Violet's Hidden Doubts

A Life of Faith: Violet Travilla #1

by Martha Finley

Originally published more than 125 years ago in the Elsie Dinsmore series, these newly-updated stories introduce another young girl whose strong faith is a powerful example for today's girls---Violet Travilla, the daughter of Elsie Dinsmore. Violet is a fourteen-year-old Christian girl growing up in the late 1800's. Today's readers will find it easy to identify with Violet's growing faith and struggle toward maturity. Book one begins in 1877, when creative, independent fourteen-year-old Violet learns that growing up brings new problems, feelings, and questions. As the entire Travilla family faces a tragic loss, Violet discovers that true faith defeats even hidden doubts.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Historical

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Martha Finley was a teacher and author of numerous works, the most well known being the 28 volume Elsie Dinsmore series which was published over a span of 38 years. Finley wrote many of her books under the pseudonym Martha Farquharson.

For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_F... or, http://marthafinley.wordpress.com/

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. So sad, so beautiful, so wonderful. *sigh* And how is Millie 57????? Yes, I did the Math. And Weathly is nearly 100??

[Haley Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it when I was younger

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm crying...why am I crying? This book...I can't even...

Well, let's just say if the Millie series greatly impacted my young teen years, I can see how this series could well affect my next year or years. So much in here I related to, and while the plot is nothing jaw-dropping, it's real. As are the emotions.

I honestly don't have much else to say here. It'd be a mediocre book if you couldn't connect to the characters as amazingly well as I could. But if you can? This book is priceless.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I recall making me cry. At least to the point of no longer being able to see the page. And it still does. At the time of first reading it, I let for their pain; now my own accentuates the feelings and I cry many times throughout the book.

I have found myself wondering how Martha Finley could cause one family so much pain!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent coming of age novel written from a Christian perspective, the characters in this book are loveable and believable. Their lives are not without trouble, but they consistently seek the advice of their authority and of the Lord for comfort. highly recommend.

[Zoë Rogers Byerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet's Hidden Doubts was a really awesome book! As she goes through tribulations she goes to God. She also talks to her elders and all of their advice comes from verses in the Bible (mostly the New Testament). Vi finds out that growing up isn't so bad. She says that as she grows, she's growing toward the Lord. I, personally, love this advice! :)

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty cheesy of a book. I'm not sure if my niece would like it or not, but the content in it is definitely for teenagers.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good. A young girl deals with the loss of her father and growing older. Has a bit of New Orleans area history, and about a mission doing work for the poor there.

[Eidel Vidaurri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book!!! It’s they pass for
So many difficulties but they go on, this book made me cry 😭 maybe because I can’t imagine that happening to my dad

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Life of Faith books often tend to be a little unrealistically spiritual, but I enjoy them anyways. Not to say that people shouldn't live out there life totally for the Lord- they ABSOLUTELY should! But the way it is presented in the book makes it seem a little unrealistic to live that lifestyle, when what books like this should be doing is showing how it's possible.

That said - I've been enjoying this series. They are not Catholic, but they are Christian and I haven't run into any flagrant anti-Catholic issues. The first book is very depressing. It just is. It's fast paced, though, so you'll want to read to the end.

These books were much better than the first 3 Elsie Dinsmore books I read (from the same series). The first part of Elsie's life was SO SO SO SO SO sad that I got depressed every time I read the books and it felt pointless, even though she was living white martyrdom beautifully. Violet, on the other had, is less depressing and a little more interesting. If you've read about Millie Keith and Elsie Dinsmore, you'll enjoy these books because Violet is Elsie's daughter. There are so many references to the Stanhope family tree and (spoiler:) you get to meet Cyril's son! :D

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had a couple problems with this book. It didn't really follow Violet's story; instead it introduced every single person as a potentially important character and the pov rotated between many of the characters. The book was hard to follow as a result. Secondly, the type of faith it describes is too perfect to follow, and came across as very condescending. I think this could push young readers away.

[Olivia Majors · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one of the first books I ever received for my own in my younger years and was one of my favorites as well until I got a bit older and went to more complicated reading. But I would suggest this book for any young girl from the ages of 8 to maybe 14. It is bright and impactful, with a message that crept into my heart as a young girl.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great but not as good as the Millie Keith or Elsie Dinsmore books. I was so sad at the *event* that happened towards the beginning of the book... It didn't seem possible. But it's a good story of spiritual growth.

[Annaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great book!! I just started it yesterday, but a lot has already happened in it.

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F FIN lof: vt bk. 1

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha Finley's Elsie steps aside as her daughter, Violet, becomes the focus of the storyline. In this volume, Vi begins to find her way into adulthood, pledging to grow toward the Lord each day.

[Grace Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an emotional and heartfelt read. I am excited to see where this series takes the rest of Violet’s story.