Dawn of the Morning

by Grace Livingston Hill

Dawn Rensselaer is a runaway bride, fleeing a husband she was tricked into marrying. But is she also running away from 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: Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical

424 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

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

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorites of GLH, it is a story that takes place in the "old days," approximately the early 1800s. There seem to be a lot of misunderstandings and some rather improbable events judging by today's standards, but it's a good story not withstanding.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are my comfort food when I'm not feeling well. So it was with delight that I picked up this book again and re-read the story of Dawn and her journey to love.

Like so many of these books, we have Dawn, who has struggled to be not only noticed, but even just loved a little bit by a harsh and demanding father, and the epitome of the evil stepmother. Forced into a marriage that would destroy her, her obedience and acquiescence annoys, but she comes through in the end. I absolutely loved the way she took on the boys in the town where she wound up living.

And of course the ending well satisfies. Beautiful book all the way around!

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cover is absolutely fabulous . . . but also ridiculous, given that the story takes place in 1824 and our heroine wears a grey Quaker-style schoolgirl dress for most of the book. Also, I don't remember a scene like this ever taking place in the book. And both of the characters' hair is the wrong color! Sigh.

Luckily the story is better than the cover. Dawn has been raised by an unloving father who did Dawn's mother a great wrong (apart from forcing her to name her daughter Jemima, which is pretty horrible). She was farmed out to school by her unloving stepmother. A friend of her father's takes a fancy to Dawn and somehow manages to arrange a marriage without her consent. Drama ensues, and Dawn runs away, finding herself a position as beloved schoolteacher in a small village.

I enjoyed this book overall, even though it was a bit melodramatic at times. It's available free through Project Gutenberg.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a weird, weird story. This felt like GLH was trying to be more like her aunt, and add some drama and so odd happenings. The result was a weird feeling story that felt the on of Pansy's book and GLH's Marcia Schuyler fell into a paper shredder and both came out mangled.

Maybe it was just me, but I didn't like this one at all.

[Lady Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.8 / 5

I have...mixed feelings about this one.

On the one hand, the setup is terrific and really engaging: Dawn, feeling betrayed by her father, has a very dim view of marriage as something miserable, and therefore is content to go along her merry way at the Quaker school she attends. She distances herself from her father, but he's distant in and of himself (to say nothing of the stepmother), so this is all justified.

Enter Harrington Winthrop though, and his interest in Dawn is...not at all returned, to say the least. He's a scoundrel of the lowest quality, but wants Dawn for his own, not in small part because of the dowry that comes with her when she marries.

The same cannot be said of Harrington's younger brother, Charles, who is immediately enchanted with Dawn, and she likewise returns his interest. *sighs* Too bad that theirs is a love that can never be...

_______________

So, my problem with this book can be summed up in two words: pacing and length.

At the beginning, things progress really really quickly, so that all the main characters are introduced by the 70 page mark, and the attraction between Dawn and Charles is already confirmed, as well as her wedding to Harrington already planned.

My first question: Um...but then what justified the 400+ page length?

But then, suddenly there's an abrupt shift where, after things have been moving so quickly, suddenly they move really slowly as the reader is wrapped up in everyone's internal thoughts and considerations--and I really do mean everyone's internal thoughts and considerations--and the wedding itself is put on hold for another 70+ pages, even though we were left off on the morning of the wedding around page 100, and then at the end of the day at page 180.

So...yeah, several years done in the first 100 pages, and then just ONE DAY spent over the next 80 pages.

That's...incongruous, to say the least.

Such a jarring change is not only sudden, but unwelcome. Additionally, even though by the 180 mark everything seems like it should be resolved, then some rather contrived plot points force Dawn to run away from everything, thus lengthening the plot even more and no doubt making up the rest of that 400+ page count.

I just...don't get it and don't appreciate it.

In retrospect, this is one of the author's earlier works (first published in 1911), and so to be overly harsh isn't wholly fair either, as she was still cultivating and learning her craft at this point. In fact, I would argue that she did learn from her mistakes later on, as when she writes Exit Betty in 1920, with a similar-ish beginning plot, that book's much shorter and much more engaging as a result.

So...yes, I'm meeting the rating of this halfway, but ultimately find myself hard put to get through it more than once. Adding it to my shelves, but questioning the re-read potentiality.

[Carolynne · Rating 1 out of 5]

GLH books are sometimes comfort reads for me, reassuringly high-minded with an inevitable happy ending, but this one was too much for me. I thought it was going to be a cross between The Little Colonel and Elsie Dinsmore, with a self-righteous heroine whom her admirers think is perfect. Well, she is and they do, and she has a wicked stepmother and repugnant suitor to boot, but she also makes nearly every wrong-headed decision she possibly can. Nothing she does (vague language due to spoiler alert:) after the crucial event which changes her future makes any sense. But if you liked those books you might like this one.

[Skeeter Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good Christian Historical Romance. I really liked it, kept me interested all the way.

[Vicki Sherbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up reading fiction by Grace Livingston Hill. To this day, reading one of her novels offers a peaceful, calming respite for me.

[cleda bulger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story Line

It was a interesting read. I would have liked it better if the story line would have been a little more believable. A good book none the less.

[Patti Pierce]

I love reading Grace Livingston Hill's books.

[Della Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful!

[Shantelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

So, I don't know, I just didn't really connect with this book or its characters. The first thing that I noticed about Dawn of the Morning that I didn't exactly prefer, was the writing style. I feel perhaps that its more narrative, and it was just hard for me to really feel like I'm in the story. It was more like someone telling me what happened, than its happening as I read/I'm there. It's not like its a bad thing. I just don't prefer to read that writing style all the time. It's okay once in a while. So it really was ok.

But, there were some other things that just frustrated me. One, the whole love story seems a bit far-fetched. The usual fairytale I suppose. Like, Charles saw her once, and she was so beautiful and fay that he fell madly in love! I mean, I believe there can be things like the connection they both felt, but it still takes time for love to grow/develop. I don't know, I just felt that his devotion was a little unbelievable. But... I don't know. Maybe he was just one stellar guy! I don't really know.

Dan aggravated me for most of the book. He goes from rebel, older boy at school, to love-sick fool. Maybe its just me, but the scenario of him "loving" the teacher just didn't settle well with me. It was just strange. He beat up all the boys who smoked because Dawn was disgusted at smoking. Wow. Really?

And Dawn seemed to get near worship from like everyone she met. Except her ex-fiancee. Is any woman really that brilliant and awe-inspiring? Or is that just an author's fancy? Maybe if I read it again, I wouldn't be so bothered by it. But at the point, it just really seemed absurd.

So Dawn of the Morning didn't really have anything bad in it. It probably doesn't exactly deserve only two stars. It had a rather nice ending. But for me, it just wasn't my kind of book. I just didn't connect with Dawn, or Charles, or any of the characters. The story and writing didn't really pull me in. For me, its a two star book. But, for you, it might be a five star book. I don't know. Perhaps we have a little different tastes. Perhaps you would understand the characters, or really like the storyline. Maybe you get aggravated at different things than me. My point is, I don't mean to bash this book. I just didn't like it. But my word isn't everything. I'm sure there's books I love that people I know really don't like. We all have different likes and styles. That's good.

So... excuse my long-winded tale here. I just feel bad writing "bad" reviews. If you like kind of a more fluffy, historical romance story with almost a whimsical touch to the characters, then perhaps Dawn of the Morning is for you! :)

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book from Amazon's Top 100 Free books a few weeks ago. I love that it follows Christian morals, but would also like to add it's not openly Christian in that God is not directly talked about. This would be a great book to share with a friend who likes books written in olden day settings (like Little Women) and then to have a conversation with them about the relationships in the book are models of how much God cares for us.

[Mary H Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really did enjoy the story. The characters were very interesting and description of the time which very entertaining. Had not read her books in many many years. Plan to read a few more as time goes by

[Hope4flowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I was pleasantly surprised. The cover art made me think I might not like it. The love scenes were not too explicit.

[sulawan siritunyanon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Romance and Urban Life.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read for when you're in the mood for a sweet, clean, regency romance.

[Cynthiakay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was cute fairytale like read.....enjoyed it..

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Contrast of Treachery and Faithfulness. This is a worthy read from Grace Livingston Hill. A story of trust, faithfulness and treachery.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed reading so many of Grace Livingston Hill’s books. This one was another one that I found hard to put down.

[Allison Wonderland Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a sweet story, nothing incredible, but very enjoyable. honestly I think what I liked best was how the heroine, Dawn, changes throughout the book. first, she, though a bit wild in nature, is extremely passive (due to the unkindness of her childhood from her father and stepmother), yet by the end of the book, she has matured and blossomed into a brave, courageous woman, able to speak her mind while still showing compassion, even to the one who has done her evil.

[Classic reverie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Livingston Hill's "Dawn of the Morning" is a romantic that was fairly dramatic, the religious element was more in a general sentiment that was weakly present. The story was set in 1824 and centered on a young girl looking for a home that is not filled with fear but with peace more than anything. Her books always are so delightful and this one was especially adventuresome.

Story in short- Dawn looks to escape again, the clutches of an unprincipled man.




➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 1
His sternly handsome face was forbidding. The very beauty of it was hateful to her. The look on it reminded her of that terrible day, now nearly three years ago, when he had returned from a journey of several months abroad in connection with some brilliant literary enterprise, and had swept her lovely mother out of his life and home, the innocent victim of long-entertained jealousy and most unfounded suspicion. The little girl had been too young to understand what it was all about.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2
When she cried for her she was forbidden even to think of her, and was told that her mother was unworthy of that name. The child had declared with angry tears and stampings of her small foot, that it was not true, that her mother was good and dear and beautiful; but they had paid no heed to her. The father had sternly commanded silence and sent her away; and the mother had not returned.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2
Of her father she was afraid. She shrank into terrified silence whenever he approached, scarcely answering his questions, and growing farther away from him every day, until he instinctively knew that she hated him for her mother's sake. When a year had passed he procured a divorce without protest from the innocent but crushed wife,
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2
this by aid of a law that often places "Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne." Not long after, he brought to his home as his wife a capable, arrogant, self-opinionated woman, who set herself to rule him and his household as it should be ruled. The little girl was called to audience in the gloomy study where sat the new wife, her eyes filled with hostility toward the other woman's child, and was told that she must call the lady "Mother."
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2
"I will never call her mother! She is not my mother! She is a bad woman, and she has no right here. She cannot be your wife. It is wicked for a man to have two wives. I know, for I heard Mary Ann and Betsey say so this morning in the kitchen. My
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2
mother is alive yet. She is at Grandfather's. I heard Betsey say that too. You are a wicked, cruel man, and I hate you. I will not have you for a father any more. I will go away and stay with my mother. She is good. You are bad! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! And I hate her!"—pointing toward the new wife, who sat in horrified condemnation, with two fiery spots upon her outraged cheeks. "Jemima!" thundered her father in his angriest tone.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 2
But the little girl turned upon him furiously. "My name is not Jemima!" she screamed. "I will not let you call me so. My name is Dawn. My mother called me Dawn. I will not answer when you call me Jemima."
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 3
To the new mother she never spoke unless she had to, and never called her Mother, though there were many struggles to compel her to do so. She never came when they called her Jemima, nor obeyed a command prefaced by that name, though she endured in consequence many a whipping and many a day in bed, fed on bread and water.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 3
"A bit of her mother's sentimentality," explained the chagrined father. "She objected to calling the child for my grandmother, Jemima. She wanted it named for her own mother, and said Jemima was harsh and ugly, until one day her old minister, who was fully as sentimental as she, if he was an old man, told her that Jemima meant 'Dawn of the Morning.' After that she made no further protest.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 3
Three days before he had received an urgent message from his former wife's father, stating that his daughter was dead, and demanding an immediate interview. It was couched in such language that, being the man he was, he could not refuse to comply.


Highlight (Yellow) | Page 4
But to see her thus was as if God's finger had touched her and exonerated her from all blame. The sight shook the very foundations of his belief in her disgrace. He was filled with conflicting emotions. He had not supposed that he could feel this way, for he had thought that his love for Mary was dead; yet it had raised its dishonored head and given him one piercing look, while it had seemed to say
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 4
to his heart, "You are too late! You are too late!"
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 5
Then and not till then did the visitor notice that the old man held in his arms a beautiful boy between two and three years old.
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 5
Proudly the grandfather stood with the chubby arm around his neck and the dimpled fingers patting his cheek. The sunlight fell in a broad illumination over the head and face of the child, kindling into flame the masses of tumbled curls which showed the same rich mahogany tint that had always made Hamilton Van Rensselaer's head a distinguished mark in any company. The baby's eyes were a wonderful gray, which even now held flashes of steel—albeit flashes of fun and not of passion. As the
Highlight (Yellow) | Page 5
man looked, they mirrored back his own startlingly. In the round baby cheeks were two dimples strikingly placed, the counterpart of two that daring Nature had triflingly set in the otherwise stern countenance of the man. The likeness was marvellous.

❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌spoiler alert


Hamilton Van Rensselaer has been extremely cruel to his wife and ends up finding out three years later after divorcing his wife, that she was true to him and did not have an affair. He pays for this mistake which follows him to his death. At first, I thought Dawn's step mother might be really evil but she was just selfish and didn't want a step daughter. I was glad Harrison had not been able to marry Dawn and later take her away. The misunderstanding thinking that Charles only married her because he was being kind. He really loved her and she him, if it was not for Mrs. Winthrop they would not have been parted for a year. I was glad that Dawn was able to help her step mother and a forgiveness was able to be given. I wonder if Dawn will find out about her father's death being caused by her escape. I loved Dawn and Charles. Rags was a good dog! Mrs. Winthrop was so blind to get eldest son's terrible points.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read this before, but I don't think I realized before how very early this title is set compared to the author's other titles. This makes the use of Black servants more disturbing than it was before as I now realize that they were almost certainly slaves. Otherwise it is not a strong romance as it is love at first sight and the couple only spend about half a day together throughout the whole book. I do admire Dawn's courage in setting out to make a place for herself, and the realistic way an abusive man is portrayed.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, as I do nearly all of Grace Livingston Hill’s books. It was just a little odd that the main character’s personality was sometimes extremely quiet and submissive, and other times totally bold and outgoing. But that didn’t detract from the story. Some of her books include quite a bit of theology, but this one just had undertones of Christian living, plus a strong dose of life in a religious boarding school.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been about thirty years since I last read a Grace Livingstone Hill. I enjoyed the story and I liked recalling the author's unique style (obviously now quite dated). Some of the personal biases of the author and the period she lived in came through in her descriptions of black characters and characters from lower social classes.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

It ended a bit quick for it to be a LOVE... but it was good :)

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Old fashioned story. I can't imagine a modern girl acting like this, but it fit the time it was written in.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite so far of this author's books, but an okay read during vacation.

[Anna Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not one of my favorites of GLH's collection. In fact, this was not one of my favorite books at all, regardless of the author.

My main problem with this book was the entire premise. That's right...my main problem was the entire book itself. I abhor books where the main conflict happens based on miscommunication (or more accurately, lack of communication). Literally the entire book should never have happened. If Dawn or Charles had taken 5 minutes to talk to each other, none of the tragedy would have happened. I also didn't like the ridiculous insta-love plot line - it was way worse than ANY modern YA romance and was even less believable than the miscommunication that caused the rest of the book.

The characters themselves weren't even very likeable. The reader felt sorry for Dawn and her bad home life, but didn't actually get to know her enough to like her. Same with Charles. Charles was basically one of those 2-dimensional cardboard cut-out characters that filled a hole in the plot line, but had zero other interest to the reader. Other than the fact that he was "noble" we never find out anything else about him - other than the fact that his mother didn't love him as much as his evil older brother...again, just something to make the reader feel sympathy toward him, but not enough to actually tell us anything about him. In many ways, this book reminded me of the author's other book, Marcia Schulyer, with the mix-up wedding etc. (Another book that I didn't particularly enjoy.)

Overall, I will not be re-reading this book, nor will I recommend it. It was not worth my time, and I regret not putting it down and never picking it back up. Save yourself from a GLH flop and DON'T READ IT!

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Marcia Schuyler by GLH and enjoyed it. The premise of that book was really unbelievable, but it was said to have been based on a true story. In Marcia Schuyler, a bride has run away with another lover the night before the wedding and her sister takes her place in the ceremony (with the consent of the groom.)

This book is the same situation, but with the genders switched. This time the an unworthy groom was substituted with his brother. However, in this story the bride was unaware of the switch until later that day. She didn't like the groom anyway, and all would have been well with the replacement groom because he was the better man. But then, someone had to say something hateful to the girl, and so she took off.

Since the book is a lot like Marcia Schuyler, naturally I want to compare Marcia and Dawn. They are both really young. The stories both take place in a time where that probably happened frequently. However, Dawn shows her youth not in her melancholy, but in the impulsiveness that gets the plot rolling. The impulsiveness rears its head again, but other than that, she acts mature for her age.