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bookworm_sarah's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Minor: War
ncd2's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
seventhswan's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Child death
Minor: War
kourteb's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I definitely prefer the first half of the book but as someone who considers the 2019 film my canon, this was still a great reread. However, I will say that buying into the Amy and Laurie lovestory is incredibly hard for me for multiple reasons. I think if Laurie’s developing feelings were more fleshed out rather than given in dialogue after the fact I would find it more believable? I also will never support the Professor Arc as !singleJo is my truth whether that be her sexuality during the time period, aromatic identity, or contentment with platonic and familial relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
chloe_acceber's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Classism, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: War
camoo3032's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, War, Death, and Child death
Minor: Medical content, Ableism, Fatphobia, Grief, Alcohol, Classism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
ashe01's review against another edition
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!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Minor: Terminal illness and War
pjv's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: War
lucyatoz's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: War
swisner's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Grief, and Death