Anne's House of Dreams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Anne's House of Dreams

First edition
Author	Lucy Maud Montgomery
Country	Canada
Language	English
Publisher	McClelland, Goodchild and Stewart
Publication date	1917
Media type	Print (Hardcover)
Preceded by	Anne of Windy Poplars
Followed by	Anne of Ingleside
Text	Anne's House of Dreams at Wikisource

Anne's House of Dreams is a popular novel written by the Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. It was first published in 1917. This book is part of a famous series about a young girl named Anne Shirley. The stories follow Anne's life as she grows up. Most of the books are set on Prince Edward Island in Canada, which is where the author, L.M. Montgomery, was born and lived for a long time.

The Anne of Green Gables series is known as a classic for young readers and has been printed many times. Anne's House of Dreams is the fifth book in the series. It tells the story of Anne's early married life with her childhood sweetheart, Gilbert Blythe, as they start their new life together.

What Happens in the Story?

Anne and Gilbert's New Home

The book starts with Anne and Gilbert's wedding, which takes place in the beautiful orchard at Green Gables. After they get married, they move into their first home. Anne lovingly calls this special place their "house of dreams." Gilbert finds them a small house right by the sea at Four Winds Point. This area is close to a village called Glen St. Mary, where Gilbert will take over his uncle's job as a doctor.

Meeting New Friends

In Four Winds, Anne and Gilbert meet many interesting people. One of them is Captain Jim, an old sailor who now works as the lighthouse keeper. Another new friend is Miss Cornelia Bryant. She is an independent woman in her 40s who lives alone in a bright green house. She quickly decides that Anne and Gilbert are good people.

Leslie Moore's Sad Story

Anne also meets her new neighbor, Leslie Moore. Leslie has had a very tough life. She lost her beloved brother and her father. When she was only 16, her mother made her marry a difficult man named Dick Moore. Leslie felt a little free when Dick disappeared during a sea trip. But then, Captain Jim found him in Cuba and brought him home. Dick had become very ill and could no longer take care of himself. He was like a "big baby" and depended completely on Leslie.

Leslie becomes friends with Anne, but sometimes she feels sad and a bit bitter. This is because Anne is so happy and free, while Leslie feels trapped and unable to have the same joy.

A Time of Sadness and Closer Friendship

Anne's former guardian, Marilla, visits her often and is still an important part of Anne's life. Marilla is there when Anne gives birth to her first child, a baby girl named Joyce. Sadly, Joyce passes away shortly after she is born. This is a very difficult time for Anne.

After the baby's death, Anne and Leslie become even closer friends. Leslie feels that Anne now understands sadness and pain, just like she does. Leslie explains that Anne's happiness, though still great, is no longer "perfect." This makes them feel more connected.

A Writer and a Secret

Later in the story, Leslie rents a room in her house to a writer named Owen Ford. Owen is the grandson of the people who used to own Anne's House of Dreams. Owen wants to write a great Canadian novel. He finds the perfect idea in Captain Jim's old ship diary. He turns it into a book called "The Life-Book of Captain Jim."

While Owen is finishing his novel, he and Leslie both realize they have feelings for each other. However, they know they can't act on these feelings because Leslie is still married. Owen eventually leaves the Island, and Leslie feels even more unhappy being stuck in her marriage to Dick.

A Surprising Discovery

Gilbert examines Dick Moore and thinks that surgery on his head might help him get better. Anne and Miss Cornelia are both against the surgery. They worry that Leslie's life would become much harder if Dick returned to his old self. But Gilbert feels it's his duty to tell Leslie there's a chance for Dick.

Leslie agrees to the surgery, and Dick goes to Montreal for it. When he wakes up, he reveals a huge secret: he is actually Dick's cousin, George! He explains that he was with the real Dick in Cuba when Dick died from a serious illness twelve years ago. George looks a lot like Dick because their fathers were brothers and their mothers were sisters. They even had the same unusual eye color.

New Beginnings

This news suddenly sets Leslie free. She returns home and thinks about becoming a nurse to start a new life. Owen Ford comes back to the Island after Miss Cornelia tells him what happened. Owen and Leslie get engaged!

While all this is happening, Anne gives birth to her second child, a healthy baby boy. They name him James Matthew, after Anne's guardian Matthew Cuthbert and Captain Jim.

Happy Endings and New Adventures

At the end of the book, Owen Ford's book is published. Captain Jim dies peacefully with a smile after reading his own copy of the book. Miss Cornelia, who everyone thought would never marry, announces that she will marry Marshall Elliott. She jokes that he might be a Grit (a political term from that time), but at least he's a Presbyterian. She says she could have married him anytime, but she refused until he shaved his beard, which he finally did after twenty years!

Finally, Anne, Gilbert, their son Jem, and their new housekeeper, Susan Baker, move to a bigger house in the Glen. This house will later be called Ingleside. Anne is very sad to leave her beloved House of Dreams. But she knows that the little house is too small now, and Gilbert's work as a doctor means they need to live closer to town.

This book also introduces Susan Baker, an older woman who becomes the Blythes' helpful housekeeper.

Main Characters

Anne Blythe (née Shirley) — The main character of the story. She marries Gilbert and moves with him into their first home, the House of Dreams.

Gilbert Blythe — A kind doctor who marries Anne. He travels from the House of Dreams to work.

James "Captain Jim" Boyd — A friendly former sailor who looks after the nearby lighthouse. He cares for Leslie Moore like she is his own daughter.

Miss Cornelia Bryant — Anne's outspoken and independent neighbor. She has strong opinions but a very warm heart. She is a good cook and helps poor families.

Leslie Moore (née West) — A quiet woman in the town. She had a difficult life, forced to marry an unpleasant man named Dick. After Dick became very ill and needed constant care, Leslie felt trapped and sad.

Owen Ford — A writer who stays at Leslie Moore's house for a summer. He finds inspiration for his book there.

Susan Baker — Anne and Gilbert's helpful housekeeper.

Marshall Elliot — A man who finally shaves his beard after many years and marries Miss Cornelia, his childhood sweetheart.

Anne Shirley Book Series

Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote many more stories about Anne Shirley. Here are the books in the order of Anne's age in each novel:

Here are other books where Anne Shirley appears, but she is not the main character:

See also

In Spanish: Ana y la casa de sus sueños para niños