• Before Green Gables

  • A Novel
  • By: Budge Wilson
  • Narrated by: Renée Raudman
  • Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (200 ratings)

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Before Green Gables  By  cover art

Before Green Gables

By: Budge Wilson
Narrated by: Renée Raudman
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Editorial reviews

Budge Wilson's prequel, which charts the first 11 years of Anne Shirley's life, completes the series by providing the details of Anne's past before she went to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Wilson's writing is just rich and emotive as Montgomery's, and Renée Raudman portrays a young Anne who believably grows in words and heart. Also consistent are Raudman's excellent portrayals of the memorable minor characters.

Publisher's summary

A must-read for generations of book lovers, this remarkable prequel to the classic Anne of Green Gables was specially authorized by L. M. Montgomery's heirs to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication of the original novel.

Before Green Gables is the story of Anne Shirley's life before her arrival at Green Gables - a heartwarming tale of a precocious child. Her lively imagination and relentless spirit help her to overcome difficult circumstances and exemplify a young girl's ability to love, learn, and above all, dream.

Published in 1908, L. M. Montgomery's coming-of-age classic Anne of Green Gables has enchanted generations of readers, both children and adults. The story of the spunky red-haired orphan from Prince Edward Island is known to millions, and copies of the eight titles in the series have never gone out of print. But when readers first meet Anne, she is only 11 and has just been sent from an orphanage to meet her new family. No one ever knew the events of Anne's life before she arrived at Green Gables. Until now.

For the millions of readers who devoured the Green Gables series, Before Green Gables is an irresistible treat: the account of how one of literature's most beloved heroines became the girl who captivated the world.

©2008 Budge Wilson and The Estate of L. M. Montgomery (P)2008 Tantor

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What listeners say about Before Green Gables

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

very charming

I found this book to be very charming. The author did an excellent job of continuing in the tone of L Montgomery. It was so much fun to meet Anne before she came to Green Gables and to get to know her and understand where she was coming from. The narrator did an incredible job. I enjoyed it so much, I bought the hard cover to add to my collection, and recommended it to all my Anne friends.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Delightful

This was a fun listen. If you are a fan of that Anne-girl you will enjoy getting to know her parents and those who helped set the stage for our little orphan's later years. I loved it! :-)

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely Addition to Anne Collection

We thoroughly enjoyed this book. Personally, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the narrator, but my kids liked her so it was fine. The story is well written, appropriate, and fits well into the storyline of Anne of Green Gables.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Darker Than I Expected


To be honest, it wasn't as bad as I thought since the book was written fairly recently, so the author had a VERY big shoes to fill
So in this book we get introduced to Anne, from the moment she was born until the very moment she gets off the train when she is 12 to meet the Cuthbert's and what were the hardships she faced that made her who she is
I have to say it was a really tough book to read .. and it made me hate children like nothing else, but it was nice to see a backstory for Anne .. I can't judge the series based on this book since it's literally written by a different author, did I enjoy it ? kind of .. do I recommend it ? this will be determined after I read the series, it's just approved by the Lucy Maud Montgomery estate, I guess now is the time to jump in Green Gables :D

the narrator wasn't good, she was barely performing and she was whispering most of the book for some reaason

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I was hesitant because Anne is a big part of my life...

But I LOVED this book. I was very nervous to “soil” my image of LM Montgomery’s Anne, but this only added to my adoration of the Anne girl. I highly highly recommend this for true Anne fans.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Anne before Green Gables. 💭 ♥️

Loved the authors imaginative portrayal of Anne's early life. A wonderful beginning to a wonderful book series started by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Good narrator, also.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Equals the quality of Green Gables!

My daughter (10yrs old) and I listened on a road trip! we both enjoyed it!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

if you love Anne

Definitely worth the listen. This prequel ties in and fills in the blanks of Anne's life before Green Gables. At the end of the story I wanted to spend more time with Anne. might have to reread the Anne of Green Gables series.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome Book

This was a great book. I've read all of the Anne of Green Gables books and I loved learning about Anne's early life. Highly recommend.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional story & performance

This really felt like it went with the original series and gave insight on why Anne was the way she was when arriving at Green Gables. The performer was so impressive, I want to search for others she's narrated and listen to just for her. The various voices don't feel forced or fake and exude the emotions of the characters

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1 person found this helpful