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lizzyjane's review
4.0
I wish Louisa May Alcott would return to modern day society and beat us about the head until we return to the lovely civility she portrays in her books.
the_story_girl389's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favorite Louisa May Alcott book (that award goes to Jo's Boys), but still a fun read. It did feel a little slow and/or preachy at times.
user613's review
3.0
I didn't like this book nearly as much as [b:Eight Cousins|14570|Eight Cousins (Eight Cousins, #1)|Louisa May Alcott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328864060l/14570._SY75_.jpg|2905864]. The grown-up Rose was not nearly as sweet and innocent as her younger version. Though, I think the biggest change was in the book’s narration, and not in Rose’s character.
This book felt way too preachy, to me. I did not appreciate the not-so-subtle messages woven throughout. (Though, to be fair, [b:Eight Cousins|14570|Eight Cousins (Eight Cousins, #1)|Louisa May Alcott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328864060l/14570._SY75_.jpg|2905864] had its fair share of preaching too.) The preaching was everywhere. Without even trying to be subtle.
Frivolity is as evil as it is tempting. Women should use their gentle feminine power to help the men they love. And - the one that bothere me most - the innocence of youth and first love and how is it all naivety. This message was repeated time and again by the narrator, in a melodramatic tone that almost seemed to mock Rose’s innocent, naïve first feelings of love.
There were also way too many references to Rose’s (innocent, naïve and sweet) beauty, and men being attracted to it. Though, the actual romance, when it happened, was only innocent and heartwarming.
This book was okay. If you’re reading because it’s a classic and you want to know you’ve read it then - I hope you enjoy it more than I did. Otherwise, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. [b:Rescuing Lord Inglewood|44597093|Rescuing Lord Inglewood (Inglewood #1)|Sally Britton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553617789l/44597093._SY75_.jpg|69229923] is another clean historical romance to try.
Content:
There are prayers said at Charlie’s deathbed. A few mentions of gods and goddesses.
Talk of falling in love. Rose gives Charlie an innocent kiss right before his death. A few hugs between her and her cousins.
This book felt way too preachy, to me. I did not appreciate the not-so-subtle messages woven throughout. (Though, to be fair, [b:Eight Cousins|14570|Eight Cousins (Eight Cousins, #1)|Louisa May Alcott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328864060l/14570._SY75_.jpg|2905864] had its fair share of preaching too.) The preaching was everywhere. Without even trying to be subtle.
Frivolity is as evil as it is tempting. Women should use their gentle feminine power to help the men they love. And - the one that bothere me most - the innocence of youth and first love and how is it all naivety. This message was repeated time and again by the narrator, in a melodramatic tone that almost seemed to mock Rose’s innocent, naïve first feelings of love.
There were also way too many references to Rose’s (innocent, naïve and sweet) beauty, and men being attracted to it. Though, the actual romance, when it happened, was only innocent and heartwarming.
This book was okay. If you’re reading because it’s a classic and you want to know you’ve read it then - I hope you enjoy it more than I did. Otherwise, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. [b:Rescuing Lord Inglewood|44597093|Rescuing Lord Inglewood (Inglewood #1)|Sally Britton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553617789l/44597093._SY75_.jpg|69229923] is another clean historical romance to try.
Content:
Spoiler
Death and sickness. Charlie has bad friends, gambles and has a weakness for drinking. He dies. Uncle Alec gets sick and nearly dies.There are prayers said at Charlie’s deathbed. A few mentions of gods and goddesses.
Talk of falling in love. Rose gives Charlie an innocent kiss right before his death. A few hugs between her and her cousins.
jen228nye's review
4.0
This book was exactly what I needed in this chaotic times. A delight trip back to the 19th century - another warm and fuzzy (and a little sad) family tableau by Alcott.
thenovelbook's review
4.0
This is a comfort read, one I've always had warm feelings for.
Rose in Bloom picks up a few years after Eight Cousins. Rose is around 20 now, and returning from a trip abroad with Uncle and Phebe. Naturally, everyone assumes that she will marry soon, but she wants to look around a little first and do something worthwhile.
She settles on philanthropy as a career, but not before trying some of the pleasures of the high life, the parties and late nights of frivolous society. This does her no real harm, but confirms to her that life has more to offer.
Her cousin Charlie is determined to marry her, and Rose's feelings are on the fence about this cousin. I personally think she was trying too hard to love him, when he had done so little worthy of respect. Nevertheless, Rose thinks that maybe someday Charlie will be her ideal.
This time through I wasn't really on board with Alcott's decision about Charlie's fate... I feel like it conveniently took Charlie out of the way so that Rose didn't really have to make up her mind about him.
BUT now we come to Mac. Her bookish, slightly antisocial cousin. Mac and Rose have always been decent friends; she knows how to take him and doesn't get worried by his uniqueness. In this book he shows his real potential. He has a good heart and faultless instincts; he is kind and sincere; he stands apart from society but doesn't judge it too harshly and is good-natured enough to participate in the social scene when he needs to (and with a little training from Rose and his brother!). The problem is, Rose rather takes him for granted. The final few chapters, where Mac comes to a realization about how he feels for Rose, and does something about it, always capture my heart.
I think she's a little too clueless about the whole thing, but Mac more than makes up for that by his purposeful, focused, steady regard.
Much as I enjoy the Darcys and Rochesters of the literary world, Mac is an altogether superior type... he's neither repressed nor tragic. He's a worker and an honest friend, a balanced thinker and feeler, somebody you'd want on your side, and somebody you'd be infinitely safe with. That is why this book is a comfort read.
Rose in Bloom picks up a few years after Eight Cousins. Rose is around 20 now, and returning from a trip abroad with Uncle and Phebe. Naturally, everyone assumes that she will marry soon, but she wants to look around a little first and do something worthwhile.
She settles on philanthropy as a career, but not before trying some of the pleasures of the high life, the parties and late nights of frivolous society. This does her no real harm, but confirms to her that life has more to offer.
Her cousin Charlie is determined to marry her, and Rose's feelings are on the fence about this cousin. I personally think she was trying too hard to love him, when he had done so little worthy of respect. Nevertheless, Rose thinks that maybe someday Charlie will be her ideal.
This time through I wasn't really on board with Alcott's decision about Charlie's fate... I feel like it conveniently took Charlie out of the way so that Rose didn't really have to make up her mind about him.
BUT now we come to Mac. Her bookish, slightly antisocial cousin. Mac and Rose have always been decent friends; she knows how to take him and doesn't get worried by his uniqueness. In this book he shows his real potential. He has a good heart and faultless instincts; he is kind and sincere; he stands apart from society but doesn't judge it too harshly and is good-natured enough to participate in the social scene when he needs to (and with a little training from Rose and his brother!). The problem is, Rose rather takes him for granted. The final few chapters, where Mac comes to a realization about how he feels for Rose, and does something about it, always capture my heart.
I think she's a little too clueless about the whole thing, but Mac more than makes up for that by his purposeful, focused, steady regard.
Much as I enjoy the Darcys and Rochesters of the literary world, Mac is an altogether superior type... he's neither repressed nor tragic. He's a worker and an honest friend, a balanced thinker and feeler, somebody you'd want on your side, and somebody you'd be infinitely safe with. That is why this book is a comfort read.
kebreads's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book. Something about the way Louisa writes speaks to me deeply.
Content: clean
Content: clean
avonleagal's review
4.0
Sometimes it appears that this book is goody goody but it really isn’t. The only problem I have is is Rose really marrying her biological cousin?
fiatlux78's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0