It seems that 2022 is the year for queer Anne of Green Gables adaptations. Kathleen Gros’ graphic novel version comes after Ivy Noelle Weir’s graphic novel Anne of West Philly and Mariko Tamaki’s prose Anne of Greenville (which as a young adult novel I am not reviewing, but can recommend. Find it at Bookshop or Amazon). In Gros’ retelling, 12-year-old Anne Shirley lands at the home of siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert after numerous foster homes. It turns out they had been expecting to foster a younger child, and aren’t exactly excited to see young teen Anne, but make an effort to welcome her and are eventually won over.
Anne, for her part, doesn’t think she’ll fit in, but soon becomes friends with Diana Barry, who lives in the same apartment complex. Anne opens up to Diana about her fears of never being adopted and shares her precious sketches. There are some scenes that directly echo the original, such as Anne accidentally dying her hair green instead of black, but also some new twists, such as Anne’s participation in the school zine club.
As in the original, there’s also an annoying boy named Gilbert—but he’s not the love interest. Instead, Anne finds her feelings deepening for Diana, and their blossoming relationship and eventual (and totally accepted) date at the school dance is sweet and perfect.
Gros sensitively depicts Anne’s fears about never finding a home and the anger she is prone to when she is scared or hurt. She shows the Cuthbert’s initial awkwardness around Anne evolving into a genuine effort to help her make friends, explore her talents, and take responsibility for her actions. Unlike in the original, Matthew doesn’t die, making this adaptation a particularly good choice for younger readers who may be sensitive to such plotlines.
Anne and the Cuthberts are White; Diana reads as White or Asian. Other characters have a variety of racial/ethnic identities.
