In this reflection on reading Anne of Green Gables, lawyer-by-day and writer-by-night, American Logan Steiner asks why it is that this Canadian character has resonated for so long and so far.


Steiner – who has written a novel about Lucy Maud Montgomery (called After Anne and published by William Morrow) - includes Maud (she preferred Maud to Lucy) in her reflection. She recalls that Maud was raised in kinship care and reading and writing fiction became a source of joy in a dour environment.

Life was often difficult for Maud.

Even though she didn’t become a writer, it was Anne who “found the happiness in life that often eluded Maud.”