Introduction to Lucy Maud Montgomery
If you’ve ever fallen in love with Anne of Green Gables, then you already know that Lucy Maud Montgomery was pure magic. I’ve adored her writing since the very first time I met Anne Shirley, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. There’s something about Montgomery’s world that feels like home... the kind of place where the air smells like autumn leaves and the sky is always painted with imagination.
Born in 1874 on the dreamy Prince Edward Island, Canada, Montgomery had a gift for turning ordinary moments into stories full of heart. Her books are filled with charm, beauty, wit and so much feeling. I often find myself returning to them when I want to feel comforted or inspired. She didn’t just create characters; she created a way of seeing the world that makes you want to live more deeply and notice all the small, beautiful things.
What I love most is how she wove nature, emotions and real life into something that still feels magical. From her journals to her novels, she’s left behind a legacy that makes you believe in imagination, kindness and second chances. I could talk about her for hours and never run out of things to say. Visiting Prince Edward Island is at the very top of my bucket list. Until then, I’ll keep rereading her books with a cup of tea in hand and a heart full of nostalgia.
Early Life and Influences
A Childhood Among Red Dirt Roads and Windy Shores
Montgomery’s early life in Clifton (now New London), Prince Edward Island, was as enchanting as her stories suggest (I HAVE to go one day). She lost her mother when she was just a baby and was raised by her grandparents in a rural community. I’ve always thought that PEI itself feels like a character in her books; the trees, the ocean, the seasons... all of it shaped her writing in the most wonderful ways.
As a child, she didn’t have siblings to play with, so she found friends in books and in nature. I used to make imaginary worlds in my garden too. Her vivid descriptions of the island’s landscape feel like love letters to the place that raised her, and reading them makes me long for a simpler, slower way of life.
A Family That Shaped Her Voice
Her grandparents were strict, but they gave her a quiet space to read and write. Her father, though not always present, was a cheerleader for her creativity. The loneliness she sometimes felt became the soil for her storytelling. I think that’s why her writing touches so many hearts... it comes from a real place of longing, wonder and the joy of small things. That’s what made her stories timeless.
Literary Career and Achievements
How Anne Came to Life
Let’s talk about Anne Shirley, shall we? When Montgomery wrote Anne of Green Gables in 1908, I don’t think she realised she was creating a global literary icon. Anne with an E is everything. She’s spirited, romantic, chaotic, wise and endlessly curious — everything I aspire to be in autumn with a book under a blanket.
I remember reading Anne a few years ago for the first time and feeling like I’d actually found a kindred spirit. I still return to it every year when the leaves begin to fall. Avonlea, Green Gables, the Lake of Shining Waters... it’s all part of a world that feels like it lives inside me. Montgomery created Anne based on imagination and longing, and somehow she ended up creating one of the most beloved characters in fiction.
Beyond Green Gables
Although Anne is my personal favourite, Montgomery wrote over 20 novels and so many poems and short stories. Emily of New Moon and The Blue Castle are also brilliant, full of dreamy language and complicated heroines. I always feel like Montgomery saw people clearly and wanted to give them grace. Her characters are quirky, emotional and so deeply human. Even her journals feel like reading the thoughts of a kindred soul. She had worries, self-doubt and struggles, but she kept creating. That resilience and heart are part of what makes her such a lasting influence.
Themes in Montgomery’s Works
Falling in Love with Nature
One of the things I love most about Montgomery is the way she wrote about nature. It’s not just a backdrop... it’s alive, personified. Her descriptions of blossoms, storms, seasons and skies feel like poetry. Every time I go for a walk and see golden leaves or the first daffodils of spring, I think of Anne and her reverence for beauty. Montgomery made me fall in love with the natural world all over again.
Belonging, Identity and Heartfelt Journeys
Montgomery’s books are often about feeling out of place and slowly finding where you belong. Anne, Emily and her other heroines often start as outsiders and bloom into themselves with the help of love, imagination and community. I’ve always found comfort in that message. You don’t need to fit in right away. You just need to be open to growing, dreaming and connecting with kindred spirits.
Legacy and Impact on Literature
Inspiring Writers Everywhere
Montgomery opened the door for so many women writers in Canada and beyond. She proved that stories about ordinary girls in small towns could move the world. Every time I read a gentle, nostalgic book about girlhood or nature or imagination, I can feel her influence.
The Cultural Love for Anne
Montgomery’s work has been adapted into films, TV shows, plays and musicals. I’ve watched the 1985 Anne of Green Gables series more times than I can count. And don’t get me started on how excited I was when I got my hands on the Heritage edition and I LOVED Anne with an E on Netflix. Her books are also a huge part of literary tourism... fans still flock to PEI to walk through her real-life inspiration for Avonlea. What a trip! There's an amazing lady I follow on Instagram who organises literary tours and I've always wanted to do her AOGG one.
Let's Wrap It Up (in a cosy blanket with snacks)
I could gush about Lucy Maud Montgomery forever. Her writing shaped my love for literature, nature and all things whimsical and cosy. Through Anne of Green Gables, she taught me to look for beauty in the everyday, to value imagination, and to embrace the seasons of change in life.
Reading Montgomery feels like wrapping yourself in a favourite blanket. Her stories are warm, wise and full of charm. They’ve helped generations of readers (including me) feel seen, soothed and inspired. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a first-time reader, I promise you’ll find something magical in her work. I truly believe we all need a little more Montgomery in our lives. And if you ever get the chance to visit Prince Edward Island or the Anne of Green Gables Museum, go (and bring me along).
Add a Little Green Gables This Autumn
If you’re a true autumn book girlie like me and love Anne of Green Gables, you’ll adore our quote wax melts. Inspired by Anne’s dreamy world and some of her most cherished lines, they’re the perfect treat to make your space feel extra special. I keep mine on my bookshelf next to my Montgomery collection, and every time I light one, I feel like I’m back in Avonlea sipping tea with Marilla. They’re a literary hug in a melt — ideal for gifting or keeping all to yourself.
