Eight Cousins (Akasha Classic) [Hardcover]

Louisa May Alcott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2009 | Series: Akasha Classic

From the pen of Louisa May Alcott comes a tale of one girl's transformation in nineteenth-century Boston. Rose Campbell may be an orphan, but she has no shortage of family. There are six aunts, seven cousins, and an uncle - Uncle Alex, who has strange notions about the proper way to raise children. After years of boarding school and being ladylike, Rose finds that playing with rowdy boys, getting fresh air, and eating good food have a surprising effect. Eight Cousins provides an enjoyable story as well as an intriguing glimpse at Alcott's views on women, which were radical for her time.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-At the age of 13, Rose finds herself orphaned and living with two elderly aunts on "Aunt Hill" where she is treated as delicately as the flower for which she is named. But Rose soon finds her quiet world turned upside down with the arrival of her seven boisterous boy cousins followed by her Uncle Alec, a doctor and a world traveler. Upon meeting Rose, Uncle Alec quickly prescribes fresh air and much activity to help with the girl's poor constitution. Uncle Alec's diagnosis turns out to be an accurate one and Rose, with the help of her cousins, finds herself in the middle of much hijinx and merriment. Veteran stage actress Barbara Caruso brilliantly breaths life into each and every one of Louisa May Alcott's delightful characters. With just the slightest change of inflection she is able to capture the essence of each character from the oldest to the very youngest. This audiobook would be an asset to any collection.
Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Review

The original publisher of this classic provides a new hardcover edition to tempt library purchasers seeking durable editions worthy of repeated lending. This will prove a satisfying keepsake for any who want a new library copy. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Akasha Classics (January 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160512303X
• ISBN-13: 978-1605123035
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As Good As 'Little Women', November 28, 2002

By 

Wendy Kaplan (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eight Cousins (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

This is the wonderful story of Rose Campbell, whom we first meet as a sickly and despondent 13-year-old orphan. She is grieving for her recently dead parents, and she tends to get the vapors and other Victorian women's ailments. Nevertheless, this shy, frail and delicate creature is sent to live on the "Aunt Hill" to be raised by six very opinionated aunts.

And that's not all. She is also surrounded by seven male cousins, as boisterous and full of life as they come. Rose's initial reaction is to wish herself dead. Barely able to lift her head, she is frightened and overwhelmed by the presence of her mischievous clan. But deep inside, she is secretly envious. The boys get to climb trees and run and play, while Rose, as all young women in her day, is confined to the parlor, constricted by tight corsets and impossible petticoats.

Along comes Uncle Mac, the doctor uncle whose view of how to raise girls clashes with his day and time--and all six of his sisters, the formidable aunts. In the character of Doctor Mac, Louisa May Alcott was able to tout her own family's avant garde views on women's health, almost a century ahead of its time. The doctor forbids Rose to wear the constricting corsets, to the horror of all her aunts and the girl herself. He wonders how she can feel healthy when she cannot draw a decent breath? He encourages her to play outside with her cousins, to get fresh air and exercise. He demands that she eat good, hearty meals instead of womanly morsels. And under his tutelage, and with the friendship of her wonderful cousins, Rose starts to bloom. She turns from a shy, sickly little mouse into a strong, outgoing young woman.

I loved this book as a child; I love it now. It has the perfect message for any girl of any age: Be yourself, take care of yourself, and nothing and nobody can stop you. In my view, "Eight Cousins" is Alcott's true masterpiece.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Suprise, January 8, 2002

By 

"peadlebug" (Scranton, Pa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eight Cousins (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

I was 7 or 8 when I first picked this book out of the shelf at the local libary. I did not know a thing about other then that it was written by the Alcott. Having just finished Little Women I was eager to read more.

I found myself reading through the book very quickly, being drawn into Rose's world very quickly. Her advertures with her cousin were very refreshing. But two weeks passed quickly and the book was returned.

It was not until recently that I found a copy of this books and I quickly bought it. Rereading it I was again drawn into the world but was able to see so much more.

In a time where girls were taught to be ladies and were corsetts and not play, Alcott has creatred a throughly modern girl. Give Rose pants and put her in todays society and she could be any girl at all.

All of the characters are all fleshed out very well. Worm who even as a child I identified with since like him I am also a book worm.The Prince who rules them all and Jamie the baby who never fails to delight all in awe of their queen.

I would reccomend this book for any fan of Alcott, or someone who is just starting to enjoy the world of literature.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bachelor Uncle to the Rescue, September 6, 2002

By 

Nobodymmmmm "cdm586" (Wasilla, AK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eight Cousins (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

Rose is a sad little girl. Orphaned at the tender age of 13, she has been in the hands of several well-meaning but misguided aunts, all of whom are stifling her with their good intentions.

When Uncle Alec finally arrives on the scene, he vows to undue the damage done by the aunts. To that end, he demands one year to do with Rose as he will. If, at the end of that time, the results are not satisfactory to all, he will again concede control to the females.

Touching and sweet, most little girls will enjoy this book. I read it over and over as a child, and never tired of the antics of Rose's 7 boy cousins as they tried to please, entertain, and earn her favor. Reading it over again as an adult, I'd say there's nothing in this book to worry a parent. It's a good, wholesome story, and some of the lessons found inside it's pages still apply today.