jjstoff's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: War
emtees's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Like almost everyone, I read this book as a kid and I remembered the important parts: the March sisters and the strong bond between them, Amy’s terrible crime against Jo, the drama around who everyone should have married and, of course, . I didn’t have any clear sense of the narrative of the story, just these different, unconnected moments, but I was sure there had probably been more to the book than that.
After rereading, I can say that they’re really isn’t. Though there is a rough through-line in the story of the March sisters each striving to find happiness, or at least peace, with the lot they get in life, the book itself is very anecdotal. It begins with the girls all in their early teens and carries on over about a decade (with a sudden jump forward at the end), and the topic is ordinary life, with each chapter focusing on some event, big or small, in their lives. Some stories, like the love-triangle-that-really-isn’t, carry through several chapters, but the book is written as if it meant to be read one chapter at a time, with breaks between each.
After finishing it, I can say that Amy’s crime is still terrible, Laurie married the right sister and Jo, if she had to marry at all, probably picked the right man, and There are a few moments that really stick out, and Jo remains a great literary character, flawed and ambitious but also kind and generous, but she really ended up feeling like the only selling point for the books. Getting through the thick syrup of sentimentality to the interesting parts of the story was a struggle. Actually, the most interesting part of the volume I read was the introduction, since it talked about the contrast between the very conventional story Alcott wrote about a family that superficially resembled her own and the reality of her life as a politically progressive career woman. I think I would have preferred that story.
Spoiler
Beth’s death.After rereading, I can say that they’re really isn’t. Though there is a rough through-line in the story of the March sisters each striving to find happiness, or at least peace, with the lot they get in life, the book itself is very anecdotal. It begins with the girls all in their early teens and carries on over about a decade (with a sudden jump forward at the end), and the topic is ordinary life, with each chapter focusing on some event, big or small, in their lives. Some stories, like the love-triangle-that-really-isn’t, carry through several chapters, but the book is written as if it meant to be read one chapter at a time, with breaks between each.
After finishing it, I can say that Amy’s crime is still terrible, Laurie married the right sister and Jo, if she had to marry at all, probably picked the right man, and
Spoiler
Beth’s death is still really sad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Chronic illness
Spoiler
A main character suffers from a chronic illness and dies young.mindins's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Death
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Grief, Child death, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Death, and Pregnancy
Minor: Xenophobia and Racism
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Child death, Grief, and Sexism
Moderate: Pregnancy, War, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
luvkdr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Death
isitcertain's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: War
ginbat's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Well written but did not withstand the test of time. Perfect for when it was written, but reading it in 2023 was not a fun experience. Preachy, somewhat sexist, very Christian. Perhaps it should have been split up into multiple children's books instead. But it wasn't. It was over 500 boring pages of in your face morals and how we should settle. I do think Alcott was a great writer, especially for the time period, but I just would not recommend this book to anyone born in the 21st century.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Sexism, and Death
cleotheo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.75
I think I should have liked to read this when I was a child.
In the first part, the chapters are often contained little stories, for example decribing the events of one day. I liked the that the children where not perfect and their faults where discussed.
The second part does get a good bit preachy and every one should be married with children which i did not enjoy as much.
In the first part, the chapters are often contained little stories, for example decribing the events of one day. I liked the that the children where not perfect and their faults where discussed.
The second part does get a good bit preachy and every one should be married with children which i did not enjoy as much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Child death, Chronic illness, and Animal death
Moderate: War, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
tibbarasden's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was my first time reading Little Women. It took me 6 months! While reading it I really enjoyed the characters and the writing. However, there isn't much plot and what is there is very slow. So when I would put it down, I wasn't very motivated to pick it back up. It is still a four star read as I really did love the characters and was very emotionally invested by the end. I think if I reread it I will try to find an audio version.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Terminal illness