The eighth book in the Anne Shirley series.
Anne Shirley's children are almost all grown up - except for pretty, high-spirited Rilla, who is now almost fifteen years old. No one can resist Rilla's bright hazel eyes and dazzling smile, and Rilla herself can think no further ahead than going to her very first dance at the Four Winds lighthouse - and getting her first kiss from handsome Kenneth Ford!
But at the dance, news is brought that England has declared war on Germany. At first, this means little to Rilla, on the threshold of so many new excitements. But as her brothers go off to fight in the Great War and Rilla brings home an orphaned newborn baby in a soup tureen, she is swept into a drama that tests her courage and will leave her changed for ever...
A collection will be coveted by children and adults alike, this list is the best in children's literature, curated by Virago. These are timeless tales with beautiful covers, that will be treasured and shared across the generations. Some titles you will already know; some will be new to you, but there are stories for everyone to love, whatever your age. Our list includes Nina Bawden ( Carrie's War , The Peppermint Pig ), Rumer Godden ( The Dark Horse , An Episode of Sparrow s), Joan Aiken ( The Serial Garden , The Gift Giving ) E. Nesbit (The Psammead Trilogy, The Bastable Trilogy, The Railway Children ), Frances Hodgson Burnett ( The Little Princess , The Secret Garden ) and Susan Coolidge (The What Katy Did Trilogy). Discover Virago Children's Classics.
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From Library Staff
The book is set in World War I and gives a view what life was like in Canada during that time. Also available in eBook and Audiobook.
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Summary
Add a SummaryFifteen-year-old Rilla Blythe is looking forward to what she calls "the best years of life." Instead, during those years she experiences the heartache of WWI. All three of her brothers must leave, as well as childhood friends, and Ken Ford, whom Rilla is strongly attached to. To top it off, she must become "mother" to a baby whose father is off at war, and whose mother has died. What will the outcome be?
Rilla Blythe, Anne and Gilbert Blythe's youngest daughter, is ready to experience life--or so she thinks. She wants a social life, pretty dresses, and--beaux! At almost fifteen, she thinks she's ready for adventure and romance.
Then WWI strikes. As Canada joins England in the 'Great War', Rilla's brothers and close male friends, including handsome Ken Ford, whom Rilla has a crush on, head to war. The four years Rilla wanted to spend in fun and flirting are spend in knitting socks, waiting anxiously for news of the war, and taking care of a little war-baby. Will Rilla accept the hard things in life as well as the smooth and grow into a lovely woman, despite the tragedy that threatens the Blythe home?
Comment
Add a CommentI LOVED this book when I was twelve - and still love it today. When I was younger, it was the romance, the heart-squeezing plot, and the return to a best-loved character and time that got me. Now I appreciate the amazing romantic yet realistic depiction of what life was like at home in Canada during The Great War, coming from the experience of one of Canada's most well-known authors.
Read this as part of my WW1 reading project. Montgomery’s account of how the Islanders deal with a faraway war is interesting. At the beginning, “that some Archduke Ferdinand or other has been assassinated at a place bearing the weird name of Sarajevo” is irrelevant, compared to gossip about the folks they know. But once England declares war, Canada answers the call, and local boys enlist, the entire arena of war and the leaders on all sides become part of their community. They discuss “military tactics and diplomatic intrigue” and follow the hope and despair in turns. Complex relationships unfold with kindness and humour in a community of well-drawn characters who care dearly for each other.
And you gotta love that determined Dog Monday.
One of my favorites in the series! Such a sweet story. Totally a reread!
Love it! A heartbreaking and hilarious coming-of-age story from an era that is often overlooked. Rilla is an intensely relatable character who will make you laugh and cry. WWI will never be dull after you read this, and that you may tie to.
This is one of Lucy Maud Montgomery's most critically acclaimed books by academics. It is the only book written from the perspective of a woman on the Canadian homefront living through the First World War by an author who lived through it herself. And I love this new edition edited by Benjamin Lefebvre & Andrea McKenzie - it gives you so much background into the war, provides maps of where key battles took place & what the western front looked like. There is also a glossary of terms at the back of the book that explains absolutely every term in the book that modern day readers might not understand. I have read Rilla many times since I was a child but I realize now that I missed a lot because I didn't understand a lot of the terminology. I HIGHLY, highly recommend this new edition of Rilla!
I so much enjoy this book! Susan, the Blythe family housekeeper, makes me laugh as she proclaims what she would do to the Kaiser if she had control of him! Rilla is a very understandable main character, and Walter's death still makes me cry every time I reread the book. This is one to buy, not just borrow!
Easily my favorite of the Anne books. Tells of what life was like in Canada during WW1. If it doesn't make you cry, you have no heart.
If you enjoyed Anne of Green Gables, you'll love the last book in the series. Rilla (Anne and Gilbert's youngest child) waits anxiously for the love of her life to return home from WWI. Be prepared to cry until the very end.
A straightforward story about how women spent World War I. This one and the first one were by far the best of the series.
My very favourite of the Anne books- the conclusion to the series, featuring Anne's youngest daughter. Rilla grows into womanhood in the midst of World War I. Stunning and heartwarming.