Little Women (Little Women, #1) in Retro Chapter Chicks

Apr 06, 2019 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, historical, hardback-own, classics

I have owned this book forever! I have the movie and have always loved it. Thanks to several group challenges on here, I have finally gotten to this little gem.

Happy Reading!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more

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Sep 10, 2019 Candi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, classics-shelf, chunksters

"I don’t believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we do, in spite of our burnt hair, old gowns, one glove apiece, and tight slippers, that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them." – Jo March

Whether you like this book or not, I doubt there are many that would deny that Jo March is the star of this mid-nineteenth century novel about the March family. In many ways, because of this remarkably self-assured heroine, Little Women seemed to me much ahead of its time. S "I don’t believe fine young ladies enjoy themselves a bit more than we do, in spite of our burnt hair, old gowns, one glove apiece, and tight slippers, that sprain our ankles when we are silly enough to wear them." – Jo March

Whether you like this book or not, I doubt there are many that would deny that Jo March is the star of this mid-nineteenth century novel about the March family. In many ways, because of this remarkably self-assured heroine, Little Women seemed to me much ahead of its time. Sisters Meg, Beth and Amy all have their moments to shine; while Mr. and Mrs. March are more broad-minded than what I imagine their contemporaries to have been. Had I been required to plant myself down in the midst of an American family during that era, I would have been satisfied to settle in with the Marches.

Meg yearns for the fine things she once had before poverty knocked the Marches down a few notches; yet she retains a mother-like quality that warmed me to her. Beth is quiet, good-natured and pious; all her sisters look to her as the epitome of virtue. The artistic little Amy is spoiled and vain and dreams of someday becoming a moneyed gentlewoman. I admit to feeling a bit sorry for her and by book’s end I became a fan. People do grow up after all, don’t they?!

And then there is Jo who adores books and dreams of someday becoming a writer. Described as a bit of a "tomboy", which I suppose a girl with her pluck would have been commonly labeled back in the day, Jo is at the center of the novel. Given that Little Women is somewhat autobiographical in nature, it is fascinating to read of this spirited young woman. I can just imagine how she felt – stifled by society’s norms and expectations of a Victorian ‘lady’. She wanted the freedom to express herself; she would often have difficulty suppressing the pent-up rage that she felt deep inside; and she wanted to do what made her happiest.

"An old maid – that’s what I’m to be. A literary spinster, with a pen for a spouse, a family of stories for children, and twenty years hence a morsel of fame, perhaps…"

She shared her hopes with Laurie, the boy next door and her greatest pal besides her dear sisters. They shared a love of literature and the outdoors and confided in one another their greatest dreams.

"Wouldn’t it be fun if all the castles in the air which we make could come true, and we could live in them?"

I read this story as a young teen and didn’t recall much of the plot. I have always carried a strong, positive image of Jo in my head during the intervening years; and I’m very glad I decided to reacquaint myself with her and the entire March family. I’m happy to say the image held up. With the exception of ever-sweet Beth, I would say that all of the girls exhibited growth throughout the book, and it was fun to spend some time with them. At times the story felt a bit over-sentimental, but I believe it was aimed at young women and given the date of publication, I decided to forgive it for this small ‘crime.’ I’m all for a sweet from time to time, as long as it’s balanced out with something nutritious, and I believe I got both here. I am super-excited to see the upcoming screen version of this to be released on Christmas Day!

"Now and then, in this work-a-day world, things do happen in the delightful story-book fashion, and what a comfort that is." ...more

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Mar 30, 2022 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: hardback-own, classics, beautiful-cover, mel-s-mysterious-mansion-tbr-2022, 5-stars

5 Stars

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

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Sep 13, 2011 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: america, civil-war, young-adult, romance, children, fiction, my-childhood, classic, women, childhood-memories

RATING: 5.5 STARS

While Mr. March is fighting in the Civil War, his wife and little women are living their day to day life with as much gusto as they can muster. The four March sisters are close as sisters and friends can be, and look to one another for comfort, anger and entertainment. Meeting the new boy next door, Laurie adds to the March sisters adventures. As the girls grow into women, two of them look to the future of changes, while two want them to stay the same way.

I have read this novel ...more

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Nov 03, 2008 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: coming-of-age, family, book-club, own, classic, young-adult, concierge, strong-women, women-writers, library

This is a true classic, and more than 100 years after it was first published it still resonates truth. I suppose at heart it is about being true to yourself and making your own way without regard to "conventional wisdom."

I first read this book as a child (in the early 1960s). I re-read it when I was a few years out of college. I read it most recently in 2003 as a joint effort of my book club to partner with a group of at-risk Hispanic girls for discussion of this classic of literature. I brough ...more

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Apr 05, 2014 Celia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-list, 1001-challenge, classics, 100-must-read, gilmore, eol-book-club, great-american-reads, fictitious-dishes, finding-smfuller

Little Women was a semiautobiographical account of Alcott’s own childhood experience; the second of four daughters, she grew up in Massachusetts.

Four sisters; four unique personalities. With a mother who loves them unconditionally and a father who is away fighting in the Civil War.

Romance too.

One of my all time favorite books.

5 stars

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Dec 29, 2021 Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics

This is the third time or more that I've read Little Women so it's safe to say that it is a favorite of mine. I love all the characters and their little flaws. I love the relationship between the sisters and how much they mean to one another even when they argue. It's a touching tale that includes the trials of the time from the American Civil War to the illnesses suffered to the set gender roles. Beth will always be my favorite because of her warm heart and optimism. I love Jo's spirited and in ...more

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May 26, 2020 Tasha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, reading-with-lia

I read this with my daughter and it was really sweet. We enjoyed discussing the wonderful characters and the events that happened. Such a different, less complicated time.

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May 24, 2025 Sarah Brown rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I am so glad I was able to read this. I loved being in another time, where life was simple, but not boring. Meg was my favorite. I can't wait to discuss at book club. ...more

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Dec 25, 2019 MaureenAnn rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, audio-books

This classic American novel was written for young girls and became a huge success. It is sometimes published in 2 volumes as Little Women (Vol I) and Good Wives (Vol II).
The "little women" of the title are the 4 teenage daughters of Mr and Mrs March, Meg (Margaret), Jo (Josephine), Beth and Amy. It is a genteel but impoverished family, the father is an army chaplain and in the first part of the novel is away with the army during the American Civil War period. The mother (Marmee) always seems t ...more

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