Review - Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott

The Copy that I Read

Year Published: 1953
Genre: Classic

Blurb:
As a New England mother struggles to support her family in the wake of her husband’s service in the Civil War, her four daughters struggle, too—caught between childhood dreams and the realities of burgeoning adulthood. For Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, raised in integrity and virtue, negotiating the right path in life means making choices that will either narrow or expand their destinies.
Based on the author’s life, Little Women transcends genre, gender, and class with its examination of personal quests, societal restrictions, family ties, and the end of innocence.

About the Author:
Louisa’s career as an author began with poetry and short stories that appeared in popular magazines.  In 1854, when she was 22, her first book, Flower Fables, was published.  A milestone along her literary path was Hospital Sketches (1863), a truthful and poignant account of her service as a Civil War nurse in Washington, DC based on letters she wrote home to her family in Concord.

In 1868, when Louisa was 35 years old, her publisher, Thomas Niles, asked her to write "a girls' story."  The 492 pages of Little Women, Part I were dashed off within three months at the desk Louisa's father built for her in her Orchard House bedchamber.  The novel is largely based on the coming of age stories of Louisa and her sisters, with many of the domestic experiences inspired by events that actually took place at Orchard House.

Though there is (obviously) no social media for this author, I will be leaving a link to a biography that I found of her. 

Buy the Book:
Amazon: Amazon Purchase Link

My Take on the Book:
I thought it was very noble of Jo March to cut off her hair to help with the situation that cropped up. Laurie Laurence at times seemed to be playful, mischievous as well as a very low sense of responsibility. I thought it was absolutely sweet that Mr. Brooke had feelings for Meg. I ended up giving this leisurely read a three star rating. 

Last Word:
At some stage I will most likely be reading the sequel to this book. 

Enjoy,
Carmen. 

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