Little Women

By Louisa May Alcott

Alcott's most popular novel. According to Wikipedia: "Louisa May Alcott (1832 – 1888) was an American novelist. She is best known for the novel Little Women, published in 1868. This novel is loosely based on her childhood experiences with her three sisters."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Seltzer Books
• Release date: Mar 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781455347049

Louisa May Alcott

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) is the author of the beloved Little Women, which was based on her own experiences growing up in New England with her parents and three sisters. More than a century after her death, Louisa May Alcott's stories continue to delight readers of all ages.

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Reviews for Little Women

[jayme-122076 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary: This story is about the March family who are all very close to each other. The parents have three daughters; Meg, Beth, and Amy which the book centers around. Throughout the story they realize how much they truly care about each other.Critical Response: This story is very accurate in the types of struggles, hardships, and joys a family would have faced during this time period.Classroom Connections: When reading this story it is a good idea to focus on how important family is. Students can share things they can do to draw closer to their family. Students can write down things they do at home with their families. Students can draw a picture of their family and include any important information about the family on the picture.

[picardyrose · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Goes without saying.

[aprilkennedyahp · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

While it is a charming coming of age tale, I found it a tad slow and a bit dry, I really like the movie though.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's interesting to listen to a book written in the 1800's. The dialog isn't that great and some of the phrases mean something totally different in 2016. For example snowballing. I didn't know what it meant in 2016 until I typed it in during my bing rewards searches. Of course Louisa May Alcott was talking about an innocent snow ball fight. I think with classics like this, I might stick with the movie.

[danielstj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although this was a novel primarily intended for a female audience, I still found this incredibly likable and appealing. There is much here: sorrow, friendship, family, yearnings, disillusionment, and closure. The characters are vivid and the setting serves as a ready placard to explore their innermost feelings, desires, and emotions. The plot does not waver, it stays concentrated and focused on the intrigues of its principal characters and I feel that it managed to accomplish all that was intended. Overall, a great book. 4 stars.

[rainbowdarling · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A true classic, truly timeless, Little Women is a must have for any bookshelf. This story of a family of young women, dealing with the very real traumas of the Civil War is charming in that it gives pictures into the lives of the daughters, the things that concern them, please them, the trials they must face and the choices they are forced to make. The main character is endearing as are her three sisters and by the end I found myself rooting for the ultimate well-being of everyone involved, not simply the main character. I can't imagine not having this book around.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The classic tale of the March sisters--Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. It's a coming-of-age tale in many ways as the girls grow up and most find love. Marmee imparts wisdom when her daughters seek it. The neighboring Laurance family, particularly Laurie, plays an important role in the book. Jo begins her career as a writer. This classic never fails to make me cry. Even though I know it is coming, I never want Beth to die.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Somewhat entertaining read. I did get a little weary of the repeated moral preaching by adults.

[lukerik-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A book so sweet it made my stomach churn. So few authors have made me respond physically (though never churning before) that I have given it an extra star. An interesting document of what people did before the invention of television (ie, not a lot) and I'm sure generations of students will be able to churn out papers on whether or not Jo is a lesbian. Unfortunately the narrative is so very boring that I am abandoning it a few chapters into part two.Alcott is determined to avoid any incident of interest. Take the episode where one of the characters puts on a fashionable dress. Anything could of happened, I don't know, she could have been showered in the spunk of her admirers, but no, she changes back into her normal clothes, and repenting, promises never to do it again.I thought at first that Alcott was being boring by mistake. Take Chapter 10, which consists of some documents produced by the girls during one of their games. The chapter is shorter than usual and I thought at first that Alcott had bored even herself, but she emits a similar performance in Chapter 16, a collection of letters none of which contain information of any interest or consequence.I would recommend this book to little girls who were rude to me.

[heidiangell · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is not the first time I have read Little Women, in fact I tried many times in my teens to read the story, but I always so loathed it because I couldn't help thinking how backwards these women were. Joe was scandalous for not being a proper lady (and sadly she was the one I related to the most). Each time I was left feeling bleh about the thing and wondering what was wrong with me for not enjoying such a classic. At about sixteen I had decided that it wasn't me who had the problem, it was that I could not relate to the story because I was a modern woman and let it go at that, vowing never to read the stupid thing again.

Then I got a Nook and found myself with very little money and a load of free books and went to town. Suddenly all I had left was Little Women. I figured what the heck, it was better than nothing, I was fairly sure. I was surprised how differently I felt about it this time. Now, having children, I can see the way I have tried to use some of Mrs. March's subtle techniques. Knowing other mothers, wanting a little girl, I found myself suddenly entrenched with their lives and wondering if I would have a Joe like me, or what would I do if I had an Amy! The things that seemed antiquated in my youth, now seemed nostalgic and charming. It is amazing how books change as we change! If you have read it before and weren't sure you cared for it, perhaps you should try it again!

[bami210 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful

[dictionopolis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book with wonderful storytelling. Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy are vibrant, believable characters that are hard to forget.

[libraian_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the classic children's story, loosely based on Louisa May Alcott's childhood in Massachusetts, of a year in the lives of the four March sisters. Pretty Meg is the eldest at 16, but the heroine is tomboyish Jo. The two younger girls are quiet Beth and 12 year old Amy, who is still something of a child. Though of 'one of our first families', the Marches have fallen on hard times, and in addition, Mr March has joined the army and is away from home. In spite of longing for easier times, the girls and their mother help those less fortunate than themselves, both materially and emotionally. They make friends with Laurie and his grandfather, who are their neighbours, and include them in their adventures.The story of the sisters is enchanting in itself, and draws you in. The girls - Jo especially - get into and out of scrapes, from which their mother usually draws a lesson, to encourage them to be better people. I remember being outraged alongside Jo whenever she got into trouble, when I read this as a child myself. It also offers a glimpse of life in America in what was the Victorian era in Britain.I think this is a well written story for children; as a child, I was passionately involved in Jo's ups and downs in life, although I don't think I fully understood Meg's embarrassment when she didn't have as nice clothes as her friends to wear to a party. The hardships the family had to go through were part of the background to the story, but didn't oppress the atmosphere. Mrs March's lessons probably went straight over my head; re-reading the book as an adult, they seem slightly preachy, though they are incorporated fairly well into the fabric of the story.On the language front, it was amusing to note that a lot of linguistic quirks I normally associate with pre-war British literature made their appearance, such as "there's a good fellow".All in all, still a good 'un to read.

[annb2013 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

My mother used to read this to me when I was little until I told her to stop. There was a lot of sheet sewing and they always seemed on the verge of doing something interesting but never actually got around to it.

[barb_h_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely loved it and can't believe I waited so many years to get around to reading it.

[jenneb_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I guess I'm giving it 5 stars just on sheer number of rereads. I could practically recite this.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I first read Little Women when I was quite young and I fell in love with the March sisters, their friends and family. In this re-read, I could identify and recognize some flaws in the book, but my heart had already been given and I can’t bring myself to take back any of the five stars that I assigned to the book years ago.While my older self found the book slightly dated and could see that it was a little too sweet with more than a few religious overtones, there are still elements that I believe are relevant to today. While the book does seem to imply that most girls should grow up to become wives and homebodies, Jo struggles to be independent, wants to earn her own living by writing. Amy has a desire to paint and when she decides that she isn’t as talented as she hoped, she begins to make plans to give art lessons for a living. The closeness of the family, the quaintness of it’s themes, the life lessons that are gently delivered still resonated with me. I can see that this book is perhaps a difficult sell to today’s young girls, but as with books like Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables, there are rewards in the reading. Well-crafted characters, emotional story-lines that touch the heart, a beautiful background that illustrates middle class life in 1860’s America all combine to make Little Woman a classic that holds it’s place of honor on my shelves.

[bonniemarjorie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

“I want to do something splendid…something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday.”Can you believe it? The last person on Earth has finally read Little Women! Okay, I’m kidding, I’m sure I wasn’t the last one to read it but sure feels like it. But yes, this was my very first time reading it and I’m glad I did even though it was a bit of a struggle because 18th century works of fictions and I don’t often get along real well. But despite my apprehension View Spoiler » this one really won me over in the end. I learned to appreciate it for what it’s meant to be: an old-fashioned yet authentic tale of a close knit family, and in particular four very different young women, struggling to find their place in a difficult time in history. It’s not a glamorous tale of silk gowns and ball rooms, but rather an accurate interpretation of how life really was for Louisa May Alcott and her three sisters, as well as all the other women coming of age in the 1800s. It makes you appreciate family, life itself, and presents under the Christmas tree. And NOW, I can finally watch the movie.

[kaylaraeintheway · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a classic for a reason, even if it is at times overly sentimental and "lesson-of-the-week" in its delivery. The themes of love, respect, kindness, and duty to your family, even of they make you angry or you'd rather be doing something else, are admirable. As someone with 2 younger sisters, the March sisters and their relationship struck a chord with me. I was pleasantly surprised to note a good deal of humor, and even some progressive (for late 1800s) thoughts on women and marriage. I'm sure I would have loved this book even more had I first read it when I was younger.

[mmoj_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book. I had three sisters so I really sympathized with the girls. While the book may seem old-fashioned and preachy to some I think you have to look at the era that Alcott was writing in while reading the book. Keeping that in mind I think you get a better understanding of the characters, especially Meg and Amy who, while they seem vain and driven by "womanly" pursuits actually had a better understanding of how women of the time could use the system to make changes in the lives of those around them - especially in the the second part. While, when I was younger I longed for Jo and Laurie to get together as an adult I know that Jo would have walked all over Laurie. I also wonder if Alcott knew that Jo couldn't have love and societal changes both - she had to choose.

[oswinssouffle · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book up until a point where I knew what was happening. In many books, a similar situation will arise where you can start making guesses to what is going to occur. With this particular book, something else happened. It wasn't guesses, as I soon learned. It was the route of the book and I lost my desire to continue reading it. Even Jo's chapters, which I usually loved, couldn't keep me invovled. And thus, I admit, I skipped around two chapters. To honor that confession, I will also note that they were Amy's chapters.

By the end of the book, I was waiting for find a secret chapter that ended similarly to the television show, Roseanne. I wanted to find out that this story wasn't the actual story and that the mother character changed things around because she felt that is how things worked. But, that wasn't to happen.

So, I find it difficult to giving this book a rating. If this was before those chapters in Nice, I would surely give this an 5. Now, I sit debating a 3.

To give a book whose chapters I have skipped a 5 makes little to no sense and a 4 seems pointless. A two, truthly, seems most exact but I cannot deny that there were things I loved before the last arc.

[bcrowl399 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All "little women" should read Little Women. I know it's a time gone by, but there are timeless lessons and "sisterhood" traits here. 

[bellafoxx · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I decided to reread this book. It was just as charming as I remembered it. The book introduces us to the Marches, a formerly prosperous family that has fallen on hard times and is now poor. The four girls are teenagers when the story begins and cover a little over a year if I remember correctly. Their father is away at war, the two oldest girls are working to help the family make ends meet. We learn their hopes, dreams, and personality. The book ends with Meg's engagement to John Brooke.Read first time: 1980

[wagrobanite-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Having seen two of the three versions of the movie, it was definitely an experiment for me to read the book now. I try not to do that but in this case in worked and I put the movie characters out of my mind (I'll discuss how well the movie did in a minute). While long, this book is excellent and a must read, for at least every girl out there. Alcott makes each one of the girls relatable and each girl has one thing or another that I wouldn't mind having myself. Alcott also makes the men in this story easy to fall in love with and makes great cases for why each man is which each girl.

My favorite version of the book is the 1994 version with Kirsten Dunst and Winona Ryder. Now, having read the book, I can see it is an excellent adaptation, which I rarely say about a movie based on a book. They always get something wrong. They did not in this movie, with the exception of changing the order of some of the events and the way that Beth dies.

[readers_respite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A classic tale read so many times growing up I lost count. My favorite little woman? Jo, of course. These young women inspired me to be a better person.

[cbilbo-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Why have I just now read this book? I don't know! It was a wonderful and well written story. I couldn't get enough of the entire family. I cried. I laughed. I couldn't put it down, I had to knwo what happen. So glad I finally read it!

[jennyelizabeth-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reading through Little Women I kept wishing I'd read it as a girl. Now that I'm grown I found myself identifying with different aspects of the girls' natures. I'm definitely a Jo, and I nearly wept when Teddy married Amy because... I want a Teddy, not a Professor...

Personal preferences aside, the book completely blessed me and it also gave me a lot to think about.

[jarvenpa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had an earlier version by far than the edition pictured, given to me by my great aunt when I was 10. It was the great book of my childhood, the book we acted out in the dusty streets of a suburban, tract home town all one long summer, fighting over which sister was the best. And of course everyone wanted to be bold Jo, but I always had a soft spot in my heart for vain, ambitious Amy. I could never get my daughter to read it; she balked at the cozy world, the homilies, the pious little girls giving away their Christmas breakfast, the silly...to her mind...love stories.

But I love this book still. It seduced me to finding out more about the world of the Alcotts, and of New England in the Civil War period. And thus I found Thoreau (whom Louisa apparently was in love with) and Emerson, and a whole world of thought.

Which was heady stuff for a 10 year old, let me tell you. I reread Little Women every few years. I've read everything else Alcott wrote as well, from the potboiler thrillers to all the tidy romances. Maybe a grandchild of mine will like her, someday.

[princess0starr · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Disclaimer: I have read this book exactly once before. And now for the very unpopular opinion…I didn’t really like it. The first half of the book just bored me to tears, and while Jo’s story definitely picked up in the second half, I still had a hard time getting through the chapters. Alcott puts a lot of emphasis on the morality exhibited by the girls, which by today’s standards seem also comical, and the some of the characters are only one-dimensional and their only purpose is to exhibit goodness. I am curious to pick up Alcott’s other work, though, after giving this a reread.

[nicola26 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was okay... but I didn't love it. It started off well enough and made me smile and laugh a few times which is good, however, I got tired of it after a while and it didn't really capture me. The writing was lovely though and I did enjoy the fact that all the girls are such different characters and that they all have their flaws and work on trying to be better people. I wish I had read it when I was younger just to know how I would have reacted to the story as a child; it's hard to tell whether I would have liked it or if I would have been just as apathetic towards it as I am now. Overall it's well written story with well developed characters; it just didn't wow me.