Anne of Green Gables

18e87c99a347584785b5fa7c4e4d27ab This review is written with a GPL 3.0 license and the rights contained therein shall supersede all TOS by any and all websites in regards to copying and sharing without proper authorization and permissions. Crossposted at Bookstooge.booklikes.blogspot.wordpress.com by express permission of this reviewer

Synopsis

This follows Anne’s youngest daughter, Marilla [affectionately known as Rilla], as she experiences growing up during World War I.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed Anne of Green Gables more than any book of its type. So when I saw a glowing review of Rilla, I thought “I have to read this”.

Sadly, I didn’t find this nearly as engaging, delightful and wonderful as AoGG. Part of that is because this takes place during World War I. Montgomery does a splendid job of showing the loss of innocence, for Rilla, for Canada and for the whole World.

Rilla has to deal with her brothers leaving, dying, her first love, raising a war orphan, seeing her parents as human. She takes it well and in stride, but you can tell from her journal entries that it is taking its toll.And while Rilla isn’t as feisty or as lively as Anne was, she doesn’t get down either.

It was very odd seeing Anne as “Mrs Blythe”.

Overall, I don’t think I’ll be reading any more by Montgomery.

Rating: 3 of 5 Stars

Author: Lucy Montgomery

Rilla of Ingleside

Anne of Green Gables #8

Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables #1

L.M. Montgomery

Classic

5 Stars

(A combination of my old GR and Blog reviews)

Fantastic story. A little orphan girl comes to live with 2 old people [brother and sister] on Prince Edward Island. She forever changes their lives with her personality, etc. Extremely engaging, well written, great characterization, never boring and a story that has such a timeless plot of love and change, that I can see this becoming a “classic” in the future. It should anyway 🙂

This book enthralled me. I’ve seen the miniseries/movies years ago and enjoyed them, but I tried to not think of them when reading, and I’m glad I didn’t. They are good, but not as good as this book.

I was probably as captivated by Anne as Matthew was. I read this in one sitting [16 hour shifts allow for a lot of reading] and loved absolutely every word.

Escapades, glory, defeat, humiliation, wonder, joy, sadness, growing up. All of wrapped up in a character so delightful that you want to turn her into a cookie and eat her up.

The supporting characters gave balance, weight and depth to Anne, so that at no point did I feel like I was reading some sort of Pollyanna “Lets all just be happy and live” treatise.

Just fantastic 🙂