Reviews

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

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serenereader9's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing sad 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

4.5

I have so many thoughts!

The reason this got brought down from a 5 for me is:

Laurie didn't end up with Jo (it was pathetic how much this upset me!)
but like what does Amy give him? Jo makes him laugh, takes him out of his shell, they go on adventures, and she brings the best out of him with little reminders of things he can improve on.
Amy...
I was very team Jo so I was happy it was a very gradual shift from Jo to Amy but still (Amy is also my least favourite sister and Jo my very favourite, so it seems a step down to me. ).

Also (but I'm so prejudiced) the professor is so old compared to Jo! No doubt I'm desperately looking for any faults in whoever has outdone Teddy, but he's kind of dull!

I can't really disagree that some parts were pretty long and drawn out and a bit preachy. I didn't really care about the letters from Amy about Europe or the letters from Jo about New York.

I guess I also just prefered the part of the book where they were kind of in their teens, their adult life wasn't as interesting to me.

Mainly I was unbelievable stunned that Jo & Teddy weren't about to be married and that was my biggest grievance lol.

But overall it was really good and I liked all the characters and the book was very comforting as we just went along for the ride in the character's journey's. Favourite moment had to be cricket or whatever where they played Truth and the coming up with a story.

Laurie's contribution to the story they told by each telling a piece totally exposed his feelings for Jo.

I found Jo's fear of change very relateable, and the anxiety that everyone was leaving her. When you're growing up, I think change is more noticeable and present and the book captures the constant change.

I was so horrified for when Beth was gonna die because I saw the episode of FRIENDS where Joe reads Little Women and Rachel accidently tells him Beth dies.

Lots about growing up (hence the name "little women"), about how blinding vanity & pride can be (that by the end the sisters oppose riches), friends & family are more precious than money, and the sacrifices we make for our family's happiness.

It was very sweet to see how hard the girls worked to improve themselves and grow up, figuring out who they wanted to be (what their castles were), while making mistakes.

This book really demonstrated how life is a journey and there will be ecstasy and there will be mourning and everything in between, and that's what makes life beautiful. There were, I noticed, multiple moments of satisfaction mingled with regret. The many shades of grey in life are showed. And when characters did something, or had to let go for others to be happy this phrase or sentiment was expressed.