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Summary: a great piece of history!
Review: I've read and re-read almost the complete series over the past 40 years and will, in all likelihood, read them yet again. Because I was unaware that they had been reprinted, I have spent many years questing after as many of the old volumes as could be had. In my search, I found "Wide Wide World", one of Elsie's favorite books and read that as well. The "Mildred Keith" series is also on my shelves after much hunting. Many readers have taken issue with the subjects of anti-Catholicism and slavery and parental harshness ....but one must see these books in relation to the popular attitudes of the people who lived when they were written. These attitudes make us cringe today, but that's good as it shows us how far we have come. I hope that many of you are reading the classic editions rather than (or in addition to) the "updated" versions. The richness of the language in the originals is a joy not to be missed....and if you must make many trips to the dictionary, Hooray!... That's called education! I was pleased to see some biographical information on Martha Finley...She has always been kind of a mysterious figure. I find it interesting that she never lived in the deep south. She must have been a tireless researcher. I am truly thrilled to read the words of so many "Elsie" fans....Keep reading!
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Summary: This is an extremely encouraging and inspirational book!
Review: Martha Finley writes an amazing story that always keeps you waiting to read the next page. But unlike most exciting novels for young girls, she bases her novel on the most important thing life has to offer, faith in Jesus Christ; and also unlike some other Christian novels, the heroine answers all the questions concearning the Christian life based upon the scriptures. Elsie is an average southern bell who grows up in a secular home. But even though she goes through many slanders and abuses, her faith survives and brings her absoulute happiness! Elsie charms both children and adults with her merciful kindness that reflects that reflects the One she bases her life on. Martha Finley is an incredible writer and captures the historical essence of the book as well! Ms. Finley wrote Elsie Dinsmore and the next book Elsie's Holiday at Roselands originaly as one book,(The publisher thought it was too long) which is why there is an incompletness at the end of the first book. I suggest you read both before you come to a firm conclusion!
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Summary: The Elsie Books are trite but I'm still "hooked" on them.
Review: My Grandmother gave me the first four books in the series for Christmas. That's how I got associated with them. I do not agree totally with the portral of the father being so cruel, and that Elsie is so perfect. I do think that they are good books for any person and I will save mine to read to my children. They have good Christian and family values, and every child should try to be as good as little Elsie tries.
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Summary: Has some gaping flaws, but overall a good book
Review: My mother bought me this book a few years back, and as a lover of historical fiction I sat down immediately to read it. Well, I put the book back down a few hours later with mixed feelings.This book takes place somewhere around the time of the civil war, in a rich WASP household ruled over by the creepy Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, whose spoiled children have the run of the place. Some of their kids are fairly normal, but with prankster Arthur and bratty Enna, things can be difficult. The heroine is the granddaughter of the house, the daughter of the oldest son (in Mrs. Dinsmore's case, stepson) Elsie, who is despised by the heads of the household because she is both pretty and rich, and therefore has no one to care for her except a close friend and her devoted nanny. But when her father comes home, things rapidly change for over-conscientious Elsie--her father is strict and has been told that she is a handful. Well, the book was written in the 1800s, so clearly a few things will be dated. Unfortunately, the author added some anti-Catholiscism to the mix, as well as a notable lack of details. However, it moves at a brisk pace and introduces some plot twists that are excellent--if only Finley hadn't left us dangling at the end! Characters such as Mammy and Mr. Dinsmore Jr. are intriguing and well-fleshed out. Sadly, the elder Mr. Dinsmore, his wife, and the ghastly-child Enna are cardboard. The only big problem? Elsie. She's a good role model, but she's so conscientious and over-pious and self-deprecating that it becomes a bit annoying--she's also waaaaayyy too perfect in behavior. She assumes that her father's cool treatment of her must be her own fault, and when she makes mistakes she treats it as being as serious as a murder. One rather stupid interlude includes Elsie agonizing about whether to turn in a guilty friend or allow an innocent man to be whipped and exiled. Isn't refusing to read a story on a Sunday a bit much, even for the devout? The unfortunate result is that Elsie ends up acting almost nothing like a human being. Well, it's far from being a perfect book, but I'm going to check out the other books in the series nonetheless. Much better than Animorphs or other serieses of that type...
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Summary: This is a book that has always stuck with me
Review: My mother first told me of this book as one that she had read as a little girl when I was about seven, but it took untill I was ten to read it. My mother thought it was out of print and untill my grand mother found her childhood copy we didn't think we could obtain it. I identified with the problems of Elsie with the copy book not being right not fitting in with the other kids and having an absent father. When her father does come back the relationship is less than ideal. When I read about that I felt like there was someone else out there who knew exactly how I felt and had written it down. This book felt like it was wriiten for me I loved that time period and this was the first character in any book that I could truely identify with. I don't take religion as seriously as Elsie, but it did make me think about religion and what role it had in my life. I reread the book several times through out my adolesence. My mother asked to borrow the book and thinking it one of the last copies I loaned it to her, 3yrs. ago and she has yet to return it. It's nice to know where and how I can obtain a copy for myself because I have always hoped to pass it on to my future daughters. I have rembered this book into my adulthood I'm now 24. It ranks as a classic in my opinion, it's up there with Gone With The Wind and Little Women.
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Summary: The Elsie Dinsmore Doll IS the girl in the books.
Review: Our whole family has enjoyed reading the original Elsie Dinsmore books so much. They have changed our lives for the better. Elsie sets such a good example for all of us. We really love our Elsie Dinsmore Doll from Breezy Point Treasures. I think hundreds of other girls love her, too...ages 3-94.
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Summary: Elsie was an inspiration! I highly recommend it!
Review: The character of Elsie was a great inspiration to me. Even though a young child she knew the importance of putting her complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, not only as her Saviour but also as her sustainer. Through all her trials and temptations she determined to stay faithful to God and to his word. Even though everyone was against her she realized that God was for her and will always be with her.
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Summary: WOW
Review: The Elsie Books are a great series. unlike other books they talk about real life in that time, and through that they get a Christian view across to you. of the 28 books i am on 'Elsies Widowhood' and so far there is no complaint!! I can't wait to finish all of the books!!
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Summary: My favorite books!
Review: The Elsie Dinsmore series is wonderful! I have read books 1-8 and can't wait till I get the rest! I've heard people (who have read only the first book) say that they thought Elsie is too perfect. If you will keep reading on in the series, you will find that even though Elsie is a very different little girl, she is not at all boring! :)
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Summary: The Two Elsies by a ten year old
Review: The two Elsies is a pretty good book. Lester Leland's brother is dying, and his child is left to them. Her name is Evelyn. She is really nice and sweet,and she and Lulu become good friends. The whole family goes to Viamede, and there Lulu refuses to take lessons from a music teacher who slapped her. Then, captain Raymond is not heard from, and the navy fears his ship has sunk or is lost at sea. It's a nice book, but not as good as #s 7,8,9,and 10.
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