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Astra
Astra Everson, traveling alone on a gloomy train, could only wonder about her uncertain future. Can she make a new life for herself in the home she once shared with her father? What will her meddlesome cousins do when they find she has fled their control to find independence?
Suddenly Astra is called upon to aid a mysterious stranger, and kind Charles Cameron enters her life. Together they face danger--and find love unfolding--as they experience the miracle of Christmas.
Suddenly Astra is called upon to aid a mysterious stranger, and kind Charles Cameron enters her life. Together they face danger--and find love unfolding--as they experience the miracle of Christmas.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1941
52 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
572 books565 followersalso wrote under the pseudonym Marcia MacDonald
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 10, 2018
This is a very sweet story of a young lady who has had enough of her conniving relatives' mistreatment and goes out on her own, choosing uncertainty over bondage. The story covers the people she meets along the way, good and bad. Of course there is a handsome young man, and I particularly enjoyed his nieces and nephew.
The one thing I object to is one spot where Astra tells the nephew "God is ashamed of you" when he is rude to someone (justifiably). I will never agree with using God as a disciplinary measure, because it can foster a wrong opinion of God. If she had instead said something like "God will be proud if you can forgive her and apologize for your rudeness" it might have settled better.
The one thing I object to is one spot where Astra tells the nephew "God is ashamed of you" when he is rude to someone (justifiably). I will never agree with using God as a disciplinary measure, because it can foster a wrong opinion of God. If she had instead said something like "God will be proud if you can forgive her and apologize for your rudeness" it might have settled better.
March 15, 2017
I sometimes crave a sweet gentle romance, and when I do I can almost always depend on Grace Livingston Hill. This book hit the spot nicely. It does finish up a bit quickly, but otherwise had many strong elements. The girl does not have to depend on the guy to pull her out of all her difficulties, the bad guys are not wholly given over to evil, and the children are neither angels nor devils. This is not always the case in Mrs Hill's work but I prefer it this way.
January 21, 2018
This is the first book I ever read by Grace Livingston Hill. The copy is an old book that belonged to my aunt, still inscribed with her name, from the time when she was a teenager. That makes this not only a book to value because of story told within the pages, but also one to value for the history of the volume. I wonder why this was the only book she saved from her youth, and what she thought of it. Of course it's many years too late now to ask.
As for the story itself....
I love Astra as she's another example of a girl who isn't about to be bossed around. Having lived with her aunt and uncle, she's reached her breaking point. Her young cousin has been stealing from her, and she'd entirely not value within the household. So she ups and leaves while they take a trip without her, going to the city to start a new life on her own.
I like these stories about heroines facing something so huge a change as running away, starting over without any finances at all (though that's quickly resolved) and then finding love - only after they've already gotten themselves on their feet, proving they don't always need rescue. Only...sometimes. Like when evil uncles plot against them.
This was a fun story to read, with a lot of depth and complexity. Astra was a great character, and our hero is just heroic enough. Add in the precious faith element there is to all the GLH novels and you have a story that is extremely satisfying to read. I've read this book a half dozen times, and I never tire of it. Definitely a favorite!
As for the story itself....
I love Astra as she's another example of a girl who isn't about to be bossed around. Having lived with her aunt and uncle, she's reached her breaking point. Her young cousin has been stealing from her, and she'd entirely not value within the household. So she ups and leaves while they take a trip without her, going to the city to start a new life on her own.
I like these stories about heroines facing something so huge a change as running away, starting over without any finances at all (though that's quickly resolved) and then finding love - only after they've already gotten themselves on their feet, proving they don't always need rescue. Only...sometimes. Like when evil uncles plot against them.
This was a fun story to read, with a lot of depth and complexity. Astra was a great character, and our hero is just heroic enough. Add in the precious faith element there is to all the GLH novels and you have a story that is extremely satisfying to read. I've read this book a half dozen times, and I never tire of it. Definitely a favorite!
December 24, 2024
Rating: 5 / 5
A beautiful story that touches on the true meaning of Christmas, this was perfect and just lovely for this time of year!
The story starts off with Astra Everson, who's running away from her cousins' home, where she has been living for two years since her father passed away. Astra differs from her cousin and feels that she'd do better off in her home city, so while they go away to California, leaving her alone, she takes her chance and hops aboard a train by herself. It being so near the holidays, she anticipates a lonely Christmas but tries to remain optimistic regardless.
Once onboard, none other than the handsome Charles Cameron barges into her train car that evening, asking for assistance for a dying man. Astra, being noble and caring, volunteers, and so begins the story that brings them together and closer to God for the holidays.
I loved every bit of this story from start to finish and really savored it over my Christmas weekend. I will definitely be making this a Christmas tradition, maybe even as a yearly read! What I like best about it, apart from the lovely romance of course, is how it treats Christmas, not as a commercial holiday, but as a Christian celebration. And really, that's truly what it is. Sure, it has been reappropriated in some respects so as to be commercial and more universal to non-Christian and non-religious views; but still, at its heart is the birth of Christ, and that's what I myself will always see and love it as! The humble, trusting nature of Astra in God really brings that to light and so I'm really glad to have this as a new Christmas read.
Best wishes for the holiday season and with many joyful re-reads to come, this book is an easy five stars!
A beautiful story that touches on the true meaning of Christmas, this was perfect and just lovely for this time of year!
The story starts off with Astra Everson, who's running away from her cousins' home, where she has been living for two years since her father passed away. Astra differs from her cousin and feels that she'd do better off in her home city, so while they go away to California, leaving her alone, she takes her chance and hops aboard a train by herself. It being so near the holidays, she anticipates a lonely Christmas but tries to remain optimistic regardless.
Once onboard, none other than the handsome Charles Cameron barges into her train car that evening, asking for assistance for a dying man. Astra, being noble and caring, volunteers, and so begins the story that brings them together and closer to God for the holidays.
I loved every bit of this story from start to finish and really savored it over my Christmas weekend. I will definitely be making this a Christmas tradition, maybe even as a yearly read! What I like best about it, apart from the lovely romance of course, is how it treats Christmas, not as a commercial holiday, but as a Christian celebration. And really, that's truly what it is. Sure, it has been reappropriated in some respects so as to be commercial and more universal to non-Christian and non-religious views; but still, at its heart is the birth of Christ, and that's what I myself will always see and love it as! The humble, trusting nature of Astra in God really brings that to light and so I'm really glad to have this as a new Christmas read.
Best wishes for the holiday season and with many joyful re-reads to come, this book is an easy five stars!
September 11, 2011
Astra Everson, a twenty year-old orphan, has been living with her cousin’s family for two years. She has barely been able to put up with their modern ways and the trickery and lies of Clytie, the cousin her age.
Finally, when all but she are on vacation, she decides to leave. She finds to her horror that her money has been stolen, but she sells some things to get money for her trip.
On the train back to her hometown, Astra’s secretarial skills are called upon to help a dying man with his last business. The young man who asks for help, Charles Cameron, is impressed by her skill and the prayer she says for the old man on his deathbed.
With some business yet to be concluded, Astra and Charles meet again after the man dies.
Their acquaintance grows into friendship, and friendship into love.
At Christmastime, Charles asks Astra to care for his sister’s children as she is away on vacation.
The night ends beautifully. But there are obstacles—a young woman wearing a mink coat and Astra’s greedy cousin. . . .
This story is entertaining but average. Strange as it may seem, our family doesn’t celebrate Christmas for reasons of faith and principal, so reading of Christmas was not so pleasant for me. (Of which I can say of any novel about Christmas.) I don’t like how Charles’ salvation, also, was not spoken of much, and it didn’t clearly say that he had been saved. Again, as in most of Mrs. Hill’s novels, the story is too focused on emotional romance and the main characters are perfectly good looking. . . . But there are some good points to the book as well. I liked the picturesque description of Handel’s Messiah.
Finally, when all but she are on vacation, she decides to leave. She finds to her horror that her money has been stolen, but she sells some things to get money for her trip.
On the train back to her hometown, Astra’s secretarial skills are called upon to help a dying man with his last business. The young man who asks for help, Charles Cameron, is impressed by her skill and the prayer she says for the old man on his deathbed.
With some business yet to be concluded, Astra and Charles meet again after the man dies.
Their acquaintance grows into friendship, and friendship into love.
At Christmastime, Charles asks Astra to care for his sister’s children as she is away on vacation.
The night ends beautifully. But there are obstacles—a young woman wearing a mink coat and Astra’s greedy cousin. . . .
This story is entertaining but average. Strange as it may seem, our family doesn’t celebrate Christmas for reasons of faith and principal, so reading of Christmas was not so pleasant for me. (Of which I can say of any novel about Christmas.) I don’t like how Charles’ salvation, also, was not spoken of much, and it didn’t clearly say that he had been saved. Again, as in most of Mrs. Hill’s novels, the story is too focused on emotional romance and the main characters are perfectly good looking. . . . But there are some good points to the book as well. I liked the picturesque description of Handel’s Messiah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2021
After her father died, Astra went to live with her married cousin and teenage daughter. Her cousin loved her but her cousin's husband was iffy, and the spoiled teenage daughter took advantage of Astra's generosity as often as she could, even to the point of theft.
Having already decided to move out of her cousin's house, there was difficulty getting money together to make the trip because the daughter took all her money just before the family left for vacation in California.
On the trip back to her hometown, an odd incident happened where she was called upon to be a stenographer for a gentleman who was dying on the train. She helped him put his last desires on paper. This event brought about a relationship she hadn't expected.
The book ran slowly for so long, then suddenly there was just a quick conclusion. There were declarations of love when just a few days before Astra thought she and Charles Cameron were just strangers getting to know each other.
A few loose ends that weren't explained very well. Did her cousin's daughter ever face her theft? Her cousin's husband was caught doing something illegal, but it all happened so quickly, with no satisfaction of justice, nor the impact on her cousin's family. Other incidents were left unexplained, but it was still pretty good book.
Having already decided to move out of her cousin's house, there was difficulty getting money together to make the trip because the daughter took all her money just before the family left for vacation in California.
On the trip back to her hometown, an odd incident happened where she was called upon to be a stenographer for a gentleman who was dying on the train. She helped him put his last desires on paper. This event brought about a relationship she hadn't expected.
The book ran slowly for so long, then suddenly there was just a quick conclusion. There were declarations of love when just a few days before Astra thought she and Charles Cameron were just strangers getting to know each other.
A few loose ends that weren't explained very well. Did her cousin's daughter ever face her theft? Her cousin's husband was caught doing something illegal, but it all happened so quickly, with no satisfaction of justice, nor the impact on her cousin's family. Other incidents were left unexplained, but it was still pretty good book.
February 11, 2015
For His Glory
Another good book of faith in God and family heritage. Choosing to live a life serving God and trusting God to work out the difficulties when major changes need to be made. I enjoyed the two main characters and the developing relationship.
Another good book of faith in God and family heritage. Choosing to live a life serving God and trusting God to work out the difficulties when major changes need to be made. I enjoyed the two main characters and the developing relationship.
January 31, 2016
Pretty typical GLH novel, and I love it. Delightfully predictable and lots of Christian dialog. I would call this one of her more romantic and less preachy, but considering it’s GLH that’s really not saying much. I always love her characters.
December 15, 2024
My second Hill Christmas read. I really liked this one. While Astra is a kind soul as are all Hill's female protagonists, she has a feistiness that makes her stand out from the others. There were quite a few quotes in this one that I highlighted; I especially appreciated the part when Astra's father tells her that "nothing is too small to bring to God in prayer."
January 19, 2021
🎄A classic Christian story written in 1940 and published in 1941, set primarily in the Philadelphia area. Pearl Harbor has not yet been bombed so the war is not mentioned in this book. It’s got a Christmas theme. The story of the baby born in Bethlehem is mixed in with Santa Claus, presents, Handel’s Messiah, and Christmas decorations.🎄
The author writes about the lights outside, on homes, trees, along the street — red and green Christmas lights. I think that invention was still a novelty, especially for an older author born in 1865. In her earlier books, she called them “colored electrics” but that designation seems to have faded.
I liked this descriptive metaphor of snowflakes and Christmas lights, as viewed from a train : The flakes were larger now, and whiter, giving a decided whiteness to the atmosphere. The next small town that hurried into view ahead showed up a merry string of lights along the business street. They brought out the whirling flakes in giddy relief, as if flakes and lights were in league for the holiday season, bound to make the most of their powers.
The romance is more credible than some others this author has created. The hero Charlie Cameron is an independent young businessman who invented something that the military might find useful, but we aren’t told what it is. I liked how he completely ignored his bossy, manipulative and managing elder sisters. The heroine is an orphan with enough spunk to leave her mean-spirited cousin and strike out alone with only a few dollars. The two spend enough meaningful time together to actually fall in love, believably.
Animal furs were commonly worn, back then. The rich competition wears a mink coat. Astra, the heroine, wears a gray squirrel coat and hat:
It was a simple little dress of soft heavenly blue that matched her eyes and brought out gold tints in her hair, brought also a faint pink tinge to her cheeks. This and her gray squirrel coat made a lovely combination. And there was a small hat with a band of squirrel curling about the crown like a feather. She looked very nice in it, and her cheeks were rosy with pleasant anticipation.
I liked the descriptions of the train, chugging through the snow from “the west” (from Chicago, LOL!). The train has an interesting arrangement of sleeping berths, for extra cost:
She was glad to arrive quietly where most of the berths were made up, a long aisle of drawn curtains, the people behind them asleep. She found in her own section was a lower berth made up, the upper not even let down. She had a passing gratitude for the thoughtfulness of the young man who had ordered it.
Characters are varied. A kind porter on the train. Three young children, alone on Christmas Day. There’s also an interfering sister, a kind old lawyer, a drunken cook, a nasty cousin, a few criminals, a devious uncle....
The storyline includes scriptures and some discussions about faith, but the evangelizing doesn’t overwhelm the story completely, as is sometimes the case with this author. However, I did NOT agree with how Astra began her storytelling of Bethlehem. Little children ages 2, 5, and 7 do not understand sin, death, punishment and condemnation. Also, when rebuking the kids for rudeness to the intrusive visitor, I felt Astra used religion as her weapon, depicting God as judging. These are young children. The author lost a point for this reason.
This holiday read has the feeling of a sentimental walk through history. It’s not compelling or even very memorable, because the plot is somewhat glossed over, but it is historically interesting and mostly pleasant.
The author writes about the lights outside, on homes, trees, along the street — red and green Christmas lights. I think that invention was still a novelty, especially for an older author born in 1865. In her earlier books, she called them “colored electrics” but that designation seems to have faded.
I liked this descriptive metaphor of snowflakes and Christmas lights, as viewed from a train : The flakes were larger now, and whiter, giving a decided whiteness to the atmosphere. The next small town that hurried into view ahead showed up a merry string of lights along the business street. They brought out the whirling flakes in giddy relief, as if flakes and lights were in league for the holiday season, bound to make the most of their powers.
The romance is more credible than some others this author has created. The hero Charlie Cameron is an independent young businessman who invented something that the military might find useful, but we aren’t told what it is. I liked how he completely ignored his bossy, manipulative and managing elder sisters. The heroine is an orphan with enough spunk to leave her mean-spirited cousin and strike out alone with only a few dollars. The two spend enough meaningful time together to actually fall in love, believably.
Animal furs were commonly worn, back then. The rich competition wears a mink coat. Astra, the heroine, wears a gray squirrel coat and hat:
It was a simple little dress of soft heavenly blue that matched her eyes and brought out gold tints in her hair, brought also a faint pink tinge to her cheeks. This and her gray squirrel coat made a lovely combination. And there was a small hat with a band of squirrel curling about the crown like a feather. She looked very nice in it, and her cheeks were rosy with pleasant anticipation.
I liked the descriptions of the train, chugging through the snow from “the west” (from Chicago, LOL!). The train has an interesting arrangement of sleeping berths, for extra cost:
She was glad to arrive quietly where most of the berths were made up, a long aisle of drawn curtains, the people behind them asleep. She found in her own section was a lower berth made up, the upper not even let down. She had a passing gratitude for the thoughtfulness of the young man who had ordered it.
Characters are varied. A kind porter on the train. Three young children, alone on Christmas Day. There’s also an interfering sister, a kind old lawyer, a drunken cook, a nasty cousin, a few criminals, a devious uncle....
The storyline includes scriptures and some discussions about faith, but the evangelizing doesn’t overwhelm the story completely, as is sometimes the case with this author. However, I did NOT agree with how Astra began her storytelling of Bethlehem. Little children ages 2, 5, and 7 do not understand sin, death, punishment and condemnation. Also, when rebuking the kids for rudeness to the intrusive visitor, I felt Astra used religion as her weapon, depicting God as judging. These are young children. The author lost a point for this reason.
This holiday read has the feeling of a sentimental walk through history. It’s not compelling or even very memorable, because the plot is somewhat glossed over, but it is historically interesting and mostly pleasant.
January 15, 2013
I really like a lot of these Grace Livingston Hill books. They are a pleasure to read. I didn't enjoy this one as much as others I have read, but it was still nice.
The best thing about the romances by GLH are the sweet parts about homemaking, hospitality, and family life. There is less of that in this book, so I wasn't as interested.
Basically, the main character is rewarded for her helpfulness in different situations. The good qualities of the heroine are contrasted with the qualities of the bad characters. The extremes are almost funny, though they are not meant to be.
Sometimes I have to smile at the old-fashioned notions in these books, but in some ways they are no worse than some of the more modern historical-fiction Christian romances of today...filled with silliness but still enjoyable to read.
The best thing about the romances by GLH are the sweet parts about homemaking, hospitality, and family life. There is less of that in this book, so I wasn't as interested.
Basically, the main character is rewarded for her helpfulness in different situations. The good qualities of the heroine are contrasted with the qualities of the bad characters. The extremes are almost funny, though they are not meant to be.
Sometimes I have to smile at the old-fashioned notions in these books, but in some ways they are no worse than some of the more modern historical-fiction Christian romances of today...filled with silliness but still enjoyable to read.
October 29, 2018
A tad cheesy, but a good, wholesome romance novel.
May 26, 2012
I was on a Grace Livingston Hill kick a while back and read several of her novels. They are always quaint and old-fashioned, sometimes a little preachy, but almost always a nice relaxing read.
June 28, 2021
Really not sure how to rate this book...so I'm going in the middle and giving it a solid 3.
Honestly, re-readability would probably be a 5 for me (it was an easy read, I liked the characters, it was a Christmas setting, which would be fun to re-read in December, it was a sweet romance), but the insta-love thing was terrible! One of the worst for GLH - and that is saying a lot! The main characters literally know each other for maybe 5 days before getting engaged and quickly married...If you can get past that, this was actually a great book! Very sweet, loved the characters. But I just can't get past the insta-love!
Honestly, re-readability would probably be a 5 for me (it was an easy read, I liked the characters, it was a Christmas setting, which would be fun to re-read in December, it was a sweet romance), but the insta-love thing was terrible! One of the worst for GLH - and that is saying a lot! The main characters literally know each other for maybe 5 days before getting engaged and quickly married...If you can get past that, this was actually a great book! Very sweet, loved the characters. But I just can't get past the insta-love!
November 6, 2023
A beautiful read
I have never been disappointed when reading anything by Grace Livingston Hill. The stories ring true even now and are a wonderful encouragement to genuine Christian living. I hope and pray that I can live up to the standards so consistently shown in the attitudes, thoughts, and words of the characters. Would that many more people would read then and take them to heart!
I have never been disappointed when reading anything by Grace Livingston Hill. The stories ring true even now and are a wonderful encouragement to genuine Christian living. I hope and pray that I can live up to the standards so consistently shown in the attitudes, thoughts, and words of the characters. Would that many more people would read then and take them to heart!
September 30, 2020
Sweet Christian story to lose yourself in
Wonderful story set at Christmas with lovely detail and memorable characters. Written in time period set so it's like walking back in time! Unashamedly moral story. Really enjoyed!
Wonderful story set at Christmas with lovely detail and memorable characters. Written in time period set so it's like walking back in time! Unashamedly moral story. Really enjoyed!
November 19, 2019
I have read all of Grace Livingston Hill's books and love them. Such a sweet picture of love.
November 20, 2019
Middle-of-the-road GLH.
May 23, 2021
I think this may be my favorite of all of Grace Livingston Hill's books. It is a great story with many twists and turns and a great Christmas message. I love everything about it.
September 10, 2023
This was an interesting book. Really enjoyed following the characters through their lives.
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November 30, 2019Sweet love
I love Mrs Hill's sweet romances with salvation and serving God as the center of her stories. They're based in times people tend to think as better than today with clear rights and wrongs. Astra is sweet and giving.
I love Mrs Hill's sweet romances with salvation and serving God as the center of her stories. They're based in times people tend to think as better than today with clear rights and wrongs. Astra is sweet and giving.
September 18, 2021
Very enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews