Rilla of Ingleside, by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Moving right along in the Anne series, I picked up Rilla of Ingleside which has long been thought to be the last book in the series. However, thanks to Penguin Canada we now know that Montgomery wrote what she intended to be a ninth book in the Anne series - The Blythes Are Quoted. I've just recently finished that title and will have a review of it popping up shortly. In the meantime - Rilla.

Rilla of Ingleside was first published in 1921 and jumps us about a decade(ish) beyond Rainbow Valley (linked to my review.) Montgomery chose to focus primarily on Rilla, who is the youngest child and daughter of Anne and Gilbert Blythe. This story is set in World War I - and if you have (dared to) watch Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (not linked because I hate it) then the story line will be familiar to you. The Continuing Story places Gilbert and Anne in World War I, sending Gilbert off to fight. Anne adopts a war baby and nothing realistic happens. A great deal of that movie script was ripped from Montgomery's story of Rilla.

Rilla of Ingleside does have great historical relevancy that goes beyond just being another of Montgomery's novels. It is one of the only books that was written right after the first World War that gave a description of life on the Canadian home front. It tells the story of Rilla as she and her family experienced the challenges of war - both the joys and the heartaches. Rilla is merely a fanciful teen at the beginning of this book but as the war continues on, and she rises to meet and stare down the challenges which are presented to her, she grows into a mature young woman whom the reader ends up very much admiring.

In my latest story, “Rilla of Ingleside,” I have tried, as far as in me lies, to depict the fine and splendid way in which the girls of Canada reacted to the Great War – their bravery, patience and self-sacrifice. The book is theirs in a sense in which none of my other books have been: for my other books were written for anyone who might like to read them: but “Rilla” was written for the girls of the great young land I love, whose destiny it will be their duty and privilege to shape and share.

L.M. Montgomery, from “How I Became a Writer,” 1921

Unlike Rainbow Valley, Anne and Gilbert receive quite a bit more "air time" - primarily because it is their offspring who are now being sent off into battle. We are able to feel the effects of the war through the eyes of sacrificial parents who allow their children to go off and fight for freedom. In fact, quite admirably, Gilbert and Anne affirm their young lads in their pursuit of bravery and duty in order to secure the freedom of Canadians and other oppressed peoples.

I know this book is primarily about Rilla but I have to say that I really enjoyed the character of Susan Baker, who is the hired help at Ingleside, more than anyone else. Susan is cram packed full of patriotism and as I read this book I kept relating Susan's spirit of pride and patriotism to the lack of it these days as contemporary societies deal with the War in Iraq. Not to get all political on you (but definitely to get all political on you) we Americans can be quite shameful in our lack of support for freedom and for those in our country who sacrifice their lives so that we might have it. Susan would definitely have a thing or two to say to this pathetic American attitude if she were to be made aware of it! I think her best passage is as follows:

"It is the beginning of the end - I feel it - I feel it," said Mrs. Blythe.

"Thank God," said Susan, folding her trembling old hands. Then she added, under her breath, "But it won't bring our boys back."

Nevertheless she went out and ran up the flag, for the first time since the fall of Jerusalem. As it caught in the breeze and swelled gallantly out above her, Susan lifted her hand and saluted it, as she had seen Shirley do. "We've all given something to keep you flying," she said. "Four hundred thousand of our boys gone overseas - fifty thousand of them killed. But you are worth it!" The wind whipped her grey hair about her face and the gingham apron that shrouded her from head to foot was cut on lines of economy, not of grace; yet, somehow, just then Susan made an imposing figure. She was one of the women - courageous, unquailing, patient, heroic - who had made victory possible. In her, they all saluted the symbol for which their dearest had fought. Something of this was in the doctor's mind as he watched her through the door.

"Susan," he said, when she turned to come in, "from first to last of this business you have been a brick!" (Chapter 30, The Turning of the Tide)

Indeed it seems to me that it is Susan who carries the family through their most trying times. She is a faithful friend and I say this sincerely - God knows that when you are in your most trying times, it is the blessing of a constant friend and support system that will help carry you through. Susan Baker is that to the Blythe family and I found myself wanting to share an afternoon with her above all the other characters in the book. She is amusing and has some fabulous quirks, 'that you may tie to.' But above all she has a loyal heart of gold and I find her most admirable.

At the risk of making this too long, I'll stop here and say that I am very happy to have re-read this particular title. I can't believe I waited so long from my last reading to get to it again! I'll try not to make the same mistake again.