Marilla of Green Gables

More about the book

A bold, heartfelt tale of life at Green Gables before Anne, this historical novel set in nineteenth-century rural Prince Edward Island explores the young life of Marilla Cuthbert and the choices that lead to heartbreak and greatness. At thirteen, Marilla's world is shattered when her mother dies in childbirth, thrusting her into the responsibilities of a farm wife alongside her brother Matthew and father Hugh. Living in Avonlea, a small farming community, options for girls are limited. Her only connection to the outside world is Aunt Elizabeth Izzy Johnson, her mother's sister, who has escaped to St. Catharines and built a successful seamstress business. Inspired by her aunt, Marilla ventures beyond Green Gables, discovering new friendships and opportunities. She joins the Ladies Aid Society, raising funds for an orphanage that secretly aids runaway slaves. Her budding romance with John Blythe, a charming neighbor, presents a chance for happiness, but Marilla is hesitant to leave her farm life behind. As she becomes involved in politics and abolition, she risks everything she holds dear, including her relationship with John. Marilla faces a reckoning between her dreams of making a difference and the reality of life at Green Gables.