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Elsie Dinsmore #9
Elsie's New Relations
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.
Paperback
First published December 25, 1996
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About the author
Martha Finley
508 books159 followersMartha 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/
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_F... or, http://marthafinley.wordpress.com/
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 17, 2020
5 stars & 5/10 hearts. It’s been a long time since I read Elsie… and as soon as I open this book it slams me with a message I needed to hear. I really liked how it tackled the subject of husband and wives and submission. It did a really good job showing both sides and concluding it. Edward and Zoe really are a sweet couple. I liked how Violet deals with Max and Lulu and Grace; there were some awesome messages there too. In short, it was another enjoyable, interesting book full of good messages and great humour.
A Favourite Quote: “‘Ah, dear Max, that is one of the dreadful consequences of allowing ourselves to fall into such wicked ways; it is the power of habit which grows upon us till we are bound by it as with an iron chain. The Bible says, “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” So the longer any one lives in sin, the harder it is for him to break away from it—to repent and be converted and saved. Therefore, I beseech you to come to Jesus now; God's time is always now.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “... their attention divided between the splendors of a magnificent sunset and the changing beauty of the sea; yonder away in the distance it is pale gray; near at hand delicate green slowly changing to pink, each wave crested with snowy foam, and anon they all turn to burnished gold.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “... Max colored more deeply than before, at the same time hastily thrusting his right hand deep into the pocket on that side of his overcoat, for a peculiar sound like the cry of a young puppy seemed to come from it at that instant, much to the boy's discomfiture and astonishment.
“‘What is that? What have you got there, Max?’ asked little Walter, pricking up his ears, while Violet asked with an amused look, ‘Have you been making an investment in livestock, Max?’
“A query that seemed all the more natural and appropriate as the cluck of a hen came from the pocket on the other side of the overcoat.”
A Favourite Quote: “‘Ah, dear Max, that is one of the dreadful consequences of allowing ourselves to fall into such wicked ways; it is the power of habit which grows upon us till we are bound by it as with an iron chain. The Bible says, “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” So the longer any one lives in sin, the harder it is for him to break away from it—to repent and be converted and saved. Therefore, I beseech you to come to Jesus now; God's time is always now.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “... their attention divided between the splendors of a magnificent sunset and the changing beauty of the sea; yonder away in the distance it is pale gray; near at hand delicate green slowly changing to pink, each wave crested with snowy foam, and anon they all turn to burnished gold.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “... Max colored more deeply than before, at the same time hastily thrusting his right hand deep into the pocket on that side of his overcoat, for a peculiar sound like the cry of a young puppy seemed to come from it at that instant, much to the boy's discomfiture and astonishment.
“‘What is that? What have you got there, Max?’ asked little Walter, pricking up his ears, while Violet asked with an amused look, ‘Have you been making an investment in livestock, Max?’
“A query that seemed all the more natural and appropriate as the cluck of a hen came from the pocket on the other side of the overcoat.”
August 14, 2011
The story has shifted from Elsie (and her everlasting beauty and purity and weirdly incestuous relationship with her Daddy) to Violet, Elsie's daughter. Violet has married a guy in the Navy who already has three kids, and the three kids (Lulu, Max, and poor sick Grace) come to live with Violet and her mother and siblings. The new kids have to learn how to be submissive to Big Daddy Dinsmore, Ever-Young-And-Beautiful Grandma Elsie, and Beautiful Patient Violet. They also have to learn how to love Jesus. This has taken most of the book, so far.
Also, sibling Edward is now married to Zoe, who is treated by everyone (including her husband) as a selfish idiot because she wasn't raised by in an authoritarian patriocentric household. She's FIFTEEN and married Edward because her dying father begged Edward to marry her so she wouldn't be destitute and wind up in the streets. Zoe is so selfish and self-centered that she wants her husband to pay attention to her and not fixate on his Mommy. Oh, that silly Zoe.
(Edit: The bits about Zoe and Edward's marriage are even harder for me to stomach than the bits about Elsie and her Daddy. Finley has a real fetish for youth - she keeps harping on Zoe's appearance and demeanor and the fact that she's YOUNG. Also, Elsie? Looks YOUNG. And Violet? YOUNG. Anyway, Zoe is impulsive and affectionate and acts in a way that's totally appropriate for someone who's 15 or 16. Edward, whose age is unclear, believes completely that his child-bride needs him to "teach" her everything. Spoiler: Zoe has to accept Edwards authority, of course, because he is older and wiser and also male. Mostly because he's male.)
This is book #9 out of #27. I think I might need an intervention, because I keep putting it down in disgust and then picking it right back up again. It's like watching a car crash. I can't wait to see what horrible, racist, sexist, Christianist nonsense Finley will come up with next. I think the bit about "Papists" a book or two back will be hard to beat.
Also, sibling Edward is now married to Zoe, who is treated by everyone (including her husband) as a selfish idiot because she wasn't raised by in an authoritarian patriocentric household. She's FIFTEEN and married Edward because her dying father begged Edward to marry her so she wouldn't be destitute and wind up in the streets. Zoe is so selfish and self-centered that she wants her husband to pay attention to her and not fixate on his Mommy. Oh, that silly Zoe.
(Edit: The bits about Zoe and Edward's marriage are even harder for me to stomach than the bits about Elsie and her Daddy. Finley has a real fetish for youth - she keeps harping on Zoe's appearance and demeanor and the fact that she's YOUNG. Also, Elsie? Looks YOUNG. And Violet? YOUNG. Anyway, Zoe is impulsive and affectionate and acts in a way that's totally appropriate for someone who's 15 or 16. Edward, whose age is unclear, believes completely that his child-bride needs him to "teach" her everything. Spoiler: Zoe has to accept Edwards authority, of course, because he is older and wiser and also male. Mostly because he's male.)
This is book #9 out of #27. I think I might need an intervention, because I keep putting it down in disgust and then picking it right back up again. It's like watching a car crash. I can't wait to see what horrible, racist, sexist, Christianist nonsense Finley will come up with next. I think the bit about "Papists" a book or two back will be hard to beat.
March 29, 2012
ELSIE'S NEW RELATIONS is a direct sequel to GRANDMOTHER ELSIE. It deals with storylines begun in the previous book, and we see Elsie presiding over her family as the beautiful, picture-perfect Mrs. Travilla. I especially like the scene on Christmas night, when she opens her jewelry box and weeps over costly gems given her in the past by her dear, departed husband. But predictably, Papa arrives to wipe away Elsie's tears---doesn't he always?---and sad memories are eclipsed by semi-incestuous love...
Much of the action revolves around Violet and her three stepchildren. Max takes to gambling and---gasp!---swearing. Little invalid Gracie tells a white lie and then cries herself sick with remorse. Lulu, the rebel----my own personal favorite---sasses Elsie's Papa and defies his authority. Violet must deal with all this misbehavior, for Captain Raymond is away at sea. Can she adapt to her new role as stepmom?
Another storyline deals with the marriage of Edward and Zoe. Zoe is just a child-bride, very immature in many ways, and yet devotedly in love with her husband. They have some marital problems at first. The Edward-Zoe sequences are well-written and believable. Elsie, of course, advises her new daughter-in-law to be docile and obedient, but Zoe has a different temperament than Elsie's and doesn't submit easily to being a doormat. Modern-day readers will feel sorry for Zoe, who is all too conscious of her orphaned and dependent status. This book offers an interesting look at Victorian family life and of the roles traditionally assigned to nineteenth-century women.
Much of the action revolves around Violet and her three stepchildren. Max takes to gambling and---gasp!---swearing. Little invalid Gracie tells a white lie and then cries herself sick with remorse. Lulu, the rebel----my own personal favorite---sasses Elsie's Papa and defies his authority. Violet must deal with all this misbehavior, for Captain Raymond is away at sea. Can she adapt to her new role as stepmom?
Another storyline deals with the marriage of Edward and Zoe. Zoe is just a child-bride, very immature in many ways, and yet devotedly in love with her husband. They have some marital problems at first. The Edward-Zoe sequences are well-written and believable. Elsie, of course, advises her new daughter-in-law to be docile and obedient, but Zoe has a different temperament than Elsie's and doesn't submit easily to being a doormat. Modern-day readers will feel sorry for Zoe, who is all too conscious of her orphaned and dependent status. This book offers an interesting look at Victorian family life and of the roles traditionally assigned to nineteenth-century women.
April 26, 2024
This story continues -
The captain had been summons back to the ship, leaving his three children, Max,Lulu and Game
in the care of his wife (Vi) and her family.
Gracie being the youngest and regaining her health, loved her new family.
Max wanted to make his Dad proud f him and watched out for his sisters.
Lulu did not fit so well. She wanted to do what she wanted, when she wanted to.
Edward and Zoe (his wife) being newly weds and grieving the death of Zoe's father,
have their ups and downs.
Although there is sadness, discipline and consequences there is more to be happy
about than angry or sad.
The captain had been summons back to the ship, leaving his three children, Max,Lulu and Game
in the care of his wife (Vi) and her family.
Gracie being the youngest and regaining her health, loved her new family.
Max wanted to make his Dad proud f him and watched out for his sisters.
Lulu did not fit so well. She wanted to do what she wanted, when she wanted to.
Edward and Zoe (his wife) being newly weds and grieving the death of Zoe's father,
have their ups and downs.
Although there is sadness, discipline and consequences there is more to be happy
about than angry or sad.
April 8, 2023
The previous book in this series was the first one I questioned if I wanted to finish the series. But this one made up for it! The plot was new, exciting and had more twists and turns I was not expecting. So now I want to keep going. 😊 I just love the old fashioned relationships these couples have.
February 13, 2019
Typical Elsie book, focusing on the romance between Violet and her special someone, and Edward and his special someone. Nice job highlighting the different personalities, struggles, and relationships, while still staying quintessentially Elsie Dinsmore.
August 12, 2012
I love Edwards wife Zoe. She is only 15 and does not know how to be a wife. I love the advice her mother-in-law gives her. That you must bear and forbear. Zoe loves her husband, but doesn't like the obedience that comes with marriage. In the end she finally gives up her disobedience to her husband and cannot wait to obey him. This story really changes from Elsie to her children. I really like Violet because you never see her getting angry or frustrated with her family or friends. Her attitude is exactly like the attitude I should have.
May 31, 2014
The family vacation at the beach is coming to an end. and Captain Raymond must be shipped off at once. So begins the long summer of raising Viloets adoptive children, Loving Max, Rebelious Lulu, and Fragile Gracie.
June 15, 2016
Okay
The characters could have been interesting...but weren't. The plot could have been exciting...but wasn't. It was a story about as worth my time as eating pablum! The upside: no sex scenes to skip or cuss words to ignore. A book for a young reader maybe.
The characters could have been interesting...but weren't. The plot could have been exciting...but wasn't. It was a story about as worth my time as eating pablum! The upside: no sex scenes to skip or cuss words to ignore. A book for a young reader maybe.
December 24, 2011
These get even worse as time goes on. More incestuous than the last, and everyone is SO GOOD. Meh. I can't stop reading the damned things, though!
June 15, 2016
This series is a bit Calvinistic in its theology, and it's also a bit uber-Christian; i.e., the Christians are really, really good and the non-Christians are really, really bad.
April 12, 2012
Up till five they were good. Six is farely good and after that I read ieght and nine and got part way through ten and couldn't take it any more. Ten was terrible.
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October 23, 2018I thought this book to be exceptional! Martha Finley's entire Elie Dinsmore series is spectacular. Especially how she somehow always is able to continue the story right where she left off in the last book. this story spoke of trust and honor. Love and discipline. I love reading everything she writes!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews