Customer Reviews

Elsie Dinsmore (Elsie Dinsmore Collection)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I hadn't thought of Elsie Dinsmore in several years. I just found out recently that this was an entire series--approximately 25 volumes I think. The way I became acquainted with the book at all was I was at my grandparents house one day, prowling around in the barn. There was a room on one side that had a roof over it instead of just rafters and I climbed up there and found all kinds of amazing things. My father and Uncle and Aunt had all left stuff behind when they grew up and it was stored here. There was a copy of Elsie Dinsmore up there. The front and back of the book were missing and it was written back before they used acid-free paper and the pages were brittle but I carried that book home with me and read it and thought it was one of the best books I'd ever read. I was probably about 8 years old at the time (actually I've forgotten), but at any rate I was thrilled to find out this book was part of an entire series. I just found out tonight that they are available at Amazon.com and that pleases me very much.

I would like to point out that (I read several reviews) while some people refer to them as sappy and that Elsie was too sweet to be real, these books were written for children, young children and were written at a time in history when the idea was that the main character of a book (especially for kids) should be (Gasp! Shock!) -- likeable. And Elsie certainly was. These books are perfect for small children. They are books that can be read and/or shared by the entire family, especially if you read to your children before bedtime (which doesn't seem to happen too much these days) but rest assured you can tuck your child(ren) in and read aloud to them and not worry about profanity, sex or any of the other things that might be objectionable for young children. Also I'd like to mention, along these lines, there were other books written for kids that were also great. There was Trixie Belden the 13-year old detective -- about 25 volumes, Beverly Gray also 25 volumes (a newspaper reporter who had all kinds of adventures) but no sex, drugs or cursing and of course everyone knows about the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. And if you can find them, there were the Tom Swift books for boys -- about a teenage scientist who invented things like a rocket ship to fly to the moon, etc. I read some of these as a kid and loved them also.

I first read this book when I was about 12. I can understand why some people would not like it. It is very Christian, Elsie is very weepy, and the story is somewhat melodramatic. However, taken along with the next 3 or 4 books, it is a wonderful series.

As a Catholic I do not agree with some of Elsie's beliefs, but I still enjoyed reading, and re-reading this book. Elsie's Christian faith is the essential ingredient in the plot of this and many of the following books.

In the first book, many of the extraneous characters are not well developed, not even Elsie's father, if memory serves. But the need to know the outcome of poor Elsie's fate drove me on. Over the course of the next three books, many of the characters are fleshed out. Especially, Mr. Travillia, Ms. Adelaide, Elsie's father, her cousins Arthur and Edward, as well as Elsie herself. The characters grow and the plot flourishes along with them. Many of the seemingly minor characters take on much more prominent roles, and many relationships are deepened and broadened.

These books must also be taken in historical, and social, context. Elsie is a wealthy white girl living in the pre-Civil War South. Again, in later books, Elsie's world develops, and is especially influenced by the War, as one will discover if one keeps reading.

This series is quite extensive, and although I loved the first four or five, books, I petered out after the books began to focus more on Elsie's children.

Overall, I would recommend this book, along with its sequels, to anyone looking for a good read (and cry). :)

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.

When I was 10 years old, my family received a large box in the mail containing books that my mom had ordered. In it was the first book of the Elsie Dinsmore collection. My mom handed the book to me and said, "Here, this is for you." I thanked her, curled up on our recliner, and started reading. I soon fell in love the book. It was so exciting, so wonderfully written, and I felt so much like I had jumped right into the book. I found book one not very interesting because of how cruel Elsie's father was to her. A friend of mine told me how excellent the next books were, and so I kept on reading. I am now thirteen years old, and the Elsie Dinsmore books are my favorite books I have ever read. Every once in a while I get a couple of books, and I now have 12 hard back books that I love so much. I am planning on saving them so that my children and then their children can enjoy a heartwarming, clean book. For those of you out there (I'd recommend kids ten years old and up) who are searching for a great book, I recommend this one above all others.

Welcome to the Elsie Dinsmore series! The series of books that will help YOUR little martyr keep the tears flowing! Let's follow Elsie as she battles the horrible troubles, and trials that she faces! Going to her room, being SCOLDED by her cruel father!! But alas! She will follow Jesus Christ to the very end! Read a book to her father on SUNDAY!!?!? Unthinkable circumstances that would simply STUN our modern day children are reviewed in these wonderful books! Join Elsie in the magical world of, Elsie Dinsmore

No. I did not copy that from anywhere. These books disgust me! On almost every page, Elsie Dinsmore BURSTS into tears. Simple matters such as simply being scolded by here father make her weep, and wail. A good description for Elsie Dinsmore is a weeping willow. She refused to simply read her father a book on Sunday! Tears welling into her eyes at the very request! I am a Christian. Since these books have Christian themes to them, I will give it two stars rather than one. I do not, however, reccomend that you waste your money on these. They are very dull anyhow. Nothing exciting, or fun ever really happens. Elsie is just a drama freak. A martyr-wanna-be.

I found it very heart-warming to find that it is not only still possible to buy a copy of Elsie Dinsmore but also that there are others that have enjoyed the book. When I was a child, I never got tired of reading this book. I found it to be strangely compelling and unforgettable. My 12-year-old daughter recently read Elsie Dinsmore and she too loved it. As an adult I can appreciate the historic significance of this book. How interesting it is to get a glimpse of life from post-Civil War life in the South. How child-rearing practices have changed! I'm not a religious person, and I've always found the book to be a bit "preachy" for my tastes, but it never kept me from reading it over and over.

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! :)

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! :)

Our small Christian school library received a donation of an entire set of the Elsie Dinsmore books 5 years ago. They take up a lot of shelf space. As the librarian, I can tell you NOT ONE of them has ever been checked out. Our girls LOVE historical fiction, they LOVE finding an author who has written a bunch of books and whip through series with glee . . . but these books are just collecting dust.

I personally find Elsie to be obnoxiously saccharine. I thought it was just me, but apparently the girls in my school think the same. I've never said anything against the books to the kids, and have even suggested them on occasion to girls who want to find something "totally new to me". But they just KNOW!

This is quite possibly the WORST children's book ever written. Why?

1) The heroine is saccharine sweet and endlessly willing to let everyone in her family trample all over her. In fact, she seems to take some martyr-like glee in accepting every kind of scorn and injustice her family heaps on her with nary a complaint. Yeah, way to be a role model for today's girls, Elsie - unless you think the proper social role for women is a sacrificial victim for...

2) ...emotionally and physically abusive men. Yes, that would be her crazy father. The one who insists that his every irrational demand be met instantly and who also doesn't see the value in showing any love whatsoever towards his (incredibly needy) daughter. This relationship plays out like a bad Lifetime movie. He's the King of the Castle, and isn't content to just let Elsie crucify herself in every chapter - he wants to tell her what kind of hammer to drive the nails in with. My bet: poor, sweet Elsie grows up and finds another domineering tyrant to marry (undoubtably a man chosen carefully for her by her father), which will allow her to be suitably emotionally abused the rest of her life. And let's not forget the subtle eroticism between father and daughter (and other male friends of the family). It was very creepy in places. I found myself wondering several times while reading this book if he was going to start sexually abusing her when she got into her teenage years. And that's not the right thing to be thinking about when you're reading a children's book. Ick, ick, ick.

3) Her disgusting, spoiled, racist, classist, sexist family. In one of the very first chapters, we find Elsie's sweet "Mammie" discussing how even though she's not white, she still can get to heaven. Well, isn't that nice. But do you suppose Jesus will make her come in through the servant's entrance? And every single one of her relatives is dreadfully spoiled and treats her abominably in every chapter (lucky for Elsie-Please-Make-Me-A-Martyr). Really, not suitable in any way for modern sensiblities. I wouldn't let my daughter read this book just because of the racism alone. Yes, it was written in 1850 something. But that's no excuse.

4) The over-the-top Christianity. Half this book is a religious tract. I found myself skipping entire pages just to try to find the plot again amidst the saccharine preaching.

5) Meekly accepting evil or injust behavior from others is NOT a good thing. That's another message I would never want my daughter to learn. Regardless of one's religious beliefs, the right thing to do in this world is to stand up for what one believes in, and stand up against injustice and unrighteousness, whether those acts are perpetuated against you or others. Frankly, the only admirable thing Elsie ever did in this book was to stand firm in her religious convictions against the disapproval of her family (falling off the piano stool and all that). On Sundays she was a heroine worthy of emulation. Too bad she was a meek little abused mouse the other 6 days of the week.

One more note to all the people who gave this book glowing reviews: You people are scary. Call me a sinner, or whatever you want, but I know in my heart of hearts (as a Christian myself, believe it or not), that the message this book sends about the relationship between young girls and men isn't right. I certainly hope you aren't raising your daughters this way or we're all in trouble.