Note to self: own but unread

In the last book of the Anne of Green Gables series, Anne's youngest child is now 15 years old and ready to embark on a fun teen-aged life of parties, flirtations, and more. Unfortunately, the world is on the brink of war and Rilla Blythe's teen years are nothing like what she expects.

This book is an odd ending for this series, although that's not necessarily all negative. It jumps forward many years since the previous title, with most of Anne's children now in adulthood, heading off to college and/or war. Only Rilla remains at home, and she's a bit of an obnoxious character at first with not a care in her head and no ambition beyond being pretty, being flattered, and having fun. As the novel progresses, Rilla grows up and actually becomes a likeable person, so I enjoyed the second half of the book considerably more than the first.

Meanwhile, most of the Green Gables characters are barely mentioned except in passing, and Anne herself isn't seen all that much, although more so here than in the previous title. The author introduces two new characters -- Susan's cousin Sophia and Rilla's teacher-turned-friend Gertrude Oliver. I wasn't really over the moon about either but, believe me, I was sick of Miss Cornelia so I was glad to have some other folks about for Susan to gab with about the news.

While the rest of the series manages to feel carefree, even when difficult topics come up or sad scenarios happen, this one is so much concerned about World War I that the moments of levity feel few and far between. It was sort of interesting to have read this book about the home front during this time period after having read All Quiet on the Western Front about the war side not that long ago. It is strange to me to think that such a dark topic written from the perspective of teens and adults is still considered children's literature by many and that I myself read as a child.

As the last book in a series, Montgomery seems to want to pair everyone off, matching many of the Blythe children with their Meredith pals from their youth. Rilla ends up with a romantic entanglement of her own but with her beau away at war for years with little ever heard about him, the only satisfaction in the conclusion is that Rilla is happy with the events, not that the reader ever feels any real chemistry or romance between the pair. ( )

Anne's children were almost grown up, except for pretty, high-spirited Rilla. No one could resist her bright hazel eyes and dazzling smile. Rilla, almost fifteen, can't think any further ahead than going to her very first dance at the Four Winds lighthouse and getting her first kiss from handsome Kenneth Ford. But undreamed-of challenges await the irrepressible Rilla when the world of Ingleside becomes endangered by a far-off war. Her brothers go off to fight, and Rilla brings home an orphaned newborn in a soup tureen. She is swept into a drama that tests her courage and leaves her changed forever.

Digital audiobook narrated by Emily Durante.
4****

Book eight in the “Anne of Green Gables” series focuses on Anne’s youngest child. Rilla is fifteen, starting to get interested in boys and dances, but needing to worry about her brothers and friends now that World War I has started.

I never read this series as a child or young adult, so am slowly working my way through them now. It’s hard to believe that this book is one hundred years old! Despite what TODAY is an historical setting, when written it was contemporary and it has that feel to it. There are young women today, going through many of the issues that Rilla experiences: first love, worry about a brother sent to fight overseas, grief over friends or relatives who’ve died too young. There are also the day-to-day relationships within a family: child to parent, or between siblings. These ring true today as they did when Montgomery wrote the story.

I love how Rilla rises to the challenges imposed by the war; she takes on leadership of a committee, and the raising of a war-orphaned child. I loved, too, how she put together a wedding on short notice for her friend. I see a lot of the young Anne in Rilla.

This is the last in the series, and I’m sorry it’s over. There is a collection of short stories (The Blythes Are Quoted), as well as a prequel authorized by Montgomery’s estate (and written by Budge Wilson) that I may yet read.

Emily Durante does a wonderful job performing the audio version. She sets a good pace and I loved the way she interpreted Rilla. ( )

This was the ending of the Anne of Green Gables saga. As with the last book, Anne was barely featured. I mean she was in it more than the previous, but she was still a background character. The tone of this book is remarkable different from that of any other book in the Anne series. It's WWI and tensions and feelings are running high. The book centers on Anne's youngest daughter Rilla, who is just a teenage girl when the war breaks out. She blossoms into womanhood through a series of twists and turns.

My heart felt very heavy as I read this, and I'm not sure I like that in an Anne book. By the way, L.M. Montgomery is awfully hard on pets. I just couldn't....dogs, cats, nothing is spared.

I'm glad I finished the series, but for me, this book could've been left out. ( )