Who Would Like This Book:
There's a reason generations have treasured "Little Women"! This book shines with warmth, humor, and a heartfelt look at family bonds and the journey from girlhood to womanhood. The March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - each have distinct personalities, relatable dreams, and real flaws, making it easy for readers to see themselves in at least one of them. It's a cozy, comforting read with timeless life lessons, and the independent, spirited Jo is an especially strong role model. Young readers, especially girls, and anyone who loves classic coming-of-age stories, strong female characters, or glimpses of daily life in Civil War–era America will likely adore this book.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers find "Little Women" too sentimental, preachy, or old-fashioned, especially when viewed through a modern lens. The steady stream of moral lessons and emphasis on traditional gender roles can feel heavy-handed, and the episodic plot might seem slow or lacking in excitement to those who crave page-turners. Adult readers encountering it for the first time sometimes struggle to relate to the idealized characters or the era’s values, and others are frustrated by the book’s conventional takes on women’s life choices. If you prefer fast-paced stories, subtle messaging, or more modern takes on feminism, this may not be your cup of tea.
About:
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a heartwarming tale that follows the lives of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they navigate the challenges of growing up during the American Civil War. The story captures the essence of family bonds, love, friendship, and loss as the March family copes with the absence of their father and the hardships of war. Each sister has a unique personality, with Jo standing out as a courageous and independent spirit, while Beth is portrayed as gentle and kind-hearted. Through timeless struggles and enduring themes of morality, sacrifice, and love, the March sisters' story resonates with readers of all ages.
The narrative delves into the coming-of-age journey of the March sisters, exploring their individual paths to womanhood and self-discovery. Jo, a tomboy with a passion for writing, unexpectedly finds love, while Amy embraces her artistic talents and travels to France. The family's togetherness and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of unity and support during difficult times. Alcott's writing style weaves a captivating story that balances moments of joy and sorrow, leaving readers laughing and crying alongside the March sisters as they navigate life's challenges and triumphs.
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Notes:
Has Romance?
While romance plays a significant role, it is not the central theme; relationships are explored alongside personal development.
From The Publisher:
Louisa May Alcott shares the innocence of girlhood in this classic coming of age story about four sisters-Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy.
In picturesque nineteenth-century New England, tomboyish Jo, beautiful Meg, fragile Beth, and romantic Amy are responsible for keeping a home while their father is off to war. At the same time, they must come to terms with their individual personalities-and make the transition from girlhood to womanhood. It can all be quite a challenge. But the March sisters, however different, are nurtured by their wise and beloved Marmee, bound by their love for each other and the feminine strength they share. Readers of all ages have fallen instantly in love with these Little Women. Their story transcends time-making this novel endure as a classic piece of American literature that has captivated generations of readers with their charm, innocence, and wistful insights.
With an Introduction by Regina Barecca
and an Afterword by Susan Straight
Ratings (338)
Incredible (71) | |
Loved It (129) | |
Liked It (94) | |
It Was OK (31) | |
Did Not Like (11) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (503):
Read It (360) | |
Currently Reading (5) | |
Want To Read (96) | |
Did Not Finish (10) | |
Not Interested (32) |
10 comment(s)
Plot
Read it the first time in 2019 but feels like I've read it more recently still as it's a story that lives so vividly in my mind. It's not a perfect book by any means but it's such a lovely and heartwarming story about a group of sisters growing up as women with their sweet mother and their father of in war. It's one of those wholesome stories that I carry in my heart and think of in times of struggle. Haven't seen any of the movie adaptions but might need to change it someday. Think the one from 1990s is on netflix.
for the whole book i was waiting for something to happen, for them to show that they are stronger than men, but i didn’t see it
I haven't read
Little Women since junior high, and I'm amazed at how well it held up for me.
Little Women is packed with "moral of the story" moments that I (somehow) wasn't annoyed by; it also has subtly beautiful moments that I'm sure I missed as a seventh grader. The omniscient narrator's occasional breaking of the fourth wall is delightful. It's pretty amazing that after sixteen years, the movie version, and the
Friends episode, Beth and her plotline still bring a tear to my eye (I almost embarassed myself on the train this morning with public eye-fogging). So worth picking up again as an adult reader.
Not one of my favorites or one I would necessarily recommend, but I can see why the story has held up for generations.
One of my first "favorite" books, I loved Louisa May Alcott as a girl. Heartwarming, interesting story that provides some nice historical perspective. I re-read it when I get a chance and it's just as good every time.
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?
This was definitely a new favorite, and a true classic. In the beginning, I wanted Jo to be with Laurie, but in the end, I was very satisfied with how everything turned out. I will be recommending this book to all my friends, if they haven't read it already. It's a wonderful book that I would recommend to any girl or woman.
Absolutely amazing classic story.
This is fiction, yet the story geared toward young women is based in part on the life of the author, Louisa May Alcott. The main character, Jo March, lives with sisters Meg, Beth, Amy, and their mother while their father is away as a Civil War army chaplain. Money is tight, yet Jo is interested in writing, not becoming just someone's wife. She is tomboyish , the opposite of her sisters Amy and Meg, and Beth has many ills. A coming of age story of sorts when women had fewer choices yet could think independently if they chose, giving the reader something to think about.
What can you read after
Little Women?
About the Author:
Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1832, the second of four daughters of Abigail May Alcott and Bronson Alcott, the prominent Transcendentalist thinker and social reformer. Raised in Concord, Massachusetts, and educated by her father, Alcott early on…
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