Reviews with content warning for Terminal illness - Little Women

“I've got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.“

The story follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—and details their passage from childhood to womanhood.

The story is so beautifully written. I loved the detailed description of all the sisters and their relationships with each other. Each character was unique and lovable. The story is very easy to get into and follow, I definitely would recommend it as a start to getting into classics, but the story is so powerful and meaningful that I think everyone should read it. Definitely has become one of my favourite books I’ve ever read!

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saramcaps's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This has always been such a comfort read and perfectly encapsulates the female experience in such a timeless, beautiful way.

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alyssapusateri's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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sarasreading's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Maybe 4.75, but I'm rounding up. This book made me cry multiple times, even though I've seen just about every adaptation multiple times (dozens for the 90s version). I wasn't expecting to be so emotional about a story I was already so familiar with.

I was also surprised how different it was from the adaptations, since multiple adaptations contain plot points that appear nowhere in the book, and the order of plot points was changed.

I loved getting to read the parts that I've never seen in any adaptation, and falling more in love with this family. I'm so glad I saved this one for Christmas! It was the perfect cozy read.

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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

The story was difficult to get into and focus on at times, especially in the beginning. It’s a very slow, descriptive story with long chapters that mainly discuss the girls’ day to day lives. The pacing was all over the place. The morals and preachy lessons every chapter were exhausting. I would skim at times when I got really bored especially with Meg’s chapters; I just was not vibing with the writing style at all.

Part 2 (which is technically Good Wives and not Little Women) is so much better! It’s the only reason I didn’t DNF and why I gave it 3.5 stars. The only thing that kept it from 4 or more stars was part 1 and Jo’s ending.

I suppose I understand why it’s a classic but for me it doesn’t come anywhere close to the likes of Austen, Eliot, or the Brontë sisters. Very rare instance where the movie is better than the book. I was a little disappointed to discover some of my favorite quotes from the Gerwig movie aren’t in the book at all. Although Alcott did have some good prose at times! Kind of glad I read it if only to say that I did and cross it off my classics TBR.

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lavenderbluestories's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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oceanwriter's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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.

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