Book Review #17: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

As a big fan of classic literature, I can’t say why it’s taken me so long to read Little Women. Because I don’t like to have books spoiled for me, I also haven’t seen any of the movies, which is a great travesty that I will be correcting this weekend. There is a double-feature of the 1995 version and the 2019 version of Little Women to be had, and I’ll probably polish off an entire bottle of wine while I do it. Huzzah.

Originally published in 1868, Little Women was a singular volume that told the tale of four exceptional young ladies. After its immediate success, Alcott published the second volume, which was written in just two months. Imagine being able to write something considered a classic in just two months. It would only have been better if she’d pulled a Mary Shelley and done it at 19, am I right?

Where this book shines, of course, is with the four little women. Their characterization and personality traits are extremely well-done and well-chosen. Meg is a very motherly and classy figure, being the eldest of the sisters; Jo is the rag-tag tomboy with a defiant air; Amy is the slightly-spoiled yet thoughtful middle child, and Beth is the patient and kind sweetheart whom everyone adores. The story follows these four young women as they grow into adulthood and learn a plethora of life lessons.

I think the life lesson-ry happening throughout the book is also an enjoyable aspect. The book reads almost as a compilation of short stories from their lives rather than a true narrative from beginning to end. In this way, we see their most defining moments and the lessons learned from them. There are a lot of tidbits of wisdom to be gathered throughout, and it helps show how each character has learned and grown throughout the book. It isn’t a true study into the journey from childhood to adolescence, but more of an idealized version of one. It would be wonderful if everyone learned from their mistakes and grew into better people throughout their lives, but unfortunately that isn’t reality. However, in Little Women, each character progresses positively, and the reader gets to follow along as they unravel life’s mysteries.

On the other hand, there are some moral lesson-ry moments that may distract one from the story. For example, there is a scene where Professor Bhaer and Jo are surrounded by men talking about philosophy, and the young men seem to be saying that philosophy is superior to religion. An old school vs. new school situation is created when Bhaer jumps up and defends religion as the superior moral school of thought. This train of thought would likely suit an older German man of the time, but I also think this is the author imparting her own beliefs into her writing. Jo agrees with Professor Bhaer, which is odd for a character who is often considered the most progressive in the story. This leads me to believe that Alcott may be making a point here, as she does from time to time. There are some other small moral quandaries or debates similar to this one that are thrown in and may pull the reader out of the story, but they’re fairly minor in relation to the rest of the story and plot.

There is also something to be said for the way the sisters’ interactions with one another are written. The dialogue is often quick and a little punchy, which makes their back-and-forth conversations fun to read. We see a lot of different facets of the characters’ personalities through these conversations as well. They fight, cajole, laugh, and annoy one another almost incessantly, just as real sisters would. This realism helps keep the novel interesting and lively whenever the plot tends to slow.

While I did enjoy this book immensely, it did take me much longer than usual to read. There wasn’t anything I found particularly gripping about the plot, which made this book easy to put down or become distracted from. However, the language and story are both really pleasant to read. I would describe this as a novel that lets you meander, rather than takes you on a brisk walk. Those types of novels are still enjoyable to me, so I didn’t mind at all. Someone who enjoys more invigorating classics may feel differently.

Another thing I noticed while reading this book is that although I have the 150th anniversary edition, meaning it was truly written that long ago, the language used is extremely easy to read. Sometimes with classics it can be difficult to parse through the language of the time, but I don’t think anyone who reads regularly would have any trouble at all with this novel. Adaptable classics are some of my favorite, and I also find it endearing when the characters or protagonists could blend in with society today. I think the little women can do just that, which makes this a great book for those who aren’t particularly interested in classic literature to read.

It’s also a great example of a book with a happy ending that may not suit every reader. I personally enjoyed the ending because I think it really kept in tone with the book, but I know there is a lot of discussion about some of the women ending up with different characters (or with no one at all). I like that it’s a happy ending, but maybe not a perfect one. Their life is constantly described as happy and full of merriment, yet imperfect and difficult at times. The ending we receive seems to match this constant theme, which makes it a good ending in my eyes.

As for the matches between the women, I think each match suits their character growth. Had certain characters ended up with one another (I’m being vague here to avoid spoilers, but it’s a 150-year-old book so I’m not sure why I’m bothering), it would have really regressed the growth that happens for them throughout the story. There’s a large section of the novel devoted to personal development, and the ending wraps this up by showing how the sisters have all learned to make the choices that are best for them rather than for others or for society. I think that’s a really important lesson, and I’m extremely pleased that it’s the lesson the book ends on.

Overall, I think this book is a great novel for anyone looking for an easy, generally pleasant classic novel. While there isn’t much excitement, it’s a well-written coming-of-age tale that many readers (especially young women) will be able to relate to.

The Lit Wiz