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chloeshawe's review against another edition
3.0
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)
supermantei's review against another edition
5.0
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.
moonlightcupofcocoa's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
So, I'm a mess. No really.
For a long while I wasn't planning on reading this book because I'll be honest Rilla was my least favourite of all the Ingleside children. Not because she was the youngest but because honestly, she was very annoying and whiny. But as I am working on a project about the Anne of Green Gables as a whole, I couldn't just put off this book forever.
It was heart-aching. Seriously. I teared up all through it! It was of course filled with war propaganda, but since it was being told from the perspective of Canadian families whose boys actually fought and died in World War I, it made sense.
What I was most impressed with, however, is Rilla's character development. I started out not liking her at all, but by the end of the books, I found myself not just liking her but actually adoring her. It was impressive and gradual and I applaud L. M. Montgomery for that.
So much so that this was shaping to be a 5-star read. Until the last couple chapters. Why?
Spoiler-free version: No one is safe in this book.
Spoiler-version:Why in the world does L. M. Montgomery hate cats?? Huh? We get two cat deaths at the very end of the book while the dog comes out as a loyal loveable hero. And one of the two deaths was especially brutal!
Overall, I would still recommend reading the book (but especially give the version narrated by Barbara Caruso a try because she's phenomenal) but make sure to check out trigger warnings first!
For a long while I wasn't planning on reading this book because I'll be honest Rilla was my least favourite of all the Ingleside children. Not because she was the youngest but because honestly, she was very annoying and whiny. But as I am working on a project about the Anne of Green Gables as a whole, I couldn't just put off this book forever.
It was heart-aching. Seriously. I teared up all through it! It was of course filled with war propaganda, but since it was being told from the perspective of Canadian families whose boys actually fought and died in World War I, it made sense.
What I was most impressed with, however, is Rilla's character development. I started out not liking her at all, but by the end of the books, I found myself not just liking her but actually adoring her. It was impressive and gradual and I applaud L. M. Montgomery for that.
So much so that this was shaping to be a 5-star read. Until the last couple chapters. Why?
Spoiler-free version: No one is safe in this book.
Spoiler-version:
Overall, I would still recommend reading the book (but especially give the version narrated by Barbara Caruso a try because she's phenomenal) but make sure to check out trigger warnings first!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and War
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
r_mcstargazer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
molseyanna's review against another edition
2.0
I love Anne of Green Gables. I enjoy some of the sequels as well. However, the Blythe Kids stories have never held my interest. So by the time I got to Rainbow Valley (this book's predecessor), I gave up halfway in and just went back to AOGG again.
Still, over time I'd heard good things about this book, and decided to finally give it a chance.
Rilla Of Ingleside is a bit of a dark book, and no wonder -- it covers the World War I years -- but I'd already been spoiled about He Who Dies, so got through that. I really enjoyed reading about the War from the perspective of those who lived through it, getting their news from the newspapers and via telephone, if possible. It was like nothing I'd read before.
Montgomery weaves in a good number of side stories that add both humor and poignancy to this otherwise would-be dreary tale. Anne has been relegated to an ancillary character, but when we do get moments with her, they're sweet.
Then -- BAM. Three chapters from the end, I was already recommending this book to a friend, and then -- LMM put something in one of those last chapters that made me so upset, I went back to my friend and UNrecommended the book. (Lesson learned, I guess. Finish books before you recommend them.)
Spoiler: No one is safe in this book, not even animals. GOOD GRIEF, Maud. What a way to go out.
Still, over time I'd heard good things about this book, and decided to finally give it a chance.
Rilla Of Ingleside is a bit of a dark book, and no wonder -- it covers the World War I years -- but I'd already been spoiled about He Who Dies, so got through that. I really enjoyed reading about the War from the perspective of those who lived through it, getting their news from the newspapers and via telephone, if possible. It was like nothing I'd read before.
Montgomery weaves in a good number of side stories that add both humor and poignancy to this otherwise would-be dreary tale. Anne has been relegated to an ancillary character, but when we do get moments with her, they're sweet.
Then -- BAM. Three chapters from the end, I was already recommending this book to a friend, and then -- LMM put something in one of those last chapters that made me so upset, I went back to my friend and UNrecommended the book. (Lesson learned, I guess. Finish books before you recommend them.)
Spoiler: No one is safe in this book, not even animals. GOOD GRIEF, Maud. What a way to go out.
karissacuff's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was still a brilliant book but it was a really depressing end to such a wholesome series and I do have some complaints.
I knew Anne was no longer the main character but she is barely a character at all now. Susan is much more of a main character than her now, in fact sometimes Susan felt like more of a main character than Rilla who was meant to be the main character. It felt like half the book was Susan’s dialogue.
Also, I feel like we barely got to see any of the siblings actually interacting. It was only really Rilla and Walter. I would’ve loved to see more of Anne’s children, especially since they seemed like side characters in Rainbow Valley too.
And why was Shirley like non-existent in the whole series? I found it really weird when he called Susan ‘mother-Susan’ when Anne is a great mum.
Also, why did a cat have to drown😭
I knew Anne was no longer the main character but she is barely a character at all now. Susan is much more of a main character than her now, in fact sometimes Susan felt like more of a main character than Rilla who was meant to be the main character. It felt like half the book was Susan’s dialogue.
Also, I feel like we barely got to see any of the siblings actually interacting. It was only really Rilla and Walter. I would’ve loved to see more of Anne’s children, especially since they seemed like side characters in Rainbow Valley too.
And why was Shirley like non-existent in the whole series? I found it really weird when he called Susan ‘mother-Susan’ when Anne is a great mum.
Also, why did a cat have to drown😭
claire_my's review against another edition
3.0
J’ai beaucoup aimé le personnage de Rilla mais le fond de guerre a été particulièrement pesant pour moi.
kmthoennes's review against another edition
4.0
I felt like this one took forever to read, but it was good. If I had not been reading it at work, some tears would have been shed. There were so many heartbreaking parts.
susana_sm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0