What do you think?
Rate this book
Lone Point
Grace Livingston Hill created a moving portrayal of opposite outlooks on life in this summer romance. Maria Hammond is only happy when things are going perfectly right, while her sister Rachel can find a rainbow in any situation. When the family finances plunge, their large home in the city is rented and the family moves to a lowly cottage at Lone Point. Will a minister on vacation by the sea be able to help Maria change her perspective on life, or will her attempts to be selfless and good end up being only a facade to attract more attention?
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1898
66 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
572 books564 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 15, 2020
I didn’t much care for this book. It was boring, imo. I wanted to shake petulant Maria. Written in 1897, it does allow a glimpse into the culture, speech, and industry / technology of the time period.
April 12, 2022
At about the halfway point in this book, I was pretty amazed that this was a GLH book. One of her earliest works, it showed her lack of skills. Yet, the second half was better, so it bumped it up to three stars.
Yes, there are some old-fashioned notions that seem odd to us now. Some things that shocked the book characters in this story seem rather silly things to be shocked about. Perhaps that shows we aren't as legalistic about some things and perhaps it shows we've forgotten how to treat some things as precious as we ought.
Yes, there are some old-fashioned notions that seem odd to us now. Some things that shocked the book characters in this story seem rather silly things to be shocked about. Perhaps that shows we aren't as legalistic about some things and perhaps it shows we've forgotten how to treat some things as precious as we ought.
January 31, 2013
If you and your sister are in a place where she does nothing but cut you down, then this is the book for you to read. The older sister is named Maria, the younger sister is named Rachel. The father loses a lot of money through the fraudulent practices of his business partner. The family rents a small cottage for $75 for the summer while another family is willing to pay $400 to rent Rachel and Maria's city home. The father does this in an effort to gain a little money after his big business loss. Maria HATES the fact that they are "poor" now, and takes all of her anger out on Rachel. Two young men, also summering at the beach, get involved in this romance, and major changes occur in their lives. One of them is a young minister who has decided not to tell anyone that he is a minister while he is at the beach because he doesn't want to get talked into giving any sermons at the little church while he is there getting his "well-deserved" rest. The other person is a wealthy young man that Maria knows from high school. She shrinks from having him see her in these reduced circumstances. It was written in 1903, and gives some good advice about not letting outward circumstances dictate inward feelings. The book has many funny parts in it, and many thought-provoking circumstances, also. Rachel decides to try and put the Biblical injunction to "share her faith" into practice by getting to know the big family with the empty beer bottles on their front porch. Maria throws a FIT about that! It's funny, but so true to humanity.
September 14, 2016
The Never Changing Battle
Nice little story that shows Ms. Livingston's desire to humble the minds of her readers that might have been social class haughty. Perhaps she wanted to show the unhappiness, which often comes with trying to please a certain class level.
Nice little story that shows Ms. Livingston's desire to humble the minds of her readers that might have been social class haughty. Perhaps she wanted to show the unhappiness, which often comes with trying to please a certain class level.
November 16, 2015
A Sweet Romance
As usual, Grace has written a romance of sweet feelings and tenderness toward Christ. Her stories are timeless as the problems of yesteryear are faced again today.
As usual, Grace has written a romance of sweet feelings and tenderness toward Christ. Her stories are timeless as the problems of yesteryear are faced again today.
November 16, 2019
When the Hammonds lost their money, they had to rent out their beautiful home and spend the summer at a decrepit cottage on the seashore. While younger sister Rachel is thrilled to be by the sea no matter the circumstances, older sister Maria is humiliated and chagrined by her change in circumstances. But God has a plan for these two sisters, and it unfolds during the summer at Lone Point. Perhaps not one of my most favorite GLH novel, it nevertheless has some pointed reminders about learning to live like Christ.
March 19, 2022
Grace Livingston Hill's "Lone Point" is a romantic religious story about two sisters and their immense differences in temperament and the way they look at life. I had liked Rachel at first and grew to love Maria, which I had thought would not happen. Grace has a wonderful way of bringing both message of God and romance which is always so uplifting. This time a young minister is in the mix as well as many other characters and especially a vixen. One interesting point about a dream that became reality which seem unlikely to be true but it was noted to be true.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 222
“Lest criticism of the unreality of this incident should be called forth, it may be said that the dream and its accompanying coincidences were taken, exactly as told, from the writer’s own experience.“
Story in short- After financial troubles the Hammonds look to save money by renting out there home and renting a small cottage. Maria is mortified that her rich friends are staying at another hotel not far away.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert ❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
I was happy with the ending and that Nannette did not ruin Howard's feeling towards Maria. She helped him become a better minister and he helped her find Christ.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 1
It went very much against the grain with Maria Hammond to have to wait until late for the pretty to buy with careful hand and long-hoarded savings, for until recently she had been used to buying when and what she pleased since she could remember. Maria had taken more bitterly her father’s change of fortune than any of the other members of the family. The
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2
others had looked on the bright side of things and cheerfully told each other how good it was that matters were no worse; that the father had not fallen ill physically under the heavy burden that had been placed upon him by the fraud of a trusted partner; that the dear beautiful home where the three children had been born was saved to them, with a little—a very little, it is true, but still a little—with which to keep things going, and best of all, that all the creditors had been fully paid.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 8
“She is nothing but an absurd child!” exclaimed her sister. “Papa, surely you are not going to encourage her in such plebeian notions. I’m sure I’d rather die respectably than go away for the summer in such a disgraceful manner.” And she sat back in her chair with a sneer. “My daughter,” said Mr. Hammond, looking straight at Maria, “I am ashamed if a child of mine has come to the place where she can say such a thing as that. You do not mean it. And as for this ‘notion’ as you are pleased to term it, it is nothing new to me. I have long thought that I could save a good deal and make matters mend in our pecuniary affairs much more quickly if I could rent this house. Indeed, I had an offer last week of four hundred dollars for this place, stable and all, from now till the first of October. The reason I declined the offer was not on account of any such frivolous and unworthy motives as you have expressed, but simply because I knew of no cheaper place
Highlight (Yellow) and Note | Page 8
where my family could be comfortable while the house was earning the four hundred dollars.” “I should think not!” put in Maria with red, excited face. It meant a great deal to her, this question of fashion, and what her little world of “they” would think and say. It meant all that she now cared for in life, though she would not have believed it if she had been told that this was true of her. But her father went on in his calm tone:
***Rachel Hamond had mentioned to her sister about what her friend, the Parkers do for the summer and Maria her older sister complains to her parents about such ideas. Mr. Hammond has been cheated in his business by his partner.and their wealth status has changed significantly which upsets Maria. Winthrop helps his father at the store. Mr. Hammond is interested in the idea of renting their home and staying near the ocean to save money.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 12
“Yes, it would be very nice and just the thing. I would do it in a minute if it only were not for the girls’ sake. I hate to do it when they are so opposed.” And her father’s weary tones answered: “It is Maria that is opposed,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 13
not both of them, remember, and things are as they are. Maria may come to worse trouble if we do not do this.” “Yes,” said the mother sadly, “but Maria is the oldest, you know, and just at the age when everything of this sort makes so much difference to her. It might hurt her future life, my dear.” “Nonsense!” said her father rather sharply, although he felt the truth of what his wife was saying, keenly enough. “If Maria’s future is to be hurt by the fact that her father
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 13
rented his home to good, respectable people for a few months, and went to a quiet, unfashionable place to stay during that time, I think it had better be hurt. It seems to me that friends who are affected by such things are not worth the having.” But he sighed again as he came down the stairs, his face wearing a careworn expression. Maria’s heart beat fast and the tears came into her eyes. She had not realized that she was making her loved father so much trouble. Her impulsive nature at once forgot all about any personal sacrifices, and rushing up to her father, she drew him into the door of the sitting room they were passing, and throwing her arms about his neck, begged him to forgive her for all she had said, and not to mind her in the least in anything he wished to do, that she would try to be as helpful as she could.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 16
Poor Maria! Don’t be too hard upon her. Her heart was very heavy during these days. She discovered a day or two before they flitted to the shore that the place selected was but a mile from a fashionable summer resort of which she had often heard as being at the very height of refined and aristocratic summer haunts. She also discovered to her dismay that the De Veres of the West End of the city, who were very wealthy and literary and cultured,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 16
had taken a cottage there.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 222
“Lest criticism of the unreality of this incident should be called forth, it may be said that the dream and its accompanying coincidences were taken, exactly as told, from the writer’s own experience.“
Story in short- After financial troubles the Hammonds look to save money by renting out there home and renting a small cottage. Maria is mortified that her rich friends are staying at another hotel not far away.
❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert ❌❌❌❌❌❌❌
I was happy with the ending and that Nannette did not ruin Howard's feeling towards Maria. She helped him become a better minister and he helped her find Christ.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 1
It went very much against the grain with Maria Hammond to have to wait until late for the pretty to buy with careful hand and long-hoarded savings, for until recently she had been used to buying when and what she pleased since she could remember. Maria had taken more bitterly her father’s change of fortune than any of the other members of the family. The
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2
others had looked on the bright side of things and cheerfully told each other how good it was that matters were no worse; that the father had not fallen ill physically under the heavy burden that had been placed upon him by the fraud of a trusted partner; that the dear beautiful home where the three children had been born was saved to them, with a little—a very little, it is true, but still a little—with which to keep things going, and best of all, that all the creditors had been fully paid.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 8
“She is nothing but an absurd child!” exclaimed her sister. “Papa, surely you are not going to encourage her in such plebeian notions. I’m sure I’d rather die respectably than go away for the summer in such a disgraceful manner.” And she sat back in her chair with a sneer. “My daughter,” said Mr. Hammond, looking straight at Maria, “I am ashamed if a child of mine has come to the place where she can say such a thing as that. You do not mean it. And as for this ‘notion’ as you are pleased to term it, it is nothing new to me. I have long thought that I could save a good deal and make matters mend in our pecuniary affairs much more quickly if I could rent this house. Indeed, I had an offer last week of four hundred dollars for this place, stable and all, from now till the first of October. The reason I declined the offer was not on account of any such frivolous and unworthy motives as you have expressed, but simply because I knew of no cheaper place
Highlight (Yellow) and Note | Page 8
where my family could be comfortable while the house was earning the four hundred dollars.” “I should think not!” put in Maria with red, excited face. It meant a great deal to her, this question of fashion, and what her little world of “they” would think and say. It meant all that she now cared for in life, though she would not have believed it if she had been told that this was true of her. But her father went on in his calm tone:
***Rachel Hamond had mentioned to her sister about what her friend, the Parkers do for the summer and Maria her older sister complains to her parents about such ideas. Mr. Hammond has been cheated in his business by his partner.and their wealth status has changed significantly which upsets Maria. Winthrop helps his father at the store. Mr. Hammond is interested in the idea of renting their home and staying near the ocean to save money.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 12
“Yes, it would be very nice and just the thing. I would do it in a minute if it only were not for the girls’ sake. I hate to do it when they are so opposed.” And her father’s weary tones answered: “It is Maria that is opposed,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 13
not both of them, remember, and things are as they are. Maria may come to worse trouble if we do not do this.” “Yes,” said the mother sadly, “but Maria is the oldest, you know, and just at the age when everything of this sort makes so much difference to her. It might hurt her future life, my dear.” “Nonsense!” said her father rather sharply, although he felt the truth of what his wife was saying, keenly enough. “If Maria’s future is to be hurt by the fact that her father
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 13
rented his home to good, respectable people for a few months, and went to a quiet, unfashionable place to stay during that time, I think it had better be hurt. It seems to me that friends who are affected by such things are not worth the having.” But he sighed again as he came down the stairs, his face wearing a careworn expression. Maria’s heart beat fast and the tears came into her eyes. She had not realized that she was making her loved father so much trouble. Her impulsive nature at once forgot all about any personal sacrifices, and rushing up to her father, she drew him into the door of the sitting room they were passing, and throwing her arms about his neck, begged him to forgive her for all she had said, and not to mind her in the least in anything he wished to do, that she would try to be as helpful as she could.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 16
Poor Maria! Don’t be too hard upon her. Her heart was very heavy during these days. She discovered a day or two before they flitted to the shore that the place selected was but a mile from a fashionable summer resort of which she had often heard as being at the very height of refined and aristocratic summer haunts. She also discovered to her dismay that the De Veres of the West End of the city, who were very wealthy and literary and cultured,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 16
had taken a cottage there.
November 3, 2012
A good read, but Maria annoyed me. She was spoiled and selfish for over half the book. By that time, I found I didn't want to read about her anymore.
January 3, 2022
This was definitely not one of my favorites by GLH. Probably a 1.5 star review, rounded up because it wasn't as bad as some others. Let me tell you why...
First and most importantly, I didn't enjoy the narration style. I don't necessarily mind a third person omniscient narrator, HOWEVER a third person omniscient narrator who constantly feels the need to commentate on the characters actions and the believability of the plot line is too much. The entire book felt like I was being told a story by some far away relative who wanted to share a story about her grand-niece and her romance escapades. And it was too long for a front porch story.
Secondly, the main characters were difficult to bear. Maria was just so incredibly selfish most of the book that even when the omniscient narrator tried to tell us that she really wasn't that bad, I found myself not believing it! She just had the worst attitude of any main character...and she barely even noticed it to change! And when she did start to change, it was almost towards the end of the book so we didn't really get to see the change on page.
And Rachel was such a self-righteous ninny that I almost couldn't stand her either. Rachel's line at the very end clinched my dislike - something to the effect of how excited she was to finally have a minister in the family that she could ask all her religious questions to, and now a minister's wife too! As if Maria marrying a minister somehow changed her entire personality and gave her wisdom and knowledge heretofore unknown to herself! As if she hadn't spent the entire book praying for Maria, wishing that Maria was something other than she was, basically being and more spiritual than Maria in literally every way, only to now put her on a little tin-god pedestal as a "minister's wife" that she can now go to for spiritual wisdom. Ugh! This is EXACTLY what was wrong with the religious culture of the early 1900s!
Overall, I'm now wondering why I'm not rating this a 1 star. And I am honestly contemplating changing it...but I feel like I didn't hate it like Amorelle or Dawn of the Morning...and I'm feeling generous today. A New Year, a New More Generous me!
First and most importantly, I didn't enjoy the narration style. I don't necessarily mind a third person omniscient narrator, HOWEVER a third person omniscient narrator who constantly feels the need to commentate on the characters actions and the believability of the plot line is too much. The entire book felt like I was being told a story by some far away relative who wanted to share a story about her grand-niece and her romance escapades. And it was too long for a front porch story.
Secondly, the main characters were difficult to bear. Maria was just so incredibly selfish most of the book that even when the omniscient narrator tried to tell us that she really wasn't that bad, I found myself not believing it! She just had the worst attitude of any main character...and she barely even noticed it to change! And when she did start to change, it was almost towards the end of the book so we didn't really get to see the change on page.
And Rachel was such a self-righteous ninny that I almost couldn't stand her either. Rachel's line at the very end clinched my dislike - something to the effect of how excited she was to finally have a minister in the family that she could ask all her religious questions to, and now a minister's wife too! As if Maria marrying a minister somehow changed her entire personality and gave her wisdom and knowledge heretofore unknown to herself! As if she hadn't spent the entire book praying for Maria, wishing that Maria was something other than she was, basically being and more spiritual than Maria in literally every way, only to now put her on a little tin-god pedestal as a "minister's wife" that she can now go to for spiritual wisdom. Ugh! This is EXACTLY what was wrong with the religious culture of the early 1900s!
Overall, I'm now wondering why I'm not rating this a 1 star. And I am honestly contemplating changing it...but I feel like I didn't hate it like Amorelle or Dawn of the Morning...and I'm feeling generous today. A New Year, a New More Generous me!
May 29, 2020
My least favorite story in the bindup I have
February 25, 2021
The kind of book that makes you stop and take a good long look at yourself and your attitudes & behaviors.
February 3, 2023
Not my favorite
Not one of my favorites of Grace, the ending was good. None of the characters seemed to be devloped well by the end of the story.
Not one of my favorites of Grace, the ending was good. None of the characters seemed to be devloped well by the end of the story.
October 11, 2021
I did not enjoy this novel at all - which was unexpected, because I love GLH's writing. It is my least favorite of all her books. I just couldn't get into it at all.
August 25, 2025
4.5 stars
I love how all the little real life, day to day details bring this novel to life.
I love how all the little real life, day to day details bring this novel to life.
Want to read
August 2, 2013Two in one book with Because of Stephen
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews