Daily Archives: November 8, 2013

Reading the Anne series is proving profitable as a writer. I’ve cried and I’ve laughed over the exploits of the characters, who are all drawn so brilliantly. The voice of each is distinct. Rilla brings vividly to life, the ways in which people coped with having to watch their sons, brothers, friends, lovers, go off to war and with the acute awareness that they may never, perhaps, see them again.

Though, as I say, Rilla is the darkest book, it has its humour. Here’s an extract which brings together Susan, Anne’s long-time housekeeper/cook/maid and Gertrude Oliver, local schoolteacher and boarder at Ingleside. Continue reading →