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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
A great follow up to Little Men, this novel allows readers to see the main boys from the first novel develop into men, see first romances and heart breaks, and provides a satisfying conclusion to the overall Little Women series.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I am left nearly speechless once again at Alcott's ability to tie up a story so beautifully yet frustratingly simple- yet, I must not get ahead of myself.
Jo's Boys follows Plumfield's class of troublemakers into young adulthood; it is a quality end to the series to be able to see where our beloved characters end up in life. Yet, no matter the distance put between them or the challenges they face, they always come back to Mother Bhaer's loving embrace and gentle wisdom.
The overarching theme of Jo's Boys seems to be that one never outgrows home, and the lessons found there. Much of the book follows the boys- now budding young men- as they venture into a world of freedom, temptation, delights, and responsibility. Their guiding light, ever present, is our loving Jo, who has spent years curbing and learning from her own headstrong and restless nature as the "March Brother", now bent on paying the lesson forward to her lively cohort.
It is incredibly satisfying to see the evolution in character from one book to the next, seeing our little women step into mentoring roles, and their effect on their own school of children when its their turn to navigate what life has to offer them. While the main plot is driven by the coming of age of the children in her care, the one constant is the care and stability that Jo and the March family provide.
Far from the wild nature of her youth, Jo has boiled down all the traits of her personality until she is left with unrelenting kindness, patience, and integrity, with the self-awareness to notice any short-comings of her own, and the mind to mend them. This kind of temperament is the perfect mentor to the Bhaer clan, as she knows how it feels to be in their shoes. What we see are the results of this dutiful nature, in the lives of her most beloved "little sheep".
I adored her relentless and persevering care for all her wards, no matter what became of them. In teaching others, she taught me the honor and delight of caring for others tirelessly and honestly; That happiness comes from a job well done and a life lived justly. It is no wonder these little men come back to her any chance they get.
One of the most gratifying things about any literary world is the ability to see characters through to the end. Not just from childhood to adulthood, but the evolution of moral and philosophical character (although if I had my way, many books would give me a life story because I hate to part with them while there's still so much life to live). This is clearly demonstrated throughout the book, as little vignettes that show how our little men (and women) take on and adapt to the world on their own. Like Jo says at the end: "Ah, me! It does seem as if life was made of partings, and they get harder as we go on". I am thankful for any story that allows me to part with a heart full, knowing the fates of my friends. While I may wish that Alcott would have given us a deeper sense of how our little men were settled, I was thankful for any indication at all.
---
While not strictly about Jo's Boys, I've seen in some other reviews complaints of Alcott's work- specifically in the Little Women world- that it is very pushing towards the Christian rhetoric. While I understand these sentiments, and definitely see the Christian morals and values she includes- for they are fairly blatant- I think these readers forget the context in which they were written.
Alcott was raised by prominent members of the transcendentalist philosophy. That is, the belief that humans are inherently good, that God is present in everything (especially nature), and that individualism is of the utmost importance- to conform or be herded by social institutions is to be corrupted by loss of independent thought and self-reflection.
All of these notions are inherently present in Alcott's work. So, it is no wonder that her characters should value self respect and reflection, even if they do tend to use God as a moral compass, as the parental figures of Plumfield often do.
In my opinion, Alcott is not attempting to brainwash anyone here; In fact, that would go against the very individualistic values that transcendentalism represents. She encourages individual thought and contemplation within all her characters, and it is especially evident as we watch the evolution of Jo's Boys from Little Men.
Secondly, not once does Alcott use the presence of God to justify anything but moral behavior- behavior which, I think I can boldly assume, would be considered just and true by anyone regardless of religious affiliation. These bits of "Godly morality" are only ever used to teach the characters to be kind, loving, and responsible (even if there happens to be a little mischief along the way).
Therefore, if the author's personal values get written in a "not-so-between the lines" fashion, (which, I may add, is any author's prerogative given the intimate nature which writers usually carry into their work), I say get over it. There is a lot more to fret over, like the tragedies that befall our heroines and heroes, rather than an author using God to teach her characters and readers to be good and thoughtful citizens. I encourage any reader to take care of the lessons and morals taught in the stories they read, rather than fret over the vessel in which they are received.
Besides, "Girls have to go out into the world and make up their own minds about things,".
Jo's Boys follows Plumfield's class of troublemakers into young adulthood; it is a quality end to the series to be able to see where our beloved characters end up in life. Yet, no matter the distance put between them or the challenges they face, they always come back to Mother Bhaer's loving embrace and gentle wisdom.
The overarching theme of Jo's Boys seems to be that one never outgrows home, and the lessons found there. Much of the book follows the boys- now budding young men- as they venture into a world of freedom, temptation, delights, and responsibility. Their guiding light, ever present, is our loving Jo, who has spent years curbing and learning from her own headstrong and restless nature as the "March Brother", now bent on paying the lesson forward to her lively cohort.
It is incredibly satisfying to see the evolution in character from one book to the next, seeing our little women step into mentoring roles, and their effect on their own school of children when its their turn to navigate what life has to offer them. While the main plot is driven by the coming of age of the children in her care, the one constant is the care and stability that Jo and the March family provide.
Far from the wild nature of her youth, Jo has boiled down all the traits of her personality until she is left with unrelenting kindness, patience, and integrity, with the self-awareness to notice any short-comings of her own, and the mind to mend them. This kind of temperament is the perfect mentor to the Bhaer clan, as she knows how it feels to be in their shoes. What we see are the results of this dutiful nature, in the lives of her most beloved "little sheep".
I adored her relentless and persevering care for all her wards, no matter what became of them. In teaching others, she taught me the honor and delight of caring for others tirelessly and honestly; That happiness comes from a job well done and a life lived justly. It is no wonder these little men come back to her any chance they get.
One of the most gratifying things about any literary world is the ability to see characters through to the end. Not just from childhood to adulthood, but the evolution of moral and philosophical character (although if I had my way, many books would give me a life story because I hate to part with them while there's still so much life to live). This is clearly demonstrated throughout the book, as little vignettes that show how our little men (and women) take on and adapt to the world on their own. Like Jo says at the end: "Ah, me! It does seem as if life was made of partings, and they get harder as we go on". I am thankful for any story that allows me to part with a heart full, knowing the fates of my friends. While I may wish that Alcott would have given us a deeper sense of how our little men were settled, I was thankful for any indication at all.
---
While not strictly about Jo's Boys, I've seen in some other reviews complaints of Alcott's work- specifically in the Little Women world- that it is very pushing towards the Christian rhetoric. While I understand these sentiments, and definitely see the Christian morals and values she includes- for they are fairly blatant- I think these readers forget the context in which they were written.
Alcott was raised by prominent members of the transcendentalist philosophy. That is, the belief that humans are inherently good, that God is present in everything (especially nature), and that individualism is of the utmost importance- to conform or be herded by social institutions is to be corrupted by loss of independent thought and self-reflection.
All of these notions are inherently present in Alcott's work. So, it is no wonder that her characters should value self respect and reflection, even if they do tend to use God as a moral compass, as the parental figures of Plumfield often do.
In my opinion, Alcott is not attempting to brainwash anyone here; In fact, that would go against the very individualistic values that transcendentalism represents. She encourages individual thought and contemplation within all her characters, and it is especially evident as we watch the evolution of Jo's Boys from Little Men.
Secondly, not once does Alcott use the presence of God to justify anything but moral behavior- behavior which, I think I can boldly assume, would be considered just and true by anyone regardless of religious affiliation. These bits of "Godly morality" are only ever used to teach the characters to be kind, loving, and responsible (even if there happens to be a little mischief along the way).
Therefore, if the author's personal values get written in a "not-so-between the lines" fashion, (which, I may add, is any author's prerogative given the intimate nature which writers usually carry into their work), I say get over it. There is a lot more to fret over, like the tragedies that befall our heroines and heroes, rather than an author using God to teach her characters and readers to be good and thoughtful citizens. I encourage any reader to take care of the lessons and morals taught in the stories they read, rather than fret over the vessel in which they are received.
Besides, "Girls have to go out into the world and make up their own minds about things,".
As the final novel I could not have asked for a better ending to the informal trilogy.
Another ten years have passed and Jo and Fritz’ school is now a college and the cast of characters ever widens. I definitely appreciated Jo’s Boys on the same level as Little Women. Whereas Little Men solely served as a bridge between the two and an introduction to the future brave and generous men of Jo’s Boys.
However, as with Little Men, Dan and Nan were my favorite characters. Nan continues to be a spitfire character and has proven she is equal to any man by going to medical school. She has to contend with Teddy’s lifelong adoration, but she takes it in stride. Dan is just as untamable as ever and has by far the most intriguing story of the lot. He comes from the lowest background and falls the farthest, but picks himself back up as well, providing a great mini-story within the novel.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
Another ten years have passed and Jo and Fritz’ school is now a college and the cast of characters ever widens. I definitely appreciated Jo’s Boys on the same level as Little Women. Whereas Little Men solely served as a bridge between the two and an introduction to the future brave and generous men of Jo’s Boys.
However, as with Little Men, Dan and Nan were my favorite characters. Nan continues to be a spitfire character and has proven she is equal to any man by going to medical school. She has to contend with Teddy’s lifelong adoration, but she takes it in stride. Dan is just as untamable as ever and has by far the most intriguing story of the lot. He comes from the lowest background and falls the farthest, but picks himself back up as well, providing a great mini-story within the novel.
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
Whatever I had lost in Little Men previously came back for me from the original Little Women feel for this novel.
Now let me immediately start off by saying that there are very many things in here that you have to take with a grain of understanding with this book being written in 1886 (ish) because there are things in here that did not age well. You will find racism and sexism notes at a few points so as a reader please be aware though I really do not feel was meant to cause any additional disgrace and meant more as a sign of the times and views of people growing up within the period.
With that out of the way, I felt like this was such a kindled homeliness similar to what you will find in Little Women and when reading them very close together you can feel like the author was not giving her all in Little Men when in comparison to how amazing this book came out to be (as I mentioned).
You take away with you all these small little lessons just like a grandmother would tell you and it makes you almost crave for a simpler time. I still did not enjoy the religion notes throughout the book, but again I think that was just how the author and the norm were at the time of writing so I will not overly fault that.
In the end this was such a great closure to the series and it made me feel a little bittersweet to see the end of these wonderful characters. Dan totally made me think of Legends Of The Fall; and while reading I wanted very much to attend a play or two. Just the feeling that was put into these cute little moments felt so real and wholesome. I feel like I am better after reading these classics as "books are always good company if you have the right sort."
Now let me immediately start off by saying that there are very many things in here that you have to take with a grain of understanding with this book being written in 1886 (ish) because there are things in here that did not age well. You will find racism and sexism notes at a few points so as a reader please be aware though I really do not feel was meant to cause any additional disgrace and meant more as a sign of the times and views of people growing up within the period.
With that out of the way, I felt like this was such a kindled homeliness similar to what you will find in Little Women and when reading them very close together you can feel like the author was not giving her all in Little Men when in comparison to how amazing this book came out to be (as I mentioned).
You take away with you all these small little lessons just like a grandmother would tell you and it makes you almost crave for a simpler time. I still did not enjoy the religion notes throughout the book, but again I think that was just how the author and the norm were at the time of writing so I will not overly fault that.
In the end this was such a great closure to the series and it made me feel a little bittersweet to see the end of these wonderful characters. Dan totally made me think of Legends Of The Fall; and while reading I wanted very much to attend a play or two. Just the feeling that was put into these cute little moments felt so real and wholesome. I feel like I am better after reading these classics as "books are always good company if you have the right sort."
Not Little Women, but still a masterpiece on my bookshelf. Wonderful conclusion of Jo’s adventures. I feel like Alcott felt she could be a little more liberal with her views by this point. In my opinion, independent Nan is the wonderful summary of Alcott’s feminist beliefs. The overall theme that everyone has to find their own path and not everyone is meant to have the same life purpose is always inspiring.
Ahhh, what an end to an incredible series! Oh, the highs, the lows, the emotions, the rollercoaster ride. I felt I lived amongst the characters! I highly recommend all fans of ‘Little Women’ to read the whole series - all four books. Yes, Little Women is absolutely amazing but you want to move forward in life with them. Read this last book too!
More story than in 'Little Men,' but still replete with Christian philosophy that is more archaic than that of 'Little Women.' Like 'Little Men,' it's similar to a conduct pamphlet on how to raise children. There are 'progressive' points, which match with the first two books, particularly the parts about women encouraged to do 'male' things.
A bit implausible at times, but I could never get enough of the March family, so I won't complain.
Sigh. I loved this book. I enjoyed this final
Installment on the March family but wish there were twenty more.
Installment on the March family but wish there were twenty more.