Rose in Bloom [Paperback]

Louisa May Alcott (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 2 and up

In this sequel to Eight Cousins, Rose Campbell returns to the "Aunt Hill" after two years of traveling around the world. Suddenly, she is surrounded by male admirers, all expecting her to marry them. But before she marries anyone, Rose is determined to establish herself as an independent young woman. Besides, she suspects that some of her friends like her more for her money than for herself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This sequel to the classic EIGHT COUSINS appears in paper to provide new readers with the story of Rose's interactions with her eight cousins. Here her return from a trip around the world brings a newfound young lady to her cousins' attention. A fine classic, this holds new life in its paperback form. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Louisa May Alcott was both an abolitionist and a feminist. She is best known for Little Women (1868), a semiautobiographical account of her childhood years with her sisters in Concord, Massachusetts. Alcott, unlike Jo, never married: “... because I have fallen in love with so many pretty girls and never once the least bit with any man.” She was an advocate of women’s suffrage and was the first woman to register to vote in Concord, Massachusetts. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Uniform ed edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316030899
• ISBN-13: 978-0316030892
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,353,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Louisa May Alcott was both an abolitionist and a feminist. She is best known for Little Women (1868), a semi-autobiographical account of her childhood years with her sisters in Concord, Massachusetts. Alcott, unlike Jo, never married: "... because I have fallen in love with so many pretty girls and never once the least bit with any man." She was an advocate of women's suffrage and was the first woman to register to vote in Concord, Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book to curl up with, January 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rose in Bloom (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

"Rose in Bloom" is one of my favorite books ever. I like it more than any other Louisa May Alcott book, although its predecessor "Eight Cousins" is a sweet story in its own right. I can't find many romances that don't make me blush, but "Rose in Bloom" not only doesn't embarrass me, it makes me feel quite virtuous. ^_^ "Rose in Bloom" is so delightfully Victorian and unabashedly idealistic and romantic. The characters are all quite loveable and the plot, although firmly rooted in its time, resonates even now. The story is incredibly emotionally involving, I cry whenever I read this book -- even at a bus stop once! However, it's not a sad book; it ends very happily. (The scene with the quill pen just makes me need to call up a friend and squeal about the cuteness of it all.) When I find that mere words on a page can make the world seem to light up with happiness and goodness, I know I have found an incredible book. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes wonderful characters, a charming and earnest narrative, and a cute romance.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't believe it was written over 130 years ago!, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rose in Bloom (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

The story of Rose and how she comes of age is certainly idealized, but don't we need more ideals these days? She is rich and rather sheltered, but she faces the same peer pressure, the same temptations with boys, the same problems with friends and romance. Even Charlie's struggle with drinking is as fresh and relevant today as it was then. She also promotes an independent, even feminist, attitude, but without losing sight of the importance of feminine talents and virtues. I didn't discover this book until I was in my 20s, even though I had been a Little Women fan since childhood, but since then I've read "Eight Cousins" and other Alcott classics, and I wouldn't be without them. My daughter is learning to read now, and I can't wait to introduce her to Rose!

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read Eight Cousins First, April 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rose in Bloom (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

Rose In Bloom is an interesting book about a girl who lives with her uncle. Her aunts wish her to be introduced into society after Rose had returned from a two year voyage around the world. One of her cousins wished her hand in marriage, but had changed so dramatically since she left on her voyage that she had struggle with him to make good choices. Besides this cousin, Rose had more suitors than she cared to deal with, because she was of marrying age with a great fortune and a kind heart. Finally, in the end, tragedy strikes Rose and her family, but the sun appeared again and brought light back into their lives with a wonderful ending. I love reading and Rose In Bloom offers enough enjoyment, sorrow and romance that I was farely satified with the overall picture it created. (I would recommend this book for girls). Personally, I would suggest reading Eight Cousins before Rose In Bloom, because it would be rather difficult to understand all the details of what was happening and who was who if you started with the latter. Enjoy!