Believe it or not I am actually considered a redheaded influencer. I get tweets and messages and emails all the time pointing out what is going on in the world regarding redheads. This week I kept getting the same articles sent to me from numerous people. So I knew I just had to post.
Redheads do not have many icons. We have Lucille Ball, Ginger from Gilligan’s Island, and a few others. These fabulous women are known for their beauty and for being redheads. One beloved redhead that is well known especially throughout Canada is Anne of Green Gables. I actually conducted a poll in Facebook back in October asking what costume a redhead should get for Halloween. Anne of Green Gables was number one from all that responded.
In case you do not know who Anne of Green Gables is, let me tell you.
Anne of Green Gables (1908) is a bestselling novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Written as fiction for readers of all ages, since the mid-twentieth century, the literary classic has been considered a children’s novel. It recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, a young orphan girl sent to a middle-aged brother and sister who have a farm on Prince Edward Island, and who had intended to adopt a boy to help them. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school and the town.
Since publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million copies, and has been translated into 20 languages. Numerous sequels were written by Montgomery, and since her death, another sequel has been published, as well as an authorized prequel. The original book is taught to students around the world.
It has been adapted as films, made for television movies, and animated and live-action television series. Plays and musicals have also been created, with productions annually in Canada since 1964 of the first musical production, which has toured in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. Others have been produced in Canada and the United States
Anne of Green Gables (1908) is a bestselling novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Written as fiction for readers of all ages, since the mid-twentieth century, the literary classic has been considered a children’s novel. It recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, a young orphan girl sent to a middle-aged brother and sister who have a farm on Prince Edward Island, and who had intended to adopt a boy to help them. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school and the town.
Since publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million copies, and has been translated into 20 languages. Numerous sequels were written by Montgomery, and since her death, another sequel has been published, as well as an authorized prequel. The original book is taught to students around the world.
It has been adapted as films, made for television movies, and animated and live-action television series. Plays and musicals have also been created, with productions annually in Canada since 1964 of the first musical production, which has toured in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. Others have been produced in Canada and the United States
When you think of Anne, thoughts of pure, innocence and beautiful come to mind. Strength, determination and hardworking are also thoughts associated with her. Tourists from all around the world vist Canada’s East Coast (PEI) to see the land that inspired the creation of Anne.
As you can see from the pictures above, Anne is young with red pig-tails, plain and “old fashioned”. Anne having red hair is part of her culture, her history. PEI embraces her as an icon even though she is a fictional character.
Just like any business I understand wanting to redesign or freshen up a look. But the new look of Anne of Green Gables is not her at all. Maybe more like Daisy Duke.
Blonde and a bit older and very sexy looking. This is not the look of Anne of Green Gables. What was wrong with the innocent redhead who has been around for decades? I am not a fan of this new look and hope that it fizzles and people do not support this change.
The new Anne as a blonde pictured above. Below Jessica Simpson as Daisy Duke
What do you think of this new change? Are you for this new anne being a blonde or do you think they should stay true to her roots and remain a redhead?
She needs to remain a redhead!! Gosh, they shouldn't be changing her hair color!
I read about this earlier in the week and was horrified. I am a HUGE fan of Anne of Green Gables; it has always been my favorite novel and I cannot imagine them changing. I really hope that it doesn't last…. http://www.talesofmommyhood.com
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Remain a redhead!!!!! Her red hair is a huge part of the story! How they can take it out!!! UGH!
Have to admit that the redhead part didn't occur to me. I mean I realized that the new model wasn't a redhead, and I hate the new look, but it wasn't the lack of red that bothered me. I understand though why redheads would be ticked off. You have an iconic redhead with her hair having quite an influence in the movie. She was 'twitted' about her hair, she bought dye from the peddler……. I was hurried by the sexualization. She was a wholesome, positive example for little girls everywhere. Aren't are kids exposed to sexy enough? Talk about cheapening a Beloved, long running Canadian icon.
Ack! It would be sacrilegious to change Anne. Her uncooperative red hair and her freckles are part of what makes Anne "Anne". It would sadden me terribly if Anne were changed from her original redheaded self.
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Omg don't even get me started on this I am so beyond annoyed!!! Anne Of Green Gables has always had a special place in my heart I read all of the books and watched the series on tv. Why would they put a blonde in her place it just takes away from the entire authenticity of the story of the cute little red hair girl with freckles who came to avonlea. ( I even have the doll in the above photo ) I won't be supporting this in any way and can't believe they did this.
seriously, that has to be the WORST incarnatioin of Anne I have ever seen. Ann is a REDHEAD – she's sweet and sharp and well, she's Anne. You are bang on with the blonde – she's too old, too trampy and too, well, blonde. Megan Follows will be the first that comes to mind for me as a 'live' person playing Anne, since she did so for such a long time. I'm horrified with this book cover and I hope it gets pulled. What on earth was that publisher thinking? I'm betting they've never read the story, know nothing about the culture surrounding Anne and just wanted to make it more appealling to older kids. #epicfail!
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I was floored when I saw the new look for Anne. I feel her image should remain the same as she has always been, definately, NOT this new look. She is not the innocent Anne we all have read about and seen on TV for decades. Change is not the issue, it is the symbolism of what Anne has looked like for decades around the world. The red hair of Anne and the red soil of PEI.
Why would they try to change the look of Anne of Green Gables, this new one doesn't in any way look like my concept of Anne of Green Gables! I'm sure most people would agree!
I agree 100% with you on this! Anne should be portrayed as she is described in the books.
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I saw that cover last week….what a joke. How can they try and sexualize Anne?? (and to me that's exactly what the cover is doing) That's just weird…and creepy.
Anne of Green Gables should remain a redhead. I have the doll. My daughter was a bog fan of the books and movies.
I do not support this new Anne of Green Gables. She ruins the image of one of my favorite stories. I saw this in my local newspaper. Noone likes this.
The problem here is that Anne of Green Gables is now in public domain, which means anyone can reprint the stories (or use the character in any way they like). So this company takes the book and publishes it with a totally inappropriate cover. One that not only ticks me off on so many levels as being NOT Anne-like in any way shape or form… but one that also doesn't accurately reflect on the story within. Anyone who picks up this book based on the "teen harlequin" cover is in for a big surprise. But it's not in any way a reimaging of Anne, just a crappy cover choice for a still stellar book.
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It's so stupid they would change her hair. Part of the character is that she's a redhead. That's what she's KNOWN for. People are constantly trying to make things "sexy" that don't need to be. It's absolutely ridiculous.
can I please point out three very simple things….
Anne Shirley is a redhead. That is her single most defining attribute. Period. The whole story is about her red hair.
Ann shirley is !11! when she is introduced to us. 11. Not some 20 something sexpot. An 11 year old redhead child would not pick up this novel because according to the cover, it's about a sexy 20 something blonde farm girl.
Last… It was written in 1908. At no point would a young lady of any age have been seen wearing that shirt or having her hair in that style.
This cover is wrong to the character, wrong to the story, and wrong to the times.