Rilla of Ingleside

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Rilla of Ingleside (1921) is the final book in the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery, but was the sixth of the eight "Anne" novels she wrote. This book draws the focus back onto a single character, Anne and Gilbert's youngest daughter Bertha Marilla "Rilla" Blythe. It has a more serious tone, as it takes place during World War I and the three Blythe boys - Jem, Walter, and Shirley - end up fighting in Europe.

The book is dedicated: "To the memory of FREDERICA CAMPBELL MACFARLANE who went away from me when the dawn broke on January 25, 1919–a true friend, a rare personality, a loyal and courageous soul."

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Set almost a decade after Rainbow Valley, Europe is on the brink of the First World War, and Anne's youngest daughter Rilla is an irrepressible 14-year-old, excited about her first adult party and heedless of the chaos that the Western world is entering. With her brothers and friends away at war, Rilla is left anxiously at home, caring for a neglected baby and organising the Junior Red Cross. Like most of Montgomery's stories, there's nothing too unpredictable in the elements of the story, but they take on an extra poignancy when set against the backdrop of the war. Some elements detract from the story, such as Rilla's former teacher who constantly has oddly detailed and accurate dreams about the course of the war; there are, however, more stories such as the legendary faithful dog and the very poignant death of a major character. The naive yet passionate household discussions of the war are both humorous and heartfelt.