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clairebraun's review
5.0
I began to re-read this in January, and it took me months to make it through the first quarter but only a few days to finish the rest. Thanks to social distancing, there is what feels like endless time to read! And this was such a good, encouraging one to dive into- such a joy to step into the world of the March family for a little while.
dsbalakas's review
5.0
My absolute favorite book of all time. A story of burgeoning feminism, faith, family, friendship, love and so much more. Well written and each time I read it, I can't put it down.
avery_17's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I was fully ready to give this book the full 4 stars. That was until in the eleventh hour Jo gets married.
Despite the time period this book is set in and was when it was written, I feel as though it still holds up fairly well to be read in modern times.
I recently read Pride and Prejudice at the end of 2019 and just found the story to be extremely dull and the characters and story quite unrelatable from modern day living and women’s lives. This story while having similar features of that story is done in a much more charming way and the characters are given much more depth in this story and have more complex motives and flaws to them. One could actually imagine these girls growing up in modern times whereas I felt reading the sisters in Pride and Prejudice, if they were to be transplanted in a different story or timeline they would completely fall apart.
I really wish the story had stayed true to Jo’s character in the end rather than just marrying her off as she starts to feel lonely after Beth’s death. It would have been interesting to see her try and build a career for herself as a writer and surround herself with her family and friends. Maybe she would marry in the future but leaving that open ended rather than shoving it at the end felt forced and like a disservice to her character and her story.
I was also confused about her relationship with the Professor as when they were shopping together in the rain there were a few lines where it sounded like his children had a living mother. As in, a mother the professor was still with. Within that conversation it sounded like they were waiting for time to allow them to be together or something like they were waiting for his wife to die? Did I miss something or am i simply reading this wrong? I listened on audiobook while casually following along in my physical copy so maybe I got distracted at parts and am missing something.
I was fully ready to give this book the full 4 stars. That was until in the eleventh hour Jo gets married.
Despite the time period this book is set in and was when it was written, I feel as though it still holds up fairly well to be read in modern times.
I recently read Pride and Prejudice at the end of 2019 and just found the story to be extremely dull and the characters and story quite unrelatable from modern day living and women’s lives. This story while having similar features of that story is done in a much more charming way and the characters are given much more depth in this story and have more complex motives and flaws to them. One could actually imagine these girls growing up in modern times whereas I felt reading the sisters in Pride and Prejudice, if they were to be transplanted in a different story or timeline they would completely fall apart.
I really wish the story had stayed true to Jo’s character in the end rather than just marrying her off as she starts to feel lonely after Beth’s death. It would have been interesting to see her try and build a career for herself as a writer and surround herself with her family and friends. Maybe she would marry in the future but leaving that open ended rather than shoving it at the end felt forced and like a disservice to her character and her story.
I was also confused about her relationship with the Professor as when they were shopping together in the rain there were a few lines where it sounded like his children had a living mother. As in, a mother the professor was still with. Within that conversation it sounded like they were waiting for time to allow them to be together or something like they were waiting for his wife to die? Did I miss something or am i simply reading this wrong? I listened on audiobook while casually following along in my physical copy so maybe I got distracted at parts and am missing something.
erine's review
5.0
I’ve read and reread Little Women countless times and it remains a cosy headspace, a comforting retreat, an odd but endearing mishmash of quaintness and practicality. Morals abound in Little Women, but many of them are not outdated. The values of hard work, teamwork, forgiveness, reigning in your temper, and generosity are incorporated with a heavy hand but are woven in with endearing comical or heartwarming stories.
The only element that really stuck in my craw was the idea that women need a man to provide discipline to themselves and to children. Neither Marmee nor Meg seem like idiots, and yet the moment Meg gets married she loses all sense, and apparently Marmee also required a Man to show her the way. *eyeroll* Upon further reflection, though, these little women are mostly independent of men, with these few grating exceptions.
I was kind of amazed at just how much doesn’t sound dated 150 years later. Jo’s struggles with rigid gender stereotypes, Laurie’s disgust at being friendzoned, the importance of generosity and friendship and family all still ring very true. The ever-present challenge of being content with what you have, but also to reach for higher things or be a better self is another universal and timeless struggle.
The only element that really stuck in my craw was the idea that women need a man to provide discipline to themselves and to children. Neither Marmee nor Meg seem like idiots, and yet the moment Meg gets married she loses all sense, and apparently Marmee also required a Man to show her the way. *eyeroll* Upon further reflection, though, these little women are mostly independent of men, with these few grating exceptions.
I was kind of amazed at just how much doesn’t sound dated 150 years later. Jo’s struggles with rigid gender stereotypes, Laurie’s disgust at being friendzoned, the importance of generosity and friendship and family all still ring very true. The ever-present challenge of being content with what you have, but also to reach for higher things or be a better self is another universal and timeless struggle.
clairezoe's review
5.0
I began to re-read this in January, and it took me months to make it through the first quarter but only a few days to finish the rest. Thanks to social distancing, there is what feels like endless time to read! And this was such a good, encouraging one to dive into- such a joy to step into the world of the March family for a little while.
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