Elsie's Great Hope

A Life of Faith: Elsie Dinsmore #8

by Martha Finley

Two decades before the Civil War, an eight year- old Southern heiress longs for the love of the father she has never known---but when they meet at last, nothing is as Elsie expects. Can the proud and willful Horace Dinsmore learn to love his only child---a little girl whose first allegiance is to God? Introducing soft cover editions in the Elsie Dinsmore Series with newly designed covers.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Middle Grade

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

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

[Amanda]

This book made such a small impression on me that I just started reading it, getting halfway through before realizing that I'd already read it. I didn't particularly like the story being told from Molly's perspective. I understand that that was to show her ability to write, but I wasn't convinced. On a positive note, at least it didn't last the whole book! I don't know quite what I was expecting from this, maybe something that lived up to the title.

[Emily Douglas]

I read these books as a little girl, but was asked to read again for a recommendation. Sweet stories with historic themes running through, faith based but not theologically weighty. The whole series is sweet for a mom and daughter to read together, there are some super great moments to disciple your daughter through. I read a little about the controversy behind these books and think most of it stems from the original print? Not sure. These were sweet with an American Jane Austen type of feel.

[Grace Lynch]

I enjoyed this book but I must admit that I felt that it wasn’t about Elsie anymore. It seemed to be more about the other characters who had relation to Elsie. Despite that, I thought it was a sweet and cute read overall.

[Kristin]

This book was less about Elsie and more about her cousin Molly, who lost use of her legs. It also covered the Philadelphia Exhibition in honor of our nation's 100th birthday.

[Annika]

this book was so good.i would recommend it to one and all....

[Madi]

I can't wait to read this book all of her books are so good

[The Third Place A Teen Library]

F FIN ed: of bk. 8

[Allyson]

This series was my childhood. I grew up loving and cherishing Miss Elsie Dinsmore. She is a stupendous role model for girls and women.

[Chloe H]

A bittersweet end to the Elsie Dinsmore series!

I love watching the Travilla children grow up and the addition of Molly Percival to the family. She is such a sweet, inspiring young lady.
I'm so excited for Missy & Lester! They have such a sweet love story.
It was interesting to read about the Centennial Exhibition. Everything about the nineteenth century fascinates me!

I'm sad that Elsie's stories are over, but I look forward to continuing with Millie and Violet's stories. And I hope to read the original Elsie books soon!

[Emily Reimold]

One of her most well-rounded books. A good read though I wish it were a bit more conclusive to the entire series.

[Abby: )]

Not my favorite of the series, but it felt good to finish rereading my favorite childhood series

[Sarah]

I love this series! I read Millie and then Elsie, because Millie's story happens before Elsie's to some degree, so that just makes sense to me.

I like how this book is laid out. A lot happens between books seven and eight, and to bridge the gap and fill in the information, they have Molly writing things in her journal. It flows well and doesn't feel like an information dump.

2024 UPDATE

These books get more and more exciting as the series moves on! While I love big families, this is where they get sad because there are too many people to stay in touch with them all. And this book jumps years ahead, so we miss much of the growing up years of the Travilla kids BUT this is a wonderful book even still.

Elsie's family deals with yet another loss (seriously, they are put through the ringer in this series!), more members come to Christ and have their lives changed, there are trips and celebrations, and new couples forming all over the place! It's a lot going on with so many great lessons along the way, particularly in how tragedy can be for our benefit. Thankfully the Violet series lets us continue with this sweet family.

[KC125]

I think these books are a matter of taste.Some books bridge the gap of difference in preference. This series remains in the Historical classic realm.