Anne of Ingleside

Anne of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery is a playful and extremely entertaining book. I love the many childhood challenges described in this wonderful sixth book. The Ingleside children are brought up in a wholesome, healthy, and loving way. Anne and Gilbert are understanding parents, and surround their children with good rules, virtues, and examples. But growing up as an Ingleside child, your imagination will get the better of you more often than not. So who can blame Jem for thinking that the string of fake pearls he buys for Mother, are real? Or Nan, for making bargains with God? Or Di, for believing everything Jenny Penny tells her? And what about Rilla thinking it is a disgrace to carry a cake through town? And besides these imaginative incidents, there is also common childish curiosities, such as eavesdropping on a very interesting Ladies Aid quilting luncheon, or wanting very badly to see someone get tattooed. Though these wonderful days that slip by are mostly enjoyable, there are hardships too. Like Aunt Mary Maria, as she burdens Ingleside with her cumbersome opinions, and self-pitying attitude. These annoying personalities traits are indeed trying for the people of Ingleside, won’t Aunt Mary Maria go away soon? After all, she has certainly overstayed her welcome. As the Blythe Children grow and change and learn, the bits of childhood fancy still linger around Ingleside, and the childlike love is ever growing.