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The Big Blue Soldier
A homeless young soldier's involvement in a brief masquerade entangles him in the lives of two unpredictable women.
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1923
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
501 books504 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 37 reviews
January 18, 2024
Rating: 4.3 / 5
A charming little story, as expected, and I think I will enjoy it even more during a second re-read. (Strictly speaking, it's a read of little more than an afternoon, but unfortunately I've been having headaches these past few days, and this of course has impacted my enjoyment of the book.)
The story, at its heart, is of healing and of a teeny-bit enemies to lovers. We have a sweet older lady, Marilla, who's expecting her nephew, Dick, to come home from war. Except, as it turns out, Dick's as rotten as a man as he was a little kid, and so he won't come. Mary Amber, the lovely neighbour girl who was bullied by Dick, doesn't expect a turnout anyway, but Miss Marilla doesn't want to be embarrassed.
But, wouldn't you know it? A young soldier named Lyman Gage is literally out on the street, just passing by and in need of a good dinner! He's returned from war to the sad reality that he may have lost everything worth having--i.e. vixen woman who he thought loved him, but doesn't--and he agrees to go along with Miss Marilla's little charade, in exchange for dinner.
So proceeds a lovely little romance, with little to no elements of faith. (Just one scene where they are singing hymns at the piano together, but otherwise the focus is entirely on the plot.)
I think I might put this alongside something like Exit Betty, though slightly less exciting as it really takes place on a small scale. Again, a short read, but just perfect for a relaxing, lovely afternoon when you'd like to get through a story from start to finish.
I'm lovingly putting it up on my shelves and expecting that my ranking may well change when I next get my hands on it for a re-read. Until now, let it sweetly sit there, with a lovely little love.
A charming little story, as expected, and I think I will enjoy it even more during a second re-read. (Strictly speaking, it's a read of little more than an afternoon, but unfortunately I've been having headaches these past few days, and this of course has impacted my enjoyment of the book.)
The story, at its heart, is of healing and of a teeny-bit enemies to lovers. We have a sweet older lady, Marilla, who's expecting her nephew, Dick, to come home from war. Except, as it turns out, Dick's as rotten as a man as he was a little kid, and so he won't come. Mary Amber, the lovely neighbour girl who was bullied by Dick, doesn't expect a turnout anyway, but Miss Marilla doesn't want to be embarrassed.
But, wouldn't you know it? A young soldier named Lyman Gage is literally out on the street, just passing by and in need of a good dinner! He's returned from war to the sad reality that he may have lost everything worth having--i.e. vixen woman who he thought loved him, but doesn't--and he agrees to go along with Miss Marilla's little charade, in exchange for dinner.
So proceeds a lovely little romance, with little to no elements of faith. (Just one scene where they are singing hymns at the piano together, but otherwise the focus is entirely on the plot.)
I think I might put this alongside something like Exit Betty, though slightly less exciting as it really takes place on a small scale. Again, a short read, but just perfect for a relaxing, lovely afternoon when you'd like to get through a story from start to finish.
I'm lovingly putting it up on my shelves and expecting that my ranking may well change when I next get my hands on it for a re-read. Until now, let it sweetly sit there, with a lovely little love.
November 20, 2022
I don't make a habit of reading romance novels but thought I needed get out of box and try something different. So, I googled the history of romance books and low and behold GRACE LIVINGSTON HILL (1865–1947) name came up as the pioneer of romance. There are many types of romance novels, from historical to mystery to erotica. This book was published in 1923 is one of the over one hundred romance books she wrote during her lifetime.
The storyline in this book is about a lonely soldier coming home from World War I who finds love, care & new meaning for living. If you love sweet and innocent romance, there is none better than this book. The storyline was quite innocent for the time period that it was written in. It's almost like puppy love relationship between two people that I found myself laughing at times. I found no steamy sex, or the ever-popular F word used throughout the book. That issue might be boring for people who like that in a romance novel. If you're looking for a book to cheer you up and not be dark and gloomy this, is it!
you up and not be dark and gloomy this is it!
The storyline in this book is about a lonely soldier coming home from World War I who finds love, care & new meaning for living. If you love sweet and innocent romance, there is none better than this book. The storyline was quite innocent for the time period that it was written in. It's almost like puppy love relationship between two people that I found myself laughing at times. I found no steamy sex, or the ever-popular F word used throughout the book. That issue might be boring for people who like that in a romance novel. If you're looking for a book to cheer you up and not be dark and gloomy this, is it!
you up and not be dark and gloomy this is it!
September 26, 2024
After abandoning The City of FireThe City of Fire, I wasn't sure about diving right into another GLH novel. However, I wasn't feeling good and I already had this audiobook.
I'm happy to report I loved this book.
It starts out with a lie, which I didn't like, but I was so happy when the truth came out quickly and there was repentance over the lie.
Overall, this is a sweet story of showing love to others.
There is a very mild romantic thread.
I'm happy to report I loved this book.
It starts out with a lie, which I didn't like, but I was so happy when the truth came out quickly and there was repentance over the lie.
Overall, this is a sweet story of showing love to others.
There is a very mild romantic thread.
April 8, 2018
Funny how I remember this book so vividly from so many years ago.
Here we have the besotted aunt, who cannot wait for her nephew to come back from the war, so that she can do a little matchmaking with her sweet next door neighbor, Mary Amber. But the nephew blows her off, and so she finds a stranger, a soldier who is just passing by and offers him the feast instead. Of course Mary Amber spots the deception but puts another spin on things entirely. Lots of misunderstanding ensue.
I love this book, and always have. It's a sweet parable that really gives you something to think about how we treat those around us. And the romance is tender and just the right tone. Not too preachy, this will always be one of my favorites by Grace Livingston Hill. And it's so short, it's the perfect read when you just have a little bit of time. Definitely highly recommended!
Here we have the besotted aunt, who cannot wait for her nephew to come back from the war, so that she can do a little matchmaking with her sweet next door neighbor, Mary Amber. But the nephew blows her off, and so she finds a stranger, a soldier who is just passing by and offers him the feast instead. Of course Mary Amber spots the deception but puts another spin on things entirely. Lots of misunderstanding ensue.
I love this book, and always have. It's a sweet parable that really gives you something to think about how we treat those around us. And the romance is tender and just the right tone. Not too preachy, this will always be one of my favorites by Grace Livingston Hill. And it's so short, it's the perfect read when you just have a little bit of time. Definitely highly recommended!
May 3, 2018
The book starts with lonely Aunt Marilla, never married, very excited that her nephew would soon be home from the war. She's idolized him for years, and plans a feast for when he drops by her place on the way home. She's invited him; he's sure to come. Right? Right?
Her next door neighbor, a young woman named Mary Amber, helps her prepare the feast but she's not so sure Marilla's company is coming. And when Aunt Marilla goes out to the street to receive a telegram that her nephew is not coming, she's crushed...until she spies a discouraged soldier walking aimlessly down the street and invites him instead. Could he please pretend to be her nephew Dick so Mary Amber will not suspect her nephew declined her invitation? Sure!
We learn that the soldier, Lyman Gage, just got off the boat to discover that his fiance had broken off their engagement for a richer man, since Lyman had lost everything he owned in a business failure. He's bitter and, frankly, he's sworn off women for life. So when Mary Amber, who resents being pushed onto Marilla's nephew crosses his path, there's a tremendous amount of antipathy on both their parts. When Mary Amber discovers a part of the telegram that tells her this is not Dick, and thinks he's scamming Aunt Marilla, she gets really nasty, confirming everything Lyman now thinks about women.
How this gets turned around into an charming little romance with a very satisfying ending is as quaint as Marilla's ideas about hospitality, and extremely well done. Worth reading.
Her next door neighbor, a young woman named Mary Amber, helps her prepare the feast but she's not so sure Marilla's company is coming. And when Aunt Marilla goes out to the street to receive a telegram that her nephew is not coming, she's crushed...until she spies a discouraged soldier walking aimlessly down the street and invites him instead. Could he please pretend to be her nephew Dick so Mary Amber will not suspect her nephew declined her invitation? Sure!
We learn that the soldier, Lyman Gage, just got off the boat to discover that his fiance had broken off their engagement for a richer man, since Lyman had lost everything he owned in a business failure. He's bitter and, frankly, he's sworn off women for life. So when Mary Amber, who resents being pushed onto Marilla's nephew crosses his path, there's a tremendous amount of antipathy on both their parts. When Mary Amber discovers a part of the telegram that tells her this is not Dick, and thinks he's scamming Aunt Marilla, she gets really nasty, confirming everything Lyman now thinks about women.
How this gets turned around into an charming little romance with a very satisfying ending is as quaint as Marilla's ideas about hospitality, and extremely well done. Worth reading.
October 21, 2021
For a novella, this actually wasn't that bad...maybe I should bump the rating up to a 3...
I liked the hero character - you definitely feel sorry for him after he loses everything after coming back from the war. It's like that picture of a puppy dog caught in the rain - that's like the personification of this man's life. And the reader definitely feels for him, even in the short time span of the novella.
The heroine character is ok - honestly I would probably also be angry and mean to someone I thought was ripping off a beloved elderly neighbor. Her about-face was pretty quick though. As was the romance. Honestly, it felt slightly like the climax of a rom-com when the ex-fiancée came in and tried to get back with the hero once he was rich.
But I digress...
Overall, this was a cute little short story that felt rushed (because it was - short stories never have much character development or plot development or anything of that sort). I think the plot would have made a good 90's rom-com (or maybe it already did? I certainly haven't seen every rom-com, so they probably already basically made this story into a movie...probably starring Meg Ryan...again, I digress...) Read if you want something quick and light. Don't bother if you're looking for any substance whatsoever (but honestly, if you're looking for substance, do you really turn to GLH???)
I liked the hero character - you definitely feel sorry for him after he loses everything after coming back from the war. It's like that picture of a puppy dog caught in the rain - that's like the personification of this man's life. And the reader definitely feels for him, even in the short time span of the novella.
The heroine character is ok - honestly I would probably also be angry and mean to someone I thought was ripping off a beloved elderly neighbor. Her about-face was pretty quick though. As was the romance. Honestly, it felt slightly like the climax of a rom-com when the ex-fiancée came in and tried to get back with the hero once he was rich.
But I digress...
Overall, this was a cute little short story that felt rushed (because it was - short stories never have much character development or plot development or anything of that sort). I think the plot would have made a good 90's rom-com (or maybe it already did? I certainly haven't seen every rom-com, so they probably already basically made this story into a movie...probably starring Meg Ryan...again, I digress...) Read if you want something quick and light. Don't bother if you're looking for any substance whatsoever (but honestly, if you're looking for substance, do you really turn to GLH???)
June 10, 2019
Grace Livingston Hill - one of the best writers of all time
If you love sweet and innocent romance there is none better than Miss Hill. Big Blue Soldier is one of my favorites. About a lonely soldier coming home from war who finds love, care & new meaning for living. I have everyone of here books that she has ever written. Some from my grandmother, mother & some I bought. I started reading then at 14 and now having read them all about 10 times each. Now at 73 I read them on Kindle. My daughter loves them as well..
If you love sweet and innocent romance there is none better than Miss Hill. Big Blue Soldier is one of my favorites. About a lonely soldier coming home from war who finds love, care & new meaning for living. I have everyone of here books that she has ever written. Some from my grandmother, mother & some I bought. I started reading then at 14 and now having read them all about 10 times each. Now at 73 I read them on Kindle. My daughter loves them as well..
March 27, 2021
A sweet little novella with lots of little homey touches.
May 4, 2024
A *VERY* short novel by GLH - the slimmest adult book on my shelves!
This is very much like the movie "Sunday Dinner for a Soldier", except without Grandfeathers and the obnoxious kiddies. They're expecting one soldier for dinner, and another fortuitously comes along when the first fails to show.
Only in this one, Aunt Marilla is trying to pass Lyman off as her nephew, Dick, so that her neighbor friend Mary won't think ill of Dick (or her, for putting so much on a dinner that hadn't been confirmed). Meanwhile Mary knows the truth, and thinks Lyman is putting one over on Aunt Marilla and using them, so she despises him. As for Lyman, he's a man in the first stages of pneumonia who's lost everything, and doesn't care who thinks what... he's just trying to stay upright.
My only qualm is that - in a lot of GLH books - there has to be this *HUGE* reversal of fortunes so that the hero is rich as Croesus at the end of the story. Not everyone is a millionaire, hello...
Also, this one has surprisingly *NO* faith element to it. It's too short, or she cut it all out to see what would happen to a story without it. I missed it, badly. I love the faith element of her books, so it was a shame to read one without.
This is very much like the movie "Sunday Dinner for a Soldier", except without Grandfeathers and the obnoxious kiddies. They're expecting one soldier for dinner, and another fortuitously comes along when the first fails to show.
Only in this one, Aunt Marilla is trying to pass Lyman off as her nephew, Dick, so that her neighbor friend Mary won't think ill of Dick (or her, for putting so much on a dinner that hadn't been confirmed). Meanwhile Mary knows the truth, and thinks Lyman is putting one over on Aunt Marilla and using them, so she despises him. As for Lyman, he's a man in the first stages of pneumonia who's lost everything, and doesn't care who thinks what... he's just trying to stay upright.
My only qualm is that - in a lot of GLH books - there has to be this *HUGE* reversal of fortunes so that the hero is rich as Croesus at the end of the story. Not everyone is a millionaire, hello...
Also, this one has surprisingly *NO* faith element to it. It's too short, or she cut it all out to see what would happen to a story without it. I missed it, badly. I love the faith element of her books, so it was a shame to read one without.
March 30, 2023
I've been steadily making my way through GLH's backlist via librivox audiobooks for the past two weeks or so and have mostly enjoyed what I've heard. I really enjoyed the narrator for this one as her voice was lively and cheerful, unlike other narrations as of late.
There's really nothing special about this one and it should be labeled possibly as a clean/sweet romance (though the romance was a page or two at the end to be honest), but probably more as historical fiction/classics.
Soldier comes home to find fiancée has found someone who has more money than he does and his business tanked from while he was fighting. Sick, angry, weak soldier takes off to parts unknown and decides to be a dining companion for older woman whose rotten nephew cannot be bothered to spend time with her and a friend of the aunt's.
None of these characters really stand out and to be honest, again, it was basically background noise while I worked on a digital cross stitch pattern.
There's really nothing special about this one and it should be labeled possibly as a clean/sweet romance (though the romance was a page or two at the end to be honest), but probably more as historical fiction/classics.
Soldier comes home to find fiancée has found someone who has more money than he does and his business tanked from while he was fighting. Sick, angry, weak soldier takes off to parts unknown and decides to be a dining companion for older woman whose rotten nephew cannot be bothered to spend time with her and a friend of the aunt's.
None of these characters really stand out and to be honest, again, it was basically background noise while I worked on a digital cross stitch pattern.
December 7, 2019
I enjoyed reading this story again for the first time since I was maybe twelve. Funny how vividly I remember parts of it! As a child, I didn't have a clue what "grippe" was, and I had no idea which war the hero was returning from. And Mary Amber's car? Yesterday, I looked up "runabout" online. Now, that added color and ambiance to the story, for sure!
Such a cute story, really more of a novella, but loaded with charm.
Such a cute story, really more of a novella, but loaded with charm.
September 20, 2024
A sweet yester-year, rather twee, post war romance. The storyline is rather formulaic, very Livingston-Hill: occasionally the author will break away from writing about her set formula of characters and the tale ending with a predicted outcome, I’ve enjoyed those few book more and originally chose this one for its length ( short) and the spinster ‘aunt’……
The story earns 2.5 stars for me, yet I’m nudging the audiobook up to a 3 with Anne Hancocks narration.
Read for spinster september reading challenge.
The story earns 2.5 stars for me, yet I’m nudging the audiobook up to a 3 with Anne Hancocks narration.
Read for spinster september reading challenge.
June 3, 2019
Since my version of this story is in a tome of three other books, I didn't realize how short it was until I turned the page and it was ... over.
Nevertheless, it was just another precious romance of Grace Livingston Hill. These characters, however, resolved their issues much more quickly. (I mean, how can you not like that?)
Nevertheless, it was just another precious romance of Grace Livingston Hill. These characters, however, resolved their issues much more quickly. (I mean, how can you not like that?)
September 16, 2019
I absolutely loved this and found it super sweet. I’m docking a point though because the ending left me feeling like I’d missed something. I think even just one conversation and some inner reflection added could have made it complete for me.
But it really touched the lonely places in my heart and called out to my inner nurturer, so it was still a win.
But it really touched the lonely places in my heart and called out to my inner nurturer, so it was still a win.
March 27, 2021
It was too short, but very sweet and old fashioned. It was written in the 1920s so it talked of things I was not familiar with which was interesting. She is very good at describing what she writes and transports you back in time.
October 27, 2022
This is a feel good read. It might not be that original, but, it quite manages to make the reader feel the predicaments and enjoy the joys of the characters as the story progesses towards it's happy little ending .
September 10, 2017
Grace Livingston Hill, sniffing at gold digging hussies since the first world war XD
March 25, 2019
This is a sweet novella about a kindhearted old woman, a forlorn soldier boy, and the skeptical girl next-door. It’s a story about hope, rejection, rescue, and several different kinds of love.
May 8, 2019
Sweet story but much too short!
Lovely little war romance, but ended too soon! It's not very plausible but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I wish it had gone at least ten chapters more.
Lovely little war romance, but ended too soon! It's not very plausible but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I wish it had gone at least ten chapters more.
March 20, 2020
It’s just ok.
Not one of my favorites. The story seemed a little rushed, not much character development, more like a short story.
Not one of my favorites. The story seemed a little rushed, not much character development, more like a short story.
July 12, 2021
Grace Livingston Hill. I may name a heavenly child after you.
Really enjoyed this sweet novella. My heart feels pure every time I read one of your stories.
Really enjoyed this sweet novella. My heart feels pure every time I read one of your stories.
June 9, 2023
Lovely, heartwarming romance.
June 22, 2023
Short but Very sweet!
The Bug Blue Soldier is the shortest book by Grace Livingston Hill that I have read. It is such a sweet story and I plan to re-read it often.
The Bug Blue Soldier is the shortest book by Grace Livingston Hill that I have read. It is such a sweet story and I plan to re-read it often.
June 25, 2024
This one is so short there’s almost no religion in it! It’s a cute story overall.
December 20, 2023
Unexpectedly hopeful.
April 5, 2016
About this book:
“Take a step back to a slower paced life the 1930s and 40s, and discover the joy of old-fashioned romance as penned by one of America’s most beloved authors. Lightly updated for today’s reader, this collection of three romances—including The Big Blue Soldier, Found Treasure, and The Patch of Blue—is the perfect pathway to discovering a timeless author. Grace Livingston Hill created enduring characters who go through every human emotion. They are realistic individuals looking to fit in and find a place of contentment in life. Love meets them in their struggles and faith points them to eternal hope and peace.”
Series: They are all part of the Grace Livingston Hill books.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“The Big Blue Soldier” by Grace Livingston Hill
“Aunt Marilla Chadwick wants to find a young man for her lovely young friend, Mary Amber. She sees a tall young soldier walking slowly toward her house. It doesn't matter that his uniform is bedraggled and dirty or that she had never seem him before in her life, for Aunt Marilla has an idea, a plan, a sudden inspiration--and soon she, Mary Amber, and the mysterious soldier are all entangled in an adventure that will change their lives forever.”
Spiritual Content- Prayers are said & two Scriptures are quoted.
Negative Content- Minor Cussing including: a “you can go to thunder” and a “go to thunder”.
Sexual Content- a ‘hussy’; Love
-Mary Amber
-Miss Marilla
-Lyman Gage / Dick
P.O.V. switches between them in a narration form
Set in 1918
95 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars (If you don’t mind a small amount of romance}
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
“The Big Blue Soldier”, was a cute story but very, very rushed. The “I love you” part came out of left field to me.
Link to review:
Coming 8/8/14
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Barbour) for this review.
“Take a step back to a slower paced life the 1930s and 40s, and discover the joy of old-fashioned romance as penned by one of America’s most beloved authors. Lightly updated for today’s reader, this collection of three romances—including The Big Blue Soldier, Found Treasure, and The Patch of Blue—is the perfect pathway to discovering a timeless author. Grace Livingston Hill created enduring characters who go through every human emotion. They are realistic individuals looking to fit in and find a place of contentment in life. Love meets them in their struggles and faith points them to eternal hope and peace.”
Series: They are all part of the Grace Livingston Hill books.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“The Big Blue Soldier” by Grace Livingston Hill
“Aunt Marilla Chadwick wants to find a young man for her lovely young friend, Mary Amber. She sees a tall young soldier walking slowly toward her house. It doesn't matter that his uniform is bedraggled and dirty or that she had never seem him before in her life, for Aunt Marilla has an idea, a plan, a sudden inspiration--and soon she, Mary Amber, and the mysterious soldier are all entangled in an adventure that will change their lives forever.”
Spiritual Content- Prayers are said & two Scriptures are quoted.
Negative Content- Minor Cussing including: a “you can go to thunder” and a “go to thunder”.
Sexual Content- a ‘hussy’; Love
-Mary Amber
-Miss Marilla
-Lyman Gage / Dick
P.O.V. switches between them in a narration form
Set in 1918
95 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars (If you don’t mind a small amount of romance}
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
“The Big Blue Soldier”, was a cute story but very, very rushed. The “I love you” part came out of left field to me.
Link to review:
Coming 8/8/14
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Barbour) for this review.
January 9, 2013
I gave this book three stars because, even though I enjoy anything by GLH, I get a lot more out of a longer book. I like to really get into the historical background of the book and the characters’ personalities. GLH did an admirable job of writing this novel, but compared to other short stories, it was enjoyable but not outstanding.
It takes place just after WWII. A young man is returning from the war, very discontent and weary because of some of the injustices that have been done to him while he was away fighting for our country. A lonely old spinster, Miss Miralla, and her next-door neighbor, Mary Amber, minister to this young man’s needs through a delicious home cooked meal and constant servings of homeopathic remedies when he becomes gravely ill. Each person’s character shows marked improvement throughout the book, even when a series of unfortunate misunderstandings occur.
I like the fact that GLH isn’t afraid to use unusual words, thus building my vocabulary, and that I don’t have to wade through a lot of curse words or explicit sex scenes just to enjoy a good book. Hats off to you GLH!
It takes place just after WWII. A young man is returning from the war, very discontent and weary because of some of the injustices that have been done to him while he was away fighting for our country. A lonely old spinster, Miss Miralla, and her next-door neighbor, Mary Amber, minister to this young man’s needs through a delicious home cooked meal and constant servings of homeopathic remedies when he becomes gravely ill. Each person’s character shows marked improvement throughout the book, even when a series of unfortunate misunderstandings occur.
I like the fact that GLH isn’t afraid to use unusual words, thus building my vocabulary, and that I don’t have to wade through a lot of curse words or explicit sex scenes just to enjoy a good book. Hats off to you GLH!
March 9, 2020
This novella-length story from Mrs. Hill has a pretty sparse plot. Marilla Chadwick is expecting a visit from her nephew just home from WWI. She wants to pair him up with her lovely young next-door neighbor, Mary. When he doesn’t show up, she takes home a random soldier off the street and tries to pass him off as her nephew. Lyman Gage is down on his luck, so when an old lady asks him in to dinner he shrugs and goes along with it. Everything gets more complicated when he winds up getting ill.
Not only is the plot sparse, it’s also sparse in Christian content. This is one of Mrs. Hill’s stories where that’s all left in the background. She really could have fleshed this one out a little for a more satisfactory tale. We just get told that Mary and Lyman spend a lot of time together while he’s convalescing but never really get to see it. So the declarations of love at the end seemingly come out of nowhere. It’s still a cute story, though, and I like it well enough.
Not only is the plot sparse, it’s also sparse in Christian content. This is one of Mrs. Hill’s stories where that’s all left in the background. She really could have fleshed this one out a little for a more satisfactory tale. We just get told that Mary and Lyman spend a lot of time together while he’s convalescing but never really get to see it. So the declarations of love at the end seemingly come out of nowhere. It’s still a cute story, though, and I like it well enough.
February 26, 2010
Just one of the many Grace Livingston Hill books that I ALWAYS LOVE.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews