Jens reviewed Little Women, By Louisa May Alcott by Louisa May Alcott
Review of 'Little Women, By Louisa May Alcott' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Some people say this book is saccharine and preachy, and I think they're right.
"Little Women" follows the lives of four sisters in 1860s New England for a few years while they grow up from children to young women. Every now and then the narrator stops and directly tells the reader what they can (and should!) learn from the events in this book. Some of these lessons seem almost contemporary (from our perspective!), but this whole setup is very... preachy.
There is strong character development, above all for the four "Little Women" themselves. They don't stay naïve, vain girls; and their maturation is vividly described. However obviously, they do remain children of their time - marrying is one of the most important goals, pleasing your husband too (but not at all costs, at least), and keeping up appearances takes up way too much space in this novel. "What will the …
Some people say this book is saccharine and preachy, and I think they're right.
"Little Women" follows the lives of four sisters in 1860s New England for a few years while they grow up from children to young women. Every now and then the narrator stops and directly tells the reader what they can (and should!) learn from the events in this book. Some of these lessons seem almost contemporary (from our perspective!), but this whole setup is very... preachy.
There is strong character development, above all for the four "Little Women" themselves. They don't stay naïve, vain girls; and their maturation is vividly described. However obviously, they do remain children of their time - marrying is one of the most important goals, pleasing your husband too (but not at all costs, at least), and keeping up appearances takes up way too much space in this novel. "What will the neigbors say?!"
There are some very witty sentences in this novel
("Let us be elegant or die!"),and the characters are marvelously written, and sometimes I laughed out loud at some of the funnier situations, and/or was very moved by what happened.
Overall however I was just bored by the slow pace, lack of plot, and sugary demeanor in this book to love it as much as many others do.
These foolish, affectionate people made a jubilee of every little household joy.
I recommend this review of "Little Women" for a differing opinion on the "preachiness", and more overall praise for this famous novel: www.goodreads.com/review/show/7269753
