ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD, The Elsie Books 7

Elsie Dinsmore #7

by Martha Finley

God has added two children--Rosie and Walter-- and will take a father. Despite troubles and adversity, Elsie is thankful for her family and keeps looking to an eversustaining God for all her needs. She continues to mold the lives she touches for the Master whom she loves and serves. Meanwhile, Cousin Molly matures into a successful writer, and young Elsie faces a long and distant engagement to her Lester. During a winter visit to Viamede, Cousins Molly and Isa begin to find their places in God's plan. An interlude at the Jersey shore provides an opportunity for Edward and Violet to grow and mature in their faith.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Classics, Young Adult, 19th Century

331 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1880

About the author

Martha Finley was a teacher and author of numerous works, the most well known being the 28 volume Elsie Dinsmore series which was published over a span of 38 years. Finley wrote many of her books under the pseudonym Martha Farquharson.

For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_F... or, http://marthafinley.wordpress.com/

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its lugubrious title, ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD is a fairly good read. It's #7 in the Elsie Dinsmore series, carrying our pious heroine into middle age. Elsie's husband dies unexpectedly, leaving the grieving widow all soaked in tears. But her faith sustains her, as we all know it will. The lesson of leaning on God, in times of sorrow, is certainly commendable and apt. However, here it's somewhat muted by the fact that Elsie's father, Horace Dinsmore, comes so much into prominence as her earthly comforter. The Elsie books have always showcased the perverse Oedipal "triangle" of Elsie, Papa, and Mr. Travilla. With Travilla permanently gone, Elsie simply returns to the arms of her first and most enduring love. The most Freudian scene occurs shortly after Travilla's death, when Papa takes his, Travilla's, empty seat at the dinner table. Any psychoanalyst would have a field day with this material!

The second half of the book has a lighter tone. Elsie's cousins, Molly and Isadore, both find worthy husbands. And then Edward and Violet spend an exciting summer vacation with friends on the New Jersey coast. There's even a shipwreck and dramatic rescue! Romance, too. ELSIE'S WIDOWHOOD was apparently written upon the insistence of publishers who wanted Martha Finley to continue her popular series. And killing off Elsie's husband set the stage for brand-new storylines and situations.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Each of the Elsie Dinsmore series gets better and better!

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so sad the husband had to die. But she did marry a guy 17 years older than her. I like that even though she went through trials, she still trusted her her earthly and heavenly Father.

[Leash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the saddest of them all. I thought Finley did a good job and showing how a young woman deals with grief and her faith.

[Bkwyrm · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's awful. This book is even more painfully evangelical than the previous ones. I CAN'T STOP. Her husband dies - but she's still young! And beautiful! - and she goes back to Daddy, who IMMEDIATELY re-establishes his old authority over her. Did I mention she's still young? And beautiful?

[Anajoy-rusticgirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why did he have to die?

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give it two stars ... for the lolz.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is a bit Calvinistic in its theology, and it's also a bit uber-Christian; i.e., the Christians are really, really good and the non-Christians are really, really bad.

[Elisabeth Gimenez]

This one is sad. I knew that he was going to die because I read a couple of the Vi series but how he died was different.

[Michelle Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Christian Reading!

The Elsie Dinsmore collection, written in the mid to late 1800's , gives an insight into life on Southern plantations and the lives of the privileged folks living there. The characters are real , believable and rich in historical significance. The author ages the Dinsmore family as her story progresses through happiness and sorrow. I recommend this book series for girls of all ages as Elsie grows and matures.

[Faith Burnside · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actually a somewhat decent story as compared to the rest of the series, though if your child has lost their father it will make them feel guilty for having normal emotions involved in grief, and for not being sad that they can no longer pray for their father. I speak from experience.

[Margaret Fraleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsie's beloved husband takes ill and dies. Elsie is
surrounded by her children, father and step-other
and grandfather.

In this book there is sorrow, but good times too.

There will be a couple of weddings.

The family, some relataives and friends go the home in
the south.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. The title of this book gives the plot away, so that was a bit of a let-down for me. And everyone knows I don’t object to drama in my books, but I do object to inexplicable or arbitrary drama—and Elsie’s husband’s death annoyed me in that it was completely unexpected & random—he wasn’t shot or anything, & she never explained what happened to him! Other than that quibble, I did enjoy this book a lot. I admit I cried... but oh, I love the message of having hope & peace in spite of death, & of being glad for those who have gone on ahead of us. I loved getting to know more of Elsie’s children as grownups, & there were some amazing new characters too—and a lot of humour! As usual, I’m eager to read the next book. <33

A Favourite Quote: “‘And why shouldn't I be patient?’ he returned; ‘didn't Christ suffer far more than I do?’
“‘And he comforts you in the midst of it all, does he not?’ asked Mrs. Perkins.
“‘He does, indeed, ma'am.’
“‘I have always found him faithful to his promises,’ she said.
“‘And I,’ remarked another lady...; ‘strength has always been given me according to my day, in the past, and I am glad to leave the future with him.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “[T]hey ... sat in the sand revelling in the delicious sea breeze and the sight of the ever restless, ever changing, beautiful ocean, with its rolling, tumbling, dashing waves.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘And young Massa Jones, he preach bery nice sometimes, but sometimes it 'pears like he disremembers what's in de bressed book, and contradicts it wid some of his own notions.’”