Elsie at Ion (Original Elsie Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

Martha Finley (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Original Elsie Classics

This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Biographical sketches on Martha Finley agree that she was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in April, 1828, the daughter of Dr. James Brown Finley and his wife and first cousin, Maria Theresa Brown Finley, and that she lived a quiet life. In spite of this—or perhaps because of it—her biographers seem to have considerable trouble agreeing on much else about her life. She was born either April 26 or April 28 and lived in Circleville, Ohio, until she was six [3] or eight, when the family moved to South Bend, Indiana. Except for a year at school in Philadelphia, she lived in South Bend until 1853, when she was twenty-five, possibly teaching in Indiana schools from 1851-1853. In 1853, her parents or father died, and she moved either to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, to teach, or to New York for a year. In 1854, she either moved to an unspecified town in Pennsylvania, to write for the Presbyterian Publishing Board. Martha Finley is best known for her Elsie Dinsmore series, melodramatic and sentimental fiction focusing on Elsie's trials and the solace offered her by her religious beliefs. Originally written under the pseudonym "Martha Farquharson" (Gaelic for "Finley"), the series lasted for 28 volumes, published over a period of 38 years. Much has been written about the series, discussing everything from its tear-soaked heroine and her relationship with her father to its enduring popularity during the 19th century. Elsie, however, was only a little over a quarter of Ms. Finley's total works. A second series, Mildred Keith, ran for seven volumes and chronicles the life of Mildred Keith and her family as well providing glimpses of Elsie Dinsmore's early years. Mildred is a slightly more realistic character than Elsie, with spunk and independence and without Elsie's perpetual penchant for tears and Biblical quotations. Martha Finley also wrote more than fifty short books or pamphlets, primarily for children, which were published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication and/or the Presbyterian Publishing Committee. The majority of these appeared between 1856 and 1876 in series or as individual volumes. Their titles and publishers suggest that they, too, were didactic literature, with a strong emphasis on religion. Much of Martha Finley's writing was quickly forgotten, but Elsie persevered for over seventy-five years. In 1945, the first 12 volumes were still in print in the United States and England and had sold over 5,000,000 million copies. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Cumberland House Publishing (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581821719
• ISBN-13: 978-1581821710
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,265,827 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, February 12, 2011

By 

Readin&Writin-Books - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elsie at Ion (Original Elsie Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

Another darling "Elsie" book to cherish. Wonderful, uplifting words fill its pages. As Elsie's story progresses, the fun begins with Miss Marian McAlphine coming (whom we have previously met in Minersville). Elsie Travilla's sons are graduating from college at this time. New marriages are in the beginning stages, and another family member starts giving their life to God. In the midst of all this, Cousin Ronald is eager to show off his "special talent" at all the family festivities. But I do believe my very favorite part is when his son is introduced--one can only imagine the havoc that a father and son duet can create amongst the family with their mutual secret. Such a lovely story! Can't wait for book 20.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, October 19, 2010

By 

MistFire - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elsie at Ion (Original Elsie Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

Elsie at Ion: book 19 of the original Elsie Dinsmore series is very good. This is one of my favorite Elsie books because it breaks up the long history lessons Capt. Raymond gives in books 16, parts of 17, and 18. Finally, we get caught up on all the family news: Elsie and Cousin Ronald discover another relation to them, Arthur and Cal find brides, and Arthur saves a family friend from drowning. These are just some of the many things that happen to the extended Dinsmore family.
Acts of ventriloquism on several unsuspecting characters adds to the fun. Intertwined with it all are the truths of God's Word, played out in several different scenes.

This book tops many in the series and rightly so! Its content is superb. I highly recommend it. You won't be disappointed. :-)

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Boring., February 19, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Elsie at Ion (Original Elsie Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

Elsie and Cousin Ronald discover a long-lost cousin, Marian McAlpine, and Harold and Herbert Travilla graduate from Princeton and begin their mefical apprenticeships with Cousin Arthur. Edward, Zoe, and their twins narrowly escape being crushed by a falling tree and learn more about trusting in God's protective care. Lone-time bachelors Calhoun and Arthur Conly both find brides.
After Max Raymond's visit home from the Naval Academy, the family enjoys another get together at the shore. And Cousin Arthur sames a family friend from drowning.
That justs about sums up the whole book. I can read these books in 30 mn. flat because they are sooooo boring.
Books 1-14 is ok, but after that it is entierly boring. They even have Cp. Raymond reading out of a history book!