Reviews with content warning for Terminal illness - Little Women

Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

53 reviews

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.

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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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kiwichill's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

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katewhite77's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful sad slow-paced

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

5.0

This is a beautiful book.

This is a highly autobiograpical coming of age novel that I feel was way ahead of its time in the way it discusses gender politics and gender identity. The story also displays progressive social attitudes. I can well see why this book is so beloved by so many people. I wish I had got to it earlier in life because I bet it reads differently at different life stages, and that would have been fun to have experienced.

I hesitate to call this book bitter sweet because, to be honest, it is mostly sweet with some bitter moments thrown in there to keep it real.

I didn't think the book would speak to me because I am older, but don't let that put you off because there is something in it for everyone no matter your age.

My favourite character was Laurie

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julalbert56's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

Little Women was a charming read full of lovable characters, though some chapters felt formulaic. I was also not a fan of Jo’s ending, but I still enjoyed the book as a whole.

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