I know right?! Beth was one of my FAVE characters. The chapter in which she died was the SADDEST. I really don't mind the fact that Laurie married Amy, in my opinion they go together. After all, Amy wanted to marry a rich-but-nice man, right? Oh yeah and I read Little Women like 40 times seriously!

Isn't Little Women based upon the real life of the author, Louisa May Alcott? If so, the death and marriage may reflect real life, which doesn't always have a happily-ever-after ending.

Admin

Oh, I love Little Women, and I love Alcott in general. Her writing is just amazing! But Little Women; the all time favorite. I really love tomboy/adventurous Jo, who is so like me, and I loved little Beth, though she really seemed too good to be true - she didn't belong in this world, really. When I read the book (and probably even now) Amy was the closest to my age, so I felt something special to her . . . but I don't really like her that much. Meg was the oldest, like me, so I could relate to her on some levels, but definitely not all. Laurie was awesome, in my opinion. In the later books (Good Wives, Little Men, and Jo's Boys), he was so flighty and moody, so little like that old Laurie.

Have you guys read the sequel (the first one), Little Men? Little Women was good but I liked Little Men better. 

Why....*sniff*.....did you.....*sniff*.....remind me....*sniff* THAT BETH DIED!!!!!!

WWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

But it was a great book! 

LOVE. THIS. BOOK. So much. This is hands down one of my most favorite books EVER!

Each of the sisters is very relateable to me in one way or another, though Jo is especially. But each one has such an interesting and unique personality and story of their own, which helps branch out the story, but they still all tie together. Plus, I personally believe that each of the girls brought together present excellent role models, for multiple reasons. They learn from their mistakes, truly cherish and believe in what is important, like God, family, and the importance of respecting others above yourself. The other thing I loved about them was how much they both loved and respected their mother, and trusted her guidence and words of wisdom. I also loved the relationship they had with one another. Yes, they argued, and disagreed, and acted very much as sisters always do. But they always came back to each other, always forgave, always loved, and always cherished the bond they had. 

@ Admin: Yes, Louisa is represented in the story by Jo. And each of the sisters does represent Louisa's own sisters, including one who died at a young age, and as in the story, they weren't well off financially. Though that's about where the similarities end. Little Women, while a very enjoyable story to us, wasn't Louisa's favorite, and she was disappointed that it turned out to be one of her best sellers. Her life was by far much harder, and Little Women was basically a happier more fanciful version of Louisa's own life. Perhaps what she had wished it had been. 

Thanks for this information, BHR. And for your good, thoughtful review.

Admin

I wish I could read this book! It's just the older English was hard to read. Maybe I'll come back to it one day. It was one of those sad situations where I let this book sit for too long. Don't you hate when this happens? It's happening with The Star Shard.  Anyway...

I have loved this book from the first reading, meaning for about seven years of my life.

I actually think it was really sweet that Amy married Laurie. Though I sort of wish Jo hadn't married. I feel it would have fit her character more to be a vigorous old spinster like Louisa herself. Though for the sake of the two sequels (which were wonderful; I loved Nat and Tommy), I didn't mind Professor Bhaer.

I loved the movies too--both the recent one and the old black and white one. I didn't like the older Amy in the new one, though--she didn't seem to capture the character enough, especially since the young Amy was spot on.