Little Women in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Dec 13, 2015 Shelley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read, classic, youth, historical, 2015

The most interesting bits of this came from the introductions, I think. Despite mentioninh the many sources that LMA alluded to in writing this, the annotations didn't really expand on anything. They usually just listed the source, which wasn't very illuminating. The best ones were the various illustrations and film stills to show different interpretations, and showing photographs of the family's items at Orchard House. Seeing Anna (Meg) Alcott's wedding dress gave me chills, honestly. It was al ...more

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Jun 17, 2008 Shelley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, youth, classic, re-read, literature, my-childhood, 2008, 2010, 1992

8/10: I have been on a classics binge, and this was the latest. Warning: Long review.

It was far, far preachier than I remembered - even Jo wouldn't stop nagging. The first part, Little Women, was far more enjoyable for me than the sequel, Good Wives. The magic came from the family together - I didn't care as much for the fragmented stories. Amy bored me, so even though I was looking for hers and Laurie's romance, I skimmed most of it. I just couldn't focus on it. Meg lost her spark once she had 8/10: I have been on a classics binge, and this was the latest. Warning: Long review.

It was far, far preachier than I remembered - even Jo wouldn't stop nagging. The first part, Little Women, was far more enjoyable for me than the sequel, Good Wives. The magic came from the family together - I didn't care as much for the fragmented stories. Amy bored me, so even though I was looking for hers and Laurie's romance, I skimmed most of it. I just couldn't focus on it. Meg lost her spark once she had babies. Jo was still all right as a governess, but I missed her wit and repartee with the others. Beth was just...Beth. The parts were they were back together after Amy's return were much more interesting to me. And finally, Mr. Bhaer. I am not anti-Mr. Bhaer, and I do think Jo and Laurie made better friends than lovers, but I also think Jo settled for her Friedrich because she was afraid to be alone. She was happy, but she could have been happier. Poor Jo.

I'd forgotten that Amy and Laurie had a baby girl named Beth that was dying. That is so sad. Was that written before Louisa ended up raising May's daughter? Reading this knowing of how close Louisa and May (Jo and Amy) were in real life made Amy seem a lot more palatable than in my first read 20 years ago.

A lot of the moralizing in this made me cringe, but a lot of it made me think. Some of what Marmee and Jo had to say in their preachiness was actually valid and should still be considered. I wonder how hard it is for kids now to separate that out, though. This should probably be a family read aloud. Jo is still a fantastic and often forward thinking character and the writing lessons she imparted still have worth today.

I'm awfully glad I did the reread. Even though the second part dragged for me, it still holds magic. And I never did figure out what got abridged in my original read - Laurie must be right that it was small grammar, spelling, etc issues.

OR: I can't believe I remembered the cover of the edition I read. *g* It's been so many years since I read this, and a conversation with Jennie sparked the need to reread. I don't know where this copy went off to, so I'll have to check it out at work.

(eta: This copy was ABRIDGED? ACK! I really do need to read this, stat. The full novel.) ...more

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