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Cloudy Jewel
Gentle, lovely Julia Cloud has devoted her life to caring for others. Now, after her invalid mother's death, she is without the financial means to live on her own. But she dreaded accepting her selfish younger sister's offer to come and live with her and take care of her demanding children.
Then, just when Julia resigns herself to a bleak future as a servant in her sister's home, something amazing happens! Julia's lively young niece and nephew, her deceased brother's children, turn up on her doorstep with a thrilling proposition. Suddenly Julia is thrown into an exciting adventure--and she discovers more happiness and love than she ever dreamed she could have!
Then, just when Julia resigns herself to a bleak future as a servant in her sister's home, something amazing happens! Julia's lively young niece and nephew, her deceased brother's children, turn up on her doorstep with a thrilling proposition. Suddenly Julia is thrown into an exciting adventure--and she discovers more happiness and love than she ever dreamed she could have!
323 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1920
273 people are currently reading
589 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
595 books572 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 106 reviews
June 20, 2013
Julia Cloud is a middle-aged spinster of slender means. After spending several years nursing her ailing mother, she is now orphaned, and facing the prospect of becoming an unpaid drudge and childminder for her selfish sister and domineering brother-in-law. Luckily for her, her nephew and niece, children of her late brother, choose this moment to burst back into her life and demand that she come and be "mother" for them as they go to college. This she does, and spends the rest of the book turning the pair of them into enthusiastic Christians, largely by means of emotional blackmail (she never tells them what to do, but she has an excellent line in looking shocked and upset when they want to go dancing, or not go church).
However, despite the heavy Christian element, this is actually a rather nice book. Julia (or Cloudy Jewel as her niece and nephew call her) has more gumption than my previous description might make you think; her sister and family are entertainingly horrible; the niece and nephew are quite fun (and the niece proves to be, most usefully at times, a crack shot); and there's a pair of sweet romances towards the end. And there's generally a lot more fun in the book than in, say, the works of the author's aunt, "Pansy" (which are really rather dismal).
However, despite the heavy Christian element, this is actually a rather nice book. Julia (or Cloudy Jewel as her niece and nephew call her) has more gumption than my previous description might make you think; her sister and family are entertainingly horrible; the niece and nephew are quite fun (and the niece proves to be, most usefully at times, a crack shot); and there's a pair of sweet romances towards the end. And there's generally a lot more fun in the book than in, say, the works of the author's aunt, "Pansy" (which are really rather dismal).
August 21, 2024
I love this story. It is a dear one and I have happy memories of my Dad reading it aloud to us.
Is it a bit preachy at times, yes. Hill gets caught in the same trap many authors of today get trapped in thinking the moral issues of the moment are paramount instead of the underlying cause.
I personally still find some of what this book had to say about keeping the Sabbath convicting, even if I don't agree with every detail.
Yes, her views on dancing, make-up, and drinking may seem a little overblown. But then, I have a feeling some of the practices we are most worried about at the moment will looke outdated in 100 years as well.
What makes Hill's books timeless to me is the sweetly told stories and the characters who strive to follow Jesus no matter what life tosses at them.
Is it a bit preachy at times, yes. Hill gets caught in the same trap many authors of today get trapped in thinking the moral issues of the moment are paramount instead of the underlying cause.
I personally still find some of what this book had to say about keeping the Sabbath convicting, even if I don't agree with every detail.
Yes, her views on dancing, make-up, and drinking may seem a little overblown. But then, I have a feeling some of the practices we are most worried about at the moment will looke outdated in 100 years as well.
What makes Hill's books timeless to me is the sweetly told stories and the characters who strive to follow Jesus no matter what life tosses at them.
February 23, 2017
Another sweet non-romance by GLH
January 15, 2013
Written in 1920, this book sure goes a long way into showing what society was like in America back then. Jewel, whose real name is Julia Cloud, is a lonely spinster aunt who has been much used to take care of everyone else during her 50 years of life. Now her invalid parents are dead and she has just made a courageous decision to go out there and see what life is like on her own. Along comes a telegram from her niece and nephew, whom she hasn't seen for 12 years, ever since her brother and his family had moved out to California. They are just about to enter college, and would like to come back east and get her to be their "mother love", since both of their parents had suddenly died in a car accident. They don't want to board, they want to buy a house and, because they remember from their youth what a precious person she is, want her to be their mother there. She is overjoyed to do it, yet has to overcome the anger of her older sister, Ellen, who had been planning on having Jewel move in with her and watch her own four ungrateful children. Following the ups and downs of this young boy and his sister is an adventure, as well as seeing how they greatly improve in their faith life under the ministrations of their "Cloudy Jewel." It also made me think about the Sabbath, and how we observe it now, and how much better God's plan is in setting aside one day a week to rest and enjoy the world He has created for us. I also liked the romance that each of them found that year, as I always do in any of GLH's books. They are so calming and encouraging. Thank-you, Grace.
December 8, 2022
Took me forever to get through this book, but for other reasons besides the book itself.
It was such a sweet, endearing classic, though I wouldn't call it romance. It was so sweet and classic and beautiful and perfect. I really did enjoy it and I think I'll probably read other books by this author as well.
I wouldn't classify this book as romance, but more as general fiction. The romance only comes in about 75% of the way through, and it's very mild, though still cute.
It was such a sweet, endearing classic, though I wouldn't call it romance. It was so sweet and classic and beautiful and perfect. I really did enjoy it and I think I'll probably read other books by this author as well.
I wouldn't classify this book as romance, but more as general fiction. The romance only comes in about 75% of the way through, and it's very mild, though still cute.
November 6, 2009
Selfless, caring Julia Cloud finds herself "adopted" as a guardian to her headstrong niece and nephew. It seems like a perfect solution for three lonely hearts--the orphaned teens have a great companion to mother them, and their "Cloudy Jewel" finally gets the loving home she's longed for. But what happens when three independent minds disagree?
~~~
One of GLH's best, I think! Beautifully written, it's the kind of book where you want to knock on the cottage door and spend an evening with these characters. There's just enough conflict and drama to make the story a page-turner (I've never seen so much gunplay in a Hill book!), but nothing to emotionally jar the feeling of home, and love, and friendship.
Also one of her more thought-provoking books. The college-age siblings tackle the questions of Sabbath rest (is it really important?) and service to God (who says I want to serve, anyway?). Thanks to their fun, irreverent personalities, Allison and Leslie's conclusions come across as realistic and enjoyable to watch.
~~~
Written in the 1920's, "Cloudy Jewel" gives us a glimpse into the details of another time, yet proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
~~~
This book hit me with the vital importance of Sabbath rest--whether it's on Sunday, or another day of the week. I need a full day's rest to relax and renew; and I need time every day to reconnect with God and my own soul. After reading "Cloudy Jewel," I started taking two hours at night to have a glass of wine, read a book...and rest. It's helped.
~~~ mousewords
~~~
One of GLH's best, I think! Beautifully written, it's the kind of book where you want to knock on the cottage door and spend an evening with these characters. There's just enough conflict and drama to make the story a page-turner (I've never seen so much gunplay in a Hill book!), but nothing to emotionally jar the feeling of home, and love, and friendship.
Also one of her more thought-provoking books. The college-age siblings tackle the questions of Sabbath rest (is it really important?) and service to God (who says I want to serve, anyway?). Thanks to their fun, irreverent personalities, Allison and Leslie's conclusions come across as realistic and enjoyable to watch.
~~~
Written in the 1920's, "Cloudy Jewel" gives us a glimpse into the details of another time, yet proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
~~~
This book hit me with the vital importance of Sabbath rest--whether it's on Sunday, or another day of the week. I need a full day's rest to relax and renew; and I need time every day to reconnect with God and my own soul. After reading "Cloudy Jewel," I started taking two hours at night to have a glass of wine, read a book...and rest. It's helped.
~~~ mousewords
May 31, 2020
Decided to try a different kind of novel, a Christian romance. Of course I realized that a Christian book will involve religion but oh boy was there a lot of it lol. It bothered me only at one point when they kept on reading passages from the Bible and discovering the church, that was way too boring without much happening.
Luckily later there was some action. Rather silly and showing very clear that it was written in 1920. I mean, I disliked the main characters. They seemed to me like boring douches who came to college to ruin lives of students who wanted some fun. But hey, I am obviously not the target audience and again, let's not forget how old that book was. From what I saw in Footloose dancing was indeed a horrible thing.
Anyways, I will try another book from this genre one day. Maybe one that tells a story from Christian perspective but isn't obviously written to preach morality to young people to make sure that they don't dance in college instead of entertaining.
Luckily later there was some action. Rather silly and showing very clear that it was written in 1920. I mean, I disliked the main characters. They seemed to me like boring douches who came to college to ruin lives of students who wanted some fun. But hey, I am obviously not the target audience and again, let's not forget how old that book was. From what I saw in Footloose dancing was indeed a horrible thing.
Anyways, I will try another book from this genre one day. Maybe one that tells a story from Christian perspective but isn't obviously written to preach morality to young people to make sure that they don't dance in college instead of entertaining.
September 6, 2016
Only a bit of this was romance, unlike most of Mrs. Hill's stories. I enjoyed it for the most part. Interestingly, I read much of it on the Lord's Day, and much of the earlier part of the book focused on reasons for keeping the Sabbath (Lord's Day) holy. The main characters were fun and sweet, if sometimes idealized. They still had their flaws, though. Didn't like everything about the Christian Endeavor Society, such as the idea of a Halloween party and maybe non-Christian leaders. It had some good main points, such as to love, serve, and give to others for Gods' glory, to honor and learn from Christian mentors, etc.
February 20, 2023
This started out promising — another spinster Cinderella story along the lines of Aunt Crete's Emancipation — and then the ridiculous sentimentality took over. This treacly feminine approach to practical Christian living did so much damage to twentieth century evangelicalism. I wonder if there was a single pastor or theologian who ever stood up against it, or if they were all as limp-wristed as most of today's lot when it comes to confronting feminine foolishness. GLH's leaders obviously let her perpetrate this nonsense for decades, which was a grave disservice to her and to the generations of Christian women who've read her books.
LibriVox multi-narrator recording. The usual mixed bag.
LibriVox multi-narrator recording. The usual mixed bag.
September 5, 2015
I have only read 3 of Grace Livingston Hill's 100+ books, but I think it's interesting that 2 of them have almost identical beginning plot lines: spinster aunt is a sweet and hard working helper to her sister, yet is disrespected and unappreciated by her sister and her sister's children. Then the nephew (and niece, in this story), children of their deceased wealthy older brother, who had moved out West and was seldom seen again, comes on the scene to love and appreciate the aunt and bring her exciting adventures and give her a comparatively luxurious lifestyle. That being said, each of these two stories takes that plot into very different and fun directions. Cloudy Jewel (Aunt Julia Cloud...I find it curious that the narrator almost always refers to her by her first and last name) is asked by her orphaned, but well provided for, niece and nephew to become their mother figure in their college town by keeping a home for them, with the help of servants. She is paid a terrific salary, even though she'd rather do it out of love, because their guardian insists that their father's will demands it. She gently shares her faith with her two "children" as she refers to them, and the trio become a strong family unit who positively affect the whole college community. I listened to this book as a free audiobook, downloaded from Librivox.org. Copyright 1920
May 22, 2014
I liked this one better than some of her others. Almost not a romance, the focus is on the spinster who has taken care of others all her life finally getting a better life, by becoming mother to her well-off financially orphaned niece and nephew. Of course she must guide them spiritually while they are in college.
My how times have changed! Remember it was written in 1920.
My how times have changed! Remember it was written in 1920.
August 11, 2012
Another sweet novel by Grace Livingston Hill. Although some of the problems may seem old-fashioned for our day and time, by substituting problems of today's youth the lessons presented in this story still apply very aptly.
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October 18, 2021
Loved the first few chapters. It was great seeing Julia saved from her spoiled sister's clutches and finally enjoying life. Loved the next few less; I am religious and believe in sharing my faith with others but it all got to be a bit too much as she went to work converting the youngins. Then I hit the chapter where the kids give up dancing to make Julia happy because Julia believes dancing is a ......sin! Seriously? Apparently with all the Bible reading Julia did she somehow missed the fact that King David's wife got in trouble because she criticized him for dancing joyfully. Anyway this was the point where I just stopped enjoying Julia's company, so I quit and deleted the book.
I love wholesome literary characters - Elizabeth Bennet and all the Jane Austen ladies, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Anne of Green Gables, Elizabeth Gaskell's characters .... not a lose woman in the lot, and they all danced! I also enjoyed Girl from Montana and The Enchanted Barn by GLH. I am open to looking at other of her works, but at this point it's back to the old standbys for me. I will think of Julia with pity the next time I spin around the house with joy, because if you can't dance, you are not so free after all.
I love wholesome literary characters - Elizabeth Bennet and all the Jane Austen ladies, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Anne of Green Gables, Elizabeth Gaskell's characters .... not a lose woman in the lot, and they all danced! I also enjoyed Girl from Montana and The Enchanted Barn by GLH. I am open to looking at other of her works, but at this point it's back to the old standbys for me. I will think of Julia with pity the next time I spin around the house with joy, because if you can't dance, you are not so free after all.
January 9, 2021
Two orphans, a brother and a sister, are starting college in a new town. Since they want the best possible living arrangement, plus the mother they never really had, they buy a house and arrange for their aunt Julia Cloud (who they call Cloudy Jewel) to live with them and be a surrogate mom. She loves the arrangement! She cooks for them, waits up for them, listens to their problems, and gives advice when they need it. And she does the same for all the friends they bring home. If I could start college again and live in that house, I’d do it in a minute. Like most of Grace Livingston Hill’s novels, this one shows the main characters learning to rely on God when they need His guidance. It’s a message that never becomes trite.
June 19, 2025
I love reading her romances set in the early 1900s. Such a simpler time, and gentle reminders of when people sought after God
This one of her books didn’t have as much romance as others, but it was a nice read and I enjoyed it.
This one of her books didn’t have as much romance as others, but it was a nice read and I enjoyed it.
September 24, 2023
Lovely story of a maiden aunt and her positive influence in the ways of God on her young niece and nephew.
September 4, 2021
a classic Grace Livingston Hill.
There is something sweet in these old fashioned romances.
There is something sweet in these old fashioned romances.
December 30, 2014
I have a deep weakness for Grace Livingston Hill books. Yes, the romance is often overshadowed by the Protestant catechesis. Yes, there is some pretty dreadful dialect, in the mouths of characters of color (who are generally servants) and people of the lower or criminal classes. The slang ages just as poorly as the dialect. And you can always tell the villains. The men smoke cigarettes. The women wear makeup (the most abandoned of them smoke as well.)
And I say, so what?
Sometimes the heart just needs a nice Boy meets Girl, Boy and Girl get saved, everyone lives happily ever after story. At least, this heart does.
I'm guessing that this was one of Hill's earlier books, and I'm surprised to see that it was reprinted by one of the Evangelical presses (as many of her works have), since this one is a little wild by my stereotype of Hill's work. The day is saved more than once by the youngest female character's able pistol shooting; and the contentment of the title character (that's a nickname, she's not a proto-hippie) seems to come as much from her improved material circumstances as her spiritual motherhood of Leslie (the crack shot) and Allison (Leslie's brother).
When the modern world seems too harsh and apocalyptic, pick up Hill and enjoy a genteel, Protestant, earnest world.
And I say, so what?
Sometimes the heart just needs a nice Boy meets Girl, Boy and Girl get saved, everyone lives happily ever after story. At least, this heart does.
I'm guessing that this was one of Hill's earlier books, and I'm surprised to see that it was reprinted by one of the Evangelical presses (as many of her works have), since this one is a little wild by my stereotype of Hill's work. The day is saved more than once by the youngest female character's able pistol shooting; and the contentment of the title character (that's a nickname, she's not a proto-hippie) seems to come as much from her improved material circumstances as her spiritual motherhood of Leslie (the crack shot) and Allison (Leslie's brother).
When the modern world seems too harsh and apocalyptic, pick up Hill and enjoy a genteel, Protestant, earnest world.
March 24, 2020
Julia Cloud has been giving of herself her entire life. Now that her beloved mother is dead, though, it's time for herself. While her sister tries to co-opt her plans, Julia stands firm - and finds a new life with her young niece and nephew.
While this doesn't read like a typical romance at all, there's some beautiful love stories entwined with this beautiful tale of starting over, of building a home, of living a life of soft and subtle influence for Christ. I came away from this particular book with a different way of thinking about the Sabbath that I'll be pondering on for some time to come.
I love these old books. The pacing is quite different from modern books. But to me the old language is beautiful, and while sometimes things seem a little preachy, maybe looking at each story as a long sermon with a beautiful love story woven throughout will give you a different appreciation for these lovely old tales.
*Edit to add reading date of 2020* Still loved this book, maybe in more so this time around. Maybe because I have more of an appreciation for the college age kids and the unique challenges to having the. Regardless, I love Cloudy and the sanctuary she builds. And I appreciated the other characters more this time as well.
While this doesn't read like a typical romance at all, there's some beautiful love stories entwined with this beautiful tale of starting over, of building a home, of living a life of soft and subtle influence for Christ. I came away from this particular book with a different way of thinking about the Sabbath that I'll be pondering on for some time to come.
I love these old books. The pacing is quite different from modern books. But to me the old language is beautiful, and while sometimes things seem a little preachy, maybe looking at each story as a long sermon with a beautiful love story woven throughout will give you a different appreciation for these lovely old tales.
*Edit to add reading date of 2020* Still loved this book, maybe in more so this time around. Maybe because I have more of an appreciation for the college age kids and the unique challenges to having the. Regardless, I love Cloudy and the sanctuary she builds. And I appreciated the other characters more this time as well.
December 15, 2022
This is a romance novel, but the romance is just a part of the story. You are swept pretty quickly through the romances of the younger main characters, but they are nice little stories. I enjoyed seeing the growth of the characters as they find their true loves.
It is sweet to see the main characters creating a real home where none existed before. It gives a good picture of what home life really can be. You see the decorating, designing, and planning of the physical environment, and then the family life that goes on there. Some of it is a bit dated, but it is still inspiring. The little family in the story really used their home to minister to others...a good picture of Christian hospitality.
It is sweet to see the main characters creating a real home where none existed before. It gives a good picture of what home life really can be. You see the decorating, designing, and planning of the physical environment, and then the family life that goes on there. Some of it is a bit dated, but it is still inspiring. The little family in the story really used their home to minister to others...a good picture of Christian hospitality.
January 14, 2012
Just when Julia resigns herself to a bleak future as a servant in her sister's home, she gets thrown into an exciting adventure--and discovers more happiness and love than she ever dreamed of.
Grace Livingston Hill is the beloved author of more than 100 books. Read and enjoyed by millions, her wholesome stories contain adventure, romance, and the heartwarming triumphs of people faced with the problems of life and love.
Free Kindle download - I have always liked to read Grace Livingston Hill. She is blatantly Christian, her characters are strong and good, and you always get strong Christian views when you read her books. They do seem dated now, she advocates Sunday as a holy day when you don't do any work, no dancing, etc., but she really seemed to believe what she advocated and I enjoy the stories.
Grace Livingston Hill is the beloved author of more than 100 books. Read and enjoyed by millions, her wholesome stories contain adventure, romance, and the heartwarming triumphs of people faced with the problems of life and love.
Free Kindle download - I have always liked to read Grace Livingston Hill. She is blatantly Christian, her characters are strong and good, and you always get strong Christian views when you read her books. They do seem dated now, she advocates Sunday as a holy day when you don't do any work, no dancing, etc., but she really seemed to believe what she advocated and I enjoy the stories.
March 4, 2015
I just discovered Grace Livingston Hill recently, and this is her second book that I have read. I love her writing. She has great insight into the human soul and it's motivations, and into the true meanings of Christianity, and she beautifully incorporates her understandings into her writing. Her books make me want to be a better person when I read them, in addition to being entertaining and enjoyable to read, and what more could I ever ask from a book?
This story, written in 1920, involves a middle aged woman who has unselfishly taken care of her sickly mother and others her entire life, without being able to pursue any of her own hopes and dreams, and her orphaned niece & nephew who are just starting college. Their lives blend together as they each become a great blessing to each others' lives and discover the joy of turning their lives over to the Lord. A beautiful, uplifting story.
This story, written in 1920, involves a middle aged woman who has unselfishly taken care of her sickly mother and others her entire life, without being able to pursue any of her own hopes and dreams, and her orphaned niece & nephew who are just starting college. Their lives blend together as they each become a great blessing to each others' lives and discover the joy of turning their lives over to the Lord. A beautiful, uplifting story.
September 2, 2014
Although this is labeled as "Christian Romance," it is definitely more Christian and less romance. But, somehow, I still really liked it. The biggest drama comes from whether Cloudy's niece and nephew will keep the Sabbath day holy or go play with their college friends. Once I got used to the flavor of the book, I found it quite charming. 3-1/2 stars.
July 16, 2019
Old Fashioned Tale
This writer was very good for her time. This is a good Christian old fashioned book that shows how rewarding it is to be a Christian. I have to say that in my opinion it was not the best book written by Ms Hill but it gives good examples as to how we should live. I do recommend this book to a gone to read. It will hold your interest to the end.
This writer was very good for her time. This is a good Christian old fashioned book that shows how rewarding it is to be a Christian. I have to say that in my opinion it was not the best book written by Ms Hill but it gives good examples as to how we should live. I do recommend this book to a gone to read. It will hold your interest to the end.
February 17, 2014
This book makes you remember that being of good character is more important than having a lot of money.
This books also shows how to witness your faith without being impolite.
I enjoyed this book. It does not hold you so you can't put it down, but it is an enjoyable book.
This books also shows how to witness your faith without being impolite.
I enjoyed this book. It does not hold you so you can't put it down, but it is an enjoyable book.
February 15, 2014
Well-meaning, but preachy, dull, and sentimental. I actually don’t think I can bear another one like it, so I’m not even going to try to proceed with author Hill, even though she's on my list of semi-classic authors.
May 5, 2014
I enjoyed this author when I was young.
I enjoyed this author when I was young.
I loved her books when I was young and since I've found them again I find that that I still do. A Christian story with happy endings.
I enjoyed this author when I was young.
I loved her books when I was young and since I've found them again I find that that I still do. A Christian story with happy endings.
Read
May 30, 2015Another good book and mystery included to keep the pages turning.
I believe that if this book is read in the present day of 2015, this country could begin to think about what has been lost in the past eighty years.
I believe that if this book is read in the present day of 2015, this country could begin to think about what has been lost in the past eighty years.
February 14, 2014
Great read
I loved the characters in this book. the introduction of Christ to the kids and the way they used the knowledge was inspiring.
I loved the characters in this book. the introduction of Christ to the kids and the way they used the knowledge was inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews