I had always enjoyed the Anne of Green Gables books but never considered the author behind the stories. Even though I haven't read the "Anne" books in years, the heart of the story came alive for me in reading this novel based on the author, Lucy Maud Montgomery's life. I loved how author Logan Steiner wove the spirit and the words of the character Anne throughout Maud's thinking and patterns, both in how the character inspired her in her daily life and her grief when that connection seemed elusive. I found myself drawn to Maud's energy, creativity and spirit. Steiner describes her beautifully and captures the essence of the male-female dynamics of that day. The novel threads a birthday party scene at the height of Maud's life, when she is in love, enjoying a best friend and her first career success, throughout the chronological story. Maud's has a tragic ending; unfortunately the last several years of her life leave her lonely, depressed and in conflict with family members. I appreciate how Steiner uses the birthday party scene to emphasize the essence of who Maud was despite her desperate choices at the end. I read this novel within a week because it was so engaging!

A tender imagining of the life of a beloved author, After Anne gives the reader an intimate look at Lucy Maud Montgomery's life, often more turbulent than her writings led us to believe. I love how Maud's vivid imagination was highlighted throughout the book, giving us peaks into her creative process and what it was like for her to write some of literature's most beloved novels. While it was well known that Maud struggled with her mental health, this book takes a deeper look at the issues she faced, at her unhappiness due to her circumstances, and handles these things with tenderness. Well written, I believe that After Anne is a moving read that most fans of Lucy Maud Montgomery will enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from William Morrow through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

After Anne reimagines and presents Lucy Maud Montgomery's life with a focus on her life choices. The reality of that life stands in stark contrast to the ebullient Anne Shirley, she who we love to imagine is spreading her relentless cheer and optimistic (and chatty) powers throughout Prince Edward Island. The truth telling of this book doesn't take away from Anne, it casts a look beyond Anne's bright profile to the woman with the pen, at the desk, writing, writing, writing. Faced with the life choices we all have to make, she made them in a hasty response to pressures perceived as urgent. In time, consequential outcomes snowballed for her in ways many of us who are fans of Anne may not have been aware.

This author provides background, references for further research if desired and gives opportunity for consideration of not just the social and cultural pressures of choosing partners, family creation, where and how to live, but also the added pressures created by fame, publishers, reader expectations, and family expectations when wealth accumulates. I was truly grieved at the idea there were people close to her who'd never cracked her books open, but used her money. Having been raised in a time where a woman should take care of others rather than say no, she gave in to their demands. She wanted to write for adults, but publishers refused to look at those manuscripts, saying she was a child's author only - I wished for her to be able to achieve her dreams.

I read this while my 10-year-old granddaughter and I are halfway through Anne of Green Gables, and readings of it with her are the delights of my Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Having read After Anne, I mourn a little as I feel this joy, wishing some part of LMM receives that collective joy as affirmation and validation from those of us yet living and enjoying her work, and mightily wish that eternity somewhere will give her a great big do-over, or at least a selective re-sort.

Thank you, Logan Steiner for this informative and deeply moving book.

*A sincere thank you to Logan Steiner, William Morrow, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #AfterAnne #NetGalley

An impressive debut novel about the real-life Lucy Maud Montgomery, the acclaimed creator and author of Annes of Green Gables. Fans of Anne will enjoy reading Lucy's thoughts and inner feelings as she grapples with a writing career and a marriage to Reverand Ewan Stuart, a preacher. Ewan is as unambitious and unmotivated as Lucy is passionate about her writing career. Her cherished friendship with her cousin and childhood bestie Frede is heartwarming. The novel also speaks of her controversial relationship with Captain Edwin Smith. The author has put in a lot of research into Lucy Maud's life, her writings and allied works. Overall an easy interesting read!!

Thank you Netgalley, William Morrow Publishing and Logan Steiner for the ARC

How I love Anne Shirley...she is a character I go back to over and over for comfort.  I collect the Anne books, finding them at thrift stores and seeing them on my shelves soothes my heart.

I had that same feeling reading After Anne by Logan Steiner.  Learning about L. M. Montgomery's life was so interesting, but more lovely was hearing the echoes of some of my  favorite literary characters-Marilla in the Grandmother, bosom friend Diana in Fred.

I'm so glad I was gifted this digital book by William Morrow, I will certainly purchase a print copy for my shelves.

I love Anne of Green Gables. My family hails from PEI, so of course I will read anything about Lucy Maud Montgomery. This is a very fictionalized accounting of her life, but for those of us who loved Ann or have an interest in the author, it is a must read.

3.5 stars, but rounded to 4 because of interest in the author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

A powerful novel and rich in historical detail. I was fascinated by this story.
Many thanks to William Morrow and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m a big fan of the Anne of Green Gables series and a few other books by Montgomery. It’s interesting to know a bit more about the author’s life, even in a fictionalized way. Her challenges and strengths give insight to her characters that remain beloved for generations. Seemed well researched.

In the "author's note" she says there is so much more people want to know about L.M. Montgomery beyond her personal journals and, "...that's where fiction comes in." Really? They want to know more about the real L.M. Montgomery, not someone's fictional portrayal. This author not only took it upon herself to "interpret" Maud's innermost personal thoughts, from her modern day point of view, but also the personal motivations for actions of others around her. She even made L.M. the centerpiece of a premarital sex scene when in Montgomery's journals she says she never had premarital sex.

Also, if you are going to write fiction about about a beloved world famous author, your writing should be at least on par with theirs; anything less is an insult. If this book hadn't been a review book I would have DNFed it. I need to mention that the story is also littered with cheesy paperback Romance scenes.

In other Goodreads reviews, from people who have read Montgomery's journals, they point out that this author also cherry-picked negative entries and strung them together to make L.M.'s life seem much more sad and gloomy than it was. Why do that? I guess negativity sells more books in current times.

There was also no "religious mania" from her husband which threatened, "... their health and happiness," as the Goodreads summary says. The man had a mental illness that was exacerbated by the medical treatments used at that time. Good grief.

I knew nothing about Lucy Maud Montgomery, other than she wrote the Anne of Green Gables series, before I read this book. I learned a great deal. I learned that she was a caring woman, a compassionate woman, and a woman dedicated to Prince Edward Island. I learned that while she loved the character of Anne and loved the first book, she never intended to write more than that one book. That she received many rejections for Anne of Green Gables, but never gave up on getting it published.

Maud suffered many losses in her life, and they had a great effect on her. Her husband, a minister, came to suffer from serious depression and medication addiction. Though, honestly, I think there was something more than just depression involved in his mental illness.

Maud left her beloved island to follow her husband. They started their lives together with great joy and hope for the future, wanting children. Maud wanted to keep writing, and she did, but she wasn’t happy that she wasn’t allowed to spread her wings and write beyond Anne. She seemed to live her life always concerned with what her readers would think of her, and took actions to make sure that their opinion remained favorable.

This book is very well written, the characters are wonderful, and the story is believable. For those with sensitivities, this book does involve mental illness, suicide, abusive children, and many losses of loved ones.

A good book that will inform the reader about the difficulties in Maud’s life.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect me true and honest reactions to reading this book.

As a Canadian who grew up on Anne Shirley and Emily Byrd Starr, there is nothing more comforting to me than Lucy Maud Montgomery’s work. However, I don’t think that many people realise how difficult her life was as an adult, her marriage in particular.

Steiner pairs two periods in Maud’s life in After Anne– that when she was finishing up her first Anne of Green Gables book and then her later life in the 30s and 40s. Her husband was a strong but fairly unstable figure; we see Maud’s first meetings with Ewen and then how decades of his manic behaviour have affected her. I was not sure how his mental illness would be handled, but I think that Steiner handles it kindly and honestly.

In true Maud style, the book also explores female friendship and what that might have looked like for her. While I think that partners/spouses are an important part of life, friends can be just as important.

If you are an LM Montgomery fan, I think that this book pairs wonderfully with the journals that are mentioned throughout. Maud’s journals were published and they are fascinating, but I completely recognise that many people prefer to read fiction! And Steiner’s author’s note explains her own research on Maud’s life, which makes the novel feel that much more personal.

After Anne by Logan Steiner was completely delightful and I loved learning more about LMM! Highly recommend, especially for the Anne of Green Gables fans out there.

Congratulations to Logan Steiner for her debut novel!

What I loved about this book:
1. Well researched books always get me excited. The mix of the facts and the fictional anchor that the author uses was so brilliant!
2. I loved the way the author brought to the book - Maude's love of the nature - the writing was so visual - I felt like I was with her on the island or in her home.
3. Hearing Anne's voice was a great touch as well!

What I wished was different:
1. It was a sad book and I needed time to read it slowly because it was overwhelming at times. The author brought us to close to Maude that her feelings were our feelings.....I wished for a little more levity at times to help break up the sadness!
I look forward to reading Logan Steiner's next book! Thank you to Edelweiss/William Morrow and NetGalley for a chance to read and review!

Is there a reader alive who didn’t love Anne of Green Gables as a kid? I was absolutely addicted to the Anne of Green Gables 1980s tv show when I was a girl. Gilbert Blythe was my first book boyfriend thanks to this show. I recall buying the books in third and fourth grades but not reading the books until I was an adult when the show Anne and with an E came out on Netflix! Anne with an E was my idol as a girl. Mostly because I too was an Anne with an E so I felt like in some way we had a special connection.

Now as an adult, I can’t tell you a single thing about the movie I watched many many times over as a girl, but I remember loving it and I remember that it made me fall in love with all things turn of the century and that I wanted desperately to move to Prince Edward Island and live on a farm, but I can’t really remember the actual story all that well.

After reading the first book, I had all kinds of nostalgia and I loved revisiting my childhood memories and characters that I loved so much growing up. But while I loved the books (even as an adult), I still hoped for something with a little more substance. This is where this book comes into play. This book follows the life of Anne author, Lucy Maud Montgomery. While I was hoping for something more about Anne, I was open to reading more about the woman who gave us one of literatures most loved heroines.

Summary

A stunning and unexpected portrait of Lucy Maud Montgomery, creator of one of literature’s most prized heroines, whose personal demons were at odds with her most enduring legacy—the irrepressible Anne of Green Gables.

“Dear old world,” she murmured, “you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.” —L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, 1908

As a young woman, Maud had dreams bigger than the whole of Prince Edward Island. Her exuberant spirit had always drawn frowns from her grandmother and their neighbors, but she knew she was meant to create, to capture and share the way she saw the world. And the young girl in Maud’s mind became more and more persistent: Here is my story, she said. Here is how my name should be spelled—Anne with an “e.”

But the day Maud writes the first lines of Anne of Green Gables, she gets a visit from the handsome new minister in town, and soon faces a decision: forge her own path as a spinster authoress, or live as a rural minister’s wife, an existence she once likened to “a respectable form of slavery.” The choice she makes alters the course of her life.

With a husband whose religious mania threatens their health and happiness at every turn, the secret darkness that Maud herself holds inside threatens to break through the persona she shows to the world, driving an ever-widening wedge between her public face and private self, and putting her on a path towards a heartbreaking end.

Beautiful and moving, After Anne reveals Maud’s hidden personal challenges while celebrating what was timeless about her life and art—the importance of tenacity and the peaceful refuge found in imagination. (summary from Goodreads)

Review

I don’t know anything about Lucy Maud Montgomery other than she wrote the Anne books, so in a sense I felt like I was going to be a clean slate. I actually expected this book to be more happy and uplifting than it was. It was an emotional book but in an unexpected way. I had hoped to really feel happy once I completed this book but in the end I was left with feelings of moroseness than joy. I mean Anne was such a free spirit and happy, why wouldn’t the author be the same right? Well that was not what this book was about. This book explored Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life in a way that was unexpected for me as a reader—perhaps others who have read other books about Lucy Maud Montgomery will not find this book so surprising as I did. I guess I was expecting something more in line with the characters from her books but what I got was something else entirely.

The timeline jumps were a bit jarring as well. This book was very well research and had some very elegant writing but I found myself abruptly toggling between the past and present. It made the book read a little choppy and at times I struggled with the pacing. But that said it did have a lot of research and great writing so I think most of my issues centered around the pacing and mood of the story. Really wanted to love this one as I didn’t know much about the woman behind Anne, and this one did send me to Google more times than one to find out more about Lucy Maud Montgomery’s life but in the end I had a hard time keeping up with things.

So how did this one shake out for me overall? Well I had to go wit ha middle of the road review on this one. I liked it and thought parts were interesting and I even though this book was a bit more on the emotional side of things, I still liked it and thought it was interesting to check out more about LMM’s life. I did have a hard time keeping up with some of the timeline parts though which did impact my reading experience. I think the execution on this one could have been a bit better but overall not a terrible read by any means. I ended up going with a three star review which falls right into the ‘good’ category for me.

Book Info and Rating

Format 384 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2023 by William Morrow Paperbacks

ISBN 9780063246454 (ISBN10: 0063246457)

Free review copy provided by publisher, William Morrow, in exchange for an honest review. All options are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 3 stars

Genre: historical fiction

There's not much worse for a reader than picking up a book you end up not liking. I’ve gotten way better over the years of not finishing books that aren’t thrilling me and actually DNF-ed one the same week I was reading After Anne. Perhaps that’s part of why I kept reading Logan Steiner’s book. To put down two books in a row? Ugh, no fun. The other part was I just kept hoping the book would get better. And, I admit, I wanted to see how Steiner would end the novel. All in all - I should not have let my love of Anne of Green Gables and Lucy Maud Montgomery blind me and I shouldn’t have read this book.

Here’s the description:
As a young woman, Maud had dreams bigger than the whole of Prince Edward Island. Her exuberant spirit had always drawn frowns from her grandmother and their neighbors, but she knew she was meant to create, to capture and share the way she saw the world. And the young girl in Maud’s mind became more and more persistent: Here is my story, she said. Here is how my name should be spelled—Anne with an “e.”
But the day Maud writes the first lines of Anne of Green Gables, she gets a visit from the handsome new minister in town, and soon faces a decision: forge her own path as a spinster authoress, or live as a rural minister’s wife, an existence she once likened to “a respectable form of slavery.” The choice she makes alters the course of her life.


With a husband whose religious mania threatens their health and happiness at every turn, the secret darkness that Maud herself holds inside threatens to break through the persona she shows to the world, driving an ever-widening wedge between her public face and private self, and putting her on a path towards a heartbreaking end.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that I love Anne of Green Gables. It’s kind of cliche for a Canadian reader to adore the series but adore it I do. When I was asked to review a fictionalized story about the author and it was compared to Jennifer Robson's novels, well, how was a girl to say no? First of all, Steiner does not even come close to Robson. Second, I think this book was just too fictionalized. I know I wasn’t reading a real biography but something rubbed me very much the wrong way when I learned a large chunk of the book (which seemed to be pulled from/inspired by real journal entries from Maud) was totally and completely made up.

I’ve tried to really think about why I was uncomfortable with the way Steiner approached Maud’s life. There was a tiny part of me that didn’t love that it was an American author taking on a Canadian legend. I figured that was a little bit…ridiculous, not to mention unfair, so I worked to set that aside. But I really didn’t like how she opened the novel - with Maud’s son being called to her house after her death and him realizing it was very likely a suicide. Now, I knew that Maud had had her challenges with her own mental health, as did her husband. But I didn’t know her granddaughter had stated in 2008 that Maud had died by suicide. Though that's still up for some debate - no autopsy was performed and other family members seem to think it could have been an accident. Was I just assuming that this book would be as light and lovely as most of Maud’s own books were? Probably. Was I opposed to having a less than ideal truth be exposed about one of my favourite authors? No, not necessarily. I really do appreciate the honesty as we, as a society, need to be less focused on putting on a sunshine and rainbows front when in public. I’m glad to have learned more but I’ve already gone looking for more accurate resources than this novel because I don’t trust the fictionalized version. I must admit that maybe I was a little sad to have to read that Maud was driven to end her own life - I don’t wish that upon anyone, and especially not the creator of one of the most beloved heroines in literature.



The subject matter should have been a win for me and, as I’ve tried to outline above, it was not. So how about the writing? Well. That wasn’t great either. The novel takes place over a number of years and Steiner did not write in a linear manner. I actually have no idea how many time periods were mentioned and I did not enjoy all the time jumping. It was far too confusing and not done well.

Another reviewer on Goodreads mentioned that one should just read Maud’s own journals instead of this novel and I would have to agree. I think Logan Steiner’s heart was in the right place - at least I hope it was - but After Anne was a major miss for me. Hopefully her next novel is better but I’m not sure if I’ll be picking it up.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, William Morrow (HarperCollins) via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Readers remember Lucy Maud Montgomery as a talented writer who brought one of children's most memorable characters to life with her Anne of Green Gables series. Fans of Anne certainly hold a special place in their hearts for the author. However, many may not know the truth about her life and tragic death. After Anne by Logan Steiner imagines what life for Maud may have been like. In a time when women were expected to marry and have children, Maud didn't quite fit the mold. And her inner battle to remain a devoted partner while following her dreams never left her unbothered.

I'll preface this review by warning that this opinion is based on just After Anne, and not on the Anne of Green Gables series. Because I have never read them. Readers can rest assured that Anne had no hold on me while I read Stiener's take. That being said, those who are familiar with Anne will take comfort in experiencing the character's development through Maud's inner monologues. Anne becomes another voice in Maud's head, taking a life of her own. Eventually Anne becomes more than just a fictional character, but rather an indication of Maud's wellbeing.

Maud lives with her grandmother and meets a handsome young minister, Ewan McDonald. She is expected to become Ewan's wife and have his children. However, she isn't in any hurry to make it happen. She wants to be a published author and continue writing other stories as well. And even though she does feel affection and attraction towards Ewan, he doesn't show much interest in her professional endeavors, which understandably disappoints her. Her cousin Frede seems to be the only one in her life who not only believes in her but also encourages her.

As most of us know and are likely grateful for, Maud did indeed publish her books and continued writing other stories. She had also released volumes of her personal journals that served as the basis for After Anne. But Steiner humanizes Maud's experiences and imagines them as they happened. She includes context – what might have Maud been thinking when she realized that she can't put off her decisions forever? What angst must she have felt at the loss of those most important to her? And towards the end of her life, what had she been going through to have it end so tragically? Readers get answers to these questions plus more.

Fans of historical fiction and period dramas are sure to enjoy After Anne. Personally, the pacing was a bit slow.. Also, there are flashbacks and time jumps that can be kind of confusing if you aren't paying attention. In any case, those who love the Anne of Green Gables books are sure to enjoy exploring a deeper level of understanding the woman behind the pen. I know I'm glad to have had the opportunity.

“Dear old world,” she murmured, “you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.” —L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, 1908

If you loved Anne of Green Gables as I did, then you will want to read After Anne by Logan Steiner. This is about the author, Lucy Maud Montgomery. I admit to knowing nothing about Lucy or her life, so I was happy to get the chance to read this novel, based on her life.

Synopsis:

As a young woman, Maud had dreams bigger than the whole of Prince Edward Island. Her exuberant spirit had always drawn frowns from her grandmother and their neighbors, but she knew she was meant to create, to capture and share the way she saw the world. And the young girl in Maud’s mind became more and more persistent: Here is my story, she said. Here is how my name should be spelled—Anne with an “e.”

But the day Maud writes the first lines of Anne of Green Gables, she gets a visit from the handsome new minister in town, and soon faces a decision: forge her own path as a spinster authoress, or live as a rural minister’s wife, an existence she once likened to “a respectable form of slavery.” The choice she makes alters the course of her life.

With a husband whose religious mania threatens their health and happiness at every turn, the secret darkness that Maud herself holds inside threatens to break through the persona she shows to the world, driving an ever-widening wedge between her public face and private self, and putting her on a path towards a heartbreaking end.

I loved reading this story and appreciated getting a glimpse into the life of the woman who created such a beloved character. This is out now!

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @williammorrowbooks for a review copy of After Anne by Logan Steiner. This book was published on May 30th.

Have you read or watched Anne of Green Gables? What are your thoughts?

After Anne starts with L.M. Montgomery, Maud, as a spinster in her 30’s living with her Grandmother and just starting on her writing of Anne of Green Gables. She loves spending time with her beloved cousin and best friend, Frede. When a new minister comes to town, Ewan Macdonald, Maud wonders whether she has finally found her soul mate. After a glorious birthday weekend with Frede and Ewan, Maud marries Ewan and together they build a life. Sadly, their lives slip into despair over time. How can a woman who wrote such beautiful novels have such a sad life?

I liked how this novel was put together. It opens on the day that L.M. Montgomery is discovered to have committed suicide. Was it an accident or intentional? The book then flashes back to show her life. The birthday weekend of 1907 is prominent, and the narrative keeps slipping back to that time frame when everything looked bright and wonderful for Maud. Anne of Green Gables was about to be published, she was about to be married, and she had her best friend and cousin, Frede. Maud had a lot of trials and tribulations as her husband slipped into madness, she lost those that she loved, and she had a troubled relationship with one of her sons. She started to self-medicate to make it through her days which led to her ultimate demise.

I didn’t know much about her life, and I found this was an interesting biographical fictional novel. It made me sad to learn that L.M. Montgomery had such a sad life, but I was happy that she was able to use the best parts of it for inspiration in her works. This book has led me to want to read her journals and biographies of her life. I may have read all of the fiction that she wrote, but I have not delved into her personal life at all until now. I was particularly fascinated by how the war and the flu epidemic of 1918 affected her life and her writing of one of my favorite novels, Rilla of Ingleside.

I found the character of Maud to be likeable and sympathetic. I enjoyed learning more of her story and looked forward to the bright points such as her 1907 birthday party. The pacing of the story was a bit slow, but I overall enjoyed the novel.

This book opens up with a suicide, I mean it is right there. I have always been a fan of Anne of Green Gables, but I had no idea of this little story about the author. I Googled it and discovered that the family believes she did indeed take too many pills, I read on and was enthralled with the story of how Frede, Maud, and Ewan enjoyed the company of each other, and in those days things were good for all. Three best friends, two like sisters, and two in love, and the threesome could only be parted by someone's death. The death would rock the survivors' world and lead to so much depression and pill-taking. By this time, Maud had completed her books and was working on recopying her journals so that they might be published. Even though this is a fictional book, I found myself seeing some of the scenes in my head. I kept Googling to see if some aspects were true, and they were based on real life (I loved this). Overall, it was a melancholy book, but I enjoyed it very much.

Life and people are complicated. No one is one thing. Logan Steiner writes a complex and compassionate story about Lucy Maud. Montgomery. Maud's love for writing and Prince Edward Island shine through her entire life. Steiner's narrative contains multiple timelines. It is a bit difficult to follow at times, but the inclusion of "The Birthday Weekend" from 1907 does an admirable job of holding the story arc together and ending on a positive note. Most certainly, for Maud, "kindred spirits" were scarce and at times inconvenient. I loved having Anne's voice speak to Maud giving an opportunity to relive the classic series. This portrait is both heartwarming and heartbreaking as we see how Maud's life was reflected in her writing which then made such writing her life's work. Clearly, there is much more to Lucy Maud Montgomery's story and I enjoyed this fictional attempt to pay homage to a beloved literary icon.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.