Customer Reviews

Eight Cousins (Large Print Edition)

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Ok, so I know I wrote a review nearly 3 years ago about Eight Cousins but I feel I must add to previous entry. This book has helped me mold my ideals and concepts of womanhood more than I ever had guessed. Rose develops many relationships with the characters in this book and from its pages I have learned how to be a good friend, sacrifice without receiving praise, take responsibility for a decisions and make ammends if I can, enter into conflict with those around me with a brave heart...determined to love even when friends are at their most UNlovable. This book helped teach me to come from great tradedy into a life of victory and peace. Don't let the fact that it was written in your great-great grandmother's age discourage you! It's a timeless piece that I hope will help mold our youth for generations to come.

I love this book! I just finished reading it, and read it before maybe 4 years ago. This is a fantastic book for any girl who, like me, is sick of all those teen angst books about drugs, sex, dysfuctional families, and depression. (which, it seems, is all they ever print these days) This book is just very enjoyable and wholesome, and isn't hard to read like some other classics. I am so jealous of Rose! I am just her age and would love to have seven boy cousins who live close-by. Actually, I'd love to know almost anyone in the book; Phebe, uncle Alec, Aunt Jessie, and all the rest of the aunts. (except maybe Myra and clare) I can't wait to read Rose In Bloom, though I have before, but have forgotten exactly what happened. This is a great book, truly a classic, and every girl between 9-14 should read it.

This novel has been my favoite classic since I was a young girl of eight. As an established bookworm of 26 years, I still delight in the simplicity and innocence of these eight children. Their trials, resulting with both failures and victories, will remind even the most hardened cynic that truly life on this earth can be as simple and uncomplicated as we chose to make it. I recommend this book as a gift for young or old, male or female. I look forward to the day when my children are old enough for Mommy to read it to them at bedtime. I trust it will help mold thier world as it has mine.

Eight Cousins was one of my favorite books when I was a child. I have read it a few times over the years, but I read it again on a recent rainy day, and it was like being wrapped in a satin down comforter (maybe with some Vicks Vap-O-Rub thrown in for good measure). L.M.A. was such a strong woman in a male-dominated era, and her strong female characters like Rose and Jo (Little Women)give us a hint of what she must have been like. I can't wait to find a copy of Eight Cousins' sequel, A Rose In Bloom, to go back in time once more...

I read Eight Cousins when I was about 10, and was really excited to see this available for my Kindle. Imagine my unhappiness when I found parts of the book have been left out of the Kindle version. Perhaps because it is a free book? I didn't notice the description saying it was abridged but maybe I missed that part of it.

There are words left out, entire paragraphs left out, punctuation either missing or incorrect...I was very disappointed.

The basic story is there, but the gaps leave me feeling disjointed while reading.

When my teacher told us that we had to choose a book from her book list for our book reports, I had no idea what book to choose. After a while I finally chose this book, Eight Cousins. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down!!

The book is about the time when Rose Campbell's father died, and Rose went to live with her Aunt Peace and her Aunt Plenty , who lived in a big house on Aunt Hill, until her uncle, her legal guardian, came for her. When Rose arrived she was a very sickly & scared girl. Her aunts didn't know what to do with her, and she was surrounded by 7 loud and wild boy cousins. When her savior/guardian, Uncle Alec arrives, she puts her full trust into him, and he helps overcome her fears, & turns her into a very pretty and healthy child. It wasn't long before Rose was as happy, healthy and lively as any of her cousins.

Don't worry, I didn't give away the ending, (the back of the book tells even more than this)! As I said before, this is one of the best books I have ever read, (I even cried a little at the end!!!).

ENJOY!!!!!!

Wow. I can't say how much I adore this book. It's most certainly my all time favourite book. No doubt. The story is very charming, and I do believe I've fallen in love with Charlie, you know. This is a very sweet story, and is quite inspirational. I can't reccomend this wonderful book enough. A *must* read.. anyone should give it a try at least once. I've given it a try around 7 times...