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Customer reviews

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Little Women

Little Women

byLouisa May Alcott
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Top positive review

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Kathleen Nolan
5.0 out of 5 starsGift for granddaughter
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on January 6, 2023
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Top critical review

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HalKid2
3.0 out of 5 starsA Mix of Profundity, Sexism, and Schmaltz
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on May 1, 2018
More than 3 stars but less than 4.

I suppose I missed (by some decades) the opportune moment to read LITTLE WOMEN, which would have been as a teenager or 20s-something young woman. I think back then I would have had a less critical eye and more appreciation for the classic-nature of this story.

First of all, Louisa May Alcott isn't consistent with "voice". At times she is in the story with her characters, then suddenly steps out and speaks directly to the reader. It's awkward. Parts of the novel - particularly early on - felt slow and tedious as the four sisters contend with the deprivations of the Civil War, mundane domestic responsibilities, petty sibling rivalry, and their saint-like mother. And I confess there were parts I skimmed.

Then thereโ€™s the pervasive sexism which seriously dates this novel: lots of lessons of women prioritizing the needs of โ€œtheir menโ€ and ultimately learning to find life satisfaction only after they commit to roles as wives, mothers, and uneducated second class citizens.

On the plus side, the chapter dealing with Bethโ€™s last illness is so beautifully written that I sobbed. Then, following that chapter, the remaining 20% of the book was completely captivating. The slow evolution of Amyโ€™s relationship with Laurie, Jo recognizing the feelings she has developed for the professor, and the tying up of all storylines in the last chapter were mostly compelling, though occasionally overly sentimental.

Iโ€™m glad I read it. I wish I had done it earlier in life. I understand why itโ€™s a classic representative of 19th century America. But Iโ€™d choose Jane Austen over Louisa May Alcott any day.
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From the United States

Rachel McElhany
VINE VOICE
4.0 out of 5 stars Little Women audio book by Audio Go
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on April 26, 2012
Verified Purchase
I read Little Women as a girl and loved it so I was excited to have the opportunity to review an audio production of the book. However, I was quite surprised when the audio book abruptly ended in the middle of the story. I discovered that Little Women was originally two volumes: Little Women and Good Wives. They were first published together as one book titled Little Women in 1880. Most versions of Little Women published today are both volumes together in one book. This audio recording is just the first volume. Because what most people read as Little Women is actually both volumes, I feel like there should have been some indication on the box somewhere that this audio book does not include the second volume.

(I don't want to spoil it for anyone who may not have read it yet so I'll say this - remember the Friends episode when Rachel convinces Joey to read Little Women? And he has to put the book in the freezer because of one particularly sad part? This audiobook ends before that sad part happens.)

Even though this book was written more than one-hundred years ago, it still has relevance today. I think that the four March girls and Marmee have some good lessons to teach young girls that are timeless. Reading it now as a mother myself, I marveled at Marmee's patience and wisdom. I could learn a lot from her! I was very impressed at how independent and free-thinking the girls and their mother were given the time period the book was written in and took place. (Of course, Louisa May Alcott was a Unitarian so I shouldn't have been surprised at that.)

Lorelei King narrated this audio book. I thought she did a great job for the most part. The two voices I didn't like were Beth and Amy's. I thought Beth's was too breathy and Amy's was too babyish - they didn't sound realistic to me. Overall, I enjoyed this audio production. My biggest complaint is that it left unexpectedly hanging at the end.
8 people found this helpful
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Caly Benvenutto
4.0 out of 5 stars timeless classic
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on April 18, 2022
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I have known of this classic novel for all of my life and now have finally knocked it off my reading list and now I understand the timelessness of the novel... beautifully written a must read for any age and yes
even the films have embraced it adapting the novel into at least 5 films....
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Italo Perazzoli
4.0 out of 5 stars Little Women
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on November 15, 2011
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Louisa Alcott was born in the 1832 in a town called Germantown, Pennsylvania United States.

Her father was a philosopher and teacher averse to any work activities.

For this reason the family was forced to move in areas in and around Boston Massachusetts.

In my opinion it is wrong to criticize him like an layabout mainly because he was surely against the labor exploitation and the alienation of the man - machine.

The family was involved in an intense moral conviction, for instance they did not wear cotton, because it was produced by slave labor in the south of the United States.

Reading this novel we will be conscious of the good teachings and the tension due to the Civil War.

In my opinion this is a fundamental reading for young and adult readers, because they will learn the significance of poverty, the importance and rules of the family for the evolution of the society, and the collateral effect of the American Civil War on a family of four daughters.

From the first paragraphs emerges their purity and social commitment when the girls decided to renounce of their Christmas' gift for buy a present to their mother and their commendable attitude in regard to the Hummels.

The central character is Josephine March, in my opinion the author of this novel and the particular description of her childhood in a difficult context in a difficult time and her true love for a man and the culture.

Before analyzing the most important phrases, I have to say that the good teaching of this novel is that as responsible citizens we must empower our children about their centrality for a proper development and maintaining of the society.
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Bri (readingknitter)
4.0 out of 5 stars This was quite a cozy classic that filled my cup
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on July 30, 2020
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This was quite a cozy classic that filled my cup. That said, it sometimes felt like a bit of a slog to read even though I enjoyed it. I often found that I could only concentrate on reading a chapter or two at most before I found my mind elsewhere. It took me about a month to read, but I looked forward to picking it up even for a chapter at a time. The story follows a group of "little women," a gaggle of sisters living in late 1800s America as they grow from adolescents into young adults. I liked the commentary on class throughout the novel, and wish there were acknowledgments of the March family still having more privilege than others at the time even though they had less financially than many other white families (I realize this is asking a lot for the time)
3 people found this helpful
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Marcia Hewitson
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazng
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on January 16, 2022
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I love this book! Is is amazing! But is is kinda hard to read for younger children to read .
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Just Sayin'
4.0 out of 5 stars An old classic worthy of a spot in my library
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on July 27, 2017
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Little Women is an old classic that was simply begging to be re-read. I think I started the book so many times when I was in elementary school that I had actually memorized the opening chapter. Every word rang as familiar to my eyes and heart as a forgotten Christmas Carol. But, but I don't remember ever finishing the book -- until this time.

It's written in an old-fashioned style, and a little harder to follow than some more modern literature, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Even the rhythm of the words takes you back to a sweeter simpler time which was in reality a very harsh time in American history. For the uninitiated, LW details the life of four teen-aged sisters in the Civil War Era. Aside from their father being away from home during the first part of the book the war is not a main topic. It's all about the relationships between these sisters, their mother, their neighbor and later their budding romances.

Take your time with this one. Read it slowly and savor.

T
59 people found this helpful
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Charles E. Jeffries
4.0 out of 5 stars Quaint but Enduring
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on January 17, 2010
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Every Christmas, I enjoy watching various versions of "Little Women" on video. My favorite is the latest one starring Susan Sarandon, Winona Ryder, and Christian Bale . . . lovely, true to the spirit of the original work, and the scene depicting the death of Beth (played to perfection by Claire Danes) breaks my heart, no matter how many times I see it. AS FOR THE BOOK . . . it is dated and preachy and quaint for the modern reader, no doubt; still, it is easy to see why the work has endured through the years. All the universal themes of family togetherness (and the pain of separation), self-sacrifice, faith, joy, love, and hope in times of war and deprivation and hardship (what family today with a loved one in a war zone could not relate to the March family of 1861?) -- we recognize ourselves in the book despite the Victorian mannerisms and concerns, and the sometimes stiff dialogue Alcott produced. I know I read it years ago, but I've forgotten so much detail (or perhaps the movies have dulled my recollection of the book, which is quite likely) that it seems almost a first reading. Free on Kindle -- so Kindle readers, download and enjoy this enduring American classic. Not just for children or for girls; I'm a 61-year-old man!
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Peggy Geiger
4.0 out of 5 stars I realised what it was like to become immersed in the characters of a novel ...
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on June 15, 2018
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This story opened my eyes as a very young girl to the awe and magic of books. For the first time, I realised what it was like to become immersed in the characters of a novel and enchanted with the loves and lives of Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy and of course, Laurie. As I was transported back to New England during the Civil War era, this book ignited a love of historical fiction that I have to this day at the old age of 69.
As a child with no sisters, I read with wonder the day to day relationship between the sisters, leaving me envious and longing for that kind of closeness. When I first read this book, my youngest brother was very ill and died soon after, I felt such sorrow and empathy for frail, gentle Beth.
"Little Women" has the grace and charm of the 18th century and is a sparkling look into the fascinating world of girls as they become women. I recommend this classic novel to readers of all ages.
43 people found this helpful
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Josie T.
4.0 out of 5 stars Awesome story, a classic!
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on June 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
Although the story is always really what matters the look of this book is great, I love the editions from Word Cloud Classics, however, the one I received had the front cover kind of "inflated" first. I had to put a few other books on top of it for a few days to make it look normal and thank God it worked!
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becca
4.0 out of 5 stars wholesome and sobering
Reviewed in the United States ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ on August 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
wow. so many lovely messages in this book, but the biggest takeaway for me was learning to be grateful. i'd like to make a shout out to Mrs March for being the single most loveliest person in the world. i really recommend this book - she's a slow burner to start with, and if its your first 'period piece' then that might make it harder yet, but by 20% through you'll likely have no issue. i found myself thinking of the March girls frequently, and don't imagine i'll stop any time soon
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