Louisa May Alcott

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.' Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth - four "little women" enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England The charming story of the March sisters, Little Womenhas been adored by generations. Readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo's hand, cried over little Beth's death, and dreamed of travelling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. Future writers have found inspiration in Jo's devotion to her writing. In this simple, enthralling tale, both parts of which are included here, Louisa May Alcott has created four of American literature's most beloved women. The Penguin English Library - collectable general readers' editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century to the end of the Second World War.

Little Women

Louisa May Alcott's Little Women; or, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy (1868) follows the lives, loves and tribulations of four sisters growing up during the American Civil War. The story is based on the childhood experiences Alcott shared with her real-life sisters, Anna, May and Elizabeth.Alcott intricately explores the rich nuances of family and family relationships with each character. Avid Alcott readers often identify in themselves one of the four sisters at various phases in their own lives. It's a perfect story for Christmas, or any time of year; a fine example of Romanticism.Alcott's novel is featured in our collection of 25 Great American Novels and Books for Young Readers, Christmas Stories, and Civil War Stories.

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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, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.

Esta es la historia de la señora March y sus cuatro hijas, Meg, Jo, Beth y Amy, quienes desde la inocencia de la niñez experimentan el despertar de la juventud. Con la guerra civil estadounidense de trasfondo, la novela sigue la vida de las cuatro hermanas, con sus enamoramientos, sus aspiraciones intelectuales, sus alegrías y complicaciones. Con una fina y delicada descripción de cada personaje, se conocen las experiencias de crecimiento que cada una va teniendo, con un gran énfasis en la libertad individual, muy inusual para la época. A lo largo de la novela, las muchachas traban amistad con el vecino, el joven adolescente Laurie, que se vuelve el mejor amigo de Jo. El libro describe las actividades de las hermanas y su amigo, y los roces por los que pasan Jo y Laurie, así también cómo Meg se convierte en una mujercita, comprometiéndose con el señor Brooke. Basada en las propias experiencias de la autora, quien creció junto a tres hermanas, Louisa May Alcott se inspiró en su propia familia a la hora de crear los personajes, con realismo y cariño. Es sin dudas una novela revolucionaria para su época, ya que cuestiona los arquetipos femeninos. La novela ha sido adaptada varias veces al cine, al teatro y a la ópera. En 2019 se estrenará una película con la participación de Emma Watson y Meryl Streep. Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) fue una escritora estadounidense reconocida por su famosa novela Mujercitas (1968), una novela autobiográfica de su infancia, y sus secuelas, Hombrecitos (1871) y Los muchachos de Jo (1886), clásicos de la literatura. Fue también activa a nivel social y político durante toda su vida, comprometida con el movimiento abolicionista y el sufragismo, al igual que sus progenitores. Debido a las condiciones de pobreza de su familia, trabajó en diferentes empleos desde muy joven hasta que pudo empezar a vivir de lo que escribía. Se destacó principalmente con la creación de relatos para jóvenes mujeres, caracterizados por su descripción intimista y la lealtad familiar; así como también con una línea más adulta que publicó bajo el seudónimo de A.M. Barnard, una serie de novelas de tipo romántico, además de una obra seria denominada Un Mefistófeles moderno (1875) en los que tratan temas tabúes para la época como el adulterio y el incesto. También sirvió como enfermera en la Guerra Civil estadounidense y escribió una serie de cartas a su familia, publicadas como Apuntes del hospital (1863).

Mujercitas

micaela

No hago más que volver hojas y estropearlas, como solía estropear mis cuadernos; pero con tantos comienzos nunca acabaré nada.

No os paséis al otro extremo y os pongáis a trabajar como esclavas. Tened horas fijas para divertiros, haced cada día algo a la vez útil y agradable y demostrad que comprendéis el valor del tiempo, empleándolo bien. Así vuestra juventud será deliciosa, la vejez traerá consigo pocos pesares, y la vida, a pesar de la pobreza, os resultará un hermoso éxito.

In New England during the Civil War, four sisters experience joys and hardships together.

"only don't go the other extreme, and delve like slaves. Have regular hours work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will he delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty."

"You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for concert spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty."

for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.

She tried not to be envious or discontented, but it was very natural that the young girl should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a happy life.

"We never are too old for this, my dear, because it is a play we are playing all the time in one way or another. Our burdens are here, our road is before us, and the longing for goodness and happiness is a guide that leads us through many troubles and mistakes to the peace which is a true Celestial City."

"Tell them I think of them by day, pray for them by night, and find my best comfort in their affection at all times. A year seems very long to wait before I see them, but remind them that whole we wait we may all work, so that these hard days need not be wasted."

Lizzy Jensen

It is so beautiful to be loved as Laurie loves me. He isn't sentimental, doesn't say much about it, but I see and feel it in all he says and does, and it makes me so happy and so humble that I don't seem to be the same girl I was. I never knew how good and generous and tender he was till now, for he lets me read his heart, and I find it full of noble impulses and hopes and purposes, and am so proud to know it's mine.

Her face looked tired, grave, and rather sad, for tomorrow was her birthday, and she was thinking how fast the years went by, how old she was getting, and how little she seemed to have accomplished. Almost twenty-five, and nothing to show for it. Jo was mistaken in that. There was a good deal to show, and by-and-by she saw, and was grateful for it.

Julie <3

“I’ve been trying to cure it for forty years, and have only succeeded in controlling it. I am angry nearly every day of my life, Jo; but I have learned not to show it; and I still hope to learn not to feel it, though it may take me another forty years to do so.”

Little Women (Priory Classics - Series One)

nadhirah

i ought to have read more, for i find i don’t know anything, and it mortifies me

Anne Boyd Rioux

Patti Smith

Ashlyn Barrett

We love one another, and that makes all the rest easy to bear. 

For women’s special mission is supposed to be drying tears and bearing burdens. 

For honesty is the best policy in love as in law. 

Was it all self-pity, loneliness, or low spirits? Or was it the waking up of a sentiment which has bided its time as patiently as its inspirer? Who shall say?

I never knew how much like heaven this world could be, when two people love and live for one another. 

If it is a feminine delusion, leave us to enjoy it while we may, for without it half the beauty and the romance of life is lost. 

When women are the advisers, the lords of creation don’t take the advice till they have persuaded themselves that it is just what they intended to do. 

Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy. 

Death can’t part us, though it seems to. 

You men tell us we are angels, and say we can make you what we will, but the instant we honestly try to do you good, you laugh at us and won’t listen, which proves how much your flattery is worth. 

It took me so much time to finish this, but I enjoyed it, believe it or not. The pacing of it was off, like it was so boring, but I appreciate and love my little women ❤️, so different, so interesting and so captivating in their own way. There are so many things I enjoyed about them, particularly more when they were younger. When they got old, it got a bit meh. My big sad thing from this book was Jo's end. If I ranked the arcs of the girls, it would go like this: 1- Amy, 2- Beth (yes, even with that end), 3- Meg, and then 4- Jo.

I guessed I just put expectations and hopes into a character written in the 1800s, my bad, tho.

actually 3.75 🌟 

It took me so much time to finish this, but I enjoyed it, believe it or not. The pacing of it was off, like it was so boring, but I appreciate and love my little women ❤️, so different, so interesting and so captivating in their own way. There are so many things I enjoyed about them, particularly more when they were younger. When they got old, it got a bit meh. My big sad thing from this book was Jo's end. If I ranked the arcs of the girls, it would go like this: 1- Amy, 2- Beth (yes, even with that end), 3- Meg, and then 4- Jo.

I guessed I just put expectations and hopes into a character written in the 1800s, my bad, tho.

 is teaching me about friendship, family, kindness, mindfulness, and all the whimsical qualities of life in a way schools never could. I believe it is the most profound read I’ve had this year that leaves me with strong emotions, especially the pain of parting with Beth. Yet, alongside the sorrow, I also find some sort of sublimation—my heart tender and overflowing with love. I rejoice in the family reunions and can’t help but envy Jo, who has all I’ve ever wished for as a woman. I longed to share the same warm shelter with my own family, but, alas, mine was broken, and it made me realize how much family shapes who we become. Still, despite it all, I continue to hope for a good life, one as full and meaningful as Jo’s.

I can’t shake the feeling that Little Women is teaching me about friendship, family, kindness, mindfulness, and all the whimsical qualities of life in a way schools never could. I believe it is the most profound read I’ve had this year that leaves me with strong emotions, especially the pain of parting with Beth. Yet, alongside the sorrow, I also find some sort of sublimation—my heart tender and overflowing with love. I rejoice in the family reunions and can’t help but envy Jo, who has all I’ve ever wished for as a woman. I longed to share the same warm shelter with my own family, but, alas, mine was broken, and it made me realize how much family shapes who we become. Still, despite it all, I continue to hope for a good life, one as full and meaningful as Jo’s.

Little Women is one of the best-loved children's stories of all time, based on the author's own youthful experiences. It describes the family life of the four March sisters living in a small New England community. Meg, the eldest, is pretty and wishes to be a lady; Jo, at fifteen, is ungainly and unconventional with an ambition to be an author; Beth is a delicate child of thirteen with a taste for music and Amy is a blonde beauty of twelve. The story of their domestic adventures, their attempts to increase the family income, their friendship with the neighbouring Lawrence family and their later love affairs remains as fresh and beguiling as ever. This edition also includes the sequel, Good Wives, which takes up the story of the March sisters some three years later when, as young adults, they must face up to the inevitable trials and traumas of everyday life in their search for individual happiness.

Little Women (Exclusive)

oh i loved this sm!!!! the relationships made more sense than in the movie thank god...

obviously a part of me wished that jo would end up on her own and do great things, but the ending she got also made a lot of sense, in how she wanted to do things on her own accord and only if it made her happy...

Stas

oh i loved this sm!!!! the relationships made more sense than in the movie thank god...

obviously a part of me wished that jo would end up on her own and do great things, but the ending she got also made a lot of sense, in how she wanted to do things on her own accord and only if it made her happy...

one of the best books i have ever read in my entire life, i bought 3 copies of it. beth dying was one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the book, and i nearly cried when jo rejected laurie. the character development in this book is absolutely incredible, especially jo controlling her anger. and john’s relationship with meg is so pure and sweet i love it.

zeina

Es un libro muy ok, pero ugh no me gustó nada la edición ur compré, lo compré de una editorial cualquiera y la adaptación tiene tantos tantos tantos detalles que no me gustan que se me hizo extremadamente incómoda la lectura

Manis

taylor

muy lindo, me hace querer amarme más y amar mucho a los demás 

Faywawa

This review is about the first volume of little women.

I don't think a book has ever made me as happy as little women. This book was an easy-read but that doesn't mean it wasn't deep, it makes you appreciate the mundane and simple things, your current circumstances, your blood and found family. Yes, it does have some 19th century views (duh) such as women behaving a certain way (polite, quiet, "clean", like a maid), the thoughts about marriage, etc. but you can easily adapt the teachings to modern times, to your own beliefs and your own life. 

Beautiful book, 100% recommend, great summer reading.

This review is about the first volume of little women.

I don't think a book has ever made me as happy as little women. This book was an easy-read but that doesn't mean it wasn't deep, it makes you appreciate the mundane and simple things, your current circumstances, your blood and found family. Yes, it does have some 19th century views (duh) such as women behaving a certain way (polite, quiet, "clean", like a maid), the thoughts about marriage, etc. but you can easily adapt the teachings to modern times, to your own beliefs and your own life. 

Beautiful book, 100% recommend, great summer reading.

Louisa Alcott

Little women

Just found a new top favourite book, I need to read part second ASAP. What a novel man. I love Meg and Jo and Beth and Amy. Meg is the oldest, although not much older than Jo. She's growing quickly and struggles to find happiness when they aren't as rich as they used to be. She finds her own happiness at the end. Jo is the second oldest; she's always in good spirits, always happy, and is the tomboy of the family, always claiming to be the "man of the household"  when her father goes to war. She makes friends with the lonely neighbour "Laurie" and goes on to call him Teddy. I hope to see their friendship turn into a relationship. Jo struggles with controlling her anger, but with the help of her mother, she's able to tame it. Amy is the second youngest, and she's in school, and suffers from school punishment and jealous young girls. She's learned she can be quite selfish while at her Aunt March's, and sets out to change her ways. Finally, dear old Beth. 12 years old and so innocent with her kittens and house duties and dolls. Evidentally, everyone loves Beth. 

Lousia May Alcott has written a spellfounding masterpiece.

surtified™

Just found a new top favourite book, I need to read part second ASAP. What a novel man. I love Meg and Jo and Beth and Amy. Meg is the oldest, although not much older than Jo. She's growing quickly and struggles to find happiness when they aren't as rich as they used to be. She finds her own happiness at the end. Jo is the second oldest; she's always in good spirits, always happy, and is the tomboy of the family, always claiming to be the "man of the household"  when her father goes to war. She makes friends with the lonely neighbour "Laurie" and goes on to call him Teddy. I hope to see their friendship turn into a relationship. Jo struggles with controlling her anger, but with the help of her mother, she's able to tame it. Amy is the second youngest, and she's in school, and suffers from school punishment and jealous young girls. She's learned she can be quite selfish while at her Aunt March's, and sets out to change her ways. Finally, dear old Beth. 12 years old and so innocent with her kittens and house duties and dolls. Evidentally, everyone loves Beth. 

Lousia May Alcott has written a spellfounding masterpiece.

elinabel hidalgo 

i read the collins classics version and was that the alternate ending?? no one died and laurie didn't propose. i think i have to find and buy another edition.

Chronicles the joys and sorrows of the four March sisters as they grow into young ladies in mid-nineteenth-century New England.

𝚕𝚒𝚕𝚢

5 ★ - (adored, absolute favorite)

I DON'T THINK THERE ARE WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT AN ABSOLUTE FAVORITE BOOK THIS IS. 

Full review to come. For now: Jo March is the best, I sobbed over Beth, Laurie and Prof. Bhaer are dears, and - as a writer and avid reader - I can never forgive Amy to this day. 12/21/23


gUeSs WhO fOrGaVe AmY?! I read the sweetest devotional (by Rachel Dodge) and I finally realized that by the end of the book she was a changed girl. What she did was terrible but I don't hate her XD 1/24

CWs or things that caught my attention: Mentions/descriptions of death, deceased characters, grief, poverty,

Anna 

bála jsem se, že kvůli stáří malých žen se přes ně nikdy nedostanu, že nepochopím narážky v textu nebo že se do postav nevcítím. ovšem milované sestry marchovy mne uvedly v opak. během četby jsem s nimi navštívila například nádherné barevné plesy, tiché pláže, psací koutky a nebo rozkvetlé parky v itálii. zamilovala jsem si všechny do jedné, amy pro její něžnost, beth pro oddanost, jo pro potrhlost a meg pro její povahu starší a moudřejší sestry.
knížka se četla krásně, je přímo nádherně přeložena a nechybí mi v ní vůbec, ale vůbec nic. všechny postavy mají svou vlastní povahu, každé jsou originální a něčím zajímavé. u knihy jsem se jak smála, tak i plakala, a to mi na tom přijde nejkrásnější. je ze života mladých dívek, který se sice odehrál před 130 lety, ale přesto jsem v něm našla spousty rysů podobných naší době. na konci každé kapitoly bylo skryto ponaučení, což se mi taky moc líbilo.
jediné, co bych mohla vytknout, je ten stereotyp, že každá žena si někoho vezme a má děti, ale to bych tady ani neměla zmiňovat, vždyť je to román z devatenáctého století :D
.
5*/5*, bylo to vážně nádherné.

Pensavo sarebbe stato più difficile da leggere ma l’inglese è perfettamente comprensibile e la storia procede senza fermarsi troppo su passaggi noiosi di descrizione (come i classici romanzi dell’epoca). 

I capitoli sono brevi e veloci da leggere, e ho apprezzato il fatto che ognuno si focalizzasse su un’avventura diversa, rendendo chiaro quanto tempo fosse passato da un avvenimento all’altro, cosa che non é scontata. 

È un libro che mi ha fatto molto riflettere sul rapporto coi propri fratelli, e mi sono chiesta quanto diversa sarebbe stata la mia vita se avessi avuto una sorella al posto di un fratello, cosa su cui non mi ero mai soffermata a pensare. 

mirta <3

Pensavo sarebbe stato più difficile da leggere ma l’inglese è perfettamente comprensibile e la storia procede senza fermarsi troppo su passaggi noiosi di descrizione (come i classici romanzi dell’epoca). 

I capitoli sono brevi e veloci da leggere, e ho apprezzato il fatto che ognuno si focalizzasse su un’avventura diversa, rendendo chiaro quanto tempo fosse passato da un avvenimento all’altro, cosa che non é scontata. 

È un libro che mi ha fatto molto riflettere sul rapporto coi propri fratelli, e mi sono chiesta quanto diversa sarebbe stata la mia vita se avessi avuto una sorella al posto di un fratello, cosa su cui non mi ero mai soffermata a pensare. 



Ryan Mateyk

An absolutely iconic classic! I was inspired to read after re-watching the Greta adaptation and this book is just pure joy.

Coralie Bickford-Smith

Elaine Showalter

Siobhan Kilfeather

Vinca Showalter

JO DOVEVA FINIRE O CON LAURIE O DA SOLA I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL

elizabeth

This has been on my list for the majority of my life at this point simply because it's such an American classic, and I've put it off. And, to be honest, I'm glad I did--not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I wouldn't have enjoyed it when I was younger.

This novel is famously packed with lovable, or at least sympathetic, characters. It's famously cozy and warm; it transports you to the glow of the March family hearth, even if it often dips into a sort of trite preachiness (it's peak transcendentalism, so what do you expect?). It's also famously the subject of a sort of overly-simplistic debate about whether the book is or isn't "feminist." 

I don't really think a book can be feminist, and it's a little reductive to call this book "anti-feminist" or "feminist" or or even "feminist for its time." Rather than keeping a tally of feminist vs. antifeminist sentiments, it might be more productive for the reader to try to gain a more holistic grasp of Alcott's seemingly conflicting and/or nuanced sentiments about womanhood. Yes, characters are rewarded for conformity to feminine virtue (as defined by a patriarchal system) and housewifery. Concurrently, Alcott amplifies the value of domestic labor and celebrates feminine/familial models of cooperative leadership. I don't think it's worth seeing this as two "sides" competing to dominate the narrative; the challenge (and the beauty) is taking it as a whole.

Steffi'sBookShelve

Een fantastisch boek, heb er veel van geleerd vooral van Jo en Mrs. March. Zeker een aanrader!

I honestly don't remember much from this book since it took me 2 years to finish it. I'm a fast reader, especially when I like the book (not that I hate this or what) but I just can't pick it up and read it for some reason. This is my first Collins Classic book and I bought it for a really cheap price. My bias among the four sisters would be Jo. And I am looking forward on watching the movie.

Lindsay Ornedo

Megan

neri

Rosibel Silva Pineda

Una historia llena de sentimientos que deja muchas lecciones invaluables que se pueden aplicar totalmente a nuestros días. Simplemente hermosa.

Elisabeth Bontrager

Lately I’ve been reading a lot of fantasy or YA books so when I started this one again (I’ve read it several times before) I had forgotten how much slower paced classics were. It took me just a bit getting into but once started it once again had me hooked. I think if I had to choose between always reading classics or always reading fantasy, I would pick Classics. They may be slower paced and never have me on the edge of my seat holding my breath but they’re full of good values and virtues and they’re good stories about humans that mess up and learn from their mistakes. Little Women is such an amazing book in that aspect. I think every girl should read it and if you’re no longer a young girl but haven’t read it yet you should read it too. It’s full of little tidbits of wisdom about growing up and becoming women, about marriage, about presiding over your own home, and just about being modest virtuous ladies. I love how slow paced the book is. I believe it covers 10 years (skipping some years in between). It’s so so much fun watching the sisters grow up and get married. There’s parts of the book that will make you laugh and parts will make you cry, I can’t recommend this book enough.

Little Women

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