying somewhat true to the original but Kathleen Gros has done it. Just as she did with Jo: An Adaptation of Little Women (Sort Of) (2020), Kathleen Gros has updated the story of Anne Shirley, keeping the essence of the characters and their relationships and key events, but taking them all into a contemporary setting which might be more familiar to young people. As beloved as Anne of Green Gables is globally, most young readers today would not be familiar with the clothes, classroom or domestic activities of that book. However, they will recognize classroom practices of whiteboards and computers, living in apartment buildings, and introducing themselves with their pronouns. Moreover, by enveloping that modern story in a graphic novel format, Kathleen Gros has introduced a new generation of readers to Anne, including those who would never have picked up the classic story of the red-haired orphan who goes to live at Green Gables. Today's young readers will appreciate a story of getting in trouble at school when being teased or bullied, hiding their feelings, and trying to fit in. But beyond that, Kathleen Gros gives us wisdom and reassurance that there are people that will steer them right and support them in their struggles. 

Fans of Anne of Green Gables will love this new story and new format while revisiting a favourite character and recalling the events that made Anne so memorable. But those unfamiliar with the classic story will still love meeting Anne and her new family and friends and cheer her on as she makes a new life, perhaps with a few missteps along the way. It's Anne 2.0 in all her colours.

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Check back tomorrow, the official release date for Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of), for my interview with author-illustrator Kathleen Gros.

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