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Rating: 
Summary: Totally different Grace Livingston Hill story
Review: The Garland family is surprised to receive a letter saying that Rex is married and bringing his wife home for Christmas. But Rex is only 18 and not finished with college. And the family had no idea he was getting married! They are very apprehensive about meeting Florimel, the new bride...
Rating: 
Summary: Not one of her better books
Review: This book is baffling yet enjoyable, with a neatly wrapped up "deus ex machina" ending that makes little sense. Most of today's modern families will not be able to relate very well to the family, because in addition to being wealthy, they seem insular and out of touch with the rest of the world. Because of Rex's traditional upbringing, it's hard to understand why he chooses to marry Florimel, although once he brings Florrie home, the fun begins.While Florrie is intended as an entirely selfish and scheming character, nonetheless I found myself laughing aloud at some of her actions, including a wanton dance in front of the family's horried friends. The book also contains several mentions of her black eyes "snapping" as she spoke, and I'm still unsure how eyes can snap! The depiction of Florrie does not stand up well over time, because today's reader will just find her ridiculous rather than menacing. It's also hard to feel sorry for Rex after he thoughtlessly brought Florrie home, especially considering that he was young and had no way to provide for her. However, I did feel sympathy for the mother and her despair over her son's marriage (which in those times would normally be a lifelong commitment) to someone who doesn't fit in the family at all. The writing itself is fine, even if the plot is uneven. As mentioned before, though, the ending is puzzling since, while it takes care of the immediate problem, it doesn't account for the sins/laws that were unwittingly broken as a result. Worst of all, nobody in the family seems to learn anything from the experience, unless perhaps Rex learns not to marry any more hussies he finds on the street. For a supposedly Christian book, it doesn't really embody Christian love or wisdom, but it is enjoyable as a timepiece. For a much more thoughtful and edifying Grace Livingston Hill book, I recommend "Blue Ruin".
Rating:
Summary: Not one of her better books
Review: This book is baffling yet enjoyable, with a neatly wrapped up "deus ex machina" ending that makes little sense. Most of today's modern families will not be able to relate very well to the family, because in addition to being wealthy, they seem insular and out of touch with the rest of the world. Because of Rex's traditional upbringing, it's hard to understand why he chooses to marry Florimel, although once he brings Florrie home, the fun begins. While Florrie is intended as an entirely selfish and scheming character, nonetheless I found myself laughing aloud at some of her actions, including a wanton dance in front of the family's horried friends. The book also contains several mentions of her black eyes "snapping" as she spoke, and I'm still unsure how eyes can snap! The depiction of Florrie does not stand up well over time, because today's reader will just find her ridiculous rather than menacing. It's also hard to feel sorry for Rex after he thoughtlessly brought Florrie home, especially considering that he was young and had no way to provide for her. However, I did feel sympathy for the mother and her despair over her son's marriage (which in those times would normally be a lifelong commitment) to someone who doesn't fit in the family at all. The writing itself is fine, even if the plot is uneven. As mentioned before, though, the ending is puzzling since, while it takes care of the immediate problem, it doesn't account for the sins/laws that were unwittingly broken as a result. Worst of all, nobody in the family seems to learn anything from the experience, unless perhaps Rex learns not to marry any more hussies he finds on the street. For a supposedly Christian book, it doesn't really embody Christian love or wisdom, but it is enjoyable as a timepiece. For a much more thoughtful and edifying Grace Livingston Hill book, I recommend "Blue Ruin".
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