A review by auntquinoa
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

A slow beginning and in the second part hits its stride. The writing itself is beautiful and the dialogue is easy to fall into. I can see why this is a classic but it should remain a book of its time. I adored the book up until chapter 28 (page 319) then I snapped out of it. 
Alcott tempts a modern reader into believing she thought more of women than housewives and mothers but turns the tables in the last few chapters. I cried tears of frustration for the last 100 pages. Justice for Jo

— for not only is the marriage between Laurie and Amy unlikeable but to be left with the heaps of family grief while he moves onto her younger sister (while continuing to compare them!!!!) makes the whole ordeal unbearable. For her to then be picked up by a 40 year old man and give up on her writing ambitions to be a school marm is infuriating.

Alcott ruined Jo’s character, the only likeable character (yes Beth is sweet but that is all she is), to teach her young female audience that above all else should be docility and submission. Disappointing for what is heralded as early feminist literature. Read Austen instead, at least she’s funny.