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Summary: Elsie Dimwit
Review: I read the first several books in this series when I was a child in the 1950s. They belonged to my grandmother, who, with her sisters, had wept over them. I kept from her the fact that I found the series, and in particular Elsie herself, to be sickeningly sweet and at the same time hysterically funny because it was so overwrought. I thought of Elsie Dinsmore as "Elsie Dimwit," and I can't believe anyone would give these books five stars. Gag me with a spoon.
This series, because it is so extremely racist and sexist and full of religious prejudice (virulently anti-Catholic and apparently ignorant of any other faith), shouldn't be inflicted on impressionable 21st Century children who must learn to live peacefully in a multicultural, multiracial, and multi-religious society.
Perhaps the books should be reserved for adult students of 19th Century America, as they reveal much about idealized attitudes and customs of Protestant, northern America at the time. Thank goodness we have outgrown those times, even though we have much farther to go.
Rating: 
Summary: exceptional
Review: I read the series as a young girl and have been searching for the entire series in antique book stores for years. Although she may seem too sweet to many people, you must remember when this book was written and for whom it was written. The ways in which she overcomes her problems, which may seem simplistic to us, are really an example of how we must turn things over to powers higher than us. Really a series with great moral stories.
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Summary: This book is marvelous!
Review: I read this book when I was about 8 or 9, and I loved it. This book is interesting, but I think the new Elsie books are better. They make Elise seem a little bit more human!I noticed that some of the reviews said that Elsie was too soft, well, that is partially true. She could of had a little bit more backbone, but the reason why she didn't tattle on people is because she considered it wrong, and she hated to get people in trouble. No wonder she was so good! Without having a lick of work to do, she had plenty of time to devote to self-improvement. And in some of the later books when she lived with her father, she had to but say, "I am a little tired," and instantly she would be reclining on a couch. But overall it is a very good book and I liked it very much.
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Summary: I Love the Elsie Books
Review: I recommend that anyone buy this book, when I first started it I thought it whould be boring but it (and the other Elsie books) have given me hours upon hours of enjoyment, I laughed and cried becouse it is always such a trial for 8 year old Elsie Dinsmore, while she tries to serve her heavenly father and her earthly father at the same time. I only hope that it will bring you as many hours of enjoyment as it has for me, and that if you are not yet saved that this story will turn you heart to God as Elsie helps many others turn to him. Trinity
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Summary: A wonderful series of books for girls of all ages
Review: I started reading Elsie as a young girl...like many others I spent years trying to find them. I have most of them in hardback now...but due to age and use are falling apart :( I am now getting them as they become in paperback. Elsie is so devoted to her beliefs and can not be swayed from them..oh to be like her...a simple story any girl age 8 up could read and understand
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Summary: Elsie is a little out of date, but still a good read
Review: I was 11 (I'm now 13) when I found a few of the Elsie Books in the oh-so-tiny children's section of a secondhand bookstore on vacation in Bennington, Vermont. I looked through them, figured out which one came first, sat down on the floor, and started reading it. I couldn't and can't relate to Elsie at all, but something about her attracted me to her. I bought the book for six dollars. I wish I'd persuaded my mom to let me get the rest of them. I finished Elsie before the vacation was over.(Well, actually, a little after we got back, but who's counting?) After we got home, I looked at the copyright.1896. Written in 1868. Whew! I had known it was old, but not THAT old. I was curious to find out what happened to Elsie after that first book,so I began my quest for Elsie books in second hand bookstores. Not much luck! I was, however, delighted to find that Amazon.com has most of them. I couldn't beleive it when the screen was filled with Elsie titles after I typed "Martha Finley"! I just figured I'd get an "out of print" screen. What a pleasant surprise! I guess I can stop the hunt! -Robin
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting...
Review: I was first introduced to "Elsie Dinsmore" in October 1999 when one of my grandmothers gave me a different copy of this book for a birthday present. I've reread it a couple times, enjoying and understanding it more and more. There are other books in a series all about this person...and some of these books are very strange.
This first book, though, is well done. Elsie cries WAY too much, but it is slightly understandable because her mother died and her father's been in Europe. She lives with her grandfather who has remarried and has other children besides Elsie's father. The trouble really begins when Elsie's father-Mr. Horace Dinsmore-comes home and abuses his child emotionally through strict rules that made very little sense, with a few exceptions.
I am a Christian and some of what Elsie believes are not among my beliefs. For example, I stay at home and do all sorts of things after church on Sundays, but all Elsie does is read the Bible. One time, her father told her to play the piano on a Sunday and she ended up falling off the bench.
If this were made into a movie, I think I'd cry as much as Elsie does. I've seen the example of what the movie business can do with "girl" stories and movies. For example, "What A Girl Wants" is funny and a little charming, but at the same time it has the common ailment of what I can "worship of the protagonist." Not only that, but there are too many "villians."
Before I rant and rave, I must admit this was written in the same period that the stories took place. The writing style is interesting-it is obvious that Martha Finley felt that all girls should look up to Elsie and try to be like her. However, she writes like J.K. Rowling in the 1800s with Christian books and obvious morals.
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Summary: .........
Review: I would like to point out that although this book has very old-fasioned ways of talk and is written in a "melodramitic" way as someone put it, that this book was written over 150 years ago! Her father has no idea what so ever about child-rearing and is not a "drunken brute". ... The people from "A life of FAith" Have re-written the books to make them more understandable to people our age. I have read bothe the original Elsie, and the new Elsie and the only change is they have updated the language, made the slave talk more understandable, changed names, (aka instead of being referred to as "creatures" slaves are reffered to a more appropriate names) They have also changed the wording because some of the book would be considered sexual to todays readers. THEy have also included a charachter list and family tree becuase as you know, the Dinsmore family tree is vvery complicated! :)
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Summary: a warning for parents
Review: I'll risk having my comments dismissed as the ravings of a sinful mind by my fellower reviewers who are impressed with this novel's Christian message because I'm sure that there some concerned parents out there who would appreciate knowing that this novel discusses Elsie's love for her father in language that many would consider more appropriate to an adult romance novel. I could say a great deal about the many problems, literary and otherwise, that I see in this book, but I'll settle for just providing a few examples of what I regard as its most troubling element so parents can judge for themselves before buying. "The little girl . . . was rehearsing again and again in her own mind all that had just passed between her papa and herself. She dwelt with lingering delight upon everything approaching to a caress, every kind word, every soothing tone of his voice, and then picturing to herself all that he might have done and said if those unwelcome visitors had not come . . . And half hoping that he would send for her when they had gone, she watched the clock and listened intently for every sound.. . . But her bedtime came . . . She lay awake for some time, thinking of his unwonted kindness, and indulging fond hopes for the future, and then fell asleep to dream that she was on her father's knee, and felt his arm folded lovingly about her, and his kisses warm upon her cheek. Her heart beat quickly as she entered the breakfast room the next morning. . .His cold and distant manner to her and his often repeated reproofs had so increased her natural timidity . . . He saw that she feared him, and to that feeling alone he gave credit for her uniform obedience. . . He had no conception of the intense, but now almost despairing love for him that burned in that little heart, and made the young life one longing, earnest desire and effort to gain his affection." And: "She admired her father, and loved him, 'oh so dearly,' as she often whispered to herself, but would she ever meet with anything like a return of her fond affection? There was an aching void in her heart which nothing else could fill . . Was her craving for affection never to be satisfied? . . . If I might climb on his knee now, and lay my head on his chest, and put my arms around his neck, and tell him how sorry I am that I have been naughty, . . .If he would forgive me, and kiss me . . . Or if I might only stand beside him and lay my head on his shoulder, and he would put his arm around me, it would make me so happy." Or: "Then for the first time he folded her in his arms and kissed her tenderly, saying in a moved tone, 'I do love you, my darling, my own little daughter,' . . . Her joy was too great for words, for anything but tears. 'Why do you cry so, my darling?' he asked, soothingly, stroking her hair, and kissing her again and again. 'Oh, papa! Because I am so happy, so very happy,' she sobbed." And then there is Mr. Travilla, Elsie's father's best friend (whom, if I'm not mistaken, she marries in a sequel despite his being at least 15 years older). Here's a nice scene with him: "As Elsie ran out into the hall, she found herself suddenly caught in Mr. Travilla's arms. 'A merry Christmas and a happy New Year! little Elsie,' he said , kissing her on both cheeks. 'Now I have caught you figuratively and literally, my little lady, so what are you going to give me, eh?' 'Indeed, sir, I think you've helped yourself to the only thing I have to give at present,' she answered with a merry silvery laugh. 'Nay, give me one, little lady,' said he, 'one such hug and kiss as I dare say your father gets half-a-dozen times in a day.' She gave it very heartily. 'Ah ! I wish you were ten years older," he said as he set her down. 'If I had been, you wouldn't have got the kiss,' she replied, smiling archly." Perhaps a little too "archly" for an 8 year old girl, in my opinion. I'm sure that many will not see anything troubling in such passages; however, I also know others who have thought that this novel depicts child/parent love in terms that border on erotic. You can judge for yourself. If you're looking for similar bestselling 19th century novels that teach young girls the lesson of Christian submission, consider Susan Warner's _The Wide, Wide World_ or Maria Cummins's _The Lamplighter_. They are far superior as literature to the Elsie books.
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Summary: Clarification...
Review: I've read a few disturbing reviews here and I would like to clarify a couple of things... not once in this book does it state that Elsie's father is a drunk. It was written in the day when parents believed in sheltering and disiplining their children (not a bad thing, consider the children of today!). He does go quite a bit overboard, but that is the what gives the story it's plot! In the second book, when Elsie's father begins his relationship with Christ, things change drastically, yes he is still firm... may I suggest looking at the children of today again? .... She loves her Daddy, and loves to obey him, when do you see that anymore? What is wrong with a doting father caressing and kissing his daughter???? Whew, what kind of sick society do we have when a father cannot express his love to his child! Yes, the books are anti-Catholic, but Catholicism is anti-Christian (said by an ex-Catholic). This is a book about a young girl in love with Jesus Christ our Savior, she is not a goody-two-shoes, but an excellent example to our young ladies of today! She struggles, as I do, as all Christians living in the world do, in obedience... heart and soul, mind and body to the LORD. These are delightful books, deserving to be read and re-read. May you be blessed and drawn closer to our Father as you read Elsie's story!
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