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by Lloyd C. Douglas

Lloyd Cassel Douglas (1877 - 1951) born Doya C. Douglas, was an American minister and author. He was born in Columbia City, Indiana, spent part of his boyhood in Monroeville, Indiana, Wilmot, Indiana and Florence, Kentucky, where his father, Alexander Jackson Douglas, was pastor of the Hopeful Lutheran Church. Douglas was one of the most popular American authors of his time, although he did not write his first novel until he was 50.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Classics, Christian Fiction, Novels, Adult Fiction

Paperback

First published July 23, 2012

About the author

Lloyd C. Douglas was a noteworthy American minister and author. He spent part of his boyhood in Monroeville, Indiana, Wilmot, Indiana and Florence, Kentucky, where his father, Alexander Jackson Douglas, was pastor of the Hopeful Lutheran Church. He died in Los Angeles, California.
Douglas was one of the most popular American authors of his time, although he didn't write his first novel until he was 50.
His written works were of a moral, didactic, and distinctly religious tone. His first novel, Magnificent Obsession, was an immediate and sensational success. Critics held that his type of fiction was in the tradition of the great religious writings of an earlier generation, such as, Ben-Hur and Quo Vadis.
Douglas is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my very favorite fiction! Every time I read it, I come away a better person!

My Highest recommendation!

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I'd enjoyed the 1938 movie adaptation starring Claude Rains and Fay Bainter. It's one of those cases where book and film are actually quite different from each other, though you can easily pick out the common thread of story running through both. For example, the book spans twenty years rather than just a few months; some smaller incidents happen to different people in the movie; Hannah's background and the whole adoption story are entirely different.

The book is better in some ways you'd expect it to be better than a film: the characters are better developed and we have time to get to know them and understand the intricacies of their interactions better. They're interesting people, many of them likable, and the plot nicely complex. But one of the most significant aspects of the story, Hannah's "faith" about never fighting back, I found disappointing. Her few brief speeches on the subject in the film seem more sensible and to the point than the philosophical wanderings of the book. We do get to see how she came by her ideas; but it's the spiritual aspect that's lacking: characters talk about a possible higher power taking a role in their lives, but can never say for sure whether they actually believe in a Deity or define it any better than a vague "He—or It—or Them." Theological error aside, it's rather unsatisfying that they can't even define something that they believe has played a role in such key moments of their lives.

So, overall, a pleasant but slightly unsatisfying novel.

[Lobug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just like the way he tells a story that makes you want to be a better person.

[E. Paul Whetten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Through a fictional story it illustrates the practical applications of turning the other cheek. Although I don't agree with all of its observations on this principle, I found the whole concept intriguing and worth discussing at length with anyone who would like to explore it with mw.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book taught be a great deal about self-mastery. I found it randomly at the AF library, and chose it because it smelled like the books I remembered reading as a child. Odd reason for choosing a book, but it paid off... A good read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by a great author!!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lloyd C. Douglas shares his views on passivism in this delightful tale about a woman who influences the lives around her in a most delightful and compelling way.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a lesser known book that is quite a good read. Was recommended to me by an old roommate-- I remember it was hard to get into at first, but I kept at it and ended up loving it!!

[Kirstie Sheehy]

My first book of Douglas'. There is a lot of philosophising in it but it presented an interesting exploration of passivism and turning the other cheek. I didn't agree with the author's/character's worldview necessarily but I did find the argument for internal character being developed through unrecognised acts of self denial or bravery etc and the trust one can build in oneself for making those hard choices compelling.
interesting thoughts to ponder....

[Camie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't books that make me feel more introspective of who I am and who I hope to become than the ones written by Lloyd C. Douglas. This is a wonderfully written story.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a most unusual book, and I enjoyed it very much. It is written by Lloyd Cassel Douglas, who was an American minister and author. Douglas was one of the most popular American authors of his time, and one of his better-known books was THE ROBE.

The book deals with belief in a "higher power" whether it is a He, a She, or a Them - you do not need to believe in God to practice Hannah's form of believing in passivity, quiet good works, and "letting go" when bad things happen.

Hannah is a housekeeper - a most unusual, cryptic, and loved housekeeper. We know her story from the beginning of the book, although the financially-strapped family who adopts her and then cannot live without her do not learn her story for many years.

Hannah has a son, who is being brought up by her good friend as the boy's mother. Peter does not know who is real mother and father are. The family Hannah works for has its own problems, all overcome with Hannah's counsel. As I say, a most unusual book, quite gentle, very well-written, a book you may not want to put down because you are cheering for every member of this extended family.

The book was written in 1936, and though there is no immediate clue about the time period written about, it would appear to be around 1915 or so. There may have been references to The War, but I cannot recall. There are early references to refrigeration, and the end of the book brings the crash of 1929. The setting is Eastern USA.

If you find it, you will enjoy the read.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story and some very interesting ideas regarding turning the other cheek and forgiving.

Here are some quotes from p. 389, "It might be interesting to inquire whether the person who has been dreadfully wronged, injured, defrauded, is not morally obliged to assist the other fellow in relieving himself of his intolerable remorse...far easier than for the aggressor to make peace with the person he has wronged...The person who, having been injured or defrauded, makes no effort to avenge himself or reclaim his losses, achieves a peculiar strength of spirit. Isn't it just as logical that the person who has perpetrated that fraud and inflicted that injury, and has been permitted to do it without hindrance or threat of redress, is weakened in spirit. And, if so, is it not the duty of the strong one to come to the rescue? ... I suppose that this might be called the highest, the costliest, the final degree in the practice of personal disarmament, personal peace, private courage."

[Katya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 Stars

"This is by the author who wrote "The Robe" and "Magnificent Obsession." This is a story about a man who is betrayed and loses his lifelong dream. He finds a way to deal with his anger, self pity and learns to forgive. Only then does he appreciate the people in his life and becomes more sensitive to the sorrow they are experiencing. At the same time other subplots are unfolding and intertwined with the main character. Good story-Moral Lessons. (There is a 1938 Movie starring Claude Raines)"

http://youtu.be/r6ymyfYVE7w

[Jae Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is definitely dated, being written in the mid-1930s, as far as language, character behaviour and mannerisms, etc. goes, I find this book and all Douglas' books charming and relevant during any decade. They are thought-provoking and gentle reading. I read his books aloud and they are definitely not easy going this way, but Douglas' command of language is impressive. Unexpected pleasures.

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read this years ago and liked it but forgot why I liked it and then confused it with the Gene Stratton Porter book titled The White Flag but after rereading both it was this one with its theme of forgiveness, courage and turning the other cheek that I liked the best.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Enjoyable read with some slow spells, but good characters. I liked it, but felt it could have cut about 100 pages of repetitive or unnecessary content and had a stronger impact. But still glad I read it.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the author, the book was not his greatest, but still worth the read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! I enjoyed the morality of it! Recommend it.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non resistance as courage! inspirational story

Hannah shows how to live in a way that is counter intuitive but most healthy for humans. Life changing story.