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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
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
I first read this novel when I was Rilla's âge at the end, 19, and living in that "French city with a name impossible to pronounce, that those heathens Huns dared bomb the church", (the martyr Reims cathedral, in the immortal words of Susan Baker).
Perhaps by fear that each reading wouldkill dear Walter again , it was the only one I had never reread till now, ten years later.
Well it was as sad and poignant as I remembered, and I did cry again. Rilla is a sweet girl, the portrait of the Canadian home front movingly detailed. I've grown up and lived all my life in those places laboured by bombs and trenches and the idea of so many young men from away, sometimes beyond the seas, dying here for the ideal we hopefully, somehow, someway still live on, never fails to deeply move me. I don't mind LMM's text to be offensively pro-war to modern ears. Written in 1921, it gives a beautiful meaning to the infinitely painful sacrifice suffered just three years prior. That meaning was needed to merely survive the sheer horror of it then.
Points docked for the needless death of a cat (no, even the most understanding 21th century ears can't find it splendid or sweet as initially described) and mostly the lack of romance between Rilla and her barely there love interest, present in the first chapter and dancing one dance with a fourteen yo before reappearing magically in the last chapter fully enamored. Not convincing, especially not when LMM offered us so many believable romances before and the Anne and Albert multi-novels storyline.
Karen Savage's reading is perhaps a bit too fast paced for my taste, but clear and full of feeling, giving each character their own voice. Absolutely lovely, and I'm thankful for all her work on LibriVox.
Praying that this isn't prophetic reading as, in February 2025, the current state of the war on Ukraine feels dangerously close, when followed from France. Rilla of Ingleside should firmly stay a historical novel, and it's sad I can relate too well to anxiously waiting international negociations and war declarations, and learn so much foreign geography by moving (now virtual) pins on a map to symbolize battle grounds. Hopefully, the likeness will stop there.
Perhaps by fear that each reading would
Well it was as sad and poignant as I remembered, and I did cry again. Rilla is a sweet girl, the portrait of the Canadian home front movingly detailed. I've grown up and lived all my life in those places laboured by bombs and trenches and the idea of so many young men from away, sometimes beyond the seas, dying here for the ideal we hopefully, somehow, someway still live on, never fails to deeply move me. I don't mind LMM's text to be offensively pro-war to modern ears. Written in 1921, it gives a beautiful meaning to the infinitely painful sacrifice suffered just three years prior. That meaning was needed to merely survive the sheer horror of it then.
Points docked for the needless death of a cat (no, even the most understanding 21th century ears can't find it splendid or sweet as initially described) and mostly the lack of romance between Rilla and her barely there love interest, present in the first chapter and dancing one dance with a fourteen yo before reappearing magically in the last chapter fully enamored. Not convincing, especially not when LMM offered us so many believable romances before and the Anne and Albert multi-novels storyline.
Karen Savage's reading is perhaps a bit too fast paced for my taste, but clear and full of feeling, giving each character their own voice. Absolutely lovely, and I'm thankful for all her work on LibriVox.
Praying that this isn't prophetic reading as, in February 2025, the current state of the war on Ukraine feels dangerously close, when followed from France. Rilla of Ingleside should firmly stay a historical novel, and it's sad I can relate too well to anxiously waiting international negociations and war declarations, and learn so much foreign geography by moving (now virtual) pins on a map to symbolize battle grounds. Hopefully, the likeness will stop there.
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Somehow I missed this book in the Anne of Green Gables series the first time I read them many years ago. I was excited to find a 'new' book in the series to read, but I was a little disappointed in it.
I'm not sure if it's just that I'm reading the book when I'm many years older, or if it's just not as good as the original - I suspect the latter. Rilla just didn't grab me, she was bit vapid and unambitious, and not really what I felt a daughter of Anne and Gilbert would be.
I was touched by Dog Monday, and how the war affected the Blythe family, I still liked Susan, and the romance was sweet, if tenuous (I'm not convinced one kiss created the great love story implied, but it was a different age). However, overall it was just OK. I'm glad I've read it, but have no desire to read it again.
I'm not sure if it's just that I'm reading the book when I'm many years older, or if it's just not as good as the original - I suspect the latter. Rilla just didn't grab me, she was bit vapid and unambitious, and not really what I felt a daughter of Anne and Gilbert would be.
I was touched by Dog Monday, and how the war affected the Blythe family, I still liked Susan, and the romance was sweet, if tenuous (I'm not convinced one kiss created the great love story implied, but it was a different age). However, overall it was just OK. I'm glad I've read it, but have no desire to read it again.
probably the most nature and introspective of the Anne books. I loved it.
Oh, rilla; mi rilla... This rate is for you, mr poetry.
I had a fit of nostaligia over the Memorial Day holiday and re-read most of the AoGG books (all but Windy Poplars and Rainbow Valley). I'm not sure if I had ever read this one before -- it certainly stands out from the rest of the series as feeling more rooted in history because of its link with WWI.
This book was so refreshing after Rainbow Valley, Rilla really reminded me of Anne in her younger days and those were my favorite books so I had a good time.
I really enjoyed this series, it was whimsical, sweet, and just delightful. There were definitely a few books I did not like at all, but then there was Anne of the Island and Anne's House Of Dreams which really made up for those. I'd recommend reading these in spring, as they feel like new beginnings and charming weather and happiness.
I really enjoyed this series, it was whimsical, sweet, and just delightful. There were definitely a few books I did not like at all, but then there was Anne of the Island and Anne's House Of Dreams which really made up for those. I'd recommend reading these in spring, as they feel like new beginnings and charming weather and happiness.
emotional
lighthearted
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
I did not enjoy the arc of childhood joy and discovery and wonder of AOGG to Anne’s children going off to fight and die in WWI, but at least I can say I’ve read the books now (RIP Anne with an E)
So heartbreaking for so many reasons. No one can stay the same person they were at the beginning of a war as at the end.