Reviews

The Inheritance by Daniel Shealy, Louisa May Alcott, Joel Myerson

thebookwormsfeast's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars

I have not read Little Women, so I do not know how it compares - but I did enjoy this story, and it is such quick reading.

leasummer's review

3.0

What a treasure to have found this first novel. It was written at 17 and the author noted it to be her first novel. The writing reflects that, words often quite repetitive, and some characters lacking depth that shows in her later works. It's quite enjoyable, a sweet romance with a mysterious twist. Definitely worth the read for any Alcott fan.

esshgee's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.25

conglomerationofchaos's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

reclusivebookslug's review

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.25

This was the first Alcott novel I've read that wasn't part of the Little Women universe. It was simple and sweet, but lacked some depth and nuance. It definitely reads as what it is -- a 17-year-old girl's first attempt at a novel.

One thing that really bothered me was how idealistic it was written. Wealth and status are declared irrelevant to those of good character, while the pinacle of morality steadfastly upholds class barriers by condemnin marriage between people of different classes or backgrounds. Edith and Percy have no flaws. Only one character, Lady Ida, is really portrayed negatively and she is almost cartoonishly villainous. Lady Hamilton deserves more criticism; the way she

was so immediately willing to turn her back on Edith at the first sign of trouble, then so easily forgive the real perpetrator Louis for the same crime, let Lady Ida (also dependent on their family's kindness) get away with everythibg with no real consequences, and claim her love for Edith is restored.... That is not love, it was never love, if it could be erased so quixkly and easily. Any poaitive feelings she has towards Edith are plainly conditional and always at risk.

misnyder's review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars. It is obvious that this was Louisa May Alcott's first attempt at a novel and that she was a teen with an overly romanticized brain when it was written. I liked the TV movie I saw years ago that was based on this a lot better than I liked the book. I think the story had potential, but the flowery way in which it's written makes it tedious to read, and the main character has absolutely no faults whatsoever, which makes her very unreal. It did remind me a bit of Jane Austen but nowhere near as good. Jane's characters are not perfect which is what made them so likeable.

borbala_17's review against another edition

I rarely say this, but in this case the movie was better than the book. However, I don't see this as an unforgivable error, taking into account that this was Luisa May Alcott's very first novel, which she wrote at 17.

carlybailey's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.25

rosh's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

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

2.25