Anne of Ingleside by Lucy Maud Montgomery (1939)

Anne of Ingleside by Lucy Maud Montgomery, published in 1939, is the sixth book in the Anne of Green Gables series. It follows Anne Blythe, now a mother of five, as she navigates the joys and challenges of family life at Ingleside. Set in Prince Edward Island, the novel captures Anne’s reflections on motherhood, her deep love for her children, and her attempts to balance nostalgia for her youthful past with the demands of her present life. Through domestic dramas, charming child adventures, and Anne’s musings on life, the novel captures the warmth and complexity of family and friendship.

Plot Summary

Anne Blythe stood in the moonlit garden of Ingleside, breathing in the cool night air, while memories of her youth whispered through the trees. Glen St. Mary was her home now, where she had built a life with Gilbert and their five children, but Avonlea still held pieces of her heart. Her reflections were interrupted by the gentle stirrings of family life—the busy hum of raising children and tending to the house filled her days with endless little joys and challenges.

Anne’s life at Ingleside revolved around her family. She had grown into her role as a mother, finding happiness in the laughter of her children and the warmth of her home. Gilbert, her devoted husband, was often caught up in his medical practice, leaving Anne to oversee the household. Though she missed him at times, she understood the demands of his work, and she found solace in their shared moments of quiet affection. His steady presence and occasional teasing anchored Anne when the whirlwind of family life became overwhelming.

Their eldest son, Jem, was growing restless with the boundless energy of youth. Adventurous and headstrong, he dreamed of grand exploits, feeling stifled by the ordinary routine of childhood. When his father forbade him from joining the other boys at the Harbor Mouth, where a tattooing ceremony was taking place, Jem’s frustration boiled over. He sulked, plotted small rebellions, and vowed to run away and never return. Yet, beneath his bluster, there was still a boy who sought his mother’s comfort and a sense of belonging in his family.

Walter, the second son, was different from his brother—a dreamer with a poet’s heart. His sensitive nature often set him apart from his more boisterous siblings. He preferred the quiet company of books and the gentle music of the natural world around him. Anne sometimes worried about Walter’s delicate soul, but she knew he had a strength of spirit that would guide him, even as the world around him changed.

The twins, Nan and Di, brought their own unique energies into the household. Nan, with her beauty and grace, was a bright light in the family, while Di, with her red hair and fiery temper, reminded Anne so much of herself as a child. The twins’ contrasting personalities created a dynamic tension that only deepened the love they shared. Shirley, the youngest, still clung to the innocence of early childhood, his chubby hands reaching for his mother at bedtime, his eyes wide with wonder at the stories Anne wove for him.

And then there was Susan Baker, the family’s beloved housekeeper. Susan was more than just help—she was a part of the family, a source of stability and strength. Fiercely protective of the Blythes, Susan managed the household with a firm hand, yet she was soft-hearted when it came to the children. Her dry wit and practical wisdom balanced Anne’s more whimsical nature, and the two women had become close over the years.

As Anne moved through the rhythm of her days, the specter of time hung in the background. Her children were growing, changing before her eyes. Jem was inching toward adolescence, with his stubborn streak and unspoken need for independence. She knew that one day he would leave Ingleside, and her heart ached at the thought. Even Walter, with his gentle ways, was slowly becoming his own person, navigating a world that wasn’t always kind to dreamers.

In the midst of these quiet transformations, Anne found herself reconnecting with her old friend, Diana. During a visit to Avonlea, the two women retraced the steps of their childhood, wandering through the familiar haunts of their youth—Lover’s Lane, the Haunted Wood, and the long-forgotten Crystal Lake. Their laughter echoed through the trees as they reminisced about the innocent days of their girlhood, when life was simpler and the future seemed like a distant dream. Though they were both mothers now, burdened with the responsibilities of adulthood, in those few hours, they were girls again, free from the weight of time.

Yet, even as Anne indulged in these moments of nostalgia, life at Ingleside continued with its steady hum. There were family dinners filled with lively conversation, bedtime rituals with whispered stories and soft goodnight kisses, and the endless cycle of tasks that made up the essence of home. Anne often marveled at the way her children’s small crises could feel as important as any of the great dramas she had once faced in her younger years. A lost toy, a scraped knee, a hurtful word—these were the things that filled her days now, and she found unexpected joy in being the center of her children’s world.

But life at Ingleside was not without its challenges. Aunt Mary Maria, Gilbert’s cousin, came for an extended visit, her sharp tongue and critical eye unsettling the peace of the household. She never failed to point out what she considered Anne’s failings, whether it was in the upbringing of the children or the management of the home. Anne, with her endless patience, tried to navigate the visit with grace, though she often found herself at the edge of her composure. Susan, ever loyal, was less forgiving of Aunt Mary Maria’s meddling ways, often offering her own biting retorts under her breath.

Amidst these domestic trials, the children’s adventures brought color to everyday life. From Jem’s secret plan to run away (which ended with him falling asleep on a window seat, waiting for his parents to return) to Walter’s tender poetic musings, the Blythe children kept Anne and Gilbert on their toes. Anne’s heart swelled with love and pride for each of them, even as she worried over their futures and the inevitable changes that time would bring.

As the days turned into seasons, and seasons into years, Anne came to realize that while she would always carry her memories of Green Gables and her youthful dreams, her heart now truly belonged at Ingleside. The home she had built with Gilbert, the laughter of her children, and the quiet moments of reflection as she gazed out over the Hollow—these were the things that filled her soul with a deep and abiding contentment.

Though Anne would forever be Anne of Green Gables in her heart, it was as Anne of Ingleside that she had found her true place in the world

Main Characters

1. Anne Blythe (formerly Anne Shirley): Now grown up, Anne is the heart of Ingleside. She is a loving and imaginative mother of five, balancing her nostalgic nature with her duties. Anne’s charm, optimism, and poetic outlook on life remain, but she is now also defined by her role as a nurturing and devoted mother.

2. Gilbert Blythe: Anne’s husband and a respected doctor in Glen St. Mary. He is a calm and steady presence in Anne’s life, offering her support even when his medical duties keep him away. Gilbert’s dedication to both his family and patients reveals his sense of responsibility and love.

3. Jem Blythe: The eldest of the Blythe children, Jem is adventurous and full of energy. He struggles with childhood emotions like impatience and a desire for independence, while also deeply loving his family. His moments of rebellion and mischief are a central focus.

4. Walter Blythe: Sensitive and imaginative, Walter is often seen as a budding poet. He has a unique perspective on the world, standing out from his siblings due to his dreamy and introspective nature.

5. Nan and Di Blythe: The twins have distinct personalities. Nan, with her beauty and charm, contrasts Di, who takes after her mother with red hair and a fiery spirit. Their different traits highlight the variety of personalities within the Blythe family.

6. Susan Baker: The Blythe family’s housekeeper, Susan is much more than just a helper. She is fiercely loyal, a second mother to the children, and someone Anne relies on heavily. Her pragmatic approach balances Anne’s whimsical nature.

Theme

1. Motherhood and Family: At its core, Anne of Ingleside is a celebration of family life. Anne’s interactions with her children and the daily happenings at Ingleside are both heartwarming and challenging. The book explores how family bonds are strengthened through love, patience, and shared memories.

2. Nostalgia and Memory: Anne often reflects on her past at Green Gables, blending her fond memories with her present life. Her return visits to Avonlea serve as emotional reminders of her youth, showing how memories shape her identity even as she ages.

3. Growing Up: As Anne’s children grow, the novel explores the bittersweet nature of watching children transition from innocence to maturity. Jem, in particular, grapples with these changes, as his desire for independence leads to mischief, while Anne learns to let go in small ways.

4. Imagination vs. Reality: A recurring theme in Montgomery’s work, this book juxtaposes the imaginative inner world of Anne and her children with the everyday realities of life. Whether it’s through Walter’s poetic musings or Anne’s own flights of fancy, the novel underscores the importance of imagination in coping with life’s challenges.

Writing Style and Tone

Lucy Maud Montgomery’s writing in Anne of Ingleside continues the lyrical and vivid style that has made her Anne series beloved. Her descriptions of the Prince Edward Island landscape are lush and evocative, painting a picture of a world filled with natural beauty. Montgomery’s use of dialogue is equally engaging, often witty and full of warmth, particularly in the interactions between Anne and her children. The book’s narrative tone is gentle and reflective, maintaining a balance between humor and pathos.

The tone of the novel is nostalgic, yet hopeful. There’s an underlying sense of contentment in the depiction of family life, even amidst the everyday struggles and conflicts. Montgomery captures the innocence of childhood and the complexities of adult responsibilities with equal grace, creating a mood of gentle introspection that permeates the novel.