Louisa May Alcott will probably always be my favorite (or one of my favorite) authors of all time. The idea that girls can succeed just by being virtuous, good, industrious, and pure is one that I wish were still true today. In Alcott’s world, her characters are able to go through trials and emerge better, stronger people, making me root for them every time.
A unique characteristic of Alcott’s books is that she is bluntly honest with the fact that “first love” does not equal “true love.” The picture-perfect romance is nowhere in sight, nor are clichés. Laurie doesn’t marry Jo, Tom doesn’t marry Nan, and Dan doesn’t marry Bess. Alcott is realistic in showing that good people do not equal perfect lives and storybook endings.
Even when the main couple does get married, (“An Old-Fashioned Girl,” and “Rose in Bloom,”), they do so only after they have both matured and grown. Their love is shown to be pure and lasting, having gone through the trials of time and many troubles.
I’ve read virtually all her books, from the famous, “Little Women,” to the well-known “Good Wives,” to less popular books such as “An Old-Fashioned Girl” and “Rose in Bloom.” I didn’t “love” all of them, but I liked and enjoyed each one immensely. Little Women/Good Wives, though, is, and will always be, my favorite.
Little Women/Good Wives
Written
I know that many see these books as two separate works, but since the time I “officially” read the book, I read both together, I see them as one piece. (A part 1 and part 2).
The first time I was introduced to Alcott was in a short, “kid version” of Little Women. (The series that was given to me at age 7-8 included “The
It was during a General Lit. that I studied “Little Women/Good Wives” in depth and truly learned to enjoy Alcott. I wrote papers, typed essays, and researched both the books and the author.
Since then, I’ve read and reread both “Little Women” and “Good Wives.” Alcott’s paragraphs are easy to read and written in a storytelling manner that flows from one scene to the next. Each of the March girls are completely multidimensional, as are the other main characters.
They are individualistic and original, instead of being stereotypical. For example, Jo, instead of just being the spirited tomboy, matures and grows into an (almost) maternal woman. Another example is Amy, who, instead of staying a spoiled child, matures into a graceful woman whose very presence is one of a true lady.
The ending of the book was satisfying and made me feel warm inside. Again, despite the lack of “action” in her books, Alcott is able to keep me riveted and reading, just by showing how her characters mature.
Perhaps this is because, by watching these “imperfect” children grow into “little women,” I am inspired to do the same—to be more than ordinary, to be of good character and to make sacrifices.
Only Little Woman/Good Wives ever achieved the status of a “classic,” but her other books are also definitely worth reading. “Little Men,” and “Jo’s Boys,” show that boys (of all characters and backgrounds) are also able become “little men—” that being good, kind, gentlemanly, and chivalrous really does pay off, and that true men are not the physically strong but those with character.
Sweetly tender without being “sugar-sweet,” touching without being sentimental, and idealistic without being unrealistic, Alcott’s work inspires people of all ages to improve themselves, to be “little women” and “little men.”
Who couldn’t love such a book?
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