All Through the Night

by Grace Livingston Hill

Dale Huntley's life changed dramatically when her precious grandmother died. All alone, Dale had to face the bitterness and greed of her relatives who were trying to claim her home. But Dale's greatest sorrow was that her beloved was at war--and he might never return.
Then Dale's deep faith and gentle love begin to change her self-centered family, and a hope starts to build in her heart that love truly can triumph over all.

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

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 1945

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

[Sheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have yet to strongly dislike any GLH novel, but I did find this book vaguely irritating. Usually when her books bug me it's because she's so clearly winging it and so the story has weird shifts in it (the bad guys were planning 'x' in chapter three but are suddenly coming from 'y' in chapter fifteen), however this time I think I was irritated because I felt a grave lack of “Christian community” in the book. The heroine supposedly has supportive neighbors and goes to church and all, but she never confides her troubles to anyone but the near-stranger she gets engaged to, and once he’s gone overseas, never even tells anyone she’s engaged. Hill and I are not entirely on the same page when it comes to our Christian beliefs – for instance, she’s in the “business of saving souls” camp, while I think God works through Christians rather than Christians working for God to save others. All minor differences and not usually important ones, but while in retrospect I can see that there is a Christian community at work in this book, it’s all off stage and the heroine hardly interacts with them and never, ever shares her needs or wishes.

I’m a misanthropic recluse myself, and have gone through periods of only making it to church once or twice a year, and I *still* would have consulted with a pastor or asked for someone to be put on the prayer list at various points in the heroine’s trials. For that matter, my pastor would have suggested he visit in some of her situations – while some of what she deals with might have been embarrassing to discuss, some of it was stuff like a family member being hospitalized: the sort of thing where the church family rallies to you whether you ask for it or not. I just found the heroine’s isolation extremely odd.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many books by this author, this novel has an appeal that transcends time. It's been a while since I've read one of these books; now, I realize I was seriously missing out!

[SM Surber · Rating 2 out of 5]

A free book, quick read. A bit too saccharine for me- perhaps if I were in my teens it would have been more appealing. Side note: this was NOT the cover on the copy of the book I read!

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

SUMMARY: Dale Huntley's life changed dramatically when her precious grandmother died. All alone, Dale had to face the bitterness and greed of her relatives who were trying to claim her home. But Dale's greatest sorrow was that her beloved was at war--and he might never return.
Then Dale's deep faith and gentle love begin to change her self-centered family, and a hope starts to build in her heart that love truly can triumph over all.

REVIEW: A sweet, World War II romance in typical Grace Livingston Hill style. A quick, easy read. This one bothered me a little. I know it is war time but found a marriage proposal after only 4 dates a little hard to swallow. I did very much like the storyline though between Dale and her aunt and cousins. It was well developed. Grace Livingston Hill's books are very predictable with a usual very sweet, faith filled heroine and a snipish or cutthroat villian, but I enjoy an occasional old-fashioned read of one of her books.

[Lady Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strictly speaking, I only read the first two chapters of this, but I just couldn’t stand Dale’s family. This has pretty much is Cinderella-esque setup, and I just don’t have the patience or emotional fortitude to subject myself to that now.

[Anna Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still on my quest to read every GLH book. I'm pushing through!

Eh, this could easily be a 2 star review, but I'm kind of feeling generous, so I'm going with 3.

Honestly, this wasn't the most pleasant book to read - the obnoxious relatives of the main character were really and truly super obnoxious. Hateful, vile, and repulsive. This did not help the pleasant reading factor. I don't mind characters overcoming obstacles, but these relatives were just the worst...and literally stupid. Like how many times do people have to tell you something before you finally believe it? You have heard that Dale owns this house from a lawyer, the police, and everyone you know. And yet you still think you should sue her for it? This seemed very very unbelievable and, as stated previously, just dumb. Also, the romance plot line seemed very rushed. It was cute and all, but extremely rushed. (and again with the elephant in the room comments - if the narration has to tell you that something is rushed, does that make the rushing ok?)

What I did like, though, was the redemption story arc with the 2 cousins. They were truly disgusting at the beginning, but by the end, they were wonderful friends with the main character. That was a delight to read. I also liked the fact that Dale stood up for herself a lot in this book. A lot of times I get annoyed with GLH heroines who just seem to lie down and take abuse from people in the name of turning the other cheek. Dale was still very forgiving and generous, but she didn't always let her family do whatever they wanted (although she did let them walk all over her more than I would have liked).

Overall, it was a decent read. I probably wouldn't recommend it as one of GLH's best, and it probably won't be a frequent re-read (I probably won't ever re-read it honestly). But it wasn't the worst. It was just ok.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so Grace Livingston Hill books are somewhat predictable. So they have some funny words and some quire notions. So at times she does some things that modern writers frown on. I love her books! They leave me with a good feeling, not only about the story, but about my faith.

This book is about a sweet young girl named Dale. Her Grandmother (who has raised her) dies and some nasty relatives invade her house. She is determined to treat them with kindness.

I sometimes got the feeling Grace added the romance last minute. The romance was quick and had very little to do with the story, but still sweet. I may not always like how quick her romance goes, but she always has both have strong faith.

If you need a light read that still has good morals and wonderful faith, Grace Livingstone Hill is a good choice.

[Paige Cuthbertson| Turning_Every_Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story. Dale, the main character was basically a flawless Christian, which could be tiring except that she was written to be so sincere. She faced her share of struggles and you actually felt bad for her, even though you knew she was always going to make the right decisions. The character transformation of Corliss and George was a little abrupt, but it was almost relieving. The romance between David and Dale happened WAY too fast... but was so innocent it made me not mind. I really liked how clear the Gospel was presented in this novel...they don't write 'en like that anymore! Overall, a very sweet, light read with a strong Christian emphasis. Its like a lemon bar- light and sweet, and you just can't help but enjoy it.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

GLH isn't Austen, by any means, but her books are at least put together well- usually. This one seems to have fallen through the editorial cracks, if you will. There were some strange mistakes (is Aunt Blanche Grandma's daughter-in-law or niece? The book claims both, but by the end it's clear she's a d-i-l). There were a few other things like that which aren't deal-breakers, but did make the story hard to follow.

Nevertheless, it was an interesting and inspiring story. I hope I can graciously serve those who treat me ill, just like Dale did.

[Florence Millo · Rating 4 out of 5]

All through the Night by Grace Livingston Hill. While you wouldn’t want a steady diet of sugary lightness, once in a while a dose of GLH is just right. You know the plot and how it turns out before the book begins which is just why you are reading it.

[Carolyn McAffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story of the overcoming power of loving kindness.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that I might have read this one before several years ago. I seem to like all her books.

[Anna Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

And here's the thing: GLH *usually* writes a nice, lovely story, and chops the ending off, completely. In this book? She writes a not-so-nice, not-so-lovely story and *doesn't* chop the ending off. Can't win for losing, over here...

In this one, Dale and Granny live quietly together for years until Granny dies... and the relatives descend. The boy cousin smokes, shouts, is belligerent and defiant. The girl cousin throws screaming fits, smokes, drinks, is insolent and demanding. The aunt is a banshee from hell... and they all insist the house/belongings are left to them, and that Dale will become their servant, waiting on them in their home, while they sell off Granny's house.

It is one. LONG. SLOG of Dale praying to God, and insisting that she be 'kind' and 'loving' and 'bear' with everything they do. And they smash her dishes, wreck her tennis rackets and leave them in the bushes at the courts, have parties in her home (with gambling and drinking), eat everything she has, wreck up the house...

I'm sorry, but *NO*. Jesus took a whip and drove the money-changers out of His father's house... it its *NOT* Biblical for Dale to do the opposite and tolerate these people in the name of 'luvvv'. She should've thrown them out, immediately.

I was about *D.O.N.E* when Aunt Blanche gets hit by a motorist and now Dale is expected to take them in, indefinitely and CARE FOR the invalid aunt. HOW. ABOUT. NO!!!!!! The verses about 'be ye kind, one to another' is about brethren in Christ, NOT about vicious, self-serving heathens.

The bits about Dale's beau - David - and the description of the sea battle he's in, with the ship getting bombed and the front of it just not being there, oil burning in the water... that was AMAZING, though. But I don't believe in 'deathbed salvation' - You can quote John 3:16 at me until you're blue in the face, and I'll tell you to look up the concordance notes on John 3:36... those who believe but do not have obedience along with it forfeit their faith. Revelation (12:17 and 14:12 and 22:14)says those who inherit the kingdom are those who have Messiah as Savior (NT) *AND* keep the commandments of God (OT).

Another problem I had with it was that the moment Auntie gets run over, immediately there's an about-face with the cousins?! Suddenly they're *NICE* to Dale? Suddenly neither of them smoke, cold turkey?! They have TOTAL personality changes? I... don't think so.

And Dale is aggravating as hell. She's all "God would NEVER let anything harmful come to my David!" (pg 247) as David's ship sinks, he's hit in the head with debris, he's watching his friends burn and drown, he's thrown into the ocean...

And of course GLH insists that Dale *HAS* to be a good example, and share the Gospel with her cousins, because that will definitely save them. Um... only the CONVICTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT will save a person. I don't buy into the church dogma of 'we must save these people!!'. That's not how God works.

David does the same thing - in fact, he PRAYS THE SINNER'S PRAYER *FOR* these guys, and because they say, "me, too!" they're saved?!?! That's NOT how it works! You can't push someone into Heaven, hello. In fact, one of their prayers is, 'God, I'm scared stiff - get me ready to die'. That is *NOT* a salvation prayer, Grace!!!

There are some of GLH's books that are amazing.
This one has SO MANY issues, though...!!!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another wartime romance from GLH. Dale Huntley has taken care of her grandmother for many years. Her parents are both dead, but they left her the house where she and her grandmother have been living. Grandmother knew that when she died, her unscrupulous relatives would not only try to claim the house, but attempt to make off with anything of value. Under Grandmother's direction, Dale has tried to prepare for the relative invasion, but wow! GLH sure knows how to create irritating relatives! Aunt Blanche and her two spoiled brats make life miserable for Dale, as she works hard to be a Christian witness to them. In the middle of all her trials, she meets a young serviceman, and they get to know each other. As with many wartime romances, there is a sense of hurry, an understanding that death may be in the offing. Within only a few weeks, David and Dale fall in love and become engaged just before he is called back into the service. This is a story of Christian faithfulness under trial and how a truly Christian witness can change lives.

[Dail Sams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the death of her beloved grandmother, Dale's unpleasant pleasant aunt and two rude and demanding cousins arrived for the funeral, making Dale's life a misery. Meanwhile, Dale received word that her new fiancé, a naval officer in the war, had been sent on a special assignment and is missing in action. The two have promised to trust in their Lord until they have c an be reunited.

[Cloretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

All. Through the night. Great author, best read ever.

She is a great writer. I have most of her books paper backs and some on my E reader. I feel blessed to read each and every book of hers. There was not anything I did not enjoy.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent GLH.

[Donna Sipe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I first read this book in junior high school. I loved the Cinderella-esque treatment of Dale and her whirl wind romance with David. I liked the fact that the book was gentle and Christian. I was interested in the glimpse of life in the 40s, on the home front.

Now, decades later, I finally found it on Kindle and re-read it. And, I think that it is best left in my childhood. The story is an evangelism tool with solutions of the to Gospel that I'm not comfortable with. And, the romance is simplistic.

[Ameliedanjou]

Don't remember this one, but the cover looks familiar.