Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: Book Review

Genre: Classics, Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Authors: Louisa May Alcott
Series: Little Women #1
Date Published: April 6, 2004 (first published 1868)
Publisher: Signet Classics
Size: 449
Edition: Paperback
ISBN: 0451529308

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In picturesque nineteenth-century New England, tomboyish Jo, beautiful Meg, fragile Beth, and romantic Amy come of age while their father is off to war.

Review:

Four sisters. One story. So many different characters. At first you'd choose one but in the end, you'd realize that you haven't really chosen anyone. They're all entirely different but on my part, it's as if each character is a part of myself including the men in the story. There's just happiness in the beginning but many troubles in the middle, and worst, heartaches near the end. But there's pure joy at the end of the journey that is reading this book.

So the story revolves around four sisters with the oldest and prettiest, Margaret or Meg, followed by the tomboy Josephine who fancies herself as Jo, and then by the younger timid and kind-hearted Beth, and lastly by the youngest and ever-transforming Amy.

If you realize that I'm not telling much of someone here, that's because she's the one who has torn my heart in the story. I just felt so sad about that part... it's still breaking my heart.

I actually have a theme music for this book and was listening to it while reading. It's titled The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. The music applies for all the sadness, learnings and joys in the story. It made me cry a lot of times.

Chapter 6

Amy's demise. I could feel for her though I never suffered such humiliation.

I really love all the sermons in the story. They kick in the gut like this one:

"I should not have chosen that way of mending a fault," replied her mother, "but I'm not sure that it won't do you more good than a bolder method. You are getting to be rather conceited, my dear, and it is quite time you set about correcting it. You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long, even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty."

Chapter 9

The book is so agitating. I almost spoiled myself. I almost did! I tried ignoring the urge to jump to the last chapter to know as to whom Meg has married. Thanks God, I succeeded. I didn't, 'cause I hate spoilers.

It's very natural to peg on someone among characters in a book. Since our major characters here are 4 sibling girls, I feel like I have to choose one. If there were men or boys about, I would't have a problem. Choosing my man (in a book) is a piece of cake the moment I "meet" him. Back to the little women, I was already biased having watched one anime episode that is favoring Jo so I was partial for her. Furthermore I have a penchant for characters that kick ass. That leaves Jo and Amy. Reading the book, I realized that Jo tends to be predictable to my taste so I tried telling myself to settle for Amy. And I know I hurt my feelings so much in betraying my then favorite- Jo.

But what is disconcerting to me? Realizing that spark between Laurie and Meg. Since Jo and Laurie are close friends, I thought they'd be together. At this point of the book, I am no longer sure. I am already partial to Jo so it hurt me to realize that she might not be the girl for Laurie. On the other hand, before I even get to know Laurie, I was already turned off by his bashfulness and sickly body. I then thought he couldn't be compatible with Jo's brutishness. Jo deserves someone who is strong despite psychologists saying that people are attracted to their polar opposites. Well, there's a thing also about- to tame an alpha animal, it needs a more alpha one. I gear towards the latter.

But I'm still aching.

Other Chapters

Meg is just so vain! But if you read the entire book, you will be satisfied with what she chose in life and how she handled her own adversities.

But it is nice to be praised and admired, and I can't help saying I like it," said Meg, looking half ashamed of the confession.

"That is perfectly natural, and quite harmless, if the liking does not become a passion and lead one to do foolish or unmaidenly things. Learn to know and value the praise which is worth having, and to excite the admiration of excellent people by being modest as well as pretty, Meg," said her mother.

Meg's love story is probably the best (in my own opinion) in the story. Wait for that part on how her little angels came to be.

To the End Chapters

I'm just surprised with Amy's transformation! And to be honest, I'm partially really disappointed with Jo's love story. I judged the story already before reaching the last chapter. But after finishing the book, I am satisfied with all the things I learned. And that includes Jo's married life. I don't want to put details as to what happened with all of the love stories of each of the little women so you may not become partial to any of the characters basing on this review (like I did after watching a single episode of the anime version).