Found Treasure

by Grace Livingston Hill

Effie Martin was humiliated! Lawrence Earle, the football hero, was coming back from college, and all the girls were planning a big picnic for him. She had been planning to go, too―until she overheard the girls saying they didn't want her along because she was too rough, too much of a tomboy. Well, she'd show them. She could be as much a lady as any of them!

Or could she? Almost immediately Effie found herself caught in a struggle between “acting ladylike” and being herself―a struggle she was afraid of losing. Then suddenly, wonderfully, an act of heroism throws Effie into an extraordinary friendship with the football star himself! And she begins the thrilling journey of becoming a woman who understands strong faith and lasting love.

Grace Livingston Hill is the beloved author of more than 100 books. Read and enjoyed by millions, her wholesome stories contain adventure, romance, and the heartwarming triumphs of people faced with the problems of life and love.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical

138 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1928

About the author

also 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

Reviews

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love GLH and this book was delightful. Effie made a bit of a different heroin from her normal ones, but shes now one of my favorites. Effie has real problems. Not nice clean ones that authors typically want to deal with. This girl has problems with laziness, and being to impetuous. She cares nothing for what anyone thinks. GLH tackled these problems that may seem small, but to Effie (and myself) they are very big. The whole development of Effie's character was beautiful. I loved it!!
And the ending was so perfect.
Overall, I don't think most modern authors would write a book like this. The style, and issues addressed were perfect though. I am so grateful GLH wrote books like this!

[Abigail Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a Great story, but I wish there was a little more to the end.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Effie Martin doesn't belong - a fact that's made perfectly clear by every last person around her. This is a story that made me wince more than a little - the harshness of non-conformity is painful to watch. The world wants Effie to fit in - and then she meets a boy who likes her as she is. Mostly.

I like how Effie takes a long hard look at herself, and tries hard to grow up and do the right thing. But it's hard to watch because I know that I have been that person in the past (and still am, who am I kidding?) that people look at and wish was a bit more...kinder? gentler? beautiful? something....?

So I give this one four stars because it made me uncomfortable. Though I suspect I might have to read it all over again later sometime, maybe when I have more courage to look myself in the eye.

[EuroHackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very odd little book. It's very much an ugly ducking tale: 16-year-old Effie Martin, carefree tomboy who cares not a whit what other people think of her, overhears a scathing setdown of her entire being by a group of gossiping girls and is utterly devastated by it. All she wanted to do was join them for a drive and a picnic, and they talked about how awful she was at being a girl, and how poorly it would reflect on them if they dared let her join their little company.

Effie is a pretty awful person, utterly self-absorbed, but nobody wants to hear all of their faults picked apart by classmates. She vows to make herself over, head to toe, and goes about it pretty clumsily, all except for learning how to sew some flattering clothes. On the day of the ride/picnic, Effie heads out of town in the other direction, not even wanting to run into the girls who were disparaging her, and ends up saving a little boy's life when she finds him in a runaway, driverless carriage. And who should happen upon her but the glamorous Lawrence Earle, the very man all the other girls were so a-twitter about?

Earle is basically the first person who's ever been consistently kind to Effie in her life, and she positively glows in his presence. He tells her that the foundation of his happiness is his evangelical belief in God, and tells her that it can be the foundation for her happiness, too. There's much made of the meaning of her name - Euphemia - as "good report," and how she can make a good report of herself if she accepts Jesus as her lord and savior.

She does, and of course the ugly duckling that nobody wants transforms into the young woman that everyone envies. She manages to change her entire personality, losing all of her backbone and becoming as selfless as she had been selfish before. She only has a few days of Lawrence Earle's company (during which time he mostly preaches to her) before he's swept away under family obligations, and then a desire to be a missionary in India, but from that moment on she hero-worships him.

Five years pass as Effie transforms herself into the pretty, selfless, timid Euphemia. By the time Lawrence Earle returns to their hometown, he's amazed at how much everyone absolutely loves her now and has nothing but wonderful things to say about her.

And then the story ends, before he actually returns to his mother's house or sees Effie again. It's hinted that he's come home to be part of some Grand Project, but yeah. The story comes full circle, because as much as nobody wanted to invite her on a picnic at the beginning of the book, suddenly everyone wants Euphemia's company by the end. Otherwise, the story abruptly ends with a lot of loose threads still hanging about.

There is absolutely NO subtlety in this story. It's on par with Marcia Schuyler for how much it celebrates its heroine and badmouths her jealous, vain older sister. Maybe that's a GLH template?

There is no romance, beyond successive generations of girls cooing over Lawrence Earle, and all the unhappy marriages that the original set of girls make, due to their vanity and selfishness. There is a LOT of evangelical Christianity here, an almost cringy amount even for an "inspirational" novel. Definitely not a favorite.

Find more vintage romance reviews at The Vintage Romance Reader

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah Effie - when you eavesdrop, you sometimes hear things that you don't like! Effie is listening behind the hedge when her older sister and friends start discussing her. She is a tomboy. Her clothes look terrible. She chews her nails. And on and on. They are planning a day trip and hoping to capture a young fellow just home from college as their prize for the day. But they sure don't want Effie along; she would just be an embarrassment.

So, in a spirit of bitterness, Effie departs early in the morning on her bicycle taking a route that she is sure her sister and friends won't find her on. She is just in time to rescue a child who is trapped in a delivery wagon behind a runaway horse. And who should turn up to help her but the young college fellow who is out for a drive to escape the planned picnic. Effie and Lawrence take some time to get to know each other, and he gives her some great help in how to overcome some of the problems that are plaguing her. And he leads her to meet another Friend who will be a helper all her days.

This was a good read, but had a sudden, abrupt, and unsatisfying ending. A little unusual for Grace's books.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be an excellent book for young teenaged girls. It seems like it's going to be a romance, but the focus is about growing in maturity in Christ. I would've given 4 stars, but there was some overkill towards the end that was just a bit too sweet and perfect.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 2 out of 5]

About this book:

“Effie Martin was humiliated! Lawrence Earle, the football hero, was coming back from college, and all the girls were planning a big picnic for him. She had been planning to go, too--until she overheard the girls saying they didn't want her along because she was too rough, too much of a tomboy. Well, she'd show them. She could be as much a lady as any of them!
Or could she? Almost immediately Effie found herself caught in a struggle between "acting ladylike" and being herself--a struggle she was afraid of losing. Then suddenly, wonderfully, an act of heroism throws Effie into an extraordinary friendship with the football star himself! And she begins the thrilling journey of becoming a woman who understands strong faith and lasting love.”


Spiritual Content- Proverbs 22:1 at the front & Philippians 4:8 gets quoted a few times; Guardian angels are mentioned; Lawrence has a strong Faith and witness to Effie; Prayers & a Scripture are said; Talks about God & knowing Him.

Negative Content- Ugly, hate and wanting to die because nobody likes you (Effie feels like this); a flask gets emptied by others.

Sexual Content- *Spoiler* When Eleanor gets married Euphemia says she can make Eleanor’s lingerie (nothing is said about what Eleanor will use it for, except that when Effie’s making it she says it’s underwear). *End of Spoiler*


-Euphemia “Effie” Martin
-Lawrence Earle
P.O.V. switches between them in a narration form.
Set in 1928 (but skips 5 years, then 1, then 3, then 2.)
140 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)


“Found Treasure”, well, before the middle of the book, I was dreading finishing it! Effie was so annoying, rude & and just plain hateful! Many times I wanted to smack her (I know, I know, that’s wrong but honestly!) She (finally!) got better but then her bratty, selfish older sister took the hateful show over. Lawrence was the only good part in this book.


Link to review:
Coming 8/8/14


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Barbour) for this review.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well the cover says, 'a novel of enduring romance' but that was certainly not a romance. Other than that disappointment, the story was very sweet and adorable. (And just normal by G.L. Hill standards)

I felt bad for Effie right away, although her constant impulsiveness certainly could have been more annoying, had it persisted. But it was that exact personality which saved a life, and it obviously turned out for good. Effie's desire to think on things lovely, of good report, etc., was beautifully threaded throughout the book.

Like all G.L. Hill heroes, Lawrence was just precious. His snub of those annoying girls was great. The annoying girls ... well, they were certainly annoying, but probably a milder version of today's annoying girls. They were absolutely terrible, though, especially Eleanor.

The setting was amazing, as usual. Captured just how I would think. I love the 1920's/30's. If you want to write a book set in 1920's or 30's America, G.L. Hill books, including this one, are pretty much must-reads.

[Lisa Rathbun]

A fine book by Hill. My biggest beef is with the publishers! Reprints from the '60s show tacky "flower-child" cover illustrations and these republications from the '80s show a badly researched attempt to vaguely suggest a time in the past while I guess still looking up-to-date. I wish they would use an illustration that pictures the characters looking as they are described in the story - from 1928! Anyway, cute story about a tomboyish girl who grows up into strong feminine loveliness. The book goes into details of particular days and then skips five years in a paragraph! It also ends rather suddenly, but it's still an OK read. For a transformation story, I much prefer "Ester Ried's Awakening" by Isabella Macdonald Alden, Hill's aunt.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! It's only 138 pages long. It's a short and good read. Throughout the book you see Effie's stage of conforming to transforming, which was written perfectly! If I could give 4.75 stars I would've. The ending for me was different from other Grace Livingston books I've read. I wish it would have been more detailed other than that, all-in-all it was a GREAT book!

[Cedar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Room left for your imagination...

This was a real found treasure! After reading and re-reading many Grace Livingstone Hill books, I found a new treasure... a story I had never read before! This was a real treasure, too, with room left for the imagination to fill in the final details...

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book/novella when I was a teen and I still love it. It's a sweet story about a girl who is transformed from a wild Tom-boy, into a wonderful girl who doesn't lose her love and ability in some of the more Tom-boyish areas.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Increased my rating after reading the second time. The message of letting God change a person's life is so powerful.

[Mary Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointed.

I love Grace L. Hill's books but I was disappointed with the ending. I wanted them to come together as a couple. It may infer it but just wanted to see it in print.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Idk guys…is there such a thing as too clean?? Because if there is, this is it.

This book is marketed as “a novel of enduring romance,” so, naturally, I think that is what most will expect: romance.

Ha ha, yeah. Fat chance.

Because romance, quite frankly, is not what you’ll get. What you will get is an extremely moralistic and unrealistic story about how a life-long Christian “found Christ” in one day and then became a completely different person overnight—with new name to boot.

I am a very serious Christian. BUT, that does not mean I was my ROMANCE NOVELS to turn into religious lectures. I don’t!!

The “romance,” if you could even call it that, is so incredibly unromantic it’s sickening—in fact, it never really goes beyond mutual respect. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for romances where the connection is predominantly spiritual, and I hate it when everything’s just about physical attraction/lust. HOWEVER.

There needs to be SOME chemistry, SOME spark of attraction to give the whole thing that dash of much needed spice.

The problem with GLH is that she moralizes so much that it would feel almost sacrilegious to throw some good ol’ human attraction into the mix. I mean, can YOU imagine talking about tingles and aching sensations and heat and all that other stuff in a conversation like THIS?!?

”Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just—“ he quoted, “whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
He was still for a minute and then added:
“There is One who will help you in that, Euphemia. I wonder if you have Him for your Friend and Savior? He is mine, and He is able go help in everything like that. I know, for I’ve tried it.

Mmmmmmm. Sooo romantic, am I right guys? This isn’t more like a trickster catechism in disguise AT ALL. Nope.

[Anna Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very much like the Leslie Caron version of Cinderella, called 'The Glass Slipper'.

Everyone despises Effie Martin, and with good reason. She fidgets in church, banging her knees against the pew in front of her. She runs between people, shouting, chasing boys. She's unkempt - rips her clothes up, soils them in play, and just keeps wearing them, anyhow. She 'calms' the baby by throwing him higher and higher in the air until he cracks his head against the chandelier.

Grace went OVER THE TOP in making Effie a real piece of work. Then when she realizes people don't like her, she shouts at them about how victim she is and locks herself in her room for crying jags. Lovely.

Yes, it gets MUCH better, but I wanted to throw it down SO. BADLY. while having to GET to the better part. And of course she learns and grows and accepts Christ, all by way of an older boy just come home from college. The one who taught her to pitch a ball, and who thinks she's far more 'real' than the prissy girls who have no physical or emotional fortitude. Lawrence is impressed by Effie's underlying heart, and helps her to blossom over the course of a few weeks time, only. ((!!!!)))

If you expect a happy ending, though... throw that thought right out. He's gone as quickly as he shows up - first, taking his mother to visit her dying sister in California, then both of them staying on to help with the surprise recuperation. Then going abroad with the aunt as she regains her strength, and then he takes a mission post in India.

Five years later, Lawrence is shown on a train, coming home, but the book abruptly ends before he ever arrives, so Effie/Euphemia (changed, like Saul/Paul) never sees him again in the book. Which was a real downer for me.

The story is good, but with the almost unbearable beginnings and absolute lack of a happy ending, I wasn't keen on this one. She has *FAR* better books.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wild tomboy wants to make something better of herself. She gets her chance by stopping a runaway horse towing a baby in a cart–I mean, she literally saves the baby from sudden death. Then who shows up but a football hero that all the girls are after, and he decides our heroine (Effie) is the girl for him. The real point of the story kicks in when the dream guy starts explaining his faith in Jesus Christ, and Effie is converted. He goes off as a missionary, and Effie transforms herself through prayer and bible study. Then what? Do they end up together? We never find out, because the story ends abruptly just as he comes home. We can only guess, and when there’s a romance at stake, we’d rather be sure.

[Lonzine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still A Favorite

This is one of my favorite books by Grace Livingston Hill. Her use of Philippians 4 inspires me to do as her main character Euphemia. Seek God to have a good report. This is a very short read, but like so many of her books, it calls one to live always according to God's higher , better standard for us. My only regret is that we don't get to read and share in the happy ending we can see coming.

[Maria Buchinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book for a book challenge. The prompt was "In Public Domain". This book is from 1928 and it’s absolutely delightful. I could have read it online but instead borrowed it from the library. It was in a section with some other older printed books.

The story itself was delightful and I enjoyed the transformation of Euphemia. I will definitely be reading more Grace Livingston Hill books.

Highly recommend.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like visiting an old friend

This is a book that I have lived since I was a girl. Is it fine literature? No. Last week I read a discussion about how a book earned 5 stars. One writer said she would only give 5 stars to s book she would read over and over. By that definition I am giving it my own 5 stars.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, sweet coming-of-age story. Euphemia learns to live up to her name, with God's help. Good feminine touches, a bit of domesticity, a bit of doing your duty even when it's difficult (and beginning sweeter & more Christlike because of it)....

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, coming of age story

Effie was a tomboy, but then a young man showed her a Bible verse about the meaning of her name, and her life was changed. Through troubles, she kept thinking of things lovely and of good report. Ended rather abruptly, but I really enjoyed it.

[Rose Marie Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to read. So true to life. How God can change you and make you the person you should be.

[Becky Walenciak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great Grace Livingston Hill book. However, not having the completion of the story due to probably converting to eBook, was not good.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cavity inducing sweet rather than cheesy

[Sarah]

A classic tale. A young girl overhears someone talking about her and changes her entire life, with a little help from God. A bit unrealistic, but a feel good story.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short read of a classic , old timely author. The growth of the main character for such a short piece was very satisfying.

[Laurie Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite! I like the ones with more meaty discussions and less (or no) romance.

(I listened to Anne Hancock's recording on Audible.)