Goodreads Reviews: Little Women

 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

 
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Unless you live under a rock, it would be safe to say that any American has either read or at the very least seen some kind of film/staged version of Louisa May Alcott's all American classic Little Women . I grew up watching Little Women through multiple movies, shows and mini-series, however I never actually read the book until earlier this year. To be honest I never really cared to read Little Women . I tried numerous times over the years, but I could never get into the story. The girls always seemed to good to be true and I especially never liked Amy March, especially if book Amy was anything like she was portrayed in the films.

I probably never would have gotten around to reading the book had it not been chosen by my book club. So, conveniently starting on Christmas Day, I finally read Little Women . Even though it took me forever and a day to get through, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

As most people know, Little Women is about the four March sisters, Margaret (Meg), Josephine (Jo), Elizabeth (Beth) and Amy and their growing up in Concord, Massachusetts during the Civil War. Although the girls are as tight at sisters can get, they are all vastly different in their personalities and dreams in life.

Meg is a typical oldest sister who "mothers" and mediates the girls, while she secretly longs for a life of wealth and luxury. A life she had known many years before.

Tomboyish Jo has been the epitome of the "feminist heroine" since the book's first printing. Wild, rebellious and hot tempered, with a desire to be successful author, Jo is unstoppable in her pursuits and her fierce love for her family.

Shy and reserved Beth hides unexpected strength and wisdom that coincides well with her musical talent. Despite her ill health, Beth's sweetness and generosity moves and inspires everyone who meets her.

And now we get to the youngest sister. Amy, Amy, Amy....the notorious spoiled brat of the family. Petulant and stuck up, it seems that Amy March just had everything handed to her. Or at least that how I always saw her in the films. However, after reading the book, I was surprised that Amy actually became my favorite character. Childhood flaws set aside, Amy really rose to become an independent, intelligent, and compassionate young woman who knew what she wanted and set out to get it. Unfortunately, Hollywood has spent years devaluing Amy March and making her so one dimensional, that she's been villainized more than admired. Not anymore, not by me at least.

Did I love the book? Not really. It tended to drag in many areas and was certainly very preachy, but given that time period it wouldn't have been out of place. I think my unexpected admiration for Amy is what I enjoyed most about the book. Also, meeting Professor Friedrich Baur and his and Jo's slow, but sweet romance was a good change of pace for Jo's character development. Meg and John Brooks and their little family was delightful and of course, following Beth and her quiet story that always manages to speak volumes.

I can see now why Little Women is considered a classic. It's more than a story of family, but rather as a deeper look into the ordinary person. Everyone can on some level relate to one of the four March sisters. They're not perfect and neither are their parents or friends. Jo's desire to be a writer which led her to a more fulfilling calling, Meg's childhood longing for nice things that was put to rest in the contentment of her small family, Beth's beautiful soul that shone through her shyness and touched the hearts of so many, and Amy's strong heart that was cultivated through mistakes and mercies. Anyone would be so lucky to be able to relate to any of these Little Women.