A review by karenluvstoread
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

5.0

Little Women is a coming-of-age story about four sisters; but it’s so much more than that. It’s about sisterhood, family bonds, respect for oneself and for others, and being true to oneself. I love that in this novel, the girls are encouraged to be who they are no matter what the societal norms were for women at the time. It’s true, certain homemaking skills and such were necessary at the time and you see the girls learning these things. Yet you also see, for instance: 

• Jo pursuing her dream of writing and her parents encouraging her in that endeavour 

• You see Amy going abroad with Aunt March to pursue painting and she is encouraged in her endeavours

• Meg chooses to be a housewife and she is encouraged in that endeavour

• Beth says she is content with a life at home and is encouraged in that

The girls’ dreams and aspirations are varied and they are each encouraged to be true to who they are and follow their goals and dreams. Of course, it is certainly more involved than that and there are many lessons learned along the way. Marmee, the girls’ mother, is a fountain of wisdom. She is loved, admired, and respected by her daughters.
 
I enjoyed Little Women the first time I read it; but I absolutely loved it even more this second time around. There is great depth to all of the main characters in this novel and, at least for me, the novel was even better when I re-read it.