Lucy Maud Montgomery's autobiography, 'The Woman Behind The Books,' offers readers a glimpse into the life of the beloved author known for her timeless works such as the 'Anne of Green Gables' series, 'Emily Starr Trilogy,' and 'The Blue Castle.' Through her private letters and personal reflections, Montgomery's literary style is revealed to be deeply rooted in her own experiences, painting a vivid picture of the inspirations behind her iconic characters and enchanting settings. This compilation provides a valuable insight into the literary context of Montgomery's work, showcasing the author's talent for storytelling and her ability to capture the essence of Canadian life in the early 20th century. Montgomery's writing is characterized by its nostalgic charm, engaging narratives, and universal themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Lucy Maud Montgomery's own life experiences, from her early struggles to her later successes, undoubtedly influenced her writing and shaped the narratives that have resonated with readers for generations. As a woman ahead of her time, Montgomery defied societal norms and pursued her passion for writing, ultimately leaving a lasting legacy in the world of literature. Her autobiography and private letters offer a rare and intimate look into the mind of a prolific author, shedding light on the personal motivations and struggles that fueled her creative genius. For fans of Lucy Maud Montgomery's work, 'The Woman Behind The Books' is a must-read, as it provides a deeper understanding of the author's life and the inspirations behind her beloved characters. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Montgomery's writing or a newcomer to her novels, this comprehensive compilation offers a unique opportunity to delve into the world of one of Canada's most celebrated literary figures.

Who ultimately is L.M. Montgomery, and why was there such an obsession with secrecy, hiding, and encoding in her life and fiction? Delving into the hidden life of Canada's most enigmatic writer, The Intimate Life of L.M. Montgomery answers these questions. The eleven essays illuminate Montgomery's personal writings and photographic self-portraits and probe the ways in which she actively shaped her life as a work of art. This is the first book to investigate Montgomery's personal writings, which filled thousands of pages in journals and a memoir, correspondence, scrapbooks, and photography. Using theories of autobiography and life writing, the essays probe the author's flair for the dramatic and her exuberance in costuming, while also exploring the personal facts behind some of her fiction, including the beloved Anne of Green Gables. Focussing on topics such as sexuality, depression, marriage, aging, illness, and writing, the essays strip away the layers of art and artifice that disguised Montgomery's most intensely guarded secrets, including details of her affair with Herman Leard, her marriage with Ewen Macdonald, and her friendships with Nora Lefurgey and Isabel Anderson. The book also includes rare photographs taken by Montgomery and others, many of which have not previously appeared in print. One of the highlights of The Intimate Life of L.M. Montgomery is the inclusion of a secret diary that Montgomery wrote with Lefurgey in 1903. This hilarious document is a rare find, for Montgomery's teasing banter presents us with a new voice that is distinct from the sombre tone of her journals. Published here for the first time, more than 100 years after its composition, this diary is virtually unknown to readers and scholars and is a welcome addition to the literature on this important figure. This volume fills in many of the blanks surrounding Montgomery's personal life. Engaging and erudite, it is a boon for scholars and Montgomery fans alike.

Describes the private life and literary career of the Canadian writer best known for her novels about Anne, a girl from Prince Edward Island.

In 'The Collected Works of L. M. Montgomery', readers are treated to a comprehensive collection of 20 novels, over 170 short stories, poems, and even an autobiography. Montgomery's writing style is characterized by a lyrical quality, vivid imagery, and heartfelt storytelling that transports the reader to idyllic Prince Edward Island. Her works often explore themes of family, love, and the beauty of nature, making them timeless classics in the literary world. This collection provides a rare opportunity to delve deep into Montgomery's captivating narratives and gain a deeper understanding of her literary legacy. Readers will find themselves enthralled by the emotional depth and enchanting landscapes that Montgomery skillfully brings to life in her writings. Lucy Maud Montgomery's personal experiences, including her upbringing in Canada and struggles with mental health, undoubtedly influenced her writings. Her unique perspective and keen observation of human nature shine through in each piece, making her a beloved author for readers of all ages. 'The Collected Works of L. M. Montgomery' is a must-read for anyone who appreciates heartfelt storytelling, vivid imagery, and timeless themes that resonate with the human experience.

"Meet Lucy Maud Montgomery, beloved author of 'Anne of Green Gables.' Photos, newspaper excerpts and journal pages highlight real-life events in this biography" Cf. Our choice, 2002.

Mary Henley Rubio has spent over two decades researching Montgomery’s life, and has put together a comprehensive and penetrating picture of this Canadian literary icon, all set in rich social context. Extensive interviews with people who knew Montgomery – her son, maids, friends, relatives, all now deceased – are only part of the material gathered in a journey to understand Montgomery that took Rubio to Poland and the highlands of Scotland. From Montgomery’s apparently idyllic childhood in Prince Edward Island to her passion-filled adolescence and young adulthood, to her legal fights as world-famous author, to her shattering experiences with motherhood and as wife to a deeply troubled man, this fascinating, intimate narrative of her life will engage and delight.

In June 1908, a red-haired orphan appeared on to the streets of Boston and a modern legend was born. That little girl was Anne Shirley, better known as Anne of Green Gables, and her first appearance was in a book that has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 35 languages (including Braille). The author who created her was Lucy Maud Montgomery, a writer who revealed very little of herself and her method of crafting a story. On the centenary of its publication, Irene Gammel tells the braided story of both Anne and Maud and, in so doing, shows how a literary classic was born. Montgomery's own life began in the rural Cavendish family farmhouse on Prince Edward Island, the place that became the inspiration for Green Gables. Mailmen brought the world to the farmhouse's kitchen door in the form of American mass market periodicals sparking the young Maud's imagination. From the vantage point of her small world, Montgomery pored over these magazines, gleaning bits of information about how to dress, how to behave and how a proper young lady should grow. She began to write, learning how to craft marketable stories from the magazines' popular fiction; at the same time the fashion photos inspired her visual imagination. One photo that especially intrigued her was that of a young woman named Evelyn Nesbit, the model for painters and photographers and lover of Stanford White. That photo was the spark for what became Anne Shirley. Blending biography with cultural history, Looking forAnne of Green Gables is a gold mine for fans of the novels and answers a trunk load of questions: Where did Anne get the "e" at the end of her name? How did Montgomery decide to give her red hair? How did Montgomery's courtship and marriage to Reverend Ewan Macdonald affect the story? Irene Gammel's dual biography of Anne Shirley and the woman who created her will delight the millions who have loved the red haired orphan ever since she took her first step inside the gate of Green Gables farm in Avonlea.

Presents the biography of early twentieth-century writer Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of the "Anne of Green Gables" series, and chronicles her childhood on Prince Edward Island in Canada and early interest in writing.

By any standards, Lucy Maud Montgomery’sAnne of Green Gables is a stunning success. Published in 1908 (and not once out of print),Anne has sold more than 50 million copies, been translated into more than 17 languages (including Braille), and become the focus of international conferences devoted to its interpretation. Anne has remained, as Matthew sings in the musical, “forever young,†no small feat for the spunky, in-your-face redhead who, in 2008, celebrates her 100th birthday! But why Anne? How does Montgomery`s classic work pull so many international readers into the vortex of Anne`s freckled face and carrotty braids? How does this little book create such enduring interest around the world? The answer is far more intriguing than any story even Anne could have imagined. In her journal, Maud`s quick pen would froth up the tiniest details of her life into dramatic events, but that same pen never revealed a single word aboutAnne. As a result, the novel’s secrets have remained sealed for over a century. Looking for Anne is the untold story of a literary classic and a writer who found inspiration in many places including the popular images of the era, such as beauty icons, fashion plates, and advertisements; a writer who quietly quarried her material from American mass market periodicals; who consciously imitated formula fiction to create marketable stories for juvenile periodicals, religious newspapers, and glamorous women’s magazines—and who ultimately, in the storm that brewed up the novel, also transcended these influences to create a twentieth-century literary classic that would conquer the world. Blending biography with cultural history, penetrating and uncensored, this is the definitive book onAnne of Green Gables.Looking for Anne captures both the spirit of Marilla’s critical probing for “bald facts†and Anne’s belief in the infinite power of the imagination. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever fallen under the spell of Anne with an “e.†Praise forLooking for Anne: Looking for Anne takes a bold new look at Anne of Green Gables. If you have loved Anne of Green Gables and wonder how she came about, I recommend that you read Irene Gammel’s book. — Kate Macdonald Butler (Lucy Maud Montgomery’s granddaughter) Visit the Looking for Anne webpage by clickinghere