Penguin Canada has announced that they're going to publish a prequel to Anne of Green Gables next year in honor of the book's 100th anniversary:The prequel, Before Green Gables, which tells the story of Anne's early life in foster homes and an orphanage in Nova Scotia, will be written by Governor General's Literary Award finalist Budge Wilson, the award-winning author who has published twenty-nine books in more than 10 countries and whose stories have been included in over 90 anthologies, including the first Journey Prize Anthology.
I've never heard of this Budge Wilson, though she has a pretty cool name. Budge. Trying to imitate the style and feel of such a beloved classic sounds dodgy to me. And Anne's life before her adoption is supposed to be quite depressing. I think one of the reasons so many people love the Green Gables books is the homey, idyllic quality of them. Anne as an unloved orphan might not be quite the same!
But apparently Penguin is also going to put out a collectible 100th Annniversary edition of Anne of Green Gables. Ooohh! Might have to replace my poor little mass market copy that's falling apart.
5 comments:
Hmm, I wonder how it's going to turn out... but then, I'm not a big fan of Anne of Green Gables, so I don't really mind. But then, I agree with you, it does sound dodgy... and really, who wants to read this prequel?
I love Anne of Green Gables...but I'm not interested in reading a prequel. I could be persuaded to buy a 100th anniversary reprint of AoGG, even though I've already got a hardback copy and a paperback copy of the book. What can I say? I'm just a sucker for LM Montgomery's books.
Nath--Not a fan of Green Gables!! And you a Canadian. :p
But I bet the prequel will do pretty well just because people will be curious about it.
JMC--I'm a sucker for L.M. Montgomery too. I've been wanting to buy a hardcover copy of The Blue Castle, but they're all way too pricey. But I keep looking in hopes that I'll find an affordable copy.
I'm with JMC. Not interested in any prequel, especially if it's not coming from LMM. In this sense I'm a purist and just hate it when authors take a popular book and write "their" take on it, or a sequel ala Scarlett or all the Pride & Prejudice books out there.
But I'll probably get a re-print of AOGG just cuz I love it so much.
ohhhh! Love Anne of Green Gables.
But a prequel? No, I don't think so. I didn't even enjoy the sequel that much.
Post a Comment