A much-loved classic first published in 1868-9, Little Women is always a joy to revisit. I remember not really liking it as a child – possibly I found it too moralistic – but I appreciate it as an adult, because it’s beautifully written and is full of wisdom and humour. I previously had the book in separate volumes (the second had the awful title Good Wives) but recently bought a new edition which contains both, simply titled ‘Part I’ and ‘Part II’.
Warning – there are spoilers in this review. If you are yet to read the book, and don’t wish to know what happens in the story, it’s a good idea to look away now.
The story is focused on the March family, who live in a small community in Massachusetts during the American Civil War. The father, a chaplain, is away for most of the story. Even when he has recovered from his ill health and is back home, the author generally ignores him. This allows the characters of the women to be explored. Mrs March – known as Marmee – is extremely wise and good. She gently guides her daughters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, on Christian paths. It’s well-known that the book is autobiographical. There are also references to The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, something that is probably lost on many younger readers.
I love the writing style, which is witty and open-hearted. The second volume is not as enjoyable as the first, although it’s wiser and more sophisticated. This is partly because the lives of the ‘little women’ are not as interesting once they are grown up and burdened with responsibilities, and partly because of two tragedies: the death of ‘angel in the house’ Beth March and the marriage of Laurie (neighbour Theodore Laurence) to Amy instead of his best friend Jo, who in turn marries the older and annoyingly good Professor Bhaer. It’s tempting to say that these shouldn’t have happened, but I admire the author’s boldness in creating a book which is not a fairytale, nor a moralising tract – which were the usual genres in children’s fiction at the time. She tried to show the darker and lighter experiences in life.
There have been many adaptations of the book, but I’ve only seen two – the 1994 film (which I’ll feature in a ‘film of the book’ post) and the 2017 BBC series.
This edition of the book is by Oxford World’s Classics, 2008, edited with an introduction and notes by Valerie Alderson. There are a few weird typos in it. The notes are very good for the autobiographical perspective.
Such a great book, and a wonderful review 😊 I completely agree that Part 1 is much better than Part 2, and I still think that Jo and Laurie should’ve ended up together!
Thanks 😀 I’m glad you love it too! I do understand now why Jo and Laurie aren’t compatible. They’re too similar and also Jo needs more of an intellectual husband. Laurie and Amy do suit each other but there isn’t the same spark to their relationship.
Yes that is true, I think my feelings towards Amy influence me quite a lot, I’m not sure why but of all the sisters she was the one I just never warmed to.
Amy isn’t very likeable, I think because she takes herself seriously and is a perfectionist.
Yes I think you’re right there 😊
I too agree that their lives as young girls were more interesting. Also, I never really took to the professor. Are you going to watch the 2019 adaptation as well?
I never took to the professor either. He tends to be a little more romantic and handsome in screen portrayals 😉 He seems more like a father figure than a lover, which is a bit weird at least to us today. I will watch the more recent film if it comes up on TV/online but I won’t go out of my way to see it.
So I read only until the ” look away now” because I haven’t read the book yet, but I do plan on reading it this year and then come back to your review!
I’m pleased you followed my advice, as I don’t want to spoil the book for you! I don’t usually have spoilers in my reviews but I can’t talk about this book without referring to how it turns out. If you read the book this year, I would be interested to know what you think 🙂
I loved this book as a child and read it over and over. My copies were broken up into Little Women and Good Wives, followed by Jo’s Boys (I think this is also called Little Men) but I also have an odd versions called Little Women Wedded!
I’m glad to have featured a book you loved! Have you read it as an adult? Good Wives was the publisher’s title for volume 2. Little Men was the next sequel, followed by Jo’s Boys (they are not the same book).
I re-read Jo’s Boys a few years ago and have since bought my own copy (an old one with a delightful picture on the cover). I had to check back over my review to see that I found the story to be ‘preachier’ than I had remembered.
Funnily enough, Jo’s Boys is my next ‘time-travelling bookworm’ post (by coincidence). Older copies of children’s classics do have lovely covers, I find!
Another classic I haven’t read! 🙂
Have you seen the 1994 film? It captures the essence 🙂
Another classic I have yet to read haha I haven’t seen the film adaptations either. Great review, NS!
Little Women is definitely worth reading, Jee 🙂 I hope you like it if you do. Thank you ♥