Miranda Reads's Reviews > Little Women
Little Women
by
The Written Review
Their love for their mother and father, their love for adventure and for each other unites them in this troubled time.
The Civil War is afoot and all the sisters can do is think about their father away and in battle. Their mother tries to distract them but often she can barely distract herself.
Jo, a radical tomboy and aspiring author - rallies her family with her amusing plays and scribbles.
They must face things that they never would have thought possible.
But, even in the darkest of times, they will have each other. And that is most important of all.
There's just something about this book that's absolutely gorgeous and timeless.
I love the sisters and their relationships with each other - I see so much of myself and my cousins with their day-to-day interactions.
Jo, the darling, is the perfect mix of strength and fear. Watching her grow from a brash girl to confident young woman just makes my heart happy.
It often feels like the messages from books in the mid 1800s are saccharine sweet or so heavy-handed with their themes that they're ridiculous. (Just look at the later Anne of Green Gables if you'd like an example!)
But this one had just the right mixture of loving family + religion + life lessons. It was beautifully balanced.
I swear, every time I reread this series, I practically rediscover that fact (my brain is incredibly good at selective memory-ing those sorts of things)...which makes it awful all the more.
Oh, and am I the only one who's still bitter over who Jo ends up with? This book may have been published in 1868 but this is my hill and I WILL DIE ON IT!
But don't let that spoil your interpretation - this book is truly wonderful. I love it.
Audiobook Comments
Read by Kate Reading - can I just take a moment for us all to appreciate the the narrator is Kate Reading? Her last name is absolute perfection.
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by
Miranda Reads's review
bookshelves: audiobook, love-the-love
Mar 01, 2018
bookshelves: audiobook, love-the-love
Read 2 times. Last read February 28, 2021.
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The Written Review
The March sisters may be radically different but they all have one thing in common - love.
“Don't try to make me grow up before my time…”
Their love for their mother and father, their love for adventure and for each other unites them in this troubled time.
The Civil War is afoot and all the sisters can do is think about their father away and in battle. Their mother tries to distract them but often she can barely distract herself.
Jo, a radical tomboy and aspiring author - rallies her family with her amusing plays and scribbles.
I like good strong words that mean something…Meg, the beautiful sister, often puts her family first and holds them together when her mother cannot.
You don’t need scores of suitors. You need only one… if he’s the right one.Amy, the youngest, was spoiled as a child and oh my, it shows. But even she can rally when life looks darkest.
I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now.Beth, sweet and good-natured, valiantly cheers on her sisters but her frail health often keeps her at the sidelines.
There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping...The sisters must face hardships their New England home.
They must face things that they never would have thought possible.
But, even in the darkest of times, they will have each other. And that is most important of all.
Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.This is probably my fifth or sixth time through and yes, I am totally going to read it again.
There's just something about this book that's absolutely gorgeous and timeless.
I love the sisters and their relationships with each other - I see so much of myself and my cousins with their day-to-day interactions.
Jo, the darling, is the perfect mix of strength and fear. Watching her grow from a brash girl to confident young woman just makes my heart happy.
You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone.And the message of the book! Ahh. My heart. So full.
It often feels like the messages from books in the mid 1800s are saccharine sweet or so heavy-handed with their themes that they're ridiculous. (Just look at the later Anne of Green Gables if you'd like an example!)
But this one had just the right mixture of loving family + religion + life lessons. It was beautifully balanced.
Be worthy love, and love will come.That being said, I do absolutely hate that (view spoiler) .
I swear, every time I reread this series, I practically rediscover that fact (my brain is incredibly good at selective memory-ing those sorts of things)...which makes it awful all the more.
Oh, and am I the only one who's still bitter over who Jo ends up with? This book may have been published in 1868 but this is my hill and I WILL DIE ON IT!
But don't let that spoil your interpretation - this book is truly wonderful. I love it.
Audiobook Comments
Read by Kate Reading - can I just take a moment for us all to appreciate the the narrator is Kate Reading? Her last name is absolute perfection.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
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Little Women.
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Quotes Miranda Liked
Reading Progress
Started Reading
May 24, 2016
–
Finished Reading
March 1, 2018
– Shelved
February 28, 2021
–
Started Reading
February 28, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 64 (64 new)
Lovely review😄 This is definitely a timeless classic which I really love...a all time favorite. And no, you're not the only one who did not like Jo's choice for a husband. I mean only after watching the 1994 movie I was somehow able to change my mind but still...ugh. sometimes it still hurts.
I read this once when I was a teenager (and loved it) however this time around I’m finding it so slow. Did you find it picks up a bit as it goes on or am I just spoilt by faster paced contemporaries?
Imran wrote: "this was our novel in school but i found it boring at the start so didnt read it till the end but after reading this review thought of reading it till the end
excellent review"
Thank you!
excellent review"
Thank you!
ʙᴇʟʟᴀ.: ☾**:.☆*.:。. wrote: "Lovely review😄 This is definitely a timeless classic which I really love...a all time favorite. And no, you're not the only one who did not like Jo's choice for a husband. I mean only after watchin..."
That's why whenever creating a love triangle... you need option B to be really creepy or crappy or just a very clear NO. It's not good to have your main character choose between a perfect partner... and an ehh guy (and then she chooses ehhh)
That's why whenever creating a love triangle... you need option B to be really creepy or crappy or just a very clear NO. It's not good to have your main character choose between a perfect partner... and an ehh guy (and then she chooses ehhh)
Melinda wrote: "I read this once when I was a teenager (and loved it) however this time around I’m finding it so slow. Did you find it picks up a bit as it goes on or am I just spoilt by faster paced contemporaries?"
I think it picks up... but it's def not an instant book like many modern ones. Whenever i read it, i have to be in the mood for a slow and wonderful book
I think it picks up... but it's def not an instant book like many modern ones. Whenever i read it, i have to be in the mood for a slow and wonderful book
"Oh, and am I the only one who's still bitter over who Jo ends up with? This book may have been published in 1868 but this is my hill and I WILL DIE ON IT!"
YES! I am with you! I will never, ever get over who Joe ends up with. We all know who it should have been!!
YES! I am with you! I will never, ever get over who Joe ends up with. We all know who it should have been!!
Aubrey wrote: ""Oh, and am I the only one who's still bitter over who Jo ends up with? This book may have been published in 1868 but this is my hill and I WILL DIE ON IT!"
YES! I am with you! I will never, ever g..."
Preach! Girl. Preach!
Still annoyed by it all!
YES! I am with you! I will never, ever g..."
Preach! Girl. Preach!
Still annoyed by it all!
Joel Swamy wrote: "Little people have to act like little people and big people have to act like big people"
Ummmm....i don't think you read this book
Ummmm....i don't think you read this book
Kim wrote: "This book will forever be linked to The Shining in my head thanks to Rachel and Joey from Friends 😆"
Lolllll
Lolllll
Great review Miranda! I have always loved this book as well as the movie. It makes me think of Hot Chocolate and winter nights and family. I loved your review.
Shilpee wrote: "Aww...this review is so beautiful ! I want to read the book desperately now!"
Yaaaaaas!!
Yaaaaaas!!
Bren wrote: "Great review Miranda! I have always loved this book as well as the movie. It makes me think of Hot Chocolate and winter nights and family. I loved your review."
Love it! Now i gotta make myself hot chocolate!
Love it! Now i gotta make myself hot chocolate!
Audrey wrote: "Oh no, not Kate Reading. Can’t stand her voice!"
Yikes! I've only listened to this one by Kate Reading - it wasnt too bad...why don't you like her reading?
Yikes! I've only listened to this one by Kate Reading - it wasnt too bad...why don't you like her reading?
Imran wrote: "i found this book very boring but it was okay at the end"
Everyone loves different things!
Everyone loves different things!
Miranda wrote: "Bren wrote: "Great review Miranda! I have always loved this book as well as the movie. It makes me think of Hot Chocolate and winter nights and family. I loved your review."
Love it! Now i gotta m..."
It is cold and rainy right now so off to make some Chocolate Milk!
Love it! Now i gotta m..."
It is cold and rainy right now so off to make some Chocolate Milk!
Miranda wrote: “Audrey wrote: “Oh no, not Kate Reading. Can’t stand her voice!”
Yikes! I’ve only listened to this one by Kate Reading - it wasnt too bad…why don’t you like her reading?”
Her voice just grates on me, and I don’t like the way she enunciates words.
Yikes! I’ve only listened to this one by Kate Reading - it wasnt too bad…why don’t you like her reading?”
Her voice just grates on me, and I don’t like the way she enunciates words.
Audrey wrote: "Miranda wrote: “Audrey wrote: “Oh no, not Kate Reading. Can’t stand her voice!”
Yikes! I’ve only listened to this one by Kate Reading - it wasnt too bad…why don’t you like her reading?”
Her voice..."
Hmm, I'll definitely have to pay attention to that next time!
Yikes! I’ve only listened to this one by Kate Reading - it wasnt too bad…why don’t you like her reading?”
Her voice..."
Hmm, I'll definitely have to pay attention to that next time!
I too am a little disappointed that Jo did not marry Laurie. Marriages starts out in friendships and how much more wonderful it would have been if the best friends Jo and Laurie married. What a great friendship and marriage it would be! I know people say their personalities won’t fit, but I think they do fit well. There were many instances in the story where Jo encouraged Laurie in tough times and vice versa. They laughed together, cried together, and already had so many memories together! They are meant to be together! And with Laurie having been to college, he could entertain Jo’s brain just as well as the professor.
Maybe I really like Cinderella stories and I was hoping for one at the end of this book (Jo marrying her prince Laurie) but instead she ended up with an old”er” man...which is another disappointment I had about the story. Alcott could have made him a little bit younger.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the book, the characters and the wisdom from “marmee” . Great book and it was worth my time to read :)
Maybe I really like Cinderella stories and I was hoping for one at the end of this book (Jo marrying her prince Laurie) but instead she ended up with an old”er” man...which is another disappointment I had about the story. Alcott could have made him a little bit younger.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the book, the characters and the wisdom from “marmee” . Great book and it was worth my time to read :)
Abby wrote: "I too am a little disappointed that Jo did not marry Laurie. Marriages starts out in friendships and how much more wonderful it would have been if the best friends Jo and Laurie married. What a gre..."
I love this comment so much. Everything about Laurie and Jo is so true. I was so disappointed with the older guy marrying her!!
I love this comment so much. Everything about Laurie and Jo is so true. I was so disappointed with the older guy marrying her!!
I agree that she shouldn’t have ended up with that man although it’s very plausible. She should probably have been happily alone or a lesbian. And I mean nothing anti LGBT when I say that. But that was literally a different time. So the author couldn’t say it..
A Jeffrey wrote: "I agree that she shouldn’t have ended up with that man although it’s very plausible. She should probably have been happily alone or a lesbian. And I mean nothing anti LGBT when I say that. But that..."
Perhaps... that's such an interesting idea
Perhaps... that's such an interesting idea
After seeing the new movie with my friends I haven’t heard the end of it on how Laurie and Jo should’ve ended up together 🙈 I keep telling them that maybe they’ll feel a little better if they read the book (as some of them haven’t read it yet) but I see that it may not really help them at all😂 I’ve read the book a few times and I’m upset about it too but I am also pretty ok with the fact that Jo married the professor. Always had a soft spot for him.
This has been a favorite classic. It's been a long time since I have read this book 📖 and plan to read it again.
Little Women has been on my bookshelf at home for years and I've never been able to finish it :( maybe this year!
Lily Reads wrote: "Love your edition. It is beautiful! Mine has a bunch of misspellings and grammar errors."
that's rather interesting!
that's rather interesting!
excellent review