Little Women is a period drama centered around the lives of four young women during the Civil War where they learn their ways towards sisterhood, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. This book was set during the Civil War, and the novel follows the lives of the four March sisters: Amy, Jo, Beth, and Meg, as they navigate the challenges of growing up, finding love, and pursuing their dreams. The author really captivates the character development and characteristics, really drawing the reader into the sisters’ lives, making the reader have an emotional connection with the sisters. Through their trials and triumphs, the March sisters inspire readers with their strength, compassion, sisterly love, family, and the pursuit of individuality. If you are interested in period dramas, coming of age stories, and sisterhood, then Little Women is the perfect book for you! -Sara K. (Teen Volunteer)

When I was a kid I started reading this book and never finished it. I’ve seen no less than five film and/or television adaptations of this book, the 90’s version one I grew up on and loved. I adore the 2019 version, and June Allyson and Katharine Hepburn playing Jo are just magical.

I begin every new year by reading a classic book, and I decided it was time I finally finish Little Women once and for all. And after reading it, I can see why I quit when I was young. They put all of the good parts of the book in the films, and everything else was dull as tombs. Almost 500 pages and some of it so tedious and uninteresting, it broke my heart!!

I will always have love for this story, will read and watch any spinoffs or adaptations of this story. But this is one of the very rare cases where I think the films are better than the book.

2 stars
DNF @65%

I genuinely tried liking Little Women, especially since I loved Greta Gerwig's movie. It just didn't work for me. I was so utterly bored. I tried continuing thinking that I will like it because it is such a loved novel that has so many people in love with the characters and such. But I can't get through this. I want to move onto something that I actually will enjoy.

Alcott's novel will be enjoyed by people who like feminist themes in their novels. In my opinion this was just so meh. So unenjoyable. I know that back when this was first published this would have been mind-boggling, but as I don't live back then and don't really have an interest in learning the ideologies of the time, I just kind of gave up.

One thing that I did find interesting was everyone's hate for Amy. Why does everyone hate Amy?? If the novel only focused on her, I think I would have enjoyed it much more. She was so interesting. I loved seeing her progression from being a little girl to becoming womanly and being punched in the face with reality. I know that she burned Jo's manuscript, but Jo is basically a terrible sister to Amy for no reason. I know she gets Laurie in the end, but it isn't her fault that Laurie fell in love with her. So yeah. I am an Amy fan.

I don't have much to say about this novel. It didn't really evoke much emotion in me, so I am not able to go as in-depth as I usually like to. If you are looking for a classic that I think is a better pick if you are looking for themes about growing up please read The Catcher in the Rye, I loved this one.

Still one of my favorite books - it's just so insightful about the daily struggle to be a good person. I'm low-key dreading the "it's not as feminist as you think it is!" takes that will inevitably spring up around the movie release (shocker: book that was written in the 1860s has many values from the 1860s). But re-reading this novel for something like the 15th time (and for the first time in my 20s) was really special, and helped me reassess how I personally feel about the way women and men are framed in here. Video to come soon-ish with some more reflections.

i’m sorry i didn’t like it that much

4/5 ★'s audiobook


This was such a lovely listen. I enjoyed it from start to finish, all nineteen and a half hours!

There was, of course, much added to the unabridged version that didn't necessarily need to be there. But I found myself enjoying all of the little shenanigans, even if it did take a long time to get through.



Now, as this was a different time, it can be hard to listen through some of the advice that is given to women (and women only). But I decided instead of resisting it completely, swapping out "women" with everyone.

I think that if everyone were taught these lessons instead of them just being a "womanly expectation" we could benefit from a lot of them! Religion comes into play with this also, but of course, what can you do? It was the 1800s.

I didn't find it to be overwhelmingly religious either, so no worries if you have your own religious trauma like me.



Oh, how this book made me cry!! I couldn't believe the overwhelming emotion I felt during what is obviously a spoiler I cannot mention. But know that there are parts to this tale that will leave you (if you are like me) balling as if you just finished "The Notebook"!

I took much away from this read. Many life lessons can come from reading this book with an open mind and while reminding yourself of the period.

I highly recommend it if you have never given it a read! I am trying to branch out into the "classics" — so this was a fabulous start.

Una historia conmovedora y enérgica que se mueve a través del tiempo, la pérdida, la ilusión y la madurez para funcionar no como adoctrinamiento moralizante sino como testimonio de la juventud y del pensar de una época.

Louisa May Alcott toma elementos de su propia vida y enredándolos con hilos de ficción teje una novela compleja, emotiva y profundamente viva cuya influencia no merma gracias a la profundidad de sus personajes y la honesta humanidad de los recorridos de sus mujercitas que lejos de poseer perfiles intangibles, borrosos y espíritus unidimensionales poseen una amalgama de virtudes, defectos, ambiciones y anhelos que las vuelven reales y verosímiles tiñendo de la misma autenticidad sus vínculos entre sí y con otros.

Las hermanas March representan cuatro personalidades abismalmente diferentes. Meg, la mayor, es prudente aunque vanidosa y vive atormentada por lo material que no posee. Jo, intrépida e intelectualmente inquieta, rehuye de su condición de mujer mientras persigue un sueño literario. Beth, descrita por todos como un ángel, es la encarnación de la bondad y la abnegación. Y Amy, la pequeña, resulta por momentos egoísta y ambiciosa aunque aprende a combatir sus defectos por medio de la misma singular lucha que se propone cada una de sus hermanas para tratar de crecer y ser mejor.

Pero nuestras mujercitas no están solas. La amistad con Laurie, un jovencito de una riqueza material muy superior a la suya pero prisionero de una imperturbable soledad hasta que las conoce, acaba influyendo y cambiando sus caminos tanto como ellas el de él. La amistad, el encaprichamiento juvenil, el verdadero amor y el afecto fraternal acaban matizando sus lazos en medio de una historia que nos permite acompañar sus dudas, su ingenuidad, sus fracasos y sus aciertos en un contexto que espera mucho de ellos y familiares que pretenden proveerlos con los elementos necesarios para iniciarse en un mundo que nunca será tan seguro o confortable como el hogar.

La autora nos lega una historia emotiva que no decae jamás en chantajes emocionales pese a no ser ajena a la tragedia y que permanece relevante incluso en una sociedad temporal y culturalmente distinta a aquella en la que fue concebida porque hay destellos inmortales en Meg, Jo, Beth y Amy que puedo y siempre podré ver en mí misma y todas las jóvenes mujeres que me son queridas.

ALL TIME FAVORITE CLASSIC

As I read Little Women, I could not help but equate it to the warmth of a hug on a cold winter’s day, of the giggles of sisterhood, of the joy of childhood, and of the magic of love - however we experience it. Louisa May Alcott crafts a world so incredibly pure to the point where at times it is breathtaking. This coming-of-age story introduces you to the March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy whose father serves as a union chaplain while their mother struggles to make ends meet as their fortunes dwindle. When the family perform an act of kindness for a family even less fortunate than they are, their story begins. We witness the girls grow beyond this as they experience love, heartbreak, joy, hardship, success, and failure. Relationships form, bonds strengthen, and the boundaries of sisterhood are tried and tested. Despite the novel originating from the 19th century, there is something so relatable about its earnest depiction of these women. Their dreams, hopes, desires, and hardships all resonate so deeply - at times it feels as if Alcott herself knows you inside and out. This, of course, is impossible so what makes it all the more beautiful is how little the experiences of women have changed despite the centuries gone by. You either are a Meg, Jo, Beth, or Amy. If not, you know a Meg, Jo, Beth, or Amy.

I can confidently say that this is a book I will revisit, pass on to my future children, and treasure forever. Such a beautiful tale of love, of family, of women, and of life.

I have read 18 of Louisa May Alcott's books, so I guess I can safely say that I am very familiar with her work. Some of them were very good, some not quite as good. All had that 19th century down home feeling with wonderful, memorable characters. But only one of her novels reached the level of what could be called literary greatness. Somehow, with this simple story, and these adorable characters, with a heart warming and heart wrenching plot, Alcott creates an American classic, her masterpiece. Yes it is dated, but Little Women will always have a place in our hearts, in our homes, and in the World's libraries.

PS: I rewrote this review on 11/29/2016, in honor of her 184th birthday, and my birthday that I share with her, just with a slightly smaller number.

this book is such a treasure. ☁️✨
mr. and mrs. march raised such strong women of faith and i really enjoyed seeing them grow up alongside the mischievous boy next door. i loved laurie! he was so lively and charming and wore his heart on his sleeve. i also loved the march sisters as if they were my own. i saw a little bit of myself in each one, but mostly meg. i feel as though meg march is my soul character.

I wanted to love it but i found it so boring :(