Little Women

I read and re-read my copy of The Little Women so many times as a girl, the cover fell off. The book is a lovely treasure trove of family relationships, growing up, romance, and learning how to celebrate even during the pain that sometimes happens in life. Alcott has an unassuming story-teller style of writing that immediately ushers the reader into the heart of the characters and makes you feel part of the family. I can't recommend it enough.

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents.”

Everyone is no doubt familiar this opening line. It comes from Little Women, the beloved classic of the four young March girls. Meet sixteen-year-old Meg, the plump and matronly oldest sister; Jo, the awkward and rambunctious tomboy; Amy, the spoiled and artistic blond; and Beth, the quiet and reserved youngest sister. With their father away at war, the girls grow up under the watchful eye of Marmee.

Of course, the March family is not perfect, which is why we love them. Meg succumbs to vanity a party when she borrows a dress that is far too stiff with a train that is far too long. She also fears during dances that her earrings will fall off. Jo refuses to forgive her sister Amy for an act of vengeance, until a skating disaster reunites them. Amy receives the strap at school for ignoring a rule about candy. And Beth loses a beloved bird during a disastrous week when the girls experiment with idleness. Even the one who most often instills moral guidance, Mrs. March, admits that it’s taken her over forty years to only partially cure her anger.

While the entire family is creative, Jo is the writer amongst them. This is my main reason for liking her best. We’re both always reading. Jo likes to receive books as presents, is most attracted to homes where the owners have libraries, and typically cites examples from literature to prove her points. We’re also both always writing. Jo writes plays and contributes news to the family newsletter. She loves sharing stories about what happens in her life. I also most identify with her habit of getting herself into scrapes.

Despite the absence of their father, the family is close knit. The Marches sing together. They help the needy, even to the point of giving up their Christmas breakfast to help a starving family. Not being rich themselves, they produce their own plays and a family newspaper for entertainment. Under the moral direction of their mother, they also learn many life lessons. I embraced many of the principles myself such as refusing to let the sun go down on my anger. Little Women continues to be one of my favorite girl books.

Reader reviewed by Sarima89

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

The four March sisterswarm and fashionable Meg, literary and tomboyish Jo, frail and angelic Beth, and lovely but vain Amylive in Civil War New England. With their father off to war, they grow and learn to be better women under the ever-patient guide of their mothers hand. Lessons in humility, romance, friendship, loss, and joy occur to the March sisters in a variety of scenarios which have been pleasingly narrated for us by the character-writer Alcott. Never dull, and full of important morals and fun, it is no wonder that LITTLE WOMEN remains a beloved classic over a century after it was first published.

Reader reviewed by Kit-Kat

Though this book was written in the 1800's, a lot of the content still applies today.
The characters are individual and comical, and you learn to love them. The plot is funny, with a few unexpected twists.
The book is simple, but sweet, and teaches important values.

Reader reviewed by joanne

I don't know about you, but I thought Little Women was fantastic. I'v read it a million times...and yes, my opinion has changed. When I first read it, I still thought it was great, but I didn't understand parts of it, and was a bit dissapointed with the ending. When I read it a second and third time, though, I got to apprieciate the whole meaning of the story. Personally, I thought it was a touching story of a loving family...I loved the characters, the closeness of the friends and families; a beautiful, timeless classic.

Reader reviewed by Ally

I appreciate that this book is a classic, but it didn't sit too well with me. It would have been better to read it in the time period it was written. The characters were pretty nerve-racking, and the plot was a tad thin. Also, I was annoyed by the constant reminders of a womans supposed place. Beautifully written, but very over-rated.

Reader reviewed by Jessica M.

Little Women is considered one of the greatest American classics of all time. I thought so too, because it tells the life stories of four sisters growing up in 19th century America. It is kind of like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in a way, because in the 2nd part of the novel, each chapter tells about one of the girls. I liked reading about the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth (wish she didn't die), and Amy. I read this book when I was 9, but didn't know its true meaning until I read it again. This book is one of the greatest girl books of all time!

Reader reviewed by Aimee

This was a surprising book full of laughs and tears just like any good book ought to have. Jo was confused in love, and she suffered a loss of her unguided acts. But as we al do, she moved on. And although I was disapointed in the ending, I think everyone who has read this book will agree -- it is the most colorful book a reader could ask for.

Till Next Time -Aimee

Reader reviewed by FlooCrookshanks

Unfortunately due to a revealing Friends episode (you know the one I mean!), I knew half of the main things that happened in this book before I even picked it up. However, it's beautifully written and easy to read and understand - unlike a lot of classics, which are so garbled it's no wonder you have to study them at school to understand them.

The book has two parts, and I must say, I loved the first part with a dozen passions. The second part was disappointment after disappointment - not because it was bad, don't get me wrong - but as in life, things don't always turn out the way you want them to.

This story will most likely make you smile, sob, and want to tear out specific pages in the hope it would stop certain things from happening. Were I to read it again, I'd read it only halfway and then just pretend everything ended the way I wanted it to. ;)

Four sisters and their mother have to deal with their father being away at war. Meanwhile they meet friends and love interests, grow up and deal with the trials and tribulations of life, and learn to become better people. Marriage proposals, arguments, jobs, illness and heartache are but a few of the things they are forced to deal with, but no matter what, they never stop loving one another.