Review

Little Women is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott,
published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869 at the request of her publisher, Roberts Brothers.
I choose this book because I watched a movie based on this book and it became one of my
favorites.My mom also recommended this novel to me.
Louisa May Alcott ,born on November 29, 1832 , American author known for her children’s
books, especially the classic Little Women. Her father was a writer and teacher, her mother
was an American activist. The Alcott family had four daughters, which will be prototypes for
the main characters in "Little Women".Because of money problems, Louisa started working
early, including writing.Alcott’s stories began to appear in The Atlantic Monthly with her
first book “Flower fables”.Later she wrote the autobiographical “Little Women“, which was
an immediate success. She followed Little Women’s success with two sequels, Little man in
1871 and Jo’s Boys in 1886.Alcott also wrote other domestic narratives drawn from her early
experiences: An Old-Fashioned Girl (1870); Eight Cousins (1875); and Rose in
Bloom (1876). She never married, but because of her sister's death, she raised her niece.She
spent the last twenty years of her life in Boston, caring for her parents. Her own health, also
declined, and she died in Boston in March 6, 1888.
The genre of this book is an coming of age autobiographical novel.
The story is set in 1860s Massachusetts during the Civil War.
Mr. March went to war for his country. Leaving behind his wife and four
children:Margaret,Josephine,Elizabeth and Amy. Their financial situation was not the best.
The girls always helped their mother with the housework.Mr. Lawrence and his grandson
Teddy lived next door. Teddy and the girls became best friends.
As the days passed, Beth caught scarlet fever and lay ill in bed for a long time. Meanwhile,
their mother had to leave. Without their mother, the sisters had a hard time.
Mr. March returned, and Beth got better almost the same day. Now the whole family was
gathered, and everyone was happy.
I think the plot of the book is quite interesting.I liked this novel because I myself come from
a large family and I understand how each of the girls feels.
The narrator in this book is a third person.
There are only four main characters, four sisters.Margaret was the oldest. She was sixteen
and was tutoring the rich family kids. The second oldest was Josephine. She was a total book
worm and she wrote stories. Her clothes and attitude resembled a boy. The most calm
daughter of the house was Elizabeth and she was thirteen years old. She loved music. Her
biggest hobby was to play piano. The youngest was Amy and she was interested in painting.
She would paint everything she saw.
I really like all 4 girls, but Beth was the closest to me.She, like me, loves music and plays the
piano.
The main idea of Little Women is that family is important in life and that we can handle any
problem or tragedy with the support of family. There is also a message portrayed through the
character of Jo, that women can be competent and successful and still be feminine and have a
family.
I would recommend this book for reading.The book teaches us important values:appreciate
family and friendship, go through difficulties and help the poor.