Now Reading

After reading Little Women it made me want to read the rest of the series so I’m now reading Little Men and Jo’s Boys, the final two books in the series about the March family.

Louisa May Alcott – Little Women

My Mum originally gave me a gorgeous illustrated hardback version of this when I was younger and I then bought paperbacks of the other books in the series. For this review however, I read my eBook version, which had Little Women and Good Wives together as 1 book.

“Little Women” tells the story of the March family, pretty Meg, boyish Jo, shy Beth, ambitious Amy and their beloved Marmee. It is clear from the outset that they aren’t very well off but what little they do have they are cheerfully willing to give to people worse off than them. The book tells of their trials and tribulations as they try their best to get along in the absence of their Father who is away in the war. When Jo becomes acquainted with Laurie, the rich young man who lives next door to the March family with his Grandfather, they become firm friends and I’ve got to admit they were the first couple I ever “shipped”. With the 4 March girls I think everyone can find someone they identify with, I always thought I was quite like Jo, a tomboy who loves books and wants to be an author when she grows up. It is an extremely well written story and makes me laugh and cry along with the characters. When Beth gets sick I cry along with Jo and when Meg marries John Brooke I really felt their happiness. It’s not a complicated tale, there aren’t really any twists and turns along the way but it’s a very natural story, nothing feels forced. Although I have said I wanted Laurie and Jo to be together and I was as devastated as Laurie when she turned him down it also seemed perfect that he and Amy would get together and when Jo meets Mr Bhaer he seems made for her.

Like any family there are times of great sorrow and Beth’s demise gets me every time. It’s so beautifully written and by the time it happens you really feel like you’re part of the family so it hits you hard.

As always when I read this I couldn’t put it down, every time I read it it’s like the first time all over again. Anyone who hasn’t read this classic novel should go and do so now and I defy anyone not to be touched by this story.