Lucy Maud Montgomery

Rainbow Valley (illustrated) Lucy Maud Montgomery

"Rainbow Valley" by L. M. Montgomery is the seventh in the "Anne of Green Gables" series. This story takes place in the conservative community of Glen St. Mary in Nova Scotia. The story unfolds when the town busybody, Mrs. Marshall Elliot, who everyone calls Miss Cornelia, is on her way to Ingleside, the residence of Anne Blythe and her husband, Dr. Gilbert Blythe. The Blythes had just returned from a long vacation to Europe. Their four eldest children were sent to Anne's childhood home in Avonlea and Green Gables. The two younger children stayed behind with Susan, the family's nanny. Miss Cornelia was anxious to see Anne but also to gossip about the new Presbyterian minister. Miss Cornelia was one of the church members who decided on John Meredith as their new minister. There were issues with Mr. Meredith but the problems with other candidates were considered worse. Mr. Meredith was a widower and had four children who he moved into the church's manse with his elderly Aunt Martha. The problem with John Meredith was his remoteness and his dreamy attitude. However, he did come alive when he gave the Sunday morning sermon. The old maids in the area had not failed to notice that the new minister was quite handsome and, as a widower, quite available.