Marilla of Green Gables

A Novel

By: Sarah McCoy

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

A bold, heartfelt tale of life at Green Gables...before Anne: A marvelously entertaining and moving historical novel, set in rural Prince Edward Island in the 19th century, that imagines the young life of spinster Marilla Cuthbert and the choices that will open her life to the possibility of heartbreak - and unimaginable greatness.

Plucky and ambitious, Marilla Cuthbert is 13 years old when her world is turned upside down. Her beloved mother dies in childbirth, and Marilla suddenly must bear the responsibilities of a farm wife: cooking, sewing, keeping house, and overseeing the day-to-day life of Green Gables with her brother, Matthew, and father, Hugh.

In Avonlea - a small, tight-knit farming town on a remote island - life holds few options for farm girls. Her one connection to the wider world is Aunt Elizabeth "Izzy" Johnson, her mother’s sister, who managed to escape from Avonlea to the bustling city of St. Catharines. An opinionated spinster, Aunt Izzy’s talent as a seamstress has allowed her to build a thriving business and make her own way in the world.

Emboldened by her aunt, Marilla dares to venture beyond the safety of Green Gables and discovers new friends and new opportunities. Joining the Ladies Aid Society, she raises funds for an orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity in nearby Nova Scotia that secretly serves as a way station for runaway slaves from America.

Her budding romance with John Blythe, the charming son of a neighbor, offers her a possibility of future happiness - Marilla is in no rush to trade one farm life for another. She soon finds herself caught up in the dangerous work of politics and abolition - jeopardizing all she cherishes, including her bond with her dearest John Blythe.

Now, Marilla must face a reckoning between her dreams of making a difference in the wider world and the small-town reality of life at Green Gables.

©2018 Sarah McCoy (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Good story

A look back in Marilla’s life. Well written and in the style of Anne of Green Gables.

Great story

I love the book Anne of Green gables and I really loved listening to Marilla story. this was a fun book to listen to. I really enjoyed it.

Beautiful story

This is a lovely story that was well written and beautiful performed. It truly captures your imagination and transports you into the story.

Endearing

I really liked this prequel to Anne of Green Gables. I found it quite believable. I liked getting to know Marilla and Matthew in their younger years. It explains a lot. I thought the ending was very good.

It was lovely to spend time on PEI again.

The performance was good, she had variations for the people and gave Marilla a nice voice. Her voice and tone were soothing and well suited to the overall story.

The author did a wonderful job creating an origin to two very quite individuals. I knew how it would end for Marilla and Mathew but that didn’t make me hope and cheer for something else. It was beautiful and bittersweet in that regard.

If you like the Anne books I think you will enjoy this one. I thought it was a great book and I will revisit it at some point. I had been going through a bad batch of migraines and this was a pleasant way to spend time in a dark bedroom.

Sweet story!!

I’ve read all the Green Gables books & thorouly enjoyed this book! The story was caring and good! Marilla was a loving extra Mother to Ann, as was Matthew a loving father!

Marilla of Green Gables

I loved the story. It had to end this way or there couldn’t have been Anne. But I was sad for Marilla.

So emotional right now

written in a style similar to Anne of Green Gables
and even though I knew how the romance progressed, I still cried my eyes out.

if you love Anne of Green Gables, this is a must read

Answered so many questions

This gives a beautiful backstory about Marillla and Matthew. I now know why he or she never married.

I want more!

Oh I loved, loved, loved this beautiful story. I’m a long time devoted reader of LM Montgomery books and this addition to the beloved characters I’ve loved for so long doesn’t disappoint.

Highly recommend to any readers who love Anne stories. Get to know the woman behind the tough exterior of Marilla Cuthbert. So much love and heartache and grit.