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soniapage's review against another edition
4.0
Read this when I was a child and thought I'd think differently of it now but still disappointed that Jo didn't marry Laurie and that he married the selfish, snobbish, vain and unpleasant Amy. But then she was only second-best.
The book seems very preachy at times - a sign of the times in which it was written.
The book seems very preachy at times - a sign of the times in which it was written.
rach_reads13's review against another edition
5.0
One of my ALL TIME favorites!! feminism but not in an angry way. so empowering. all the characters are relatable in their own way… I think I’m most like Amy lol!
cseibs's review against another edition
4.0
A much different read in my 30s than when I read it as a little girl. Somehow I had missed out on the excessive moralizing the first time around. But still a lovely story that holds a special place in my heart.
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
So what does one say about such a canon of classic juvenile literature? Whole articles have been written about this topic, and the various subjects here that are worthy of analysis and discussion are copious, but I'm going to focus on only a few points: does it hold up to a 21st-century reader? And do I like it? As to the latter question, the response is a qualified, 'I do, but....' The story is heartwarming, and as I've read it dozens of times over in my childhood, the March family and their antics are like old friends, whom I am glad to revisit repeatedly. Even so, the tone of the book has a preachy, moralistic quality. There are dozens of actual sermons sprinkled in among the narrative, and an allegorical structure mirroring A Pilgrim's Progress throughout the first half of the book that can be a bit heavyhanded, especially to someone who doesn't necessarily espouse the same moral (or religious) views as the author.
However. It's also important to remember, I think, what utter radicals Alcott and her family were, in their time. As a scion of a prominent Transcendentalist family, Alcott was raised to be literate, educated, and countercultural, espousing unusual social views, such as their short-lived stint at communal living, and taking an active role in the prominent social justice causes of their day, including the abolitionist and suffragist movements. These views and values are intricately intertwined with the story, which is itself in many particulars a picturesque painting of activities and struggles which the actual Alcott sisters engaged in during their childhood, and so despite the fact that Alcott was writing here to a very specific commercial audience, with a particular aim in mind, the work has a freshness and an authenticity that does not show up in much other children's literature of the age. The children in this book write plays and newspapers for fun: they hold jobs as teenagers and volunteer their time serving poor immigrant communities. As women they work in nontraditional spheres and form egalitarian marriages, contemplate worldly 'virtues' such as marrying for money only to reject them in favor of other value structures, and occupy intellectual and philosophical spheres that seldom make an appearance in this sort of work, otherwise.
I should take a moment to add that the annotations in this edition were interesting, though only about half of them were truly revelatory to me, while the others explained vocabulary that I was already familiarized with. Also, despite liking this book so much, reading it twice in such short succession is too much. I cannot wait to be done reading it aloud to my daughter, because I am really ready to read something else, now.
However. It's also important to remember, I think, what utter radicals Alcott and her family were, in their time. As a scion of a prominent Transcendentalist family, Alcott was raised to be literate, educated, and countercultural, espousing unusual social views, such as their short-lived stint at communal living, and taking an active role in the prominent social justice causes of their day, including the abolitionist and suffragist movements. These views and values are intricately intertwined with the story, which is itself in many particulars a picturesque painting of activities and struggles which the actual Alcott sisters engaged in during their childhood, and so despite the fact that Alcott was writing here to a very specific commercial audience, with a particular aim in mind, the work has a freshness and an authenticity that does not show up in much other children's literature of the age. The children in this book write plays and newspapers for fun: they hold jobs as teenagers and volunteer their time serving poor immigrant communities. As women they work in nontraditional spheres and form egalitarian marriages, contemplate worldly 'virtues' such as marrying for money only to reject them in favor of other value structures, and occupy intellectual and philosophical spheres that seldom make an appearance in this sort of work, otherwise.
I should take a moment to add that the annotations in this edition were interesting, though only about half of them were truly revelatory to me, while the others explained vocabulary that I was already familiarized with. Also, despite liking this book so much, reading it twice in such short succession is too much. I cannot wait to be done reading it aloud to my daughter, because I am really ready to read something else, now.
khenn's review against another edition
5.0
There is a reason some novels are bestowed the honor of 'classic', and this is truly one of those novels that, despite our ever changing world, holds certain universal truths about girlhood, womanhood and life.
sabiba21's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE this book.
I am Jo March.
I think the book is more beautiful than the movies- it's not as bleak or grave as the movies suggest, but rather cheerful like a children's book.
I applaud Louisa May Alcott for making Jo and Laurie friends- yes they are platonic friends. Don't convince me otherwise.
I am just shocked to see how easy it was to read- doesn't feel like it was written some 154 years ago, but feels like it was written in 21st centuy (except the use of some words, which will make you realize it's such an old book. But I'm talking about the writing style, which is fluid and captivating.) The humor is on point. The characters are great- with equal amounts of flaws and virtues. This book will shower you nostalgia and warmth and blissfulness, and sometimes that's all you need intoday's world of chaos and complexities.
I am Jo March.
I think the book is more beautiful than the movies- it's not as bleak or grave as the movies suggest, but rather cheerful like a children's book.
I applaud Louisa May Alcott for making Jo and Laurie friends- yes they are platonic friends. Don't convince me otherwise.
I am just shocked to see how easy it was to read- doesn't feel like it was written some 154 years ago, but feels like it was written in 21st centuy (except the use of some words, which will make you realize it's such an old book. But I'm talking about the writing style, which is fluid and captivating.) The humor is on point. The characters are great- with equal amounts of flaws and virtues. This book will shower you nostalgia and warmth and blissfulness, and sometimes that's all you need intoday's world of chaos and complexities.
eyeoweyooone's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe a 3.5 but the wholesome vibes make up for it
kneesa's review against another edition
4.0
Cada pequeña anécdota de estas hermanas te llega al corazón. Ir leyendo como crecen y aprender junto con ellas te deja un bonito sentimiento, solo quedé inconforme por la decision sentimental de Jo al final del libro.
dragonarts's review against another edition
1.0
As a woman, I hate this book. Respectfully.
Boring, flat characters (except Jo, author insert), and not exceptionally well versed. It's easier to say what this book is not, in that it is not entertaining.
Boring, flat characters (except Jo, author insert), and not exceptionally well versed. It's easier to say what this book is not, in that it is not entertaining.