Little Women

Rating: ★★★★★

Method of Reading: Personally owned hardcover novel, 502 pages
Dates of Reading: January 18, 2011-February 25, 2011
Author: Louisa May Alcott
Publication Year: 1868
Recommended To: Girl readers at any age will enjoy this mixture of romance, fairy tale, and morality.
Quotes: Too many to even list the top ones here!
Movie: By this point, the movie industry has smartly made and re-made it several times.

Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Women
Link: http://www.online-literature.com/alcott/littlewomen/

My View: During the early parts of this Great American Novel, it seems like the United States' response to the Jane Austen classics. As you read further however, you see that this work had a far greater reach of material, stretching into the corners of familial bonds, especially between sisters, romances, and the purpose of faith. The realism and relatable nature: those make this book a classic.
Parts of this work, as it follows the imperfect Marches through imperfect situation, contrast with Austen's satire. While those novels have lessons woven in, this book is outwardly preachy and rawly emotional, despite the quiet sisters' attitudes. The tomboy Jo, who must reign herself in, has a spot in every girls' heart, as does the maternal and comforting oldest sister Meg (who, I admit, reminds me vaguely of Jane...). The prim aspiring artist, Amy, embodies the universal conflict between being good and having fun. The sickly Beth could make an Army general all choke up a bit. The simple joys and goals of this family and the ordinary but happy futures each looks toward are inspiring and I'm ready to read the next book, hoping I will learn just as much as I did from this one. Despite its somber tone, it is also playful and bright and that is what makes it a classic.


Always,
Your Bibliomaniac

Bibliographic info:
Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. New York: Baronet/Playmore, 1989. Print.