Reviews

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

annafeuerbach's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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

Little Women is a beautiful story about four sisters, who aren't rich in money but rich in family and happiness. The best sort of happiness in my opinion. The story begins with an introduction of the sisters, getting to know their character and what flaws they have. Their faults are each different and they each take on different roles in the family. Meg the eldest sister serves as a beautiful role model to her younger sister, Jo the second oldest with a wild untamed independent spirit, Beth a quiet, shy, virtuous, and serving young girl, and Amy a proper, orderly, and opinionated girl. As the story goes on they learn the hardships that come as a poor family but find ways to continue to serve others and find joy. Marmee March gives very fond advice which the girl always finds comfort in times of strife. We meet Laurie a young neighborly boy who holds the same wild and untamed spirit as Jo. He and Jo get along very well and become good friends. As time passes the girls grow up and become more wise and make mistakes. Some get married, others go abroad, some are trapped at home, and one who has never felt lost more in their life. Overall, the story is beautifully written and encompasses the common choices and milestones that women were expected to have and make. The ways in which women make a world for themselves where they are so confined to the limits that society has upon them. 

elin247's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

What a witty classic ! I really enjoyed reading this and it gave me hope that I can like other classic books. All four little women in this novel show such brilliant and funny characters each in their own way. I'm so glad Jo got her happy ending as with Amy and Meg. The heartbreak of losing Beth was touched upon so well and nearly brought me to tears. Overall a great book about homely love, finding yourself growing up and the challenges you face

mika55's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5

princ_a_listicka's review against another edition

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4.0

Knihu jsem poslouchala v audioverzi namluvené Andreou Elsnerovou.

I když jsem velkou milovnicí klasické literatury, musím přiznat, že Malé ženy se ke mě dostaly poprvé až teď. Neviděla jsem ani jedno filmové zpracování a neměla jsem tedy žádným způsobem zkreslené představy o postavách a ději. Důležité je také podotknout, že dobrodružství Malých žen občas bývají vydávána ve dvou svazcích s názvy Malé ženy a Dobré manželky. V audioknize se nám naštěstí dostává obou.

Nejprve musím smeknout před výkonem paní Elsnerové. Byla naprosto famózní! Musím říci, že jsem za svůj život audioknih mnoho neslyšela, avšak obvykle se na samotném vyprávění a ztvárnění postav podílelo vícero osob. Proto jsem se trochu obávala, zda nebude jeden hlas pro asi 10 hlavnějších postav příliš málo. Obávala jsem se, že se budu ztrácet v tom, kdo zrovna mluví a co se děje. Nic takového se ale nekonalo! Paní Elsnerová naprosto neuvěřitelně pracovala se svým hlasem a dokázala vtisknout osobité charaktery všem postavám tak dokonale, že jsem vždy poznala, kdo mluví. Dokázala se poprat i s postarším německým profesorem, a to už je co říct! Skutečně musím říct, že po stránce poslechové je audiokniha dokonalá.

Co se týče příběhu, dostala jsem přesně to, co jsem očekávala. Což ovšem nutně nemusí být ani dobré, ani špatné. Musím se přiznat, že zkraje jsem s příběhem maličko bojovala. Po pár kapitolách jsem si potřebovala dát pauzu, protože některé pasáže mě lehounce nudily. Občas se dlouho nic záživného nedělo, každopádně čím víc jsem se blížila ke konci, tím více se stupňovalo napětí, a já netrpělivě vyčkávala, kdo s kým skončí a jestli přijde slovutný šťastný konec.
Jistě, text je protkán nejrůznějšími mravokárnými poznámkami a doporučeními, jak by se měla správná mladá dáma či mladý muž chovat. Nicméně myslím, že na svou dobu byl text velice pokrokový a necítila jsem z něj nic negativního. Chápu, že ne každý by se mnou nejspíš souhlasil, protože jsem četla hodnocení, ve kterých se čtenářky pohoršovaly nad tím, jak příšerné názory autorka má a jak pokrouceně vnímá ženy. Tehdy tomu tak ovšem skutečně bylo a nemůžeme přeci od klasických děl očekávat současné myšlenky. Navíc já sama sebe považuji za člověka s poněkud starou, tradiční duší, a tedy jsem si ve spoustě situací skutečně libovala.

Rozhodně od příběhu nečekejte žádnou akci ani přehnané zvraty, i když i takové se zde čas od času dají najít. Přiznávám, že jsem si u poslechu dokonce i párkrát pobrečela, protože i když jsem to tak úplně nečekala, postavy mi přirostly k srdci a já smutnila nad jejich neštěstím a dojímala se nad jejich úspěchy. Velmi se mi také líbí, že děvčata pochází z chudé rodiny, a tedy se často dostávají do situací, které si bohaté hrdinky některých jiných příběhů neumí ani představit. Myslím, že příběh perfektně vykresluje tehdejší dobu a zvyklosti.

Malé ženy bych tedy doporučila každé romantické duši, která je ochotna přijmout, že se jedná o již více než 150 let starý příběh zaměřující se především na strasti a slasti běžného maloměstského života.

nneka23's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5

connieshew's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

3.0

The book that I read was only part one of two and tells the story of the 4 sister during their childhood and the joys and struggles of being a teenager. As a poorer family, they have struggles and can’t enjoy some of the finer things in life. Yet mother’s compassion and care for her neighbours and family is still strong. However, with this you see the girl struggle to fit in particularly Meg who attends a vanity fair for finer ladies as well as Amy while in school. Their care for one another, and their amazing family dynamic remains a constant throughout the book. I loved the addition of Laurie and the friendship that is formed between the Lawrence and March family. 

However, I found that the story was quite slow paced, with it being boring at some times and I didn’t find that I was particularly engaged or super interested at any part of the book. 

courtneykesterson's review against another edition

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slow-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

The March sisters have stayed in my heart ever since I finished this. 

bettysbookbubble's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

lucazani11's review against another edition

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4.0

"Little Women" is a timeless novel written by Louisa May Alcott and first published in 1868. It is a coming-of-age story that follows the lives of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, as they navigate their way through the challenges of growing up in the mid-19th century.

The novel's enduring popularity lies in its ability to capture the universal struggles and joys of adolescence and young adulthood. The characters are relatable and authentic, and readers are drawn in by their distinct personalities and the nuances of their relationships with one another.

One of the most striking aspects of "Little Women" is its emphasis on family and sisterhood. The bond between the March sisters is unbreakable, and their unwavering support for one another is heartwarming. Their love for each other is a central theme of the novel, and it is this deep connection that allows them to overcome the challenges that they face.

The novel is also a reflection of its time, offering insights into the social and cultural norms of the mid-19th century. The characters' experiences are shaped by the social expectations placed on them as women, and the novel provides a nuanced portrayal of the limitations and opportunities available to women at that time.

At its core, "Little Women" is a story about growing up and finding one's place in the world. Each of the March sisters must navigate their own unique challenges as they come of age, and the novel offers valuable insights into the complexities of adolescence and the process of self-discovery.

merleperleee's review

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0