By Molly Simpson

In a packed book launch event, director of the Modern Literature and Culture (MLC) Research Centre and English professor at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Irene Gammel debuted her republished work Looking for Anne of Green Gables: Lucy Maud Montgomery and Her Timeless Heroine.

Gammel, who originally released the book in 2008, said in an interview with The Eyeopener that the first publication was more like a research assemblage. “This time around I had the feeling I was telling a story.”

Her new novel expands with new chapters and updated research to tell the story of the extremely private Lucy Maud Montgomery and how the author “massaged” her image during her life, being incredibly secretive and only releasing curated information, Gammel said. She was drawn to how Anne of Green Gables had so little information around its creation.

Several guests at the book launch gave speeches about Gammel’s publication. Amy Peng, dean of arts at TMU said, “It celebrates Montgomery’s legacy, her writing and the power of imagination itself.”

She added, “I have no doubt Montgomery herself would have loved this book and this celebration.”

Kate Macdonald Butler, Montgomery’s granddaughter and the family’s representative as president of the Heirs of L.M. Montgomery, also attended the launch.

“No one has delved this deep into how Montgomery came up with her character Anne of Green Gables,” she said. “I’m pleased that people are focusing on the author…and delving more into her life and the period in which she lived and the struggles that she had.”

During the event, Gammel read aloud three sections of her book. Short violin performances punctuated the reading. Ella Altena, research coordinator at the MLC Research Centre and one of the event organizers said songs like “Wellerman” were selected to represent the maritime landscape of Montgomery’s life and work, as well as Gammel’s own experience in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.).

Sutherland House, the publishers of Gammel’s book, as well as a representative of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario were also guest speakers.

Fans of Anne of Green Gables, academics and volunteers crowded inside the MLC office space, filled with Anne displays including Gammel’s book collection, a recreation of an Anne dress and a poster of a section from Montgomery’s journal.

Some of the crowd spilled into the overflow room as speakers took to the microphone. Ninety people had RSVP’d according to Altena.

“I remember stressing…What if people don’t come? And then today I was like ‘stop RSVPing, there’s too many of you,’” Altena said as she laughed. “But of course we are so insanely happy to have so many people here.”

Gammel took the time to sign copies of her book at the end of the night.

Several attendees came for their interest in Montgomery’s work. “I’ve always loved Anne of Green Gables, so I just saw this event was happening and I figured I’d come here,” said Cadie Miller, a Trent University student visiting from Barrie, Ont.

Supporters of Gammel also showed up. Clarice Mosicki, a fourth-year English student at TMU, had Gammel as a professor in the past. “I really like her and just the way that she teaches, so I was like ‘OK I want to come out and support her book,’” she said.

Gammel was an assistant professor at the University of Prince Edward Island when her book journey began. Being steeped in the Montgomery culture of P.E.I. informed her research interest.

Montgomery published her famous novel Anne of Green Gables in 1908. The story follows the character of Anne Shirley in the fictional town of Avonlea in P.E.I as she is raised by siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.

Gammel said while she hadn’t gone into her studies with the intention of following Montgomery’s work, she felt proud to be part of a community so deeply linked with the famous figure.

“I think what is fascinating is that Montgomery still has such an important following today and that she is one of Canada’s authors with so much longevity,” said Gammel. “And I think that is something worth celebrating as part of Canadian heritage.”