Little Women [Hardcover]

Louisa May Alcott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 25, 2005

Louisa May Alcott published many books, but "Little Women" remains her most beloved literary creation and holds a special place in the annals of American literature. Alcott's charming stories, warm and human characters, and unerring sense of timing for both comedy and tragedy make the heroines of "Little Women" come alive. A Wildside Literary Classic.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 408 pages
• Publisher: Wildside Press; 1ST edition (March 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2874272191
• ISBN-13: 978-1592246083
• ASIN: 1592246087
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,326,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Little Women book, January 30, 2010

By 

Constance T. Baldacci "roadie" (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little Women (Hardcover)

I purchased a copy of this book strictly based on the graphics of the cover. I was truly disappointed when I received the book of LITTLE WOMEN with an entirely different graphic for a cover, no way resembling the cover shown.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From "Little Women" to "Good Wives", April 19, 2005

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Little Women (Hardcover)

Louisa May Alcott wrote many books, but "Little Women" retains a special place in the heart of American literature. Her warmly realistic stories, sense of comedy and tragedy, and insights into human nature make the romance, humor and sweet stories of "Little Women" come alive.

The four March girls -- practical Meg, rambunctious Jo, sweet Beth and childish artist Amy -- live in genteel poverty with their mother Marmee; their father is away in the Civil War. Despite having little money, the girls keep their spirits up with writing, gardening, homemade plays, and the occasional romp with wealthier pals. Their pal, "poor little rich boy" Laurie, joins in and becomes their adoptive brother, as the girls deal with Meg's first romance, Beth's life-threatening illness, and fears for their father's safety.

The second half of the book opens with Meg's wedding (if not to the man of her dreams, then to the man she loves). Things rapidly go awry after the wedding, when Laurie admits his true feelings to Jo -- only to be rejected. Distraught, he leaves; Amy also leaves on a trip to Europe with a picky old relative. Despite the deterioration of Beth's health, Jo makes her way into a job as a governess, seeking to put her treasured writing into print -- and finds her destiny as well.

There's a clearly autobiographical tone to "Little Women." Not surprising -- the March girls really are like the girls next door. Alcott wrote them with flaws and strengths, and their misadventures -- like Amy's embarrassing problem with her huge lobster -- have the feeling of authenticity. How much of it is real? A passage late in the book portrays Alcott -- in the form of Jo -- "scribbling" down the book itself, and getting it published because it feels so real and true.

Sure, usually classics are hard to read. But "Little Women" is mainly daunting because of its length; the actual stories flow nicely and smoothly. Don't think it's just a book for teenage girls, either -- adults and boys can appreciate it as well. There's something for everyone: drama, romance, humor, sad and happy endings alike.

Alcott's writing itself is nicely detailed. While certain items are no longer in common use (what IS a charabanc anyway?), Alcott's stories themselves seem very fresh and could easily be seen in a modern home. And as nauseating as "heartwarming" stories sometimes are, these definitely qualify. Sometimes, especially in the beginning, Alcott is a bit too preachy and hamhanded. But her touch becomes defter as she writes on.

Jo is the quintessential tomboy, and the best character in the book: rough, gawky, fun-loving, impulsive, with a love of literature and a mouth that is slightly too big. Meg's love of luxury adds a flaw to the "perfect little homemaker" image, and Beth just avoids being shown as too saintly. Amy is an annoying little brat throughout much of the first half of the book, but by her teens she's almost as good as Jo.

"Little Women" is one of those rare classic novels that is still relevant, funny, fresh and heartbreaking today. Louisa May Alcott's best-known novel is a magnificent achievement.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars OK, December 16, 2008

By 

S. Hinkle - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Little Women (Hardcover)

Book came in great condition. Just don't order if you need the book quickly--it took the full shipping time they stated. I've had books come the week after I order but this one took a full 3 weeks to receive.