I started reading this book in year 6, as it was recommended
to help me with my reading skill before I took on the 11+. I never finished it
and watched the film a few months ago so I knew the narrative, but as I needed
a stand alone book to read, so I chose it off my shelf, as I havent read a
‘classic’ before I thought it would be refreshing.
Book synopsis:
The book follows the story of the four March sisters; Meg,
Jo, Beth and Amy, in nineteenth century new England as they come of age and try
to become gracious ‘little women’.
Rating: 4 stars.
Time to read:
A week and a bit. Don’t laugh, its 491 pgs and the text is
almost teasingly small. I normally only read in the evenings so that also
slowed me down, but it was a long haul to finish.
Front Cover (Penguin Classics edition):
I adore the penguin classics front cover, its drawing of the
young sisters. The style is charming and it helped me to form the characters in
my head.
First thoughts (Prior to reading):
As I have already written, I knew the narrative and was not
sure if this would stop me from enjoying or finishing the book. (A problem I’m
currently having with Harry Potter and trying to overcome.) I was apprehensive
about the text, having not read it in ages I couldn’t remember if the wording
would be as annoying and as complicated to understand as many ‘classics’ seem
to be. You know what I mean, when they go page after page just to describe one
simple thing or they use tons of old fashioned words.
Review (Unspoiled):
I actually really enjoyed this book. At the start I was wary
but I felt a kind of pull to carry on and I’m happy I did. This book really
makes you think and be aware of just how much you’ve got in life, as the moral throughout
is that you should always be thankful and enjoy what you have whilst you have
it. It’s a charming little novel, and though sometimes the length of it was
maybe a little tiresome, it tells you the full story, where every last thread
is tied neatly.
The writing is not hard to understand, the few words that I
didn’t recognise I guessed the meaning of and moved on, or skipped over without
care.
Recommend: Yes I would recommend this book, I’m sure that
all good libraries would have it in case your dubious and don’t wish to spend
your money.
Bottom line:
Long but you can see why it’s a classic, and
treasured so.
Spoiler Section............................
So I thought I knew the narrative. I was sure about Beth’s
sickness, but for some reason thought she survived and it was the mother that
died. So it was doubly as hard to read through the pages of her death. I think
that each sister had their good and bad traits and am happy that they all, even
Beth in some way, made it to a peaceful place. Though they did have their
trying moments, and it was interesting to see these moments as it made it
easier to sympathise and connect with them. When I watched the film I had my
doubts about the Laurie and Amy relationship, as I felt he didn’t really love
her and just wanted a March, and she was just a self obsessed girl who always
wanted her sisters man. But in the book it makes a bit more sense, as you get
their feelings on both sides, and though I still loved the idea of Laurie and
Jo, Mrs March was right, they were not be a good match in the long run.
Best Character:
Either Laurie or Jo. They were both the most
comedic and I connected the most with Jo over her boyish ways and independent,
society defying manners.
Worst Character:
Mr Brooke. I see no real appeal and his
sexist thoughts on page 278. “She was wrong, of course, but then she was young.
I must be patient, and teach her.”, “And show her where she had failed in her
duty as a spouse.” Left me rolling my eyes. Now I know, I know. It’s the nineteenth
century; women were raised to know that their place was at home and their role
as wife is to look after house, husband and children. But it still pissed me
off, and set my opinion on the sod for the rest of the book.
Best Moment:
Just all the little joys the family had, and
funny conversations between them all.
Worst Moment:
Beth’s death of course. I was close to crying
as she lived out her last days and finally passed away.
Please feel free to comment your own views on this book if you've
read it, I would love to know how others felt about it.
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