People are surprised when Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, both very set in their ways, decide to adopt an orphan boy. But no-one is more astonished than Marilla and Matthew themselves when the boy they are expecting turns out to be a very talkative, very imaginative, very red-headed, very female GIRL. Anne has arrived at Green Gables. Her dreams, sorrows and joys are set down here in one of the most popular books ever written.