An interesting read to follow up Montgomery’s biography, The Gift of Wings. The later Anne books were not my favorites as a child, I preferred the ones before her marriage. Her children just aren't so interesting to me as characters - including Rilla. But I was intrigued by this as a contemporary account of the Great War in Canada, and it did provide a unique view there. 

Based on later events, it was hard to stomach Montgomery's anti-pacifism and anti-Hun sentiments, totally ignoring the irony that the hated Emperor was a cousin of her own King.  Like most people, she clings to the notion that violence can be combatted by violence, whereas the "war to end war" merely set off a horrific century of war. It's so very tempting to believe that as humans we can fight evil, but fighting it only gives it strength. The question is how to suffer it in the right way, but that is a path few want to go down. It's not obviously heroic and provides no noble or inspiring gestures, at least not to begin with, only ugliness and incapacity. Yet it is the only way to freedom.

The most moving aspect is how Rilla grows through caring for a baby she takes in through a sense of duty - initially unable to love him, and doing her baby care "by the book," she can't keep up that sterile way for long, and learns that hugs and kisses are more important than avoiding germs.