Marilla of Green Gables audiobook

Fans of the Anne of Green Gables series of books fondly remember Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, guardians of the spirited Anne Shirley. If you've ever wondered about life at Green Gables when the Cuthbert siblings were young, you'll want to check out Sarah McCoy's Marilla of Green Gables.The story is told from Marilla's point of view, and stays true to the character we came to know and love in L.M. Montgomery's books. Through her eyes, we meet her parents and Aunt Izzy for the first time, as well as younger versions of Matthew, John Blythe, and her lifelong friend, Rachel.There's always a tiny part of me that worries when an author revisits a character/family from a beloved classic. Sometimes it works very well. Sometimes it's a complete disaster. And when you're really lucky, it feels like you just reconnected with an old friend—which is how I felt as I read Marilla of Green Gables.Wonderfully written, with characters that felt the same as Montgomery envisioned them so long ago, this is a fitting prequel to the series. McCoy swept me back to Avonlea, and it felt as if I'd never left. It was delightful to see how her friendship began with Rachel, and it tugged at my heartstrings to see painfully shy Matthew working up the courage to court a girl, knowing all the while that something would happen, and it wouldn't last. The same applies to Marilla's bittersweet romance with John Blythe; I knew it didn't work out between them, and yet... part of me wished it would.If you loved the Anne of Green Gables books, I highly recommend you read Marilla of Green Gables. It's a beautiful story that has earned its place within this series.I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of William Morrow via Edelweiss.

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours as part of a review tour. Growing up, I was a huge fan of Anne of Green Gables. I read the book and used to watch the animated TV show on PBS. I wanted to live in Avonlea with Anne. So naturally I was excited to read this book. I was not disappointed. The book felt in the spirit very much like Anne of Green Gables. I can tell that the author did her research (in her author’s note she goes over in detail how much research she did). It had the same quaint feel as the original. Even the stylistic choices mimicked the original. The book is divided into three parts: Marilla of Green Gables, Marilla of Avonlea, and Marilla’s House of Dreams. The chapter titles even paid tribute too. The author has a fantastic writing style. The whole book just flowed so nicely and transported you into Marilla’s world. I thought the inclusion of the Underground Railroad in Canada was a bold choice. I was happy the author incorporated it because it was an area of history that I did not know much about. I enjoyed learning more about Canada and its history. Overall, this was a worthy prequel to an iconic classic series. I think a reread of Anne of Green Gables is in my future.

If you love the Anne of Green Gables series you will probably love this although it’s not our lovable Anne Shirley it little young prickly Marilla Cuthbert and it’s the story of how she came to be who she is although this wasn’t written by L.M. Montgomery it definitely fits well into the world I really enjoyed this story , And if it’s your thing you might enjoy it to.

Fans of Anne of Green Gables should run, not walk, to seize this beautifully written story. I was lucky enough to have an early read and I adored it. The plucky heroine in 19th century Prince Edward Island caught between life in her small town and wanting to make a difference in the larger world is truly a woman for all ages.

I've seen tv-versions of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, but I have never actually read the books. However, that didn't stop me from wanting to read this book about Marilla Cuthbert, before Anne came into her and Matthew's lives .Marilla Cuthbert is only thirteen-years-old when her whole life is turned upside down. Her beloved mother dies in childbirth and she's suddenly the one responsible for all of the tasks of a farm wife: cooking, sewing, and overseeing Green Gables. Of course, she has her brother Matthew and her father Hugh, but the loss of her mother will stay with her for the rest of her life. As she grows up, Green Gables is her main focus, but friends and family will draw her out into the world. And, she will even find that there may be someone out there who could be more than and a friend...READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!

(#ContainsSpoilers from the Anne of Green Gables series)Anyone who has read Anne of Green Gables would undoubtedly have a special place in their heart for Anne and Gilbert. But other than them, two characters who really make a mark in the first book are Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. I was very upset that Matthew's character dies in the first book itself and Marilla's character gets relegated to the sidelines in the subsequent Anne books, even disappearing altogether in the later books of the series.If you felt a connection, a oneness, a "kindred spirit" with Matthew and Marilla, then here is a book you must go for. I have always avoided spin-off series, whether for books or TV shows, if I liked the original. Somehow, my instinct told me that I need to read this book as an exception to my rule, and I am so glad I did.Marilla of Green Gables attempts to reveal the pre-Anne lives of the siblings, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. There are so many questions unanswered or partly answered in Anne of Green Gables. This book strives to answer all of those. What were Matthew's and Marilla's younger years like? Why were Matthew and Marilla unmarried till their deaths? What exactly happened between Marilla and John Blythe? Was Marilla always as stern and pragmatic as she was when she met Anne, or did her circumstances make her so? How did the beloved Green Gables get its name? All these queries are answered in this book. In a way, it's weird reading this book because you already know the ending. You just want to know what led to that ending. Sarah McCoy's eye for detail is amazing. Every little aspect of characters from the Anne series has been taken care of in this book in a mostly satisfying manner. She has also faithfully reproduced LM Montgomery's style of chapter numbers and chapter names. In fact, this book is divided in three sections: Marilla of Green Gables, Marilla of Avonlea and Marilla's House of Dreams. Notice something? Those are variations of the three best Anne series titles. If there is one gripe I have with the novel, it is this. In the quest to flesh out a full story, Sarah McCoy ends up with a major character mistake. All of us Anne readers would remember how Marilla was not at all happy at having received a girl from the orphanage instead of a boy. But in this book, Marilla has been shown as an abolitionist, indirectly helping out the slave runaways on the extended underground railroad from America to Canada. While I'm not sure of the historical accuracy of this part of the story (I'm not aware of the role Canada played during the abolitionist struggles and the American Civil war), the fact is that Marilla doesn't appear to be an abolitionist at all based on her portrayal by LM Montgomery. She was very conservative in her views. I'd have rated this book much higher if Marilla hasn't been portrayed as something so contradictory to her inherent nature in the Anne series.That said, even LMM introduced random characters, and unexpected character changes in the Anne series to take the story ahead. So I'm willing to forgive the abolitionist angle because it is the only flaw in an otherwise enjoyable book. Dare I say, I loved this book even more than a few titles from the Anne series. Then again, practical no-nonsense Marilla is much more a kindred spirit to me than the idealistic Anne always lost in her dream world. So I loved getting to know Marilla better.Definitely recommended for all Anne of Green Gables fans. If you haven't read the Anne series, don't go for this because you won't enjoy it as much. Rating: 4.25********************************************Join me on the Facebook group, " Readers Forever! ", for more reviews and other book-related discussions and fun.

I may bump this star rating up after I've let it simmer for awhile. What a DELIGHTFUL book - both an homage to Anne of Green Gables and also a story that can stand completely on its own. I am always apprehensive when there are spin-offs to books (or movies, or any media); it's just so unlikely that it will live up to the beloved original. And of course, this book cannot replace Anne of Green Gables in my mind and my heart. BUT, this book did perfect justice to the characters that I know and love. It gave us insight into Marilla and Matthew - their growing up and entering into their middle years. I absolutely loved the little glimpses and nods we get to all sorts of people that we meet in the Anne series. And the people populating Avonlea (and Avonlea itself) felt true to the original. It was just so lovely. Having said that, I do feel like Marilla was so much softer and less no-nonsense in this book than we see at the beginning of Anne - however, perhaps I should offer some more grace in that respect because the book ends about 15 or 16 years before we meet our favorite redhead, and thus Marilla has some time to grow more prickly (and we all know she's soft-hearted underneath those prickles, it just takes Anne to slough them off). The premise of the book was inspired by a little unsolved mystery we are introduced to in Anne of Green Gables, when Marilla reveals to Anne that she used to be good friends with Gilbert Blythe's father - John. Even more that people used to call him her 'beau.' So, going into Marilla of Green Gables, we already know how that story will end. And it's not happily ever after. But how that happens is what makes this story. And knowing that it doesn't end in marital bliss only makes it more poignant and bittersweet. And even though I knew how it would end I kept hoping that they would make choices that would turn the inevitable around. But of course, then we wouldn't meet Anne 16 years later, and that truly would be tragic. What a heart conundrum!Anyway, I loved it. For fans of Anne or fans of absorbing historical fiction - although I think you'll like it even better if you're acquainted with L M Montgomery's lovely Anne books.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours and William Morrow for this free review copy!I was so nervous going into this book, but it 100% amazed me at how perfectly McCoy took us back to Avonlea and fit us back into that fictional world. I consider this an absolute must-read for fans of the Anne of Green Gables series. An unofficial prequel, if you will.

Haven't we all been wondering just how friendly Marilla and John Blythe were back in their teenage years? In this new novel we get to see Marilla as a teenager living through the same years that Anne lives in the legendary series. All the research and interviews Sarah McCoy conducted to prepare for writing this book shine through. She tells the story beautifully and seamlessly while adding historical depth and a connection to the Civil War and Underground Railroad. Highly recommended.Thank you, thank you to William Morrow and Edelweiss for making this digital ARC available in exchange for an honest review.

In Marilla of Green Gables, readers are transported to Avonlea in this warm and wonderful book, filled with love and heartache and sacrifice. Marilla’s spirit shines through, a young woman shaped by regret and happenstance. I felt so close to Marilla, as if I’d been given a window to her soul. She is a heroine to remember and to behold...devoted and determined to do what’s right, not just for herself, but for all of those she loved. I was entranced at this peek into the world of Green Gables before the arrival of Anne. Sarah McCoy’s lyrical writing breathes new life into these wonderful characters and this spectacular setting.

Oh, Green Gables, how I love thee! I first encountered Anne (with an "E" thank you very much!) when I was 10 or 11. It instantly became a favorite book series so much so that I chose Prince Edward Island as the topic of a seventh-grade geography research paper. Anne Shirley endeared herself to me. I longed to be a red head full of spunk as loyal and noble as she. I gave little thought to the character Marilla. In part, I believe this is because I was a kid so I found characters my age of much greater interest (save, of course, for dear sweet Matthew.) However, author Sarah McCoy's "prequel" opened my eyes to the extraordinary woman who was Marilla Cuthbert.Marilla of Green Gables tells Marilla's story before Anne enteered her life. Tracing her life from the tender age of 13, readers learn how Marilla became the strong seemingly stoic, but ultimately loving woman at the helm of Green Gables. We also see the bond between sister and brother, Marilla and Matthew, two siblings united by both tragedy and familial blood. I finished this novel with a peaceful contended sigh and a deep longing to revisit the Anne series (and travel to PEI!) Anne lovers rejoice, Sarah McCoy has done Lucy Maud Montgomery proud!

Love love loved this! Obviously a rather sad story since we already know how Marilla's romance ends, but it was intriguing to read in detail. One thing I especially loved is how when John Blythe married I felt bad for Marilla, but still didn't hate Mrs. Blythe. The bits about the Underground Railroad were exciting! Sarah McCoy is a talented writer and she did a wonderful job with this book! Negative one star because of a very descriptive kiss.

First time I read it, I finished on Nov 22, 2020. Read second time at nearly the same time of year, to the day! Finished Nov 20, 2022. Loved it just as much.