Little Women
Ratings833
Average rating4
I'm not sure what I can say about this book that hasn't been said before. It's a story that has meant so much to so many people for centuries. Having grown up visiting Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, being able to physically enter that world makes reading the story as an adult hit so differently.
The story follows the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, four sisters living in the Civil War times in Massachusetts. The book is somewhat based on Louisa May Alcott's life, making it a nice and genuine glimpse at life in the 1800s. With a mix of family life as well as social matters of the time, it's become a piece of history rather than a mere novel.
I think I have to credit this book for my love of character-driven stories. The sisters have such diverse personalities that make their intertwined lives so interesting to read about. My favorite has always been Beth and I love her even more now. I got lost in her scenes. I also love that it's a story where, when going back, you can open up any chapter and be immersed.
Better than I thought it would be, though I do feel like Beth was only there to die.
I was a bit exhausted by all the ‘glass half full' mentally throughout the novel, as if everything works out for the best in the end, and everything is a lesson in spiritualty. I guess I just prefer a bit of wallowing in novels.
It did feel a bit like 1860s Gilmore Girls, what with the close knit family and overall upbeat mindset, even in hardship.
So I made the mistake of reading three books at once while also moving and reading far less than usual. But the last time a book took me a month to read I think I was still in the Kumon reading program in second grade. For me this book was really enjoyable and gripping, but it was just an incredibly slow burn.
To speak to the edition I bought, I got the original novel with pictures from the new movie inside. The book itself is a hardcover that is modeled to look like the one Jo receives in the movie. I think it's a really nice edition overall, and although it isn't leather-bound like the one Jo gets, I found in while walking around Walmart after seeing the movie for $11. For a hardcover that's awesome.It was a slow burn particularly because this edition used like 10 or 11 point font and each page felt super long and I felt like I was carving out my reading time in two to three chapters instead of getting far more done like I always do.
I was drawn to reading this classic by seeing the movie. I went in without any knowledge or expectations (I haven't seen any of the million other movies) simply because I liked the cast. Greta Gerwig did a fantastic job adapting this hefty family drama into a feature film. I think she did a good job of infusing more feminism into the feature and cutting out most of the religion, which was one of my only gripes with the novel. However, Alcott's inclusion of religion is very understandable for the time and subject matter involved, and I do not think it was overdone at all. I think the writing was elegant and beautiful, while still remaining easily legible and understandable.
I think this is another one added to the list that continues my theory that Victorian era female writers were better than the incredibly famous men of the era.
4.5/5
SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR A BOOK ALMOST 150 YEARS OLD. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
Wow. I am so glad I picked this book up again. I can't say I was never interested in classics (I went through a huge Jane Austen kick in high school), but for the most part many left me could. (coughWuthering Heightscough) Austen has aged incredibly well compared to many of her contemporaries haven't. Little Women seems to have the same staying powers in some ways, though I totally get why I couldn't read it until now (in my mature 29 years).
While P&P specifically has aged so well, you can basically change the setting, the characters but as long as it keeps the core of the story, the story never really suffers.
Little Women is much more of a product of its time and while has themes and characters that definitely defy the time period (Jo in particular). I don't think I would've had the maturity to read this book before now.
I should start off before I go into a slight tirade that I absolutely did love this book. I get why it's considered timeless. There's a humor and a wholesomeness and such love for these characters that I now share. And for the most part, a lot of the advice in this book is still applicable today. (Also, the Marches are the og Weasley family. Change my mind.)
However, I do know why it took me so long to read it. The book is unfortunately somewhat dated in some of how it talks about family dynamics. But there's enough humor and spirit, it's easy to see that a more modern retelling could still keep the heart of the book and update some of the values.
While the spirit of a lot of the morals of the book are commendable, there is a certain gendered and/or religious tone that sometimes is jarring. Not to mention that the morals are much more blatant than say, in Austen's novels, because Alcott will literally spell it out for the reader, which can sometimes feel condescending if you're not buying the wholesome tone.
I think that if you were to do a modern retelling, a few things would change:
- Hannah
Oh Hannah. Probably the most problematic part of LW. Hannah is clearly black and working for the family. She's not a slave, and as the story happens during the Civil War, we can assume the March's stances are anti-slavery and that she is employed. However, it is often stated how poor the March family is, so who knows what Hannah was being paid if at all. She is treated fondly by the family and not her own character.
I have not seen any adaptions, so I don't know how Hannah is handled in any of the movies, but it wouldn't surprised me if she was cut out entirely. I think the only way to include Hannah or a Hannah-like character is make her a friend of the family because I do think she's integral in at least Meg's story. She could be a family friend.
Or, I think that a more progressive approach to a more modern retelling/adaption, is changing the race of the main characters. Which I think would be very timely.
- The morals would need a slight adjustment for modern audiences. Specifically the ones that are more gendered.
For example, Meg's issues when she's figuring out balancing her marriage with having children. It can definitely come off as the woman needs to make sure her ~man~ is taken care of. But really it's about remembering to take care of each other and not neglect needs and let your spouse/other people help with the children. Which are really good points! Maybe remove the husband/wife dynamic and it's golden.
- Joe probably shouldn't be married at the end. Or maybe would be LGBTQ+
I'm pretty sure it's safe to say Jo is the most popular, most empathetic, and most idolized character and it's not hard to see why. While all of the other little women have their quirks and faults, Jo is everyone's bombastic friend that's up for adventures and has dreams higher than her station can afford. (Not just monetarily–since Meg and Amy both wish for more comfort in that area–Jo also wants freedom that being a woman at the time simply does not allow.)
I can see a lot of romantics wondering why Laurie and Jo didn't end up together, but I'm happy that Alcott recognizes they're not a good romantic match. And I don't hate Jo ending up with Professor Bhear, but I can imagine her story not ending up with anyone and making her own way. Or figuring out that she's not attracted to men. Or that she might be trans. Although I can see many people getting unnecessarily angry at those insinuations.
I think that a better outcome for Jo did not lie in marriage and it felt forced and might contribute to what makes LW feel more dated than say P&P.
I do want to reiterate that I did love the book and can see myself rereading it. I look forward to watching the newest adaption and maybe the others. :)
If you haven't read it, you need to. It's as good as everyone has been telling you, trust me
I read this book recently, without ever having seen any film adaptation, and I'm glad I did. It allowed me to form an untarnished image of the setting and the characters, which is hard to do with so many film adaptations of novels floating about nowadays.
The writing style is approachable and enjoyable, the ending was satisfying and sufficiently romantic in my opinion. I felt connected to each of the characters (although my dislike for Amy never changed), and invested in their happiness.
Curious to read the follow-up novels.
I didn't hate it, but I feel like I need to go to the dentist now from the over-the-top sweetness. And the last few chapters irritated me immensely.
I am re-reading the series of four Little Women books before the new movie comes out in December (even if the trailer actively annoyed me). I had my Mum's editions of the books and I am pretty sure I've read theses stories multiple times over the years. They hold a special place in my heart.
Little Women follows Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy as they begin the arduous process of growing up quickly as their father is away fighting in the American Civil War. I feel as close to these girls as I did when I was reading the books growing up, almost like no time has passed. I still relate to Jo and her tom-boyish ways.
I found the story to be charming and endearing, but a slight too heavy handed with moral lessons for my liking. I think for the most part the story still feels relevant and relatable, and the characters create a strong impression on your mind. I really love this series, and I can't wait to complete my re-read.
Primero, la edicion.
Parece ser que hay dos ediciones, la que se publica en EEUU y la que se publica fuera.
La de EEUU realmente son dos libros “Mujercitas” + “Las buenas esposas”. Si tu libro tiene mas de 300 paginas, es esta. El mio tenia como 250 asi que solo tiene la primera parte.
Despues de leer un poco de “Las buenas esposas” decidi que no merecia la pena. He leido como acaba y menos mal que no he continuado.
Primero hablemos de “mujercitas”, 4 hermanas de entra 12 y 17, cada una con una caracteristica (una musica, otra pintura, otra literatura y la mayor... Que es guapa?) . De las cuales la unica que es memorable es Jo.
Cada capitulo es autocontenido en el sentido que hay algun conflicto y una conclusion moral. Quiza menos por el final donde los capitulos se siguen los unos a otros.
Mucha leccion moral para mi. Al final no puedo decidir si la autora quiere decir en serio lo que escribe o quiere decir justo lo contrario. Sobretodo con el final de “las buenas esposas”. Queria criticar la sociedad para enseñarnos como aplastaba a las mujeres de la epoca?
Es entretenido pero había escuchado tan bien de él que ne ha decepcionado
