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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Beautifully written. Absolutely adored this book. Both happy and sad, all of it totally captivating.
I'd say 2,5 stars, ok right on the border of me enjoying it.
I realise its importance as a historic testimony of women's lives, but personally, as a novel... nah.
I realise its importance as a historic testimony of women's lives, but personally, as a novel... nah.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
One of my favorites.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
A very “moral” reflection of its time. While I don’t agree with the views of the characters, it was interesting seeing their world from their point of view. The story is well written and engaging.
I watched and loved the 1994 movie so many times as a teen that I never got around to reading the book... one of those "I know how it goes" brush-offs, I guess. This was so lovely, though, and a great way to start the new reading year.
Things I missed by only watching the 1994 movie:
1. Laurie and Jo really shouldn't end up together. It's like kissing your brother! Ew. (Christian Bale notwithstanding.)
2. There is a deep thread of charity, good work, and patience in the March family (led by Marmee). Admirable and impressive.
3. Beth is sweet and tender and her death is so heartbreaking, even as she accepts it. Again, I think Claire Danes affected my reaction to this character.
4. Amy's letters and Jo's journal entries and all the Pickwick Papers!
5. Meg's early parenting struggles, including sleep training. So relatable.
6. The happy farm school for Jo's boys at the end, and everyone's contentment with their rich lives full of family and love.
7. The radical (and still uncommon) focus on women, their relationships with each other, and their work.
Really, a wonderful book. Thanks to the 2019 movie for pushing me (and many others) to finally read it!
Things I missed by only watching the 1994 movie:
1. Laurie and Jo really shouldn't end up together. It's like kissing your brother! Ew. (Christian Bale notwithstanding.)
2. There is a deep thread of charity, good work, and patience in the March family (led by Marmee). Admirable and impressive.
3. Beth is sweet and tender and her death is so heartbreaking, even as she accepts it. Again, I think Claire Danes affected my reaction to this character.
4. Amy's letters and Jo's journal entries and all the Pickwick Papers!
5. Meg's early parenting struggles, including sleep training. So relatable.
6. The happy farm school for Jo's boys at the end, and everyone's contentment with their rich lives full of family and love.
7. The radical (and still uncommon) focus on women, their relationships with each other, and their work.
Really, a wonderful book. Thanks to the 2019 movie for pushing me (and many others) to finally read it!
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Okay, first I want to say that this is a good book and I can understand why so many people love it, all the characters are warm and kind and make one wish they were part of such a loving family and to reproduce that love onto others.
The dynamics are fun and the banter between the characters great and the comedic moments generally land well.
Having watched the movies beforehand and knowing the context that Louisa May Alcott was pressured to marry Jo off, I was expecting the Bhaer-Jo relationship and the Amy-Laurie marriage to feel more come out of nowhere or out of place. Honestly, I thought those parts were well-written and pretty believable and the Amy-Laurie relationship felt like it had more time to develop and took the characters and situation more seriously than some of the film versions. Jo also feels more real and scuffed in the books, whereas the movies Ive seen feel like they sand off most of her rough edges or times when she makes more mistakes or is in the wrong.
Personally however, while I generally enjoyed the book and was happy for the characters and heartbroken for Beth, I found that it was not really to my tastes. It's very much of it's time and moralistic and I can see how it was written to be a guide to children. It brings up Jesus so much, with basically every chapter having a segment where they talk about how awesome god is and important in helping women learn their place in the home. Its old and was written almost 200 years ago, so Im not shocked but like, I don't actually love being preached at constantly. Its a bit too long, like god damn, its a long book and I think they coulda trimmed off a few chapters no problem, and just written in that old style that is taxing to read.
All in all, I am glad I read it now and can understand why it's loved but I doubt I'll be rereading it anytime soon.
The dynamics are fun and the banter between the characters great and the comedic moments generally land well.
Having watched the movies beforehand and knowing the context that Louisa May Alcott was pressured to marry Jo off, I was expecting the Bhaer-Jo relationship and the Amy-Laurie marriage to feel more come out of nowhere or out of place. Honestly, I thought those parts were well-written and pretty believable and the Amy-Laurie relationship felt like it had more time to develop and took the characters and situation more seriously than some of the film versions. Jo also feels more real and scuffed in the books, whereas the movies Ive seen feel like they sand off most of her rough edges or times when she makes more mistakes or is in the wrong.
Personally however, while I generally enjoyed the book and was happy for the characters and heartbroken for Beth, I found that it was not really to my tastes. It's very much of it's time and moralistic and I can see how it was written to be a guide to children. It brings up Jesus so much, with basically every chapter having a segment where they talk about how awesome god is and important in helping women learn their place in the home. Its old and was written almost 200 years ago, so Im not shocked but like, I don't actually love being preached at constantly. Its a bit too long, like god damn, its a long book and I think they coulda trimmed off a few chapters no problem, and just written in that old style that is taxing to read.
All in all, I am glad I read it now and can understand why it's loved but I doubt I'll be rereading it anytime soon.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
loved it
but why did they have to pair jo with the professor at the end? I just didn't see their chemistry at all (let her be single or a lesbian
but why did they have to pair jo with the professor at the end? I just didn't see their chemistry at all (let her be single or a lesbian
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes