Reviews

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

mayaisded's review

funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

shaykeretz's review

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.5

laurasullivan's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75

mrcbookworm's review

5.0

This book was tied with Pollyanna for the favorite book of my childhood, and I still love every reread I get of it! It’s still as darling and wonderful as ever, and I love every character like an old friend!

yers's review

4.0

If you have not read Little Women, Eight Cousins is a great introduction to Alcott's ouvre. The lightness and good morals of the writing makes you smile profoundly as you follow Rose and her cousins going through trials as well as ups and downs in order to grow as individuals and also to appreciate companionship and family values. Rose, as the only Female, among her 7 cousins, takes upon her duty to be a mediator and the center of attention of her family. Although orphaned, Rose comes into the guardianship of her uncle, teaching her to be mindful of others but also self-dependent and productive. This is a beautiful, touching story. Love it!

zenithharpink's review

4.0

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book! Rose was a delightful heroine, and her family was a delight, even those aunts that weren't particularly delightful.

This book is an extremely idyllic portrayal of growing up in the late nineteenth century, and the adventures portrayed were so wholesome and good-natured that they left me smiling.

I recommend this book to young readers, old readers, and any readers in between. This is a fun book that I thoroughly enjoyed, and hope others will enjoy too.

chelseavk's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

4.5

This is such a charming story.

elsaaqazi's review

5.0

I cannot put into words what this book means to me. I found it in 5th grade, I will be starting university soon. I have severe anxiety regarding life in general right now and this grounded me. Going back to it safe. Not to mention it broke a slump haha. Hope everyone is taking care and is safe❤

saralynnburnett's review

3.0

This is one of those books you want to curl up with on a wintery day, by the fire, with hot chocolate in hand (of course since I live in Hawaii none of those things actually happened) to read the day away with. This heartwarming novel, in typical Louisa May Alcott style, has a moral to go along with each chapter as we watch Rose navigate her way around her new home and life. Among other lessons we learn that tobacco is bad, exercise is good, friends are important, and that giving time and money to charity is nice. Though this book is indicative of the times (just wait until you read the description of the men from China...), Louisa May Alcott does advocate women being in charge of their own finances, which was quite the feminist stance to take during the mid 1800s. Except for being a little too 'innocent' for my taste, Eight Cousins will hit the spot when you need to take a breather from the circus show that our modern lives have become.

poachedeggs's review against another edition

3.0

Today is International Women's Day. I can't decide if Louisa May Alcott is really quite anti-feminist or otherwise. There's something to be said for her letting Rose run around, but the emphasis on housework was a bit jarring to me.

(Also, I can't recall if I've read this book before. The account of Worm nearly going blind from reading sounded really familiar, but it could have been because it's also one of my fears!)