ATDTDA (17): Elsie Dinsmore (480.1)

[Tim Strzechowski]

"Sure," said Tace, "in those Elsie Dinsmore stories or someplace.  We all grew up on that stuff, and it poisoned our souls" (p. 480).


Elsie Dinsmore is a children's book series written by Martha Finley (1828-1909) between 1867 and 1905.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsie_Dinsmore

http://www.readseries.com/auth-dm/dinsmore1.html


Martha Finley (1828-1909), American teacher and author wrote the Elsie Dinsmore (1867) series. [...] The idea of her Elsie Dinsmore character came to her during prayers, as an answer to her plight. The success of her first Elsie Dinsmore story brought on a surge of demand for sequels by her fans and publisher, until Finley produced 28 volumes in the series.

Elsie Dinsmore, whose mother died while giving birth to her, is introduced at the age of eight living on her grandfather's plantation. `Aunt Chloe', her black nurse, instils Christian values and morals in her, and often the outcast Elsie prays for patience with her tormentors who mistreat and bully her. When she is reunited with her father returning from Europe he turns a cold shoulder from misunderstanding, and only though her trials of obedience to Jesus and the Sabbath and tests of her will does she earn his love. Elsie goes on the marry one of her father's friends, Mr. Travilla, and her stories follow her through marriage and motherhood. [...]

http://www.online-literature.com/martha-finley/

http://www.readseries.com/auth-dm/finley1.html

http://www.readseries.com/auth-dm/finbib.html