Anne of the Island

Anne of the Island is a book by Lucy Maud Montgomery, first published in 1915, and is the third novel in the Anne of Green Gables series. This instalment follows Anne Shirley as she leaves Avonlea to attend Redmond College, marking a shift from village life to the wider world of university studies and young adulthood. Set mostly at Redmond College and in scenes of travel and return visits to Prince Edward Island, the book explores themes of education, friendship, ambition, and identity. Montgomery uses Anne’s college life to examine the tensions between youthful idealism and the responsibilities that come with growing older. Readers meet familiar faces such as Marilla Cuthbert and Diana Barry, alongside new acquaintances who shape Anne’s experiences at university and beyond. The novel also reflects Montgomery’s strengths as a chronicler of place and character: her pastoral imagery, wry humour, and close attention to interpersonal dynamics give the story its warm, reflective tone. Its influence can be seen in later coming-of-age fiction that blends gentle humour with sharp observations about social expectations and creative ambition. Rich in period detail yet focused on timeless questions about home and vocation, Anne of the Island remains a favourite for readers who enjoy character-driven storytelling, college-era settings, and the continued adventures of Anne Shirley within the Anne of Green Gables series.