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A Country Christmas
A Country Christmas
36 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
20 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Louisa May Alcott
4,040 books10.6k followersLouisa May Alcott was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known for writing the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Good Wives (1869), Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Raised in New England by her transcendentalist parents, Abigail May Alcott and Amos Bronson Alcott, she grew up among many well-known intellectuals of the day, including Margaret Fuller, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Alcott's family suffered from financial difficulties, and while she worked to help support the family from an early age, she also sought an outlet in writing. She began to receive critical success for her writing in the 1860s. Early in her career, she sometimes used pen names such as A.M. Barnard, under which she wrote lurid short stories and sensation novels for adults that focused on passion and revenge.
Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts, and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters, Abigail May Alcott Nieriker, Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, and Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt. The novel was well-received at the time and is still popular today among both children and adults. It has been adapted for stage plays, films, and television many times.
Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She also spent her life active in reform movements such as temperance and women's suffrage. She died from a stroke in Boston on March 6, 1888, just two days after her father's death.
Alcott's family suffered from financial difficulties, and while she worked to help support the family from an early age, she also sought an outlet in writing. She began to receive critical success for her writing in the 1860s. Early in her career, she sometimes used pen names such as A.M. Barnard, under which she wrote lurid short stories and sensation novels for adults that focused on passion and revenge.
Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts, and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters, Abigail May Alcott Nieriker, Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, and Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt. The novel was well-received at the time and is still popular today among both children and adults. It has been adapted for stage plays, films, and television many times.
Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She also spent her life active in reform movements such as temperance and women's suffrage. She died from a stroke in Boston on March 6, 1888, just two days after her father's death.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 23, 2015
True story: I glanced at the Amazon reviews before getting this story. Most of them were favorable, but of course there was a one-star. I had to see who the heck was trash-talking Louisa May Alcott. It was somebody who was really upset because they didn't expect this story to be so religious.
It's a nineteenth-century story. An American one. Written by Louisa May Alcott. About Christmas.
And just for the record, it isn't even all that religious, at least if that's your context. It's pretty much what you'd expect, other than the fact that I subjected my family to a ten-minute rant on the subject of Louisa May Alcott, lifelong feminist who never married or kept house, preaching the virtues of young women settling down and learning some homemaking skills instead of wandering around trying to find "meaningful" lives.
Perfectly cute, but if you really want an Alcott Christmas, I'd recommend reading the first few chapters of Little Women instead.
It's a nineteenth-century story. An American one. Written by Louisa May Alcott. About Christmas.
And just for the record, it isn't even all that religious, at least if that's your context. It's pretty much what you'd expect, other than the fact that I subjected my family to a ten-minute rant on the subject of Louisa May Alcott, lifelong feminist who never married or kept house, preaching the virtues of young women settling down and learning some homemaking skills instead of wandering around trying to find "meaningful" lives.
Perfectly cute, but if you really want an Alcott Christmas, I'd recommend reading the first few chapters of Little Women instead.
December 21, 2025
“I’ve a notion if each of us did up our own little chores smart and thorough, we needn’t go wanderin’ round to set the world to rights. That’s the Lord’s job, and I presume to say He can do it without any advice of ourn.” - Aunt Plumy
I grew up with country Christmases, the kind that didn’t need tinsel or storefront windows to announce themselves. This story took me straight back to those days. It felt familiar in the way a remembered voice does—especially Aunt Plumy, who might as well have been kin to my own favorite aunt, the one who made Christmas just by being there. Alcott’s characters move with the easy decency of people who know each other’s faults and choose affection anyway. Even the city folk—out of their upper crust society for the first time—are treated with a generosity that never feels forced.
The setting, just after the Civil War, hums with a restrained sorrow, but also with relief. There’s no commerce here or frantic cheer. What you find instead are homespun gifts, tables heavy with food, laughter that comes from the joy of good company, and the soft bloom of romance. These people give to one another not because a calendar tells them to, but because they understand how fragile good things can be.
Alcott’s affection for humanity is plain and unguarded. She writes as if people are worth the trouble, and that belief steadies the story like a hand on the shoulder. I finished it wishing it were longer, reluctant to leave this family and their circle of friends. The Christmas atmosphere is every bit as rich as Dickens’, but leaner, cleaner—like a clear winter night where the stars seem closer because there’s nothing unnecessary between you and them.
I grew up with country Christmases, the kind that didn’t need tinsel or storefront windows to announce themselves. This story took me straight back to those days. It felt familiar in the way a remembered voice does—especially Aunt Plumy, who might as well have been kin to my own favorite aunt, the one who made Christmas just by being there. Alcott’s characters move with the easy decency of people who know each other’s faults and choose affection anyway. Even the city folk—out of their upper crust society for the first time—are treated with a generosity that never feels forced.
The setting, just after the Civil War, hums with a restrained sorrow, but also with relief. There’s no commerce here or frantic cheer. What you find instead are homespun gifts, tables heavy with food, laughter that comes from the joy of good company, and the soft bloom of romance. These people give to one another not because a calendar tells them to, but because they understand how fragile good things can be.
Alcott’s affection for humanity is plain and unguarded. She writes as if people are worth the trouble, and that belief steadies the story like a hand on the shoulder. I finished it wishing it were longer, reluctant to leave this family and their circle of friends. The Christmas atmosphere is every bit as rich as Dickens’, but leaner, cleaner—like a clear winter night where the stars seem closer because there’s nothing unnecessary between you and them.
December 26, 2023
I cannot fully express how much I adore this story and feel that it embodies everything good and wholesome about a simple well lived existence.
This short story was touching and deep and joyful. The premise centers around a group of young city society people being invited into the home of a simple country family, who find more meaning in homespun things and hard labor than the city people find in all their extensive free time and money. Alcott is wise in not writing this like a conversion of the city people, instead we see something simple not transform, but touch, ever so gently, as to soften and redirect the focus of those who partake in the meaningful existence of the country family. I adored the kindly literary critique of the aunt with what is sure to become my new mantra, “But massy knows, we can’t live on spice-cake and Charlotte Ruche, and I do feel as if books was more sustainin’ ef they was full of every-day people and things, like good bread and butter.” Really, it expresses how playful banter and satire has to be rooted in an actual love for people, or rather that humor of that sort has to be balanced with what is fundamentally beautiful. Alcott also never fails to touch the softest part of my heart with her war stories, I sat in bed one night on the verge of tears over the story the cousin tells of watching his fellow man sacrifice and bear with gladness the prospect of death. People are right in saying that in subject this is not a particularly Christmas-like story, but in meaning it should bring to mind everything that makes Christmas a blessing. Good people who sacrifice, gather together, and carry the Christmas spirit all year round.
I honest to goodness loved this as much as Little Women if not more.
This short story was touching and deep and joyful. The premise centers around a group of young city society people being invited into the home of a simple country family, who find more meaning in homespun things and hard labor than the city people find in all their extensive free time and money. Alcott is wise in not writing this like a conversion of the city people, instead we see something simple not transform, but touch, ever so gently, as to soften and redirect the focus of those who partake in the meaningful existence of the country family. I adored the kindly literary critique of the aunt with what is sure to become my new mantra, “But massy knows, we can’t live on spice-cake and Charlotte Ruche, and I do feel as if books was more sustainin’ ef they was full of every-day people and things, like good bread and butter.” Really, it expresses how playful banter and satire has to be rooted in an actual love for people, or rather that humor of that sort has to be balanced with what is fundamentally beautiful. Alcott also never fails to touch the softest part of my heart with her war stories, I sat in bed one night on the verge of tears over the story the cousin tells of watching his fellow man sacrifice and bear with gladness the prospect of death. People are right in saying that in subject this is not a particularly Christmas-like story, but in meaning it should bring to mind everything that makes Christmas a blessing. Good people who sacrifice, gather together, and carry the Christmas spirit all year round.
I honest to goodness loved this as much as Little Women if not more.
December 6, 2025
Charming
Little House on the Prairie meets Pride and Prejudice.
Little House on the Prairie meets Pride and Prejudice.
March 6, 2014
Found on Good Gutenberg under the title The Louisa Alcott Reader: a Supplementary Reader for the Fourth Year of School: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7425
Published as:
KITTY'S CLASS DAY AND OTHER STORIES
By
Louisa M. Alcott
Author of "Little Women," etc.
Originally published under the title
"PROVERB STORIES"
1882
VERY short
opening: "A handful of good life is worth a bushel of learning."
"Dear Emily,—I have a brilliant idea, and at once hasten to share it with you. Three weeks ago I came up here to the wilds of Vermont to visit my old aunt, also to get a little quiet and distance in which to survey certain new prospects which have opened before me, and to decide whether I will marry a millionnaire and become a queen of society, or remain 'the charming Miss Vaughan' and wait till the conquering hero comes.
"Aunt Plumy begs me to stay over Christmas, and I have consented, as I always dread the formal dinner with which my guardian celebrates the day.
An obvious set-up however the lovely writing used to get to that predictable end makes it all worth it
Published as:
KITTY'S CLASS DAY AND OTHER STORIES
By
Louisa M. Alcott
Author of "Little Women," etc.
Originally published under the title
"PROVERB STORIES"
1882
VERY short
opening: "A handful of good life is worth a bushel of learning."
"Dear Emily,—I have a brilliant idea, and at once hasten to share it with you. Three weeks ago I came up here to the wilds of Vermont to visit my old aunt, also to get a little quiet and distance in which to survey certain new prospects which have opened before me, and to decide whether I will marry a millionnaire and become a queen of society, or remain 'the charming Miss Vaughan' and wait till the conquering hero comes.
"Aunt Plumy begs me to stay over Christmas, and I have consented, as I always dread the formal dinner with which my guardian celebrates the day.
An obvious set-up however the lovely writing used to get to that predictable end makes it all worth it
December 5, 2010
If your are familiar at all with the Author's books you will enjoy A Country Christmas. The story begins with a letter from one Miss Sophie Vaughan to her friend Emily. She invites her to spend Christmas with her in the country with her Aunt Plumy and her cousins Saul and Ruth. An author and artist, Randall, is also joining them. Sophie decides to leave the ways of the city behind and have an old fashioned country Christmas. I enjoyed being reminded of simpler times. My family and I have a tradition of choosing a different country each year to learn about and adopt their customs for the evening. After reading this book I thought it just may be delightful to celebrate our own country Christmas one year. I enjoyed the story very much.
December 11, 2023
Very warm and simple.. I feel cozy and full of love. I think I smiled 95% of the time as I read this.
December 9, 2021
This could easily have been yet another silly Christmas Netflix/Lifetime movie.
November 24, 2021
If it wasn’t because this was an assignment for a class I wouldn’t have read this book. That’s not the reason why I dislike this book.
1. This is completely boring. It’s something you could read in a day but because of how boring it was it took me three days to finish.
2. Not only is bored but also predictable. Since Emily refers to Saul as “Sophie’s hero” you know they would end up together. Reason? Because they love each other despite we not seeing that.
3. I know the book is old but I don’t care. They are COUSINS. That’s a big no for me. I don’t care if you say you shouldn’t judge a book with a present mentality. I’ll judge with a present mentality, I hate incest and I hate this book.
4. The only part where I thought something interesting would happen was when a group of people said there was an accident and a tree fell on someone and Sophie thinks is Saul BUT THREE SECONDS LATER WE KNOW IT WASNT THE CASE! This was just there so Sophie could say “oh, I was worry FOR MY COUSIN, I must love him”
She decided she loved him because she got worries? SOPHIE? DID YOU NOT THINK THAT YOU WERE WORRIED BECAUSE HE IS YOUR COUSIN?
There’s nothing good about this book but if you hate yourself go ahead and read it.
1. This is completely boring. It’s something you could read in a day but because of how boring it was it took me three days to finish.
2. Not only is bored but also predictable. Since Emily refers to Saul as “Sophie’s hero” you know they would end up together. Reason? Because they love each other despite we not seeing that.
3. I know the book is old but I don’t care. They are COUSINS. That’s a big no for me. I don’t care if you say you shouldn’t judge a book with a present mentality. I’ll judge with a present mentality, I hate incest and I hate this book.
4. The only part where I thought something interesting would happen was when a group of people said there was an accident and a tree fell on someone and Sophie thinks is Saul BUT THREE SECONDS LATER WE KNOW IT WASNT THE CASE! This was just there so Sophie could say “oh, I was worry FOR MY COUSIN, I must love him”
She decided she loved him because she got worries? SOPHIE? DID YOU NOT THINK THAT YOU WERE WORRIED BECAUSE HE IS YOUR COUSIN?
There’s nothing good about this book but if you hate yourself go ahead and read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2013
Take a step into Christmas Past
The novel "Ethan Fromme" paints a bleak picture of life in a wintry landscape. But Alcott finds joy, hope, optimism, and redemption in the same harsh conditions. The secret is in the characters' love for each other, and in their security in their place in the world. I enjoyed this account of a festive holiday in days of yore. If you like a peek into the Yuletide via Irving or Dickens, I think you'll want to add this to your holiday collection.
The novel "Ethan Fromme" paints a bleak picture of life in a wintry landscape. But Alcott finds joy, hope, optimism, and redemption in the same harsh conditions. The secret is in the characters' love for each other, and in their security in their place in the world. I enjoyed this account of a festive holiday in days of yore. If you like a peek into the Yuletide via Irving or Dickens, I think you'll want to add this to your holiday collection.
December 22, 2018
I started reading this online and had not noticed the author, only the title. I was charmed by this sweet little story and was not too surprised to find the author was my beloved Louisa May Alcott ♡
What a happy Christmas surprise.
What a happy Christmas surprise.
December 6, 2010
While it is a neat little story, the plot is predictable, the characters flat and the prose a bit too flowery for my tastes...
December 5, 2012
You can't go wrong with Louisa May Alcott's writing - good short story.
December 7, 2014
A perhaps slightly predictable Christmas story, but still very charming. It is nice without being too sweet. Enjoyable.
September 20, 2013
It's an early start on the Christmas reading list.
December 24, 2013
A simple, sweet, satisfying, seasonal short story.
December 25, 2015
I've arranged my thoughts on this short story into a haiku:
"Once one finds a path,
There's no sense in nay saying,
Unforeseen or no."
"Once one finds a path,
There's no sense in nay saying,
Unforeseen or no."
December 17, 2022
While Louisa May Alcott is one of America's foremost writers of the 1800's, she is not necessarily one of my favorites. That said, she has a way of writing scenes that stick in a reader's mind.
This is one of her Christmas short stories, and in it she tells of some "city folk" coming to the "country" during Christmas time shortly after the Civil War. It is both humourous and poignant.
The most touching moment is when Saul - "Major Bassett" - is cajoled into telling everyone the story of how he and some other men, all seriously wounded, made it through one bitterly cold night during the war without medicine, food, or shelter. It is writing like this that makes Alcott so worthy of her fame.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
This is one of her Christmas short stories, and in it she tells of some "city folk" coming to the "country" during Christmas time shortly after the Civil War. It is both humourous and poignant.
The most touching moment is when Saul - "Major Bassett" - is cajoled into telling everyone the story of how he and some other men, all seriously wounded, made it through one bitterly cold night during the war without medicine, food, or shelter. It is writing like this that makes Alcott so worthy of her fame.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
October 27, 2022
Enjoyable but predictable. I love my cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies and this could have been one but almost too much like one. I liked the military stories and character build up more than I liked the romance. I almost felt in the first half there would be no romance which would have been a pleasant surprise and then the second half was all romance. I suppose that's typical of these older Christmas stories, but I often find myself enjoying the ones with additional plots. All in all, I found this one lacking, and like another Goodreads review read that I agree with, if you're looking for good Christmas times, read the first few chapters of Little Women.
December 12, 2023
Um conto bem curto, da autora de Mulherzinhas, foi meu primeiro contato com a escrita da autora, que estava com medo, por ser bem antiga. Mas foi uma leitura fluída, de fácil compreensão, somente no baile que fiquei um pouco confusa entre as conversas, mas depois se torna dedutiva facilmente.
Lógico que, pela época, tem falas bem machistas, que incomodam, mas é necessário se aplicar ao contexto histórico, e vendo sob essa óptica, acaba tendo algumas falas mais progressistas (aka Ruth).
Lógico que, pela época, tem falas bem machistas, que incomodam, mas é necessário se aplicar ao contexto histórico, e vendo sob essa óptica, acaba tendo algumas falas mais progressistas (aka Ruth).
December 21, 2020
Was it normal in these times to marry your cousin? Saul is Sophie’s cousin, as she addresses in the beginning. That part threw off the whole story for me. On the whole, I thought the sentiment of the story was sweet, but the writing a bit too flowery as another person mentioned and at times a lot to follow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2025
A too sweet tale of a city calling upon her friends to spend Christmas in the country with her relatives and all the good that comes of it. A rather rose-tinted look at old country life and old fashioned romance but of course well written. I’ve lived a country life and it isn’t all that she makes it
July 2, 2020
A beautiful story. It took me a few pages to get back into the language Alcott uses, especially after all of the very contemporary stuff I have read lately, but I loved the language so much I was tempted to copy out quotes from it — lovely sentiments, so beautifully expressed.
December 6, 2020
3,5/5 Me ha parecido un relato muy bonito y perfecto para Navidad, esta autora hace un gran trabajo dejándonos ver como es de diferente la vida en el campo a la vida en la ciudad y haciéndonos pasar muchos ratos agradables junto a la chimenea con amigos.
December 29, 2023
“I saw how faith could hold a soul up when everything but God was gone.”
“It is surprising how much courage, goodness, and real piety is stowed away in common folks, ready to show when the right time comes.”
“It is surprising how much courage, goodness, and real piety is stowed away in common folks, ready to show when the right time comes.”
December 27, 2018
This was a sweet little short story. There was not a lot of plot, but I enjoyed reading some of Louisa May Alcott's writing I'd never read before.
December 30, 2018
A nice Christmas story. I liked the glimpse of country life. I read the version included in A Christmas Treasury.
January 3, 2020
Loved it!
December 2, 2020
Ok little novella about the true meaning of Christmas
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews