Anne's House of Dreams by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Anne’s House of Dreams is the fifth book in the Anne of Green Gables series, which features the culmination of an epic love story. The installment chronicles the lives of Anne and Gilbert as they experience life as a newlywed couple and build the foundation of their future together. A tale uniting the much-loved characters also brings a farewell to Anne Shirley and officially welcomes Anne Blythe.

The novel begins with the preparations for the wedding between Anne and her one true love Gilbert Blythe, who is finally a qualified doctor. The highly anticipated wedding is held in the Green Gables orchard, and among the guests are Marilla and childhood friend Diana. After the wedding, the couple moves to Four Winds Harbor where Gilbert will take over his uncle’s medical practice. There they settle into their new home by the shore which Anne refers to as their “house of dreams”. The new surroundings bring a colorful new array of characters including Captain Jim, Miss Cornelia Bryant, and the piteous neighbor Leslie. Unfortunately, the honeymoon stage comes to an end, as their marriage must endure its first hardships. The limelight is partially taken off Anne and instead is focused on the tragic life of Leslie. The Blythe’s find themselves in a clash of emotions and ethics, given their emotional attachment and different approaches to various issues.

Montgomery’s fifth installment changes its perception of Anne adding a new tone of sadness to the series which differs from that of the previous books. Portrayed as more mature, Anne still tries to maintain her passionate and dreamy nature. Sorrow, tragedy, trouble in marriage, and moral duty are just some of the themes explored throughout its pages. Anne’s House of Dreams signifies the new chapter in the life of Anne as she takes on the role of wife, neighbor, friend and mother.