Reading the Classics discussion

I have started this thread for those participating in the side read/buddy read of Little Women. Please don't post anthing from Part II, otherwise known as Good Wives on this thread. There will be a separate thread for Good Wives.

This one is next on my list as soon as I finish A Clash of Kings. Excited to reread these books!

I'm up to chapter 12 (I've been packing up my house for moving and have LOTS of audiobook time!) and the simple, sweet stories are a nice change of pace after other, longer reads like Clash of Kings, Anna Karenina and Atlas Shrugged! I find myself reading it with a vague sense of deja vu, because a lot of the stories I kind of remember, but it's been so long that I've forgotten most of the details. I think that first chapter has been used on its own as a short story that is often read at Christmas time as a sweet tale of the Gifts of the Magi variety (the O. Henry short story). It's nice to have a nice, gentle story that's full of morals and semi-autobiographical. Looking forward to the rest of it!

Alana,

I am still finishing up Anna Karenina and Dracula and I am looking forward to starting this book. I've never read it before.

I'm up to part two, but probably won't finish it until I start unpacking my house next week. Enjoying it so far tho!

At the beginning of reading Little Women, I wasn't sure I would like it -- felt like it would be old-fangled, behind the times (too much), but as I kept reading I totally changed my mind and realized that emotions never go out of style, we all feel the same today as they did back when -- just a little different vernacular, that's all. I fell in love with all the characters, and every time I picked it up it gave me the most warm, cozy, and homey feelings! Great book!

I liked the second part of this book much better. When I was little, I did not remember Little Women being so preachy. I love the characters, but found it really annoying how much religion was in the book. It took a lot away from the story for me.

Amy just makes me giggle. She is so self-absorbed and adorable.

I didn't remember so many religious references either, but I found it charming. It's something that knits the family together, but as each girl gets older, they seem to develop their own feelings and opinions in that and other matters in a way that keeps their roots, yet matures into greater understanding of the world and not merely one way of looking at it. They all have their faults and all have different ways of going about growing up into women of character, but they all do eventually (even self-absorbed Amy). It really is timeless.

Kelsi wrote: "Amy just makes me giggle. She is so self-absorbed and adorable."

I agree - Amy is funny! I loved when she said something about being labeled like a pickle bottle, when she meant libeled. In fact, that is why I always remember the difference between slander and libel!

Jo, of course, is the most interesting - so independent and strong-willed. Beth is so sweet and gentle you have to love her. For me, Meg made the least impression.

I read both Little Women and Good Wives in my teens; didn't realize they were two books until I picked up Viking's "The Whole Story" copy of Little Women, which was so skinny I realized it was only "part one."

According to their "Note on the Text," in the U.S. Good Wives was published as Little Women, Part II. Alcott didn't expect much of it -- "I don't like sequels, and don't think No 2 will be as popular as No 1."

Alcott wrote the first one when her publisher asked her to write a "girls' story"; her initial reply was that she "never liked girls, or knew many." She finally decided to describe her own childhood, saying she hoped "our queer plays and experiences may prove interesting, though I doubt it." :D

According to Viking's note, "She was especially irritated that so many girls who wrote to her wanted to know whom the little women married, since she did not think marriage was the only important goal a woman could have, and never married herself."

Also, "In 1880... Alcott revised some of the original text. Most of the changes were made in concession to the public's moral and sentimental demands," which may indicate that the original version was less religious, however the only specific examples they offer are that Laurie was made less "foreign," while Marmee was switched from "stout" to "tall." :p

I highly recommend Alcott's very short Transcendental Wild Oats for another (much more satirical) view of her childhood.

Sheryl, thanks for the information! That Wild Oats book looks very interesting, added to my TBR. Doesn't mean I'll get to it soon, though, unfortunately.... lol. Whether she liked marriage or not, she did an excellent job portraying it through Meg's chapters, IMO.

I loved Little Women. The story is just wonderful and I loved the way the characters all grew through the second half. It really was a quick read because I got so engrossed in the story and characters that I didn't want to put it down!

There were times it made me laugh and times I almost cried. Beth seemed a very tragic character from the beginning of the book and after she got sick I just knew something would happen to her because she was so weak.

I loved the connections between the girls. As with all families, there was the good and the bad like Amy destroying Jo's manuscript. I think I connected the most with Jo because of her short temper but I loved the talk she had with Marmee about it and how she tried so hard to keep it in check after.

I was a little disappointed though that Jo didn't end up with Laurie. I thought they would have made a good couple, but the Professor was a good balance that I was very happy they ended up together at the end.

After Meg married, her story seemed to slow down a little as Jo and Amy's were just getting started, but I loved how she was portrayed as trying to be the good wife and mother. Not always succeeding, but always able to work things out.

All the characters were so rounded out that you had to connect with them at some point. By the second half they had all grown and were on their own paths to lead their separate lives, but always be close together as a family. I can see why so many people wanted to know what happened with the girls after the first half. If I had only read the first half I would have been wondering the same. I'm very glad Miss Alcott decided to write the second part, because that seemed to finish it off nicely.

All in all I loved the book and would definitely be interested in reading the sequels.

I have a wonderful book called Louisa May Alcott: An Intimate Anthology that includes Transcendental Wild Oats and other writings by Alcott, such as letters and journal entries. It also includes her experiences as a Civil War nurse. If you are interested in Alcott and want to learn more about her, I think this would be a good source.

Also, if you are ever in Massachusetts, you can visit Orchard House in Concord, one of the Alcotts' homes. My favorite things are May's ('Amy') room, where they have preserved pictures she drew on the walls, one of her paintings in the living room which had been exhibited at the Paris Salon, and a pillow on the couch that Louisa used to alert the others to her mood - if it was on end, they should leave her alone!

Renee, I was also disappointed that Jo and Laurie did not end up together. I also think that they made a great couple. Each appear to have found a good mate that made them happy by the end, but I still think they would have been better mates for each other.

Alana,
Wild Oats is very short, so you might be able to work it in sooner than planned. I'll bet it's available on the internet if you poke around a bit. :)

A Classic for a reason. :)