Reviews

I had never read Little Women and I somehow made it this far in my life without ever having seen the various movies, plays, musicals, etc. that are adapted from it. 2020 was my year to remedy that before I catch up with the well-lauded Greta Gerwig film version. I did know the major plot points revolving Beth, Amy/Laurie/Jo, etc., however.

My first observance is that other than some of the manners and habits, the book feels pretty timeless. Replace the Civil War with any time of strife and the relationships and plot developments will still be familiar.

Also, the conflict between the sisters feels pretty tame compared to some of the sibling tensions that I've experienced and observed. The March sisters genuinely care about each other and that care is the defining point of their relationship.

This book was originally published in pieces, which explains why the ending feels a little fluffy - like Alcott had to provide more chapters so readers would pick up the next issue. We didn't need a whole chapter about Meg's children.

This book probably would have meant more to me had I grown up with it, but even so it's a worthy classic for any reader.

nicolemkscott's review against another edition

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4.0

See, I'm not always a super big fan of Literary writing. I want so, so hard to sit and enjoy this book, as well as all of the other books written in the 1800s, but the truth of the matter is that I'm just not that person. It takes me ages to read it, when I can usually read a contemporary in two-three days.

That all being said, though, this was a wonderfully charming book. Just because it took me over a month did not mean I did not enjoy it, for it was sweet and very very important for the time period. All of the little women were beautiful characters full of light and love, and I was genuinely interested in all of their chapters. Laurie was my favorite character, of course, but that's just common sense.

I came to this book after watching Little Women (2019). I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the movie stuck to its book counterpart. I imagined the actors/actresses as the characters in the book with how well they matched. The scenes from the book felt as if they transferred them onto screen flawlessly.

I am sure if I was wiser and enjoyed older books as much as I wish I did, this would turn out to be one of my favorite books. Even though I am not that person, this book is the furthest from unmemorable, and will take a lot of the words and characters with me.

trackingmyreads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

5.0

I can’t believe I had never read this book (or even seen one of the many screen adaptations) before. I just fell in love with the sisters and their struggles to be good and become their truest selves. I finished the book a few weeks ago and what comes to mind when I think of themes that stuck with me are: resilience, family, love, poverty, coming of age, travel, sisterhood, loss.

drisley's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? It's complicated

3.25

papernapkin's review against another edition

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3.0

Reads like Anne of Green Gables' dowdy cousin.

readinginspace3's review against another edition

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5.0

This is the first classic I ever read. This book helped me imagine the complexities of girlhood for the first time.

ellocasia's review against another edition

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5.0

One of my all time favorite books. I'll always reread this when I have the time and can't watch the 1949 version movie. No complaints. No critique. It is what it is.

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