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Green Light

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Here is the powerful and inspiring novel that has guided hundreds of thousands of people and given them strength and comfort. The kindly Dean Harcourt with his simple wisdom has encouraged many to write to Lloyd Douglas for advice and help. He has brought pleasure, solace and inspiration into many lives.

Dean Harcourt, of a Middle-western cathedral, is the motivational force in this story of present-day America. The dean had been crippled by infantile paralysis early in his career and his subsequent suffering had made him more aware when the time came to right the wrong done to a young surgeon. He is also instrumental in bringing about the happiness of lonely, young Phyllis Dexter.

The Chicago Daily Tribune says, "There is something of the simple faith in it that has been proclaimed to be more than Norman blood."

First published January 1, 1934

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About the author

Lloyd C. Douglas

121 books662 followers
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.

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5 stars
69 (32%)
4 stars
73 (34%)
3 stars
50 (23%)
2 stars
14 (6%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
101 reviews
January 31, 2022
A neat old book with an interesting mix of social commentary, contemporary events (the stock market crash early on, Rocky Mountain spotted fever turns up), and a heart pounding romance. The copy I read smelled of both mildew and old perfume, which was thoroughly enjoyable.
Profile Image for Cecilia Royo.
72 reviews10 followers
April 7, 2024
I actually read Green Light by Serene Musafir but it’s not on Good Reads (sorry Lloyd, I’m sure your book is awesome).

This book is a work of art, it was just so so so beautiful and so hard to read at times. It took me to the highest highs and the lowest lows. I was actually sobbing in the middle of a forest in the ending, so that’s that. It’s insane the chokehold the book had me on, and the visceral reactions I had while reading it. I’ll keep this book in my heart.
Profile Image for Judio.
100 reviews
November 6, 2017
This, as is the case of the other books of his that I've read, is a stellar novel from Lloyd Douglas. Even though it has a strong thread of Bible inspiration running through its entirety, this is not a 'Christian' book in terms of that genre. It is inspirational; it is thought-provoking; it is a piece of writing which will have the reader clamouring to know what happens next, in full sympathy with the main characters and in awe of the masterful delivery.

Lloyd Douglas weaves a tale with a basic lesson: that good eventually does come out of seeming adversity and that hope and faith - kept alive - are essential.

With Paige, the main character who makes a supreme sacrifice for a friend and mentor, the reader will be taken through a plethora of emotions from shock, to disbelief, to bitterness, resignation, acceptance, realisation, awe and wonder. And, with Paige, the reader will fully understand the significance of the 'Green light' as the novel draws to a close.

Although Magnificent Obsession still remains my favourite of Lloyd Douglas' books, this one ranks high, as well.
Profile Image for Gând Răzleț.
15 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2025
Parada - prea puțină lume a citit (sau măcar a auzit de) minunăția asta de carte.
Profile Image for Lexy Martin.
237 reviews
May 15, 2009
This was a book I read as a kid and have reread once since. It was my favorite book for years. The message for me was indirect: whatever I set my mind to, I can do.
Profile Image for Luisa Bermudez.
109 reviews
Read
October 19, 2025
Review for the Dramione with the same name 😌

Spoilers between🚨🚨

It has been a while since a book or fic made me cry this hard over heartbreak instead of death. This story is pure tragedy. Everything about it is heavy. I would say 85% depressing, 10% happy, and 5% neutral. The characters are extremely canon and written so well, with so much detail on every emotion and situation.

Hermione is broken. She is depressed, paranoid, dealing with PTSD, and overthinking everything. Worst of all, no one is in her corner. Her friends dont notice how isolated she is, her parents dont even know she exists anymore, and her boyfriend is emotionally wearing her down with gaslighting and sexual abuse. It is exhausting to read. The only ray of light is Draco. Not because he is sunshine, since he is dark, brooding, and mysterious, but because he is the only character I actually cared for. He is intense, fiercely loyal, and his love for Hermione is relentless.🚨He has loved her forever, even surprising himself by saving her during the war, and secretly donating to her charity for years. They reconnect during an expedition to find the Cave of Enlightenment, which spoiler alert does not actually exist. They almost die in a cave that was not what they were looking for, then return to England, find a brief happiness together, and then the press destroys everything. Draco defends Hermione, breaks his parole, and gets sent back to Azkaban. Hermione flees England, only for them to reunite 8 months later, which was actually part of her plan so the world would forget about them. They live together in peace for 8 years, until Hermione dies from her chronic illness… or does she? Draco once had a wild idea involving his blood and hers, and when telling their story to a journalist, they even hand over the medical study. In the end, the journalist sees Hermione’s shadow hugging Draco. Did she fake her death to finally escape the Prophet and the constant attention? Its for us to decide🚨

Overall, I dont know how to rate this. It is one of the most beautiful love stories I have read, but it absolutely destroyed me. I sobbed from 80% onward, and even for 20 mins after finishing. Would I read it again? No. My heart cannot take it. Do I desperately want to believe Hermione is alive? Yes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to SereneMusafir writing style. Absolutely stunning
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ on how canon the characters felt. Painfully real
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the love story. Intense, heartbreaking, unforgettable
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the ending. It wrecked me in the best way
⭐️⭐️.5 for the plot pacing. It was way too long
⭐️ for the characters themselves, because I hated them all. This book even made me hate Molly, like what
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews
October 3, 2020
The main character Dr. Paige is a casually cruel "masochist" who ruins his own life by taking the blame for a death actually caused by an older surgeon's misfeasance. If I were the main character I would warn the older surgeon not to operate when not in control of himself. Instead the "masochist" takes the blame upon himself, allowing the death-causer to continue his reckless behavior. The premise is unbelievable. Except for this flaw, this novel is very entertaining and the characters are numerous and varied. Lloyd Douglas' treatment of their sensibilities, especially of the women, is commendable. The early 20th century customs allowing powerful or rich people to get away with certain deeds are powerfully depicted when one reads between the lines.
92 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2022
More like a 3.5. I too found the book a little disjointed. found some of it hard to follow. Feel like I should reread the first third in light of what ends up happening at the end. I liked the characters. Liked his writing style. B Found it a little bit too long. And not to be trite, but the green light is supposed to be "the signal to go forward" despite delays... which in contemporary parlance would be 'keep on keepin' on..'
146 reviews
February 7, 2022
This was a disappointment. The Robe is my favorite book and has meant so much to me. I enjoyed Magnificent Obsession and The Big Fisherman. This one was disjointed, never captured me and while trying to offer wisdom, flirts with Christianity but falls way short of being Christian. The ode to the mystic and evolution and the parade are shallow.
Profile Image for MissyR.
52 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2025
Big words, lots of storylines and many characters to keep track of. Once I relaxed into knowing I wasn't going to keep it all totally straight I thoroughly enjoyed this book. No specific mention of God, but lots of study of the human nature and upward growth as a person. Stories about people and the choices they made. Lots of story telling happened between the lines and I really enjoyed that.
573 reviews9 followers
October 18, 2017
The most popular book each of 1935. I’m going to give this 4 stars because it was a pleasant little read. It was predictable but left you with the feeling that it would make a lovely little rom-com.
Profile Image for Katie Bateman.
282 reviews
March 29, 2022
Written a long time ago with beautiful language. This is the story of a doctor who makes a mistake during a surgery because he is distracted and how this affects the life of his protege and others.
Profile Image for Shyann Rachael.
20 reviews
July 26, 2025
Using this book as a placeholder for Green Light by Serene Musafir (sorry to this man)
Profile Image for Anne Harvey.
393 reviews18 followers
December 5, 2014
Reread from many years ago, it's amazing how my reading tastes have changed, probably as a result of the new style of writing, 'show not tell.' It's still a cracking story though and the writing is exceptional still.

Newell Paige is a US mid-west doctor whose mentor, Endicott, is like a father to him. When Endicott receives news of the 1929 Wall Street Crash, he botches an operation, the patient dies, and Paige takes the blame for it rather than have his elderly hero's reputation damaged. To escape the ensuing publicity, he runs away and hides under a new persona. Through the people he meets and influences, he comes under the influence of the deeply spiritual Dean Harcourt, who explains about the 'Green Light' as a result of which, Paige finds fulfillment and personal happiness.
Profile Image for Stu Page.
3 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2009
A book that tells a great story about a mane who has faced great personal difficult helping a multiple of people to face difficulties in their lives thru the Christian Faith Read it 50 years ago and just reread it.
32 reviews4 followers
January 28, 2011
A man who saves the name of a fellow sergeon by taking the blame of a fatal mistake in a surgery. He runs away and in time defines himself more in life and becomes aquanted with someone who is tied to the person who died in surgery. A sweet love story along offers some Christian based ideas.
Profile Image for Erin.
1,033 reviews33 followers
January 4, 2008
A young surgeon claims fault for his mentor's fatal mistake and is removed from hospital staff. His career ruined, he sets out with a new identity for adventures away from the medical field.
Profile Image for Clifford Wollum.
295 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2008
The characterization was what made me read this book of people that lived during the market crash 1930's and a love story to boot!
Profile Image for Valerie Kite.
44 reviews13 followers
Read
February 24, 2012
I read this in my early years. It is the story of doctor error gone wrong. Lloyd C. Douglas is a strong Christian author uniquely powerful for his descriptions and expression of feelings.
Profile Image for Manjot Kaur.
28 reviews17 followers
April 15, 2017
This is the second Lloyd C Douglas book I've read - the first one was White Banners - and I continue to be surprised that this author is not more popular. I'm torn between the lists of things that I loved about Green Light, and the things that I found annoying. The former list is longer, so I would definitely recommend the book to anyone interested in exploring different approaches to spirituality. This is a moving story of people who are likable, uncomplicated and have a sense of humor. Their struggles, though serious, have a nice old-world ring to them, so this book definitely goes into my comfort reading list. But if I listed these as the only lovable things about the book, I would be doing it a disservice. The reason the book comes alive for me is for its strong theme of courage, patience and non-resistance in the face of acute adversity. There are some long passages, worth reading, about a concept called "personal adequacy" which I find powerful. I do not subscribe to the philosophy in its entirety, because sometimes fighting is important, but I found myself warming up to the idea that non-resistance needs as much courage, if not more, as resistance.

And the the list of things I disliked - well, like a lot of books written during its time, there are tones of western supremacy (perhaps I am over sensitive) that I could not ignore ("the Buddhists never had any scientists" kind of thing. And the philosophical discussion could have been even more interesting without the undertones of religion. But given the author's profession (he was minister), this is understandable too.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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