On the eve of World War II, two people are brought together by fate and discover an unexpected passion Tall, dark and handsome Will Parker has served time for the killing of a Texas prostitute, but keeps losing jobs as his reputation becomes known. In the small town of Whitney, Ga., at the beginning of WW II, he answers the advertisement of a pregnant widow and mother of two, the abused and … and reclusive Eleanor Dinsmore, who is looking for a husband. Soon in love with ostensibly plain, bedraggled Ellie, Parker dotes on her two boys, and works to support the family. Fittingly for this sort of bucolic idyll, Will and Ellie, despite their rudimentary educations, love books and develop a special friendship with wise old Miss Beasley, the local librarian. Alas, brazen and rapacious Lula Peak, the town floozie, sets her sights on Will, waylaying him in the library; meantimes, Lula is blackmailing her lover, the cowardly Harley Overmire, who is no friend of Will. The clearly drawn characters fulfill their imperativesincluding Will, who becomes a war heroand all is neatly and pleasingly resolved. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates.
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I don’t know how to express my feelings for this book, how to start a review and make you people feel the extend of joys I experienced. My attention was grasped from the beginning and I was immerced with these characters totally. A persons soul is challenged throughout the phases of life. An upbringing of child can be faulty even if the parents encourage good behaviour and if a child is ignored or has grown up among the bad/horrid people the child can be good. A soul is a matter of a persons choice – to be good or bad.
I won’t repeat what’s in the book. The book is summarized in so many wonderful reviews so I’ll express my thoughts to the main characters.
Will Parker and Eleanor (Elly) Dinsmore are taunted throughout their life because of their families qualities. Will is an orphan and an ex-convict whose circumstances are as it is for being a part of the world; harsh. Elly does have a family, ‘pious’ grandparents and a parent but she couldn’t be any happier when they died. A pregnant widow with two kids she is labelled as crazy only because she lives away from the taunts of society. If anyone deserves happiness, Will and Elly deserve an ocean. They both are good people who sacrified alot in consideration for others.
I felt lively with this descriptive prose. Every historical detail is properly explained. Their chores, appliances, transports, food and the politics of that time, everything was well structured. I cannot fathom the cruelty Will and Elly have suffered but look at the loving, caring and courageous people they have become. If you would love to experience this wonderful journey of transformation I recommend you this book. Their happy ending is so well deserved.
“I’m pregnant and unbright and unpretty, she thought.
I’m an ex-con woman-killer, he thought.”
Could be the best book that I have ever read. Love the characters!
Morning Glory is my ultimate comfort read. I read it every few years and just love it to bits.
I read Morning Glory back when it came out in the late 80s, early 90s. Talk about packing a punch! I was already a fan of LaVyrle Spencer, and this one quickly rose to the top in my Favorites pile.
The country setting and circa WWII timeframe, as well as the heart wrenching angst she put her characters through, worked magic, taking me away from modern-day stress and into the poignant lives of these two souls. Seeing them realize their HEA is a journey for the ages. I know this one was made into a movie but I’ve chosen not to watch it, instead wanting my own memories and visualizations created by Spencer’s remarkable prose.
Oy. I’m getting discombobulated just composing this review.
I read this book many years ago. Sent it to my mom she read it sent it to my niece. We all loved it and this book has become my favorite.since then I had to have it again and ordered it for my kindle.
I reread this book for the first time after 7 years and I have to say that it was like I was reading it for the first time (I have a bad memory). I fell in love with the characters Will and Elly right from the start. These two had been through a lot and deserved to be happy. Their relationship grew very organically and the pacing was perfect. I loved this book as much as I did the first time (as much as I can remember). It is a very emotional historical romance and it was a complete story. Of course I was missing an epilogue but the author gave me enough that it didn’t bother me as much as it would with other books. I also loved all the secondary characters including Elly’s children. Both Elly and Will were amazing, they were perfect for each other and did the best they could to help each other in any way they could. Their mutual respect for each other was beautiful. I’ll probably reread this book again in another 5+ years