Little Women (Little Women, #1)

by Louisa May Alcott

Elaine Showalter (Introduction), Siobhan Kilfeather (Notes), Siobhán Kilfeather (Notes), and Vinca Showalter (Notes)

This Penguin Classics edition of Louisa May Alcott's inspiring tale of sisterhood, Little Women, is edited with an introduction by Elaine Showalter.

The charming story of four 'little women' - Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth - and their wise and patient mother Marmee, was an instant success when first published in 1868. Enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England, the March sisters have been adored for 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.

In her enlightening, thoughtful introduction, Elaine Showalter discusses Louisa May Alcott's influences, and her aspirations for Little Women, as well as the impact the novel has had on such women writers as Joyce Carol Oates and Cynthia Ozick. This edition also includes notes on the text by Siobhan Kilfeather and Vinca Showalter.

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) grew up surrounded by American writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry David Thoreau. Drawing on her experience as a volunteer nurse in the Union Army during the American Civil War, she published Hospital Sketches in 1863, followed by gothic romances and lurid thrillers such as A Modern Mephistopheles and A Long Fatal Love Chase. In 1868, she published Little Women, which proved so popular that it was followed by two sequels.

If you enjoyed Little Women you might like Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters, also available in Penguin Classics.

• ISBN10: 0140390693
• ISBN13: 9780140390698
• Publish Date: 26 January 1989 (first published 1 January 1900)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 11 March 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• Imprint: Penguin Classics
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 544
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780140390698

Reviews

[Shreela]

High school

[readingwithwrin]

I buddy read this book with Misty from Misty's Book Space.
As we all know by now I struggle to read classics, yet it somethings I strive to read more of each year. Well this year I think I've finally figured out how to read and enjoy classic books. it's to buddy read them with a friend.

I remember reading Little Women back in middle school and not liking it at all. But I wanted to give it another try as it has been adapted into a movie again and this adaption has several actors I like in it. I am so glad I gave this book another try this year.

I had forgotten so much of this book from the last time I read it, so rereading it was almost like reading it again for the first time. This book surprised me several times with the direction it went in and the things it covered for its time.
Jo was of course my favorite character from the book, and I adored Laurie as well and the friendship they had. This book does show the perspective of all four march sisters, but Jo is the primary character of it. Because we get to see all of their different points-of-views I did find myself enjoying some more than others. In fact I found one sister practicularly annoying until they got to be a little bit older.

Overall I enjoyed this book and I am so glad I gave it another try. I'm countinuing on with the series and I have already started reading Little Men which is book two in the Little Women series.

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I have tried so many times to read Little Women but I get to the same point every time (when the older girls go to the new years eve party. I had a rough idea of some of the story but this adaptation was beautiful.

The March girls all have very different personalities but they are all loveable in their own way. I love a full-cast audio and the BBC did an excellent job with these narrators. I went through a lot of emotions in this book. I was immersed in this story so easily. I was welling up on more than one occasion.

It's easy to see why this is a classic and I am glad that the BBC made this adaptation for those like me who struggle with those classic stories that have a reason for being loved.

[abookishblether]

I am re-reading the series of four Little Women books before the new movie comes out in December (even if the trailer actively annoyed me). I had my Mum's editions of the books and I am pretty sure I've read theses stories multiple times over the years. They hold a special place in my heart.

Little Women follows Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy as they begin the arduous process of growing up quickly as their father is away fighting in the American Civil War. I feel as close to these girls as I did when I was reading the books growing up, almost like no time has passed. I still relate to Jo and her tom-boyish ways.

I found the story to be charming and endearing, but a slight too heavy handed with moral lessons for my liking. I think for the most part the story still feels relevant and relatable, and the characters create a strong impression on your mind. I really love this series, and I can't wait to complete my re-read.

[alisoninbookland]

Still loved the story.

Little Women was vastly better than Good Wives for me.
I'm still annoyed that Laurie marries Amy.
I wasn't keen on Professor Bhaer the first time around but I've grown fond of him on my listening of the story.

[Steph L]

This was a book that I read for an English Lit class in college, I needed a book for a term paper and wanted to read a book by a female author. I loved this book, and I would call it one of the best books that I have ever read.

[anastasia]

A great read! This book is a classic, and I think it is a beautiful coming of age story that tells the story of the March family. The four March girls are taught about kindness, charity, good deeds and the importance of family and friends, as they grow older they enrich their lives with love and growth in lieu of wealth.

The Author Louisa May Alcott prefaces Little Women with an excerpt from John Bunyan’s seventeenth-century work The Pilgrim’s Progress, an allegorical novel about leading a Christian life.
This story begins with the March girls sitting in their living room. Marmee comes home with a letter from the girls’ father, who is serving in the Civil War. The letter inspires the girls to bear their burdens more cheerfully and not to complain about their poverty.

The girls have various adventures. Amy is caught trading limes at school. Jo refuses to let Amy go with her to the theater and as a result, Amy burns Jo’s manuscript, and Jo, in her anger, nearly lets Amy drown while ice skating. Meg goes to Annie Moffat’s party and allows the other girls to dress her up in high style. Meg learns that appearance is not everything.

The family receives a telegram saying that Mr. March is sick in the hospital in Washington, D.C. Mrs. March the girls mother, goes to tend to him. Beth becomes very sick, she contracts scarlet fever from the Hummel baby. Beth recovers, though not completely, and Mr. Brooke, Laurie’s tutor, falls in love with Meg, much to Jo’s dismay. Mr. Brooke and Meg are engaged.

Many years pass before Part Two begins. Meg marries and moves into a new home with Mr. Brooke. Meg struggles with the duties of keeping house, and gives birth to twins, Demi and Daisy. Amy goes to Paris. Jo thinks that Beth loves Laurie. Jo moves to New York so as to give Beth a chance to win his love. Jo meets Professor Bhaer. When Jo returns home, Laurie proposes, but she turns him down. Beth dies.
Amy and Laurie reunite in France, and they fall in love, marry and return home. Jo begins to hope that Professor Bhaer will come for her. He does, and they marry a year later. Amy and Laurie have a daughter named Beth. Jo inherits Plumfield, Aunt March’s house, and decides to turn it into a boarding school for boys. The novel ends with the family happily gathered together, each sister thankful for her blessings and for each other.”


This is the first time i've read this book and i loved it! This book shows the daily life of the 4 March sisters and their struggles.

A must-read!