Helen of the Old House

by Harold Bell Wright

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. This text refers to the Bibliobazaar edition.

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

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Harold Bell Wright was a best selling American author of the first part of the 20th century.

Between 1903 and 1942, this minister-turned-author wrote nineteen books, several scripts for stage plays, and several magazine articles. At least fifteen movies were made from his novels. Seven of Wright's books appeared on the top ten best sellers lists, two of them twice, including a number one seller in 1914, a number two in 1916 and a third best seller three times.

He's best known for his work entitled The Shepherd of the Hills which was made into the well known, outdoor play, of the same name, performed in Branson, Mo.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I read years ago. Not my favorite of Wright's, because I don't honestly enjoy tales of labor uprisings and riots, but it is masterfully written, and Helen is a strong, well-drawn character.

I wish I had the dust jacket pictured here, but my copy is an humble red cover without it.

[L. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just like his The Winning of Barbara Worth, author Harold Bell Wright tricks the reader into thinking, "The heroine's name is in the title so she must be the main protagonist." Not so, my friends, as Helen is nothing but a supporting character who stands by and watches other characters move the story along. But Helen Of The Old House sounded more poetic than Rant Against Foreigners.

This is just another one of those Rich vs Poor stories in which Communists clash with Capitalists while Americans make American speeches about how the American worker and the American employer must come together to worship the American God through American work.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. The Interpreter is the hub character. The one class represented by the Ward family (Adam, John, Helen) and McIver. The other class represented by the Captain, the dad, and Mary. The agitator Vodel and stupid follower Whaley. Whaley's children Bobby and Maggie introduce the story and quite appropriately wrap up the end of the story. Well planned, the logic well laid out, the story thread perfectly followed. Little wonder that this author was the first to make $1 million back in 1921.
One thing is certain, technology changes but people predictable as ever and the personalities don't change. We don't seem to learn from others mistakes..

[Tammy Jata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book my sister's and I couldn't put down.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book and its message. Harold Bell Wright was a master at understanding mankind.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cruel industrialist has made a “contract” with God to keep himself from going to hell, where he deserves to go. His beautiful daughter is in love with a working man, and his charming son is in love with the working man’s sister. See, they all grew up together in the yard of the “old house,” where they all played together when their parents were on an equal footing. But then the evil industrialist barged his way ahead and moved his family to a mansion, and the old friends were left behind. But the real story is the conflict between labor and management in the mill where the whole town works. Naturally there’s a strike, causing innocent children to starve. There’s an explosion and a murder and lots more. The scheming author has created a potboiler I could hardly put down, and even some long slow philosophical passages couldn’t break the spell.

[Candace Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the saying that we should learn from history is true after all. While fiction, this story line is so similar to what is happening now to divide the country. The dueling philosophies on both extremes fail to acknowledge the reason of the majority. I thought it was a good story in itself but also appreciated the firm morality that was allowed not so long ago.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an old novel that has significance in these times.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know Wright was one of the most popular writers of his time, but this particular book was subpar vintage fiction.