Reviews with content warning for War - Little Women

I can see why this book is a classic! It's extremely sweet - the characters are all lovable, the drama largely low-stakes, and everything turns out okay in the end. However, the old-fashioned language and now-historic setting stopped it from feeling too twee or preachy, and instead created a story that is cosy escapism for the modern reader. There was plenty in it that I'd not tolerate in a modern novel, and I'm still not entirely sure if it was aimed at younger readers and, if so, whether it would still appeal to them now. However, as an example of fiction from an era I'd not really explored before, I enjoyed it!

Although I've not seen any film adaptation of Little Women, I thought I knew the basic plot, but I was surprised - pleasantly so - by the ending! I was particularly attached to Amy by the end of the book, which I didn't expect at the beginning, and actually found Jo a bit irritating. I thought, though, that there was a good balance between the characters and the focus switched often enough to keep the story from becoming too dull.

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chloe_acceber's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective 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

3.75

There's a reason this book is a classic. Personally, I found the writing a bit of a slog to get through and some of the chapters just fully unnecessary.

An entire chapter of the little newsletter the girls put together for their "gentleman's club", for example. It's a nice world builder, but to me felt far longer than it should have been. We're reading the story from Jo's perspective, I don't feel I need pages and pages of her poetry.

The characters feel very real, and the conflicts that arise feel organic to the characters and their environment. Even as old as this book is, some aspects of life don't ever change. Siblings that love each other fiercely, and challenge each other even more so. The changes we all encounter entering our 20's and facing down adulthood-marriage, parenting, job prospects. And of course, the consistency of loss. It gives a nice window into what life was like for a working class, white family in the 1870's.

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morenareads's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

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camoo3032's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-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? No

3.75

It's a sweet book but feels a bit like a sermon at times

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ashe01's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I was a little concerned when I started this book because of the slow start I had with it, but it ultimately became something I looked forward to reading and can now say has claimed the title of one of my all-time favorite books. The morals and lessons taught throughout this story are incredible and many can still be applied today! An absolutely timeless story with loveable characters and lots of heart/emotion!!

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annaonthepage's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

4.0

This dramatisation was lovely production, really well read and nicely abridged. I found Jo and Laurie's moment cementing their adult friendship quite moving.

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pjv's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

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lucyatoz's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Little Women has been on my bookcase for the longest time and I am so pleased that I have now taken the opportunity to read it. It tells the coming of age story of the 4 March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. They are living in Massachusetts, USA, in genteel poverty, with their mother, or Marmee, and maid, Hannah, whilst their father is serving in the Union Army as a Chaplain. Meg and Jo, as the eldest two, work to support the family, while Beth loves to play the piano and Amy, the youngest, is very artistic.

It is really interesting to read about the four different personalities of the sisters and how they each navigate the highs and lows of their lives, befriending their rich neighbours, the Laurences, a Grandfather and Grandson who are often at odds, their temperamental Aunt Josephine, who Jo assists in her mansion, and when caring and providing comfort to the Hummels family, a poor German widow with six children, living in the neighbourhood.

I own a book of this novel and listened to the audiobook on Borrowbox. I read this for prompt 22, a plot similar to another book, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.

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