Morning Glory [Hardcover]

LaVyrle Spencer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 1991

"A superb book." (New York Daily News)

On the eve of World War II, two people are brought together by fate and discover an unexpected passion.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of Spencer's bestselling paperback historical novels ( Vows ; The Gamble ) will be pleased by her hardcover debut, again demonstrating her gift for telling a satisfyingly conventional romantic tale in fresh, sprightly prose. Tall, dark and handsome Will Parker has served time for the killing of a Texas prostitute, but keeps losing jobs as his reputation becomes known. In the small town of Whitney, Ga., at the beginning of WW II, he answers the advertisement of a pregnant widow and mother of two, the abused and reclusive Eleanor Dinsmore, who is looking for a husband. Soon in love with ostensibly plain, bedraggled Ellie, Parker dotes on her two boys, and works to support the family. Fittingly for this sort of bucolic idyll, Will and Ellie, despite their rudimentary educations, love books and develop a special friendship with wise old Miss Beasley, the local librarian. Alas, brazen and rapacious Lula Peak, the town floozie, sets her sights on Will, waylaying him in the library; meantimes, Lula is blackmailing her lover, the cowardly Harley Overmire, who is no friend of Will. The clearly drawn characters fulfill their imperativesincluding Will, who becomes a war heroand all is neatly and pleasingly resolved. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (August 4, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517074265
• ISBN-13: 978-0517074268
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,706,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spencer does it again...(4 1/2 stars), March 30, 2004

By 

M. I. "krushedvelvet" (Old Bridge, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Morning Glory (Paperback)

It always amazes me how consistently brilliant Lavyrle Spencer is. Even if Im not crazy about all of her books, there is no arguing that the woman can write.... "Morning Glory" is a perfect example of Spencer's enormous talent for making the characters and the scenery enveloping them leap to life. "Morning Glory" was a heartwarming tale of Will and Elly- two lost souls who had known little happiness in their lives, but who found love in eachother. I LOVED this book. I thought that the characters growth was a wonder to watch and I enjoyed every moment. My only quibble with this book was that I felt that there wasn't enough romantic tension...Elly and Will proclaimed their love too early on for my taste, but regardless the story was enthralling. All in all a fantastic read...

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be disappointed!!, February 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Morning Glory (Paperback)

I think that this is by far LaVyrle Spencer's best book. The story is wonderful and it touches everyone. Elly and Will are misfits that find joy with each other. When Will is accused of a terrible crime, you have to see if Elly and Will's love for each other is strong enough for them to overcome it. Everyone can relate to the characters. Elly is known as "Crazy Elly Dinsmore" and she was always teased as a child. The reader might see themself because they were a child that was teased or they might remember the Elly Dinsmore's that they knew. This book is exceptionally well written and longer than some of Spencer's other books, which is a definite plus. This is a novel that you would definitly want to have a sequel. Read it and find yourself. You won't be disappointed.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Morning Glory, by LaVyrle Spencer, September 1, 2003

By 

Mellanie C. (Ft. Stewart, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Morning Glory (Paperback)

MORNING GLORY is set in the 1940s and is the story of "Crazy" Elly Dinsmore, raised by religious fanatics and teased and tormented by everyone in town; and Will Parker, an ex-con trying to put his life back together. Elly is a young, pregnant widow who, when she finds she can't make ends meet, puts an ad for a husband in the local paper. Will sees the ad and applies for the job. As Will begins making repairs and improvements to Elly's property, their attraction to each other grows. World War Two intervenes, and Will is called up for service, but he and Elly write to each other frequently, and manage a visit when Will has leave.

Shortly after Will comes home from the war, he is accused of murdering the local floozy, and Elly must overcome her personal demons in order to help with Will's trial. How the two misfits find each other and their place in their community is a deeply engrossing story. Spencer excels at emotional writing, and in this book, she outdoes herself with her secondary characters, especially Gladys Beasley, the town librarian, who strikes up an incongruous friendship with Will. This book has everything: romance, humor, pathos, mystery, and history. This is my personal favorite of LaVyrle's books, and it has held up to several repeat readings.