Anne of the Island is the third book in the Anne of Green Gables series following the adventures of its heroine Anne Shirley as she leaves for Redmond College in the busy city of Kingsport to study for her bachelor’s degree. The third installment in the series sees the beloved protagonist experience new adventures and challenges outside the familiar setting of Avonlea.
The novel kicks off when Anne decides to pursue her dream of a higher education, and subsequently leaves her two year teaching position at the school in Avonlea and begins her studies at Redmond College. Fortunately, Anne is not alone in the new environment, as she is accompanied by her old friends Gilbert Blythe, who has also enrolled in Redmond College, as well as roommates Priscilla, Philippa and Stella. Though Anne has her mind set on good grades and flawless academic prosperity, she cannot avoid the tides of love and the many suitors offering their affection. When Anne rejects Gilbert’s proposal, stating that she only views him as a friend, she must undergo a journey of self-searching and discover the true meaning of love. Striving for a true love resembling those from the many books she has read, Anne must draw the line between fiction and reality, or she might miss her only chance at happiness.
Montgomery’s third installment can be considered to be a turning point in Anne’s life as the novel brings new problems and important decisions to be made, which in turn will either make or break her. Womanhood, maturing, and love are just some of the themes explored in this classic. A novel depicting the inevitable process of growing up, Anne of the Island is a perfect illustration of the challenging and sometimes awkward moments we all go through to achieve our full potential in life.