Scan barcode
nicola_95's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
silversomber's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It was bitter sweet to read the last in the series, and to see Anne's youngest daughter only a little older than she herself was in the very first book.
The real life timing of my reading had brought a much heavier weight to the war than I might have felt at a different time of reading. I was much more able to identify with the feeling of a war happening far beyond our borders, the hopelessness and lack of control.
Rilla has some of the same charming day to day drama of previous books, but there is a much darker and much more serious tone. There is loss- but there is also hope. And hope has always proven strongest in the world of Montgomery. Publishing this on the heels of the war, you can see that she has poured much of herself into the novel.
While it is maybe not the end I would have hoped for- for Anne, I have every faith that her and her family would make the most of the happiness they could find in the years to follow. Anne and Gilbert raised brave, strong, and outspoken children, with the best qualities of both their parents.
The real life timing of my reading had brought a much heavier weight to the war than I might have felt at a different time of reading. I was much more able to identify with the feeling of a war happening far beyond our borders, the hopelessness and lack of control.
Rilla has some of the same charming day to day drama of previous books, but there is a much darker and much more serious tone. There is loss- but there is also hope. And hope has always proven strongest in the world of Montgomery. Publishing this on the heels of the war, you can see that she has poured much of herself into the novel.
While it is maybe not the end I would have hoped for- for Anne, I have every faith that her and her family would make the most of the happiness they could find in the years to follow. Anne and Gilbert raised brave, strong, and outspoken children, with the best qualities of both their parents.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Death
rebeccark's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is my favourite non-Anne book of the series. I much prefer the focus on the one character Rilla and felt the book really was able to focused on her character development in the midst of World War One. Rilla is spunky, a bit of a dreamer, but more of a realist than her mother. She definitely feels the child of Gilbert and Anne and seems to blend the two personalities wonderfully. The backdrop of the war lends itself to a more interesting story than the previous two books that focused on the youngsters of Ingleside. It was fascinating to see the war told from the perspective of those left behind to hold down the forts, so to speak, than the people on the front line. I am glad I stuck out the Anne of Green Gables book as I would not want to miss this little gem.
abi_shaw's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
rchluther's review against another edition
5.0
Anne's daughter Rilla is the focus here, and World War 1 is the backdrop. One of my favorite LMM books of all time.
magazinegumwrap39's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
courteney_jane's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kasialipa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and War
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
riedk's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bristlecone's review against another edition
4.0
I have avoided reading Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside because I was so disappointed with the lack of Anne in Anne of Ingleside. It's not that the stories about her children aren't cute or worth reading, but rather the underlying message that a middle-aged mother can have no adventures. But I'm very glad I gave this a try. Even though Anne is only ever "mother" or "Mrs. Doctor Dear" the story of being a teenage girl in Canada during World War I was still engaging once I accepted that this was not really an Anne book.