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The Girl of the Woods
Shocked by the news of his father's plans to remarry, young Revel Radcliffe flees to the woods he loves, hoping that the tranquility will bring peace to his troubled soul. But his sorrowful contemplation is disturbed by the appearance of a lovely young woman who has come to the woods to pick flowers. Gently she reaches out to offer Revel comfort and the gift of faith.
Separated now by miles and years, the memory of his sweet encounter with the "girl of the woods" brings Revel the courage to face a frightening and uncertain future--and the promise of a love that can overcome his past.
Separated now by miles and years, the memory of his sweet encounter with the "girl of the woods" brings Revel the courage to face a frightening and uncertain future--and the promise of a love that can overcome his past.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1942
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254 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
591 books569 followersalso 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 27, 2022
Rating: 3.5 / 5
A bit of a bland book in terms of story, but ultimately still enjoyable.
It centres around Revel Radcliffe, who's found in the throes of despair by Margaret Weldon. Revel's father is getting remarried, and, like all teenage boys, he's not okay with it. Margaret encourages him to seek out faith to help him get past this though, and so a friendship between the two develops.
The way this story works is basically that Margaret and Revel go their separate ways, but still try to maintain a connection via letter writing. They both have their difficulties in their time apart, but ultimately work through them by faith and love. Part of what makes this story a bit more on the bland side is that nothing much really happens to Revel or Margaret themselves once they part, and the ending is just wrapped up a little too neatly as all the troublemakers are either conveniently killed off or have found faith somehow. It's either that I've read too many Grace Livingston Hill books by now or maybe that this plot is a bit too action-less as compared to some of her other stories; but, for whatever reason, I was just "meh" on this one.
Might re-read it someday, to divert time of an afternoon, but otherwise this wasn't the best of her works.
A bit of a bland book in terms of story, but ultimately still enjoyable.
It centres around Revel Radcliffe, who's found in the throes of despair by Margaret Weldon. Revel's father is getting remarried, and, like all teenage boys, he's not okay with it. Margaret encourages him to seek out faith to help him get past this though, and so a friendship between the two develops.
The way this story works is basically that Margaret and Revel go their separate ways, but still try to maintain a connection via letter writing. They both have their difficulties in their time apart, but ultimately work through them by faith and love. Part of what makes this story a bit more on the bland side is that nothing much really happens to Revel or Margaret themselves once they part, and the ending is just wrapped up a little too neatly as all the troublemakers are either conveniently killed off or have found faith somehow. It's either that I've read too many Grace Livingston Hill books by now or maybe that this plot is a bit too action-less as compared to some of her other stories; but, for whatever reason, I was just "meh" on this one.
Might re-read it someday, to divert time of an afternoon, but otherwise this wasn't the best of her works.
May 11, 2016
Another classic from the late, legendary Grace Livingston Hill!
May 7, 2023
3.5 stars. I enjoyed it but it was low beginning. What I enjoyed most about this was the fact it was almost a reverse of my absolute favorite G. L. Hill, Found Treasure. In this case the heroine, Margaret encourages the boy Reville to live up to what God has planned for him. It's a friendship that blooms into a relationship while they are in different parts of the continent.
Definitely predictability plots and in a true G. L. Hill way she has repentant harsh characters. Enjoyable.
Definitely predictability plots and in a true G. L. Hill way she has repentant harsh characters. Enjoyable.
January 17, 2012
I like these clean Christian romances by Grace Livingston Hill; however, I will say that her good characters are almost too perfect and her bad ones horribly evil, which can make them amusing although that's not the intent.
February 6, 2008
I really love the parts where you get to laugh at Mrs. Martin.
May 5, 2017
So sweet!
July 23, 2021
Revel leaves his home in heartbreak and meets with a stranger in the woods near his home. Her beautiful spirit and compassionate nature makes a deep impression upon him. His kindness and absolutely genteel manner makes an impression on our heroine as well. What follows is a correspondence which lasts for several years as both young people face several troubles and various trails. When they meet again, they have grown and matured, ready for a deeper relationship.
How I ever missed this book in all my years of reading Grace Livingston Hill, I don't know. This was a beautiful story all focused on the sort of witness we give as we go about our daily lives. I loved the character of "Grand" and really came to root for these young people. This is a new favorite to add into the rotation of books I read and re-read!
How I ever missed this book in all my years of reading Grace Livingston Hill, I don't know. This was a beautiful story all focused on the sort of witness we give as we go about our daily lives. I loved the character of "Grand" and really came to root for these young people. This is a new favorite to add into the rotation of books I read and re-read!
January 3, 2022
Grace Livingston Hill's "The Girl of the Woods" is a sweet religious romance. I absolutely love her stories which have an uplifting feel to them.
Story in short- Revel Redcliffe hears the unhappy news that his father is going to remarry. How can he bear someone taking his dead mother's place? He meets a girl who comforts him and asks him to seek God in pray.
"So he flung himself down with his face among the flowers, and let his boy tears flow, as he could never have let them go if there had been anyone watching. He had a feeling that not even God, if there was a God, must see him weep. It seemed to him his heart was broken, and there was no use going on."
“I guess I don’t need help. I guess I can take it. A man oughtta be able ta take it—anything that comes—oughtn’t he?” “Why—I don’t know that he ought, not all alone. I think God meant us to be dependent on Him, and sometimes only trouble will bring us to recognize that.”
“Oh, thank you,” said the girl simply. “I couldn’t help knowing how I would feel if ever a thing like that happened to me. Why, my name is Margaret Weldon, and I’m going out to my aunt’s in California to spend the winter and go to school. The address is Linton Lane, Crystal Beach.”
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“Oh! A grandfather! How nice! Why don’t you go and talk it over with him? Wouldn’t he give you good advice on your problems?” The boy was silent for a moment, staring at the girl in the gathering twilight. “That’s an idea!” he said slowly. “I might. I’ll havta think it over. You see, my dad never has anything to do with the Revels. I’ve lately got in the habit of not thinking of Grandfather as a part of the family. Dad doesn’t like him. It’s some old grudge, I guess. Thanks for the suggestion, though."
“Now,” he said, “streak it across and slide into those bushes. Then you can get into the house before she turns in the drive. And say, don’t let her know you’ve just got in, if you can help it. Anyhow, just laugh it off. I’m all kinds of sorry I got you into this. It’s all my fault. And say, I’m mighty grateful! Maybe I won’t see you anymore, but—this is to remember me by—”And suddenly he came quite close in the shadow of the tall osage orange bushes that hedged the next meadow, laid his lips shyly, awkwardly on hers, and kissed her tenderly, as if it were something very sacred he was doing."
Hiram Revel Radcliffe has lost his mother 2 years ago and his father announced that he was going to remarry. Revel's mother had a hard life with her husband who was harsh on her and her family. Hiram Radcliffe senior gives orders and expects them to be accomplished, Revel knows that he must obey his father though his heart is rebelling. While taking his troubles to his favorite spot in the woods meets a girl who sees his tears. She is very kind and tells about her mother's death five years ago and when she sees him distressed, she tells him to pray to God for guidance. Margaret Weldon tells that he is visiting with her uncle an aunt and they are going to live in California. Revel finds her so understanding that they exchange addresses. She encourages him to talk to his mother's family which he didn't think about before because his father wants nothing to do with them. Revel gives her a friendly kiss.
“But, my dear! You wouldn’t cart a lot of weeds like that across the continent. Just
because some silly lovesick boy got up early and dug them up for you?” “Oh, Mrs. Martin! How disgusting! That’s a terrible word for you to use! Lovesick! Why, we’re nothing but kids, either of us, and I never saw him before, nor he me. Please don’t even think such things. I told the boy I was looking for some of the flowers my mother used to love, and he was just being polite and getting me what I wanted. I’m very pleased to have them to take with me, and you’ll please not say anything more about it. Just forget it!”
"So Margaret rode on through the lovely spring day, fairly boiling with rage at the vindictive old woman and wishing she knew some way to protect Revel Radcliffe from her unpleasant tongue. But Margaret, try as she would, was unable to keep her thoughts from the boy whose sorrow had so touched her heart. Missing her own mother as she did, it was impossible for her not to know how the boy had felt. She kept wondering what he would do, what he ought to do."
Margaret's uncle has come to pick her up but before he arrived Margaret had told Mrs. Martin about Revel helping her find her way home. Mrs. Martin complained about Revel and when a box of flowers from the woods came to Margaret from him, the old lady complained but Margaret would not part with her mother's beloved flowers. Margaret writes a thank you note to Revel.
"After a little he swung around in his chair and began to eat the dinner, but his mind kept going back to the girl who had come upon him weeping. She was a swell kid. She hadn’t laughed at him nor kidded him. She’d been as nice as Mother, or perhaps a real sister, would. Never having had one, he couldn’t know how a sister would act, but he liked her, and he liked her name, too, Margaret Weldon. He had a feeling that she was a girl his mother would have liked, and she would have liked his mother, too."
"The simple dresses she had worn about the house. How he had loved her in them! And that stranger should not have possession of them! He must take them down, hide them! His father would never care. He did not take thought of such things. Jewels, yes, he would notice their absence, that is, the ones he had bought for her, more for ostentation than for love, he felt sure. And yet, why had he married her? Not for money, for he had often referred bitterly to the fact that she had not been wealthy. She was beautiful, of course, but he hadn’t cared for her beauty except as it would reflect glory upon himself and give him a mistress for his home who would be admired. Thus the seventeen-year-old boy reasoned it out, bitterly."
"She’ll be apt to have a regular procession of dances and parties for you, and you’ll be pretty active.” “Oh!” said Margaret with a little catch in her breath, and then after a thoughtful pause, she added, “But I shall be in school, you know. I’ll not have time for parties and things of that sort. I want to be ready for college by the end of this year.” Old Mr. Devereaux looked at her indulgently."
“Well, my dear,” he said with a comical little smile, “I don’t imagine Mrs. Gurlie would be one to take the thought of your education too seriously. At least your classical education. She will be much more likely to stress your social education. At least that’s my impression of her.” “Oh!” said Margaret with a sinking of her heart. Was she going into an atmosphere that would be hard for her? Would there be a lot of worldliness? That was not to her taste. Her home had been a plain, sweet place with quiet ways and simple amusements."
"And then the walk home. They had seemed almost like old friends by that time, as he fell into step beside her, guiding her over the rough places, helping her over the fences. Even the memory of his good-bye kiss seemed quite a natural thing. She wasn’t a girl who liked that sort of thing generally. But this was different. Almost a holy kiss. Sealing a little incident between them. It was as if God had sent them together for that short time to be a help to each other. It was something she must put away in her memory and never forget. She likely would not see him on earth, perhaps ever again, but she must always count him a real friend, even if she never even heard from him in her life. Because when they got up to heaven, with life all past, they would surely come together sometime and talk over that day when they had found each other in the woods and got a little bit acquainted."
"If they met again after years, they would be grown-ups definitely, and she wasn’t breaking her heart about leaving any of them, except perhaps Carolyn Comfort. Carolyn had been her best friend and had cried when she left. Carolyn, of course, would write her. Perhaps she would go back east and visit her sometime. That is, if she decided to stay in California. She wasn’t at all sure she would. That would depend on where she decided to go to college. But for the present she seemed cut off from all her old friends, and this boy, who had taken the pains to get some flowers to remind her of her mother, seemed nearer to her thoughts than any of the others she had left."
“Why, how lovely of you all to come and greet me right at the start!” she said graciously. “I’m sure we shall be the best of friends.” Her eyes wandered from one to another of the sharp, sophisticated faces, and she wondered if they would. Somehow there was an air of boredom about them, of smart sayings, and little sympathy in the conversation that did not tend to make her feel at home. And yet, of course, there must be some delightful ones among them. She must not judge them at first glance when she was tired and a bit excited."
"Aunt Carlotta was not a loving soul who would cling to her because she was a dear lost sister’s child. It was nothing to her that she had come all those miles to be with her. It was only an occasion for a party!"
“Well, you certainly are fine at it,” said the maid. “You need just a dash of color in your cheeks, and a bit of lipstick. Everything is here in the case of your dressing table. Shall I put it on?” “No, thank you,” said Margaret firmly. “I would rather not have it.” “But madam, I am afraid, will be upset! She expects me to turn you out all right.” “Sorry,” said Margaret with a little lift of her independent chin. “I never use it. Now, shall I go down the way I came up?"
"Margaret Weldon had taken her place among them as a person with wits of her own. She might be worth cultivating. At least she was not afraid of them."
Margaret travels with a silent uncle thinking of Revel and praying for him. She finally arrives at her aunt's home, her mother's older sister, & is told to dress for the party of young people that her aunt arranged to meet her when she arrived. Margaret is worried about how things will be here and her aunt is not very loving but she will do her best. Both her parents care dead.
"He says you have never answered any of his letters since your mother died, but please, young man, I earnestly beg that you will take the time to come to your grandfather before he leaves this earth forever. If you could see how eager he is, I am sure you would be sorry that you have not done so before. He wants to give you a blessing, he says, before he goes. As Revel read this letter the tears came to his eyes. Letters! So there had been letters, and they had never been given to him! And the poor old man had thought he did not care!"
"That afternoon Revel wrote to his father again. He told him that the doctor thought his grandfather might linger for several days more, or even a week, just on the border, and that it was very important to have the grandson stay here. Then he added: You just go ahead with your plans, Dad. I’ll stay here. I wouldn’t want to be there anyway, and I’m sure the lady you are marrying will be just as well pleased to have me out of the way. That evening there came a telegram: Have just returned. Found your communications. Insist you return at once! This is all nonsense that a man so sick would know. I despise a sis. Take the next train home. These are orders!"
Revel has come home early from school and looks to pack his mother's things before his father's new wife arrives. The postman gives two letters to Revel, one was about his grandfather dying and wanting to see his grandson, he had wrote many letters to him which surprised Revel. Revel has everything packed so he could be with his grandfather, keeping it all a secret. He writes a note to his father and leaves. His grandfather is extremely happy and seems to be holding on for grandson. Revel is determined to stay but his father summons him home.
"So Mandy set out Irving’s dinner, listened to his worries, and hugged the note inside her dress, thinking how nice it was that the boy had remembered to thank her for the little no-count things she had done for him. It began to be like a little tune singing itself in her heart. Mandy hadn’t ever had very many things in her life to make her
happy, but she cared a lot for the boy who had grown up in the house under her ministrations, though since his mother died she hadn’t been allowed to show much tenderness toward him. She came as near to loving him as anything else in her life."
"To meet the girls? Though Revel had never been a lad to have much to do with girls. Perhaps there was a girl now, and she had asked him to her home. But Mandy said he had not been home for dinner. Maybe he had been invited to someone’s house to dinner! Well, perhaps— But there was no end of things he might have done. He hadn’t been in the habit of going out to parties, not even high school parties. His father hadn’t favored such things."
“There, there, Irving. That will do,” said the man. “I told you those things, of course, but I expected you would use common sense and do those errands when it did not interfere with watching over the house and my son. However, we’ll get together and sift this thing down. Hiram has got to understand that I will be obeyed.”
"I have looked forward to bringing you into my firm when your college course is ended, and putting you in the way of making a fortune! And now for the sake of a poor little runt of a man, who happens by unfortunate circumstance to be related to you, you are putting all this in jeopardy! I had no idea before this that you had inherited your mother’s unfortunate temperament, holding grudges and being stubborn for your own way. I thought I had trained all that out of you. And now, can you not see what sorrow and humiliation you have brought upon me, your father, who surely am nearer to you than any grandfather, even if he weren’t such a dismal failure as a man?"
"Now, my son, I have tried to make plain to you what you are doing to your life. If you do not immediately respond to my command, I shall have to withdraw all this that I have outlined to you. I shall have to cancel your entrance to one of the most renowned colleges in this part of the world, to withdraw my support from you entirely, and just allow you to grow up a country hoodlum, whom I shall be ashamed to call my son."
"Dad, I’m all kinds of sorry I have to seem so ungrateful to you, for the home you’ve given me, the standing in the financial world that was mine, the prestige you were arranging for me while acquiring a superior education. But not for all that, Dad, could I leave Grand now. And all I can say in answer to what you have said about him is, you do not know him really or you never would think all that about him."
Irving and Mandy his father's servants are supposed to keep an eye on Revel. Revel has not been home and Irving starts looking for him, Mandy has not told her husband that she has a letter from Revel about him going to see hs sick grandfather. Mr. Radcliffe came home to find his son gone and Revel's note. He writes to his son he better obey or else he will be on his own. Revel tells his father he is sorry but he cannot leave his dying grandfather and his father must do what he must do.
Story in short- Revel Redcliffe hears the unhappy news that his father is going to remarry. How can he bear someone taking his dead mother's place? He meets a girl who comforts him and asks him to seek God in pray.
"So he flung himself down with his face among the flowers, and let his boy tears flow, as he could never have let them go if there had been anyone watching. He had a feeling that not even God, if there was a God, must see him weep. It seemed to him his heart was broken, and there was no use going on."
“I guess I don’t need help. I guess I can take it. A man oughtta be able ta take it—anything that comes—oughtn’t he?” “Why—I don’t know that he ought, not all alone. I think God meant us to be dependent on Him, and sometimes only trouble will bring us to recognize that.”
“Oh, thank you,” said the girl simply. “I couldn’t help knowing how I would feel if ever a thing like that happened to me. Why, my name is Margaret Weldon, and I’m going out to my aunt’s in California to spend the winter and go to school. The address is Linton Lane, Crystal Beach.”
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“Oh! A grandfather! How nice! Why don’t you go and talk it over with him? Wouldn’t he give you good advice on your problems?” The boy was silent for a moment, staring at the girl in the gathering twilight. “That’s an idea!” he said slowly. “I might. I’ll havta think it over. You see, my dad never has anything to do with the Revels. I’ve lately got in the habit of not thinking of Grandfather as a part of the family. Dad doesn’t like him. It’s some old grudge, I guess. Thanks for the suggestion, though."
“Now,” he said, “streak it across and slide into those bushes. Then you can get into the house before she turns in the drive. And say, don’t let her know you’ve just got in, if you can help it. Anyhow, just laugh it off. I’m all kinds of sorry I got you into this. It’s all my fault. And say, I’m mighty grateful! Maybe I won’t see you anymore, but—this is to remember me by—”And suddenly he came quite close in the shadow of the tall osage orange bushes that hedged the next meadow, laid his lips shyly, awkwardly on hers, and kissed her tenderly, as if it were something very sacred he was doing."
Hiram Revel Radcliffe has lost his mother 2 years ago and his father announced that he was going to remarry. Revel's mother had a hard life with her husband who was harsh on her and her family. Hiram Radcliffe senior gives orders and expects them to be accomplished, Revel knows that he must obey his father though his heart is rebelling. While taking his troubles to his favorite spot in the woods meets a girl who sees his tears. She is very kind and tells about her mother's death five years ago and when she sees him distressed, she tells him to pray to God for guidance. Margaret Weldon tells that he is visiting with her uncle an aunt and they are going to live in California. Revel finds her so understanding that they exchange addresses. She encourages him to talk to his mother's family which he didn't think about before because his father wants nothing to do with them. Revel gives her a friendly kiss.
“But, my dear! You wouldn’t cart a lot of weeds like that across the continent. Just
because some silly lovesick boy got up early and dug them up for you?” “Oh, Mrs. Martin! How disgusting! That’s a terrible word for you to use! Lovesick! Why, we’re nothing but kids, either of us, and I never saw him before, nor he me. Please don’t even think such things. I told the boy I was looking for some of the flowers my mother used to love, and he was just being polite and getting me what I wanted. I’m very pleased to have them to take with me, and you’ll please not say anything more about it. Just forget it!”
"So Margaret rode on through the lovely spring day, fairly boiling with rage at the vindictive old woman and wishing she knew some way to protect Revel Radcliffe from her unpleasant tongue. But Margaret, try as she would, was unable to keep her thoughts from the boy whose sorrow had so touched her heart. Missing her own mother as she did, it was impossible for her not to know how the boy had felt. She kept wondering what he would do, what he ought to do."
Margaret's uncle has come to pick her up but before he arrived Margaret had told Mrs. Martin about Revel helping her find her way home. Mrs. Martin complained about Revel and when a box of flowers from the woods came to Margaret from him, the old lady complained but Margaret would not part with her mother's beloved flowers. Margaret writes a thank you note to Revel.
"After a little he swung around in his chair and began to eat the dinner, but his mind kept going back to the girl who had come upon him weeping. She was a swell kid. She hadn’t laughed at him nor kidded him. She’d been as nice as Mother, or perhaps a real sister, would. Never having had one, he couldn’t know how a sister would act, but he liked her, and he liked her name, too, Margaret Weldon. He had a feeling that she was a girl his mother would have liked, and she would have liked his mother, too."
"The simple dresses she had worn about the house. How he had loved her in them! And that stranger should not have possession of them! He must take them down, hide them! His father would never care. He did not take thought of such things. Jewels, yes, he would notice their absence, that is, the ones he had bought for her, more for ostentation than for love, he felt sure. And yet, why had he married her? Not for money, for he had often referred bitterly to the fact that she had not been wealthy. She was beautiful, of course, but he hadn’t cared for her beauty except as it would reflect glory upon himself and give him a mistress for his home who would be admired. Thus the seventeen-year-old boy reasoned it out, bitterly."
"She’ll be apt to have a regular procession of dances and parties for you, and you’ll be pretty active.” “Oh!” said Margaret with a little catch in her breath, and then after a thoughtful pause, she added, “But I shall be in school, you know. I’ll not have time for parties and things of that sort. I want to be ready for college by the end of this year.” Old Mr. Devereaux looked at her indulgently."
“Well, my dear,” he said with a comical little smile, “I don’t imagine Mrs. Gurlie would be one to take the thought of your education too seriously. At least your classical education. She will be much more likely to stress your social education. At least that’s my impression of her.” “Oh!” said Margaret with a sinking of her heart. Was she going into an atmosphere that would be hard for her? Would there be a lot of worldliness? That was not to her taste. Her home had been a plain, sweet place with quiet ways and simple amusements."
"And then the walk home. They had seemed almost like old friends by that time, as he fell into step beside her, guiding her over the rough places, helping her over the fences. Even the memory of his good-bye kiss seemed quite a natural thing. She wasn’t a girl who liked that sort of thing generally. But this was different. Almost a holy kiss. Sealing a little incident between them. It was as if God had sent them together for that short time to be a help to each other. It was something she must put away in her memory and never forget. She likely would not see him on earth, perhaps ever again, but she must always count him a real friend, even if she never even heard from him in her life. Because when they got up to heaven, with life all past, they would surely come together sometime and talk over that day when they had found each other in the woods and got a little bit acquainted."
"If they met again after years, they would be grown-ups definitely, and she wasn’t breaking her heart about leaving any of them, except perhaps Carolyn Comfort. Carolyn had been her best friend and had cried when she left. Carolyn, of course, would write her. Perhaps she would go back east and visit her sometime. That is, if she decided to stay in California. She wasn’t at all sure she would. That would depend on where she decided to go to college. But for the present she seemed cut off from all her old friends, and this boy, who had taken the pains to get some flowers to remind her of her mother, seemed nearer to her thoughts than any of the others she had left."
“Why, how lovely of you all to come and greet me right at the start!” she said graciously. “I’m sure we shall be the best of friends.” Her eyes wandered from one to another of the sharp, sophisticated faces, and she wondered if they would. Somehow there was an air of boredom about them, of smart sayings, and little sympathy in the conversation that did not tend to make her feel at home. And yet, of course, there must be some delightful ones among them. She must not judge them at first glance when she was tired and a bit excited."
"Aunt Carlotta was not a loving soul who would cling to her because she was a dear lost sister’s child. It was nothing to her that she had come all those miles to be with her. It was only an occasion for a party!"
“Well, you certainly are fine at it,” said the maid. “You need just a dash of color in your cheeks, and a bit of lipstick. Everything is here in the case of your dressing table. Shall I put it on?” “No, thank you,” said Margaret firmly. “I would rather not have it.” “But madam, I am afraid, will be upset! She expects me to turn you out all right.” “Sorry,” said Margaret with a little lift of her independent chin. “I never use it. Now, shall I go down the way I came up?"
"Margaret Weldon had taken her place among them as a person with wits of her own. She might be worth cultivating. At least she was not afraid of them."
Margaret travels with a silent uncle thinking of Revel and praying for him. She finally arrives at her aunt's home, her mother's older sister, & is told to dress for the party of young people that her aunt arranged to meet her when she arrived. Margaret is worried about how things will be here and her aunt is not very loving but she will do her best. Both her parents care dead.
"He says you have never answered any of his letters since your mother died, but please, young man, I earnestly beg that you will take the time to come to your grandfather before he leaves this earth forever. If you could see how eager he is, I am sure you would be sorry that you have not done so before. He wants to give you a blessing, he says, before he goes. As Revel read this letter the tears came to his eyes. Letters! So there had been letters, and they had never been given to him! And the poor old man had thought he did not care!"
"That afternoon Revel wrote to his father again. He told him that the doctor thought his grandfather might linger for several days more, or even a week, just on the border, and that it was very important to have the grandson stay here. Then he added: You just go ahead with your plans, Dad. I’ll stay here. I wouldn’t want to be there anyway, and I’m sure the lady you are marrying will be just as well pleased to have me out of the way. That evening there came a telegram: Have just returned. Found your communications. Insist you return at once! This is all nonsense that a man so sick would know. I despise a sis. Take the next train home. These are orders!"
Revel has come home early from school and looks to pack his mother's things before his father's new wife arrives. The postman gives two letters to Revel, one was about his grandfather dying and wanting to see his grandson, he had wrote many letters to him which surprised Revel. Revel has everything packed so he could be with his grandfather, keeping it all a secret. He writes a note to his father and leaves. His grandfather is extremely happy and seems to be holding on for grandson. Revel is determined to stay but his father summons him home.
"So Mandy set out Irving’s dinner, listened to his worries, and hugged the note inside her dress, thinking how nice it was that the boy had remembered to thank her for the little no-count things she had done for him. It began to be like a little tune singing itself in her heart. Mandy hadn’t ever had very many things in her life to make her
happy, but she cared a lot for the boy who had grown up in the house under her ministrations, though since his mother died she hadn’t been allowed to show much tenderness toward him. She came as near to loving him as anything else in her life."
"To meet the girls? Though Revel had never been a lad to have much to do with girls. Perhaps there was a girl now, and she had asked him to her home. But Mandy said he had not been home for dinner. Maybe he had been invited to someone’s house to dinner! Well, perhaps— But there was no end of things he might have done. He hadn’t been in the habit of going out to parties, not even high school parties. His father hadn’t favored such things."
“There, there, Irving. That will do,” said the man. “I told you those things, of course, but I expected you would use common sense and do those errands when it did not interfere with watching over the house and my son. However, we’ll get together and sift this thing down. Hiram has got to understand that I will be obeyed.”
"I have looked forward to bringing you into my firm when your college course is ended, and putting you in the way of making a fortune! And now for the sake of a poor little runt of a man, who happens by unfortunate circumstance to be related to you, you are putting all this in jeopardy! I had no idea before this that you had inherited your mother’s unfortunate temperament, holding grudges and being stubborn for your own way. I thought I had trained all that out of you. And now, can you not see what sorrow and humiliation you have brought upon me, your father, who surely am nearer to you than any grandfather, even if he weren’t such a dismal failure as a man?"
"Now, my son, I have tried to make plain to you what you are doing to your life. If you do not immediately respond to my command, I shall have to withdraw all this that I have outlined to you. I shall have to cancel your entrance to one of the most renowned colleges in this part of the world, to withdraw my support from you entirely, and just allow you to grow up a country hoodlum, whom I shall be ashamed to call my son."
"Dad, I’m all kinds of sorry I have to seem so ungrateful to you, for the home you’ve given me, the standing in the financial world that was mine, the prestige you were arranging for me while acquiring a superior education. But not for all that, Dad, could I leave Grand now. And all I can say in answer to what you have said about him is, you do not know him really or you never would think all that about him."
Irving and Mandy his father's servants are supposed to keep an eye on Revel. Revel has not been home and Irving starts looking for him, Mandy has not told her husband that she has a letter from Revel about him going to see hs sick grandfather. Mr. Radcliffe came home to find his son gone and Revel's note. He writes to his son he better obey or else he will be on his own. Revel tells his father he is sorry but he cannot leave his dying grandfather and his father must do what he must do.
February 12, 2019
Religious romance--Grace Livingston Hill led the way in this genre.
July 20, 2022
If you like this, try BY WAY OF THE WILDERNESS by Isabella Macdonald Alden--unless reading that first brought you here! :)
March 17, 2008
If this is the book I'm thinking of its a book about fate and chance meetings and was actually really good despite the cheesy cover shown here- not the original cover. I happened on it in the public library about 15 yrs ago and it may be hard to find now. I like how the story begins and ends with the footprints.
October 13, 2018
Found this in a used bookstore, an old solid colored hardcover with crinkly pages and a cursive handwritten note inside the cover. Had no idea what it was about, but was surprised and delighted at such a lovely story! So very sweet!
December 30, 2018
Dsl2
Th: .tggvvll'll polling
Uh p ppl
Eh Bibb g yt? to
..number by by: g t councillor
Uhh
K Iloilo
Th: .tggvvll'll polling
Uh p ppl
Eh Bibb g yt? to
..number by by: g t councillor
Uhh
K Iloilo
January 9, 2013
I picked up this book at a library sale and it was great! It was written in 1942 and is nice and clean and a great story of Christian Romance! If anyone would like to borrow it, let me know.
October 5, 2024
Sweet and wholesome. Two words I would use to sum up this novel if I had limited character space. I so enjoyed this little book! Refreshing, delightful Christian fiction that wasn't preachy or forced. I have so many thoughts about it, so let's see where to start.
The book itself was 22 chapters and covered about two or three years (perhaps longer, I'm bad at math) of Revel and Margaret's life. Grace Livingston Hill did such a good job at breathing life into her characters and having them come up from the pages, emerging in tangible imagination for a short book of 22 chapters and several years. Maybe a little "tell not show" by today's standards but since the novel is technically considered a classic (I label it so because of the era in which it was published) it works for that story. Despite the "tell not show" telling, the novel was very rich in POV.
The lessons and faith aspect in this story can be applauded. Now, I know. GLH lived in a time where it was considered a sin for a woman to wear makeup. (As an actress, I cringe reading that, hee-hee.) So that would be a natural turn-off for a lot of modern readers. But readers, I ask you to look past the change in culture that we enjoy today.
Margaret's personal beliefs were that for a woman to wear makeup is a sin in God's eyes and she felt it would compromise her relationship with God. That is her personal relationship with God. She wasn't doing it to be judgemental of other women or legalistic, that was what she believed God wanted from her. Who are we to tell her she's crazy, overboard, etc. She wanted to please God and keep her relationship pure with Him and for that, she has a truly wonderful faith.
That being said, the way she stood up under the pressure of her aunt and even though it was hard for her, she never compromised or backed down is a lesson that we must all take to heart. Because of her steadfast refusal to cave to the pressure of her so-called peers or the "worldly" ideas of her aunt, it eventually led her aunt to ask questions and Margaret was able to share the Gospel with her. Christians, put aside the makeup being a sin / not a sin. Look at the lesson contained therein. By standing up to the pressures of the world and what the world says is correct, refusing to compromise, not only are you putting a huge smile on Jesus's face and pleasing God, but you are also an example of true Believers to the world. You never know when someone will notice something different about you, how at peace you are despite the peer pressure, and ask you someday.
The faith aspect in this story was beautiful and sweet. Innocent, yes. And that was one of my favorite aspects of it. I wish we could all get back to a more innocent and simple faith in our God rather than the complicated mess and superhero show so much of it has become today.
Revel's character arc was amazing! It was one of my favorite parts of the story. Grand was one of my favorite characters...I loved, loved, LOVED him. <3
Christian fiction with a pure, true message - meets classical literature similar to Anne of Green Gables style of writing. I do wish in giving the Gospel message there had been a little more touch on repentance as it is so important, but she did emphasize "Jesus alone can save you," "Salvation in Jesus alone," and that was a great scene to read.
The story wasn't "exciting" or "thrilling," as it was a mere unfolding of two lives. But they were two beautiful lives and the story was enjoyable. It was delightful to see life through the eyes of the characters as they grew, learned and loved.
And can I just say....FLOWERS!!!!
*curtsies* That's all, folks! :D
The book itself was 22 chapters and covered about two or three years (perhaps longer, I'm bad at math) of Revel and Margaret's life. Grace Livingston Hill did such a good job at breathing life into her characters and having them come up from the pages, emerging in tangible imagination for a short book of 22 chapters and several years. Maybe a little "tell not show" by today's standards but since the novel is technically considered a classic (I label it so because of the era in which it was published) it works for that story. Despite the "tell not show" telling, the novel was very rich in POV.
The lessons and faith aspect in this story can be applauded. Now, I know. GLH lived in a time where it was considered a sin for a woman to wear makeup. (As an actress, I cringe reading that, hee-hee.) So that would be a natural turn-off for a lot of modern readers. But readers, I ask you to look past the change in culture that we enjoy today.
Margaret's personal beliefs were that for a woman to wear makeup is a sin in God's eyes and she felt it would compromise her relationship with God. That is her personal relationship with God. She wasn't doing it to be judgemental of other women or legalistic, that was what she believed God wanted from her. Who are we to tell her she's crazy, overboard, etc. She wanted to please God and keep her relationship pure with Him and for that, she has a truly wonderful faith.
That being said, the way she stood up under the pressure of her aunt and even though it was hard for her, she never compromised or backed down is a lesson that we must all take to heart. Because of her steadfast refusal to cave to the pressure of her so-called peers or the "worldly" ideas of her aunt, it eventually led her aunt to ask questions and Margaret was able to share the Gospel with her. Christians, put aside the makeup being a sin / not a sin. Look at the lesson contained therein. By standing up to the pressures of the world and what the world says is correct, refusing to compromise, not only are you putting a huge smile on Jesus's face and pleasing God, but you are also an example of true Believers to the world. You never know when someone will notice something different about you, how at peace you are despite the peer pressure, and ask you someday.
The faith aspect in this story was beautiful and sweet. Innocent, yes. And that was one of my favorite aspects of it. I wish we could all get back to a more innocent and simple faith in our God rather than the complicated mess and superhero show so much of it has become today.
Revel's character arc was amazing! It was one of my favorite parts of the story. Grand was one of my favorite characters...I loved, loved, LOVED him. <3
Christian fiction with a pure, true message - meets classical literature similar to Anne of Green Gables style of writing. I do wish in giving the Gospel message there had been a little more touch on repentance as it is so important, but she did emphasize "Jesus alone can save you," "Salvation in Jesus alone," and that was a great scene to read.
The story wasn't "exciting" or "thrilling," as it was a mere unfolding of two lives. But they were two beautiful lives and the story was enjoyable. It was delightful to see life through the eyes of the characters as they grew, learned and loved.
And can I just say....FLOWERS!!!!
*curtsies* That's all, folks! :D
October 9, 2024
October 8, 2024
This is my second Grace Livingston Hill novel. At least it's better than The Street of the City. It's not perfect, but it's okay. The most interesting part of the novel is how dated it is, honestly. This book is eighty-two years old, so it was pretty cool to see how times have changed and get a glimpse into what was considered "modern" eighty years ago.
Like The Street of the City, I had a few problems with the dialogue—at least where Mandy and Irving were concerned.
A few other reviews echoed this sentiment, so I'll keep it brief here. The first half of this book was kinda boring. So much of it was spent on trivial things, like Revel packing his things to leave home and go to his grandfather's house. Did we need all of the long-winded descriptions of the things that his mother owned and where he put them and how he moved things out of the house?
I liked that this book took place over a two-year period of time, whereas The Street in the City reached the same endgoal—marriage—within two weeks. I feel like there was a lot of telling instead of showing in this book, but oh well. It's been published for eighty years; there's nothing that I can do about that.
This is my second Grace Livingston Hill novel. At least it's better than The Street of the City. It's not perfect, but it's okay. The most interesting part of the novel is how dated it is, honestly. This book is eighty-two years old, so it was pretty cool to see how times have changed and get a glimpse into what was considered "modern" eighty years ago.
Like The Street of the City, I had a few problems with the dialogue—at least where Mandy and Irving were concerned.
"Irving, he's drove down to the garage ta get the oil changed in the car, an' git sompum done ta the brakes... He was plannin' on stoppin' at Sauter's farm ta git some more p'taties an' napples. We're jest out, an' we want ta be all stocked up afore your daddy gits here."Can you tell me with a straight face that this is easy to read? Why couldn't the author have just written it like this, while telling us in the narrative that Mandy has a dialect:
"Irving, he drove down to the garage to get the oil changed in the car and get something done to the brakes. He was planning on stopping at Sauter's farm to get some more potatoes and apples. We're just out, and we want to be all stocked up before your daddy gets here."That is so much easier on the eyes!
A few other reviews echoed this sentiment, so I'll keep it brief here. The first half of this book was kinda boring. So much of it was spent on trivial things, like Revel packing his things to leave home and go to his grandfather's house. Did we need all of the long-winded descriptions of the things that his mother owned and where he put them and how he moved things out of the house?
I liked that this book took place over a two-year period of time, whereas The Street in the City reached the same endgoal—marriage—within two weeks. I feel like there was a lot of telling instead of showing in this book, but oh well. It's been published for eighty years; there's nothing that I can do about that.
April 24, 2024
The fact that I'm giving this *TWO* stars when I absolutely love correspondence in books, love Grace Livingston Hill is... well, unprecedented. But I can't give it more. And I'm not keeping this.
First, GLH makes salvation trite in this book. "Just pray a prayer and believe and you're in!" That's... not how it works. People can't do whatever the heck they want or save it to the deathbed and act like they've given their lives to the Lord.
Second, the rebellious spirit of Revel - Yes, I understand his circumstances were dire, but he's a MINOR who just took off, hello - wasn't okay with me. The father was strict, but not abusive. The whole thing was wrong.
Third, this book is OBSESSED with people 'in Heaven'... which is an unBiblical teaching. Christ is the 'firstfruits' of those who will go to be with the Father, but people don't go there when they die. Even Messiah said to the thief on the cross, "Tonight you will be with me IN PARADISE". Not Heaven.
I didn't like the 'just desserts' that Grace doled out on Hiram and his wife. God doesn't work that way, and it was heavy handed and spoilt things, for me. By a lot.
I also wasn't fond of the lack of character development in this one. We're TOLD what Revel and Margaret are doing, we're not shown it, and the book feels over-narrated, because of that.
So mmmmmmnope. Not a keeper.
First, GLH makes salvation trite in this book. "Just pray a prayer and believe and you're in!" That's... not how it works. People can't do whatever the heck they want or save it to the deathbed and act like they've given their lives to the Lord.
Second, the rebellious spirit of Revel - Yes, I understand his circumstances were dire, but he's a MINOR who just took off, hello - wasn't okay with me. The father was strict, but not abusive. The whole thing was wrong.
Third, this book is OBSESSED with people 'in Heaven'... which is an unBiblical teaching. Christ is the 'firstfruits' of those who will go to be with the Father, but people don't go there when they die. Even Messiah said to the thief on the cross, "Tonight you will be with me IN PARADISE". Not Heaven.
I didn't like the 'just desserts' that Grace doled out on Hiram and his wife. God doesn't work that way, and it was heavy handed and spoilt things, for me. By a lot.
I also wasn't fond of the lack of character development in this one. We're TOLD what Revel and Margaret are doing, we're not shown it, and the book feels over-narrated, because of that.
So mmmmmmnope. Not a keeper.
December 20, 2024
This is probably one of the sweetest and gentlest stories that I have read in a very long time. I apperciated the gentle nature of both of the main characters, and their spiritual growth as they grew into their adult life is so refreshing. Their relationship has a respect that is often missing today. Somehow I feel that our culture today has a hardness to it that takes away some of the joy of reading this type of story. It also has added a hardness to people's personalities that diminishes some of the finer aspects of the beauty of this type of a relationship.
They both stand strong in their faith and convictions even when ridiculed and mocked by friends, acquaintances and those that should love them. This is something that is used of the Lord, for some, in the end of the story.
Their relationship also has some Robert and Elizabeth Browning aspects to it. However, there is a time when things here go just slightly astray. It is fun though to see how the Lord uses such circumstances to do His work.
I would recommend this to others, and I may just have to read it again myself if I have the opportunity.
They both stand strong in their faith and convictions even when ridiculed and mocked by friends, acquaintances and those that should love them. This is something that is used of the Lord, for some, in the end of the story.
Their relationship also has some Robert and Elizabeth Browning aspects to it. However, there is a time when things here go just slightly astray. It is fun though to see how the Lord uses such circumstances to do His work.
I would recommend this to others, and I may just have to read it again myself if I have the opportunity.
March 2, 2024
I enjoyed this story. It didn’t feel like there was a lot of depth to it, or to most of the characters, but they also didn’t feel flat and boring. I liked that this story had some stronger Christian elements than some other GLH books I’ve read. Ugh, I did not like Mrs. Martin and really, really wanted to speak some plain truths to her. Not that she would have listened, but still. Of course there were other characters I didn’t like, and some I ended up feeling sorry for.
Overall, this was clean and sweet and I liked it.
Overall, this was clean and sweet and I liked it.
July 19, 2021
This is probably more like a 3.5 star book, but we'll say 3 for...whatever reason you'd like.
Cute story about a chance meeting in the woods and a pen-pal type friendship/romance that ensues. Some similar vibes to Rose Galbraith, but I think I actually liked that one slightly better. I cringed when our main characters stopped writing each other because of a mix up and neither thought to double check with the other, just assuming that they had been forgotten or rejected. That type of trope annoys me - I am all about communication - so I skimmed over some of that stuff.
Overall, though, this was a sweet little love story with some delicious small town flair that definitely reminded me of Rachel Lynde from Anne of Green Gables. I would recommend this one, although I might not pick it up as a re-read as quickly as some others.
Cute story about a chance meeting in the woods and a pen-pal type friendship/romance that ensues. Some similar vibes to Rose Galbraith, but I think I actually liked that one slightly better. I cringed when our main characters stopped writing each other because of a mix up and neither thought to double check with the other, just assuming that they had been forgotten or rejected. That type of trope annoys me - I am all about communication - so I skimmed over some of that stuff.
Overall, though, this was a sweet little love story with some delicious small town flair that definitely reminded me of Rachel Lynde from Anne of Green Gables. I would recommend this one, although I might not pick it up as a re-read as quickly as some others.
January 31, 2018
Revel does not get along with his father. His mother died and now, two years later, his father is going to remarry. Revel goes to the woods to clear his head and meets Margaret. They keep in contact through the mail for a time and love blossoms. Revel sends a package that Margaret never receives and they don’t correspond for a couple years, but fate intervenes.
This book shows you a different way of thinking about young romance. You will also note a different style of writing.
This book shows you a different way of thinking about young romance. You will also note a different style of writing.
November 21, 2022
This book was alright. Just not exactly my cup of tea. I liked Revel well enough and I liked his grandpa. The plot itself was pretty cute I really liked how Revel and Margaret communicate through letters. The whole book just has this quaint old timey feel that brings you back to the decade it was written in. If romance was something that I enjoy, I'd have probably loved this one. Evidently I was drawn in by the title, but ultimately I found it readable despite not being my usual flavor.
March 28, 2020
The book is written and set in a earlier, simpler time. You will still enjoy the story. What you will find are good, strong characters. She writes from a Christian approach, presenting the gospel in the pages. Her characters are real, some good, some quite bad, some in between. The ending is satisfying.
June 13, 2023
Couldn’t put it down
This book is a faith-builder, if you can apply the Truths in it to your own life. A wonderful story about how real love has staying power and how God gives the victory, even when people seem to get away with doing evil against us. The Girl of the Woods is another 5-star favorite!
This book is a faith-builder, if you can apply the Truths in it to your own life. A wonderful story about how real love has staying power and how God gives the victory, even when people seem to get away with doing evil against us. The Girl of the Woods is another 5-star favorite!
October 3, 2020
GLH never disappoints
Another cozy, sweet GLH book with delightful characters! Consistent with all of her books: salvation and an innocent romance, but a little different in that most of the book takes place when the main characters are apart. This was a good one!
Another cozy, sweet GLH book with delightful characters! Consistent with all of her books: salvation and an innocent romance, but a little different in that most of the book takes place when the main characters are apart. This was a good one!
May 17, 2025
Such a sweet story, and gentle romance, but only 2 star as often the writing was repetitive and slow moving. The passages where Revel meets the "girl in the woods" are the most beautiful and overall I enjoyed the book and glad I read it.
July 12, 2025
Nice summer read 📚. It revolves around a young man's search for his future and his escape from an overbearing, egotistical father. He searches toward growing up and escaping this controlling man. In the end, he reaches success and rediscovers his maternal grandfather.
July 27, 2025
Such a sweet story. Not the best GLH book I've read as the writing was often repetitive and long winded, the friendship between the two main characters is lovely and the scene with the "girl in the woods" is very prettily described.
May 8, 2021
Wonderful Story about true love found in the woods.
Wonder story of finding love in the woods, with an infusion of God’s love coming to them all. Greatest story.
Wonder story of finding love in the woods, with an infusion of God’s love coming to them all. Greatest story.
May 15, 2021
My great-grandmother loved this author and would re-read her books constantly. The copy I read was actually hers.
It was a sweet story. The old-fashioned writing was simple and refreshing.
It was a sweet story. The old-fashioned writing was simple and refreshing.
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