Little Women (Little Women, #1) in Classics Without All the Class

Jul 23, 2011 Beth (bibliobeth) rated it it was amazing

This is one of my all-time favourite childrens classics and our choice for March Kid-Lit, but as with a few of our previous Kid-Lit books I was slightly apprehensive about reading it as an adult, for fear I wouldn’t love it as much as I used to. I needn’t have feared however as it was just as terrific as I had remembered, although this time around I picked up many more references to religion than I remember being in the novel as a child. It tells the story of the March family which consists of f This is one of my all-time favourite childrens classics and our choice for March Kid-Lit, but as with a few of our previous Kid-Lit books I was slightly apprehensive about reading it as an adult, for fear I wouldn’t love it as much as I used to. I needn’t have feared however as it was just as terrific as I had remembered, although this time around I picked up many more references to religion than I remember being in the novel as a child. It tells the story of the March family which consists of four sisters: Meg, the oldest who is incredibly gentile and beautiful, Jo our tomboy who enjoys anything remotely unladylike and has aspirations to become a writer, Beth the angel in their midst who is kind, unselfish and vulnerable and the youngest Amy who loves anything connected with art and amuses her older sisters with her choice of vocabulary and grand ideas. The story is basically a coming of age novel in which four young girls become women, and the trials that come with becoming a “grown-up,” such as love, marriage, disappointment and tragedy.

This is not just another one of those classics that can become slightly tedious or where nothing much happens – there is plenty of drama for the March family, where there always seems to be something afoot and is in my opinion, a truly heart-warming read. As the girls grow up we hear of their exuberance in putting on small plays, share in the tension as Amy burns Jo’s precious manuscript and worry with them when Beth comes down with scarlet fever. One thing that did surprise me when re-reading this book as an adult as I mentioned previously was how much of a factor religion played in the novel which I didn’t remember having been there previously. Marmee in particular seems to be the dominating persona for this within the household and consistently teaches her girls about the way of the world if they follow God. I don’t mind religion in novels and in certain cases where the religion isn’t Christian interests me greatly and makes me more likely to read a book, but I tend to get slightly exasperated if it becomes too “preachy.” Luckily, I don’t think it comes across that way in Alcott’s novel and is more a background reminder for the children to live their lives by, and to encourage them to be good and honest individuals.

I have the Little Women complete series on my Kindle and I have to admit I was slightly confused after finishing Little Women (at the point where Meg agrees to marry John) and seeing THE END, as I remembered a lot more happening after this event. After a short spot of googling however I found out that the second instalment in the series, Good Wives was originally published separately but both books together made up the story of Little Women. I love the classic storybook happy ending also which paves the way for the next novel Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo’s Boys which I’m quite certain I haven’t read before but will be certain to (Kid-Lit 2015, sis?!)

Reading this book again was an absolute pleasure, the characters are wonderful and so loveable and it reminded me why it is considered a classic work of fiction in the first place. Best bit? It’s pretty hard to choose, some of the scenes will always be highly memorable for me but I have to mention the scene where Aunt March’s parrot looks under a piece of furniture after a spider he has chased there and invites it to: “Come and take a walk my dear?.” Hilarious and utterly brilliant! Definitely one of my favourite pieces of Kid-Lit and I hope future generations will continue to treasure it.

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Aug 07, 2011 Audrey rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-as-a-child, civil-war, classics, listens, young-adult-fiction, 1860s, series, inspired-by-true-story, girls-who-write

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I first read this over a decade ago, when I was in early elementary school. Considering that I had not revisited it since, I thought it was high time that I reread this classic. Along with reading the book, I grew up watching the movie adaptations (the 1933, 1949, and 1994 versions), so I know the story really well. Still, there were a few parts of the book that I had forgotten.

Sorry to be so predictable, but Jo is definitely my favorite sister. I am like her in many ways, and unlike her in pro I first read this over a decade ago, when I was in early elementary school. Considering that I had not revisited it since, I thought it was high time that I reread this classic. Along with reading the book, I grew up watching the movie adaptations (the 1933, 1949, and 1994 versions), so I know the story really well. Still, there were a few parts of the book that I had forgotten.

Sorry to be so predictable, but Jo is definitely my favorite sister. I am like her in many ways, and unlike her in probably just as many, but I think what draws me to her is how well she is fleshed out as a character. As a reader, I really felt the struggles, grief, and rejoicing along with her. I also really like that she is a writer, and I enjoyed following her endeavors and successes. I always wanted to be a writer, too, although I haven't gotten there yet and I don't know if I have the talent for it. It does make me relate more deeply to Jo, though.

Amy really annoyed me at first, but she got a little better as she grew up. Still, she's not my favorite. I do love how younger Amy was always mispronouncing words, often to hilarious effect. Meg is okay, but she is kind of silly sometimes, and just generally kind of 'meh.' And of course I love Beth. It's hard not to. For some reason I always thought of her as the youngest child, when she is actually the third sister. I love Beth's deep connection and friendship with Jo, especially because they are so different. Her death came more softly than I recall. Perhaps the fact that I knew she was going to die just made it not as shocking. In any case, the author worked up to it so gently that I felt that it was less jarring than it could have been. As a kid I remember finding it so heartbreakingly sad when I would watch the movie versions.

As for Laurie . . . I really like him, especially as a young boy. His friendship and witty banter with Jo comprises some of my favorite parts of the book. Deep down, I do want Laurie and Jo to be together, even though I completely understand why they are not such a good fit. I find Laurie more unlikeable in the second part of the book, and I wonder if that was an intentional move on the author's part to accentuate the compatibility differences between him and Jo. I'm not a huge fan of Bhaer with his thees and thous. I do appreciate that he is a rather unconventional romantic hero, though. That is kind of daring and refreshing, even if still don't think he's exactly right for Jo.

I really enjoyed Alcott's writing. It's very relaxing, and I appreciated the interjections of humor and intentional irony that often popped up in unexpected places. She also gives some good insight into all kinds of everyday things—relationships, work, etc. I will admit that I found a few parts of this book to be a bit preachy and saccharine, even when I agreed with everything that was being said. But that's probably just my jaded modern sensibilities poking through, so pay no mind. :)

It's hard not to like the Marches' warm home and loving family life. The story just feels sweet and, in a way, timeless (as I suppose it has proven to be). That said, I think I would enjoy it more if I didn't know everything that was going to happen. If I had read this for the first time with no idea how the plot would unfold, it might be a lot dearer to me. As a final note, I like that the book goes a little into what happened beyond the “happily-ever-after” proposal(s), which many stories end at. ...more

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